Ingredients there-but no writing.

[GregK]

Hi folks! So, I'm writing -yet again- another one of my longer posts that makes you think. (chuckle) It's about 10pm on Saturday, insomnia again- tried to play music and tried to write new material- without much luck. But- I am getting ahead of myself.. a bit more of the background.
My wife is away helping her family get her parent's house ready to put on the market and I'm here at home. Suddenly I am finding that I cannot sleep- in fact..I find sometimes I can't even seem to think clearly in her absence. It is so strangely ironic that we know we are each other's best friend- we say "I love you" hundreds of times- yet the words really don't do adequate justice until you are faced with weeks apart. I've tried to take this time as an opportunity to work on my music- thinking that I can make all kinds of noise and experiments without worrying about bothering her. I've even tried writing down some of the feelings, words or phrases to try and work them into a song- thinkng now was the best time and believing that when she returns the feeling would be different so I had better use these feelings now to compose something- still no luck.
So- ideas?? Where to turn for that spark- that inspiration.. yes.. I have gone through the reference to the Bible- but although I am getting decent references to "you are not alone" or "turn to God in your time of need"- which is all good stuff- it still isn't helping with the depressing writer's block- any helpful insights or ideas??
Some of the phrases I jotted down to make into lyrics..
The lonliness consumes me. lying awake- jumping at shadows and wondering if you are there. We are so close that you cut an I begin to bleed. Yet never fully appreciated the need. We know, but are never fully aware. until the moment that one is not there. Now with you gone it all comes back to haunt me. To embrace me in it's icy hold. Scrathcing away at my soul. We say we have love, but do we really know to what depth- each heartbeat and breath. hardly justifies the burning emotions. that run as deep as the ocean..

That's it- even as i type this I'm still hitting the wall- any help on what you do when you hit he wall?? As you can see- I have some great ingredients fo something good here- but its still only batter- and i can't seem to formulate it all into something good. HELP?? PLEASE, THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS!! Greg K.
And- adding yourself to my friends list, adding comments or voting for me is encouraging, uplifting and IMMENSELY APPRECIATED- so thank you- but I also need some good honest advice here too.. THANKS!!

[astcyr]

Sometimes it is difficult. Then out of the blue, when you least expect it -- it will come to you.

A little relaxing and perhaps meditation may help.

Best of luck!

My regards,
Al

http://www.musicforte.com/member/astcyr

[GregK]

Thanks Al, I appreciate the info! yeah, relaxing would probably help- sleep would probably help too (it's been FAR too many days and not nearly enough sleep!) -oh, I know that inspiration will hit at the craziest times- I have whole songs that recorded in my bathrobe because the inspiration hit when I was in the shower! Wouldn't it be nice if we could "schedule" visits from the muse?.. "Ok I got Wednesday night from 06:30 to 09:30- gimme a top 40 hit!" LOL.
So, any other helpful hints- tricks- something?? I've looked at the vacation pics -beautiful.. but still not getting any melodies...

[mlr_pa]

Greg, More power to you and your lovely wife! It is heartening to know some relationships actually do survive. (yea, I'm in the midst of a breakup, can you tell?)

Anyway, use your missing her, as you inspiration. Not in the traditional sense, but in musical ways, like "Hmmm.... What would she think of this idea?" Use this time, to create an audio version of roses for her. Or perhaps, tell her in sound, about that thing that she does that drives you insane.
Just a few suggestions. Enjoy!

[GregK]

Thanks! ..Well, I am sorry to hear you are in the midst of a breakup- I'm sure lots of great tunes will come from it..if that's any consolation!
I certainly can't give any secrets to how relationships work- she still puts up with me -even when my fingers start playing "air guitar"scales and I get that look in my eyes that says I have a new tune processing in my head- and I jump up from the sofa, kiss her- go in my room and close the door and for the next several hours she has to hear the bad notes as the ideas become reality. LOL.
Audio Roses- ..hmm. I like that- in fact there are a few ideas going around in my head now..could become something!!
As for the audio version of that thing that drives me insane.. (evil chuckle) -think I have to get the Wah pedal for that one..LOL!!

[mlr_pa]

"wah pedal"? hmmmm......
why am I thinking of those movies from the 70's, where the sacantily clad woman answers the door, and goes..."Well....howEVER am I going to pay you for the pizza? I don't have any money on hand."..... (wah wah guitar and bongos fade in......)

[christineanderson]

Hitting The Wall: How To Get Your Creativity Back

I am writing a book about Inspiration and Creative Discovery, and I can tell you with certainty that "hitting a wall," as you call it, is one of the most common experiences (and fears) among even the most highly creative types. Some creatives have blocks that last for weeks, and others for months and even years. These blocks can cause us to doubt ourselves, to discredit our abilities, and to become frustrated and afraid; and the anxiety and pressure that result are often more debilitating than the block was in the first place. But I can also tell you that it is not only possible for you to recover from the block to reclaim your artistic imagination, but you literally have the capacity to reach new heights of creative awareness so fathomless, it's like divine inspiration on tap!

The underlying concept behind Complete Creative Discovery (or Recovery, as the case may be) is Honoring Yourself As An Artist, and that means consciously deciding that your Creativity is your most prized resource, and that it must be protected and fortified at all costs. Once you make that decision, your Inner Artist becomes the center of your universe, and you must take purposeful, deliberate steps to Empower Your Inner Artist and Obliterate Obstacles that stand in the way of your creativity.

The first step toward Complete Creative Discovery is Reconnecting With Your Inner Voice(s). We all have at least one internal voice. When we were children, we interacted with it all the time as a normal part of our development. We may have called it our imagination or our imaginary friend or recognized it as a series of internal thoughts. But somewhere along the line, between bills and taxes and insurance and cholesterol, our little voice(s) was lost when "Reality" stepped in. Whether we were tricked into believing that our imaginations were childish, or we simply became caught up in other things, we lost our connection to our Inner Voice... and that's where our creative ideas come from!

Unfortunately, reconnecting with that voice is easier said than done, and we have some serious obstacles in our way as 21st century humans. With all the noise this planet makes, and all the information we are constantly being bombarded with in commercials and the radio and billboards and the internet, how are we supposed to hear a little melody drifting through our mind? Call me a heretic, but I rather doubt that Mozart would have written any of that music if his television was on all day. Sometimes we have to go out of our way to shut out all the noise in this world - the TV, radio, traffic, Paris Hilton - if we want to hear our inner voice.

Which brings us to the second step towards Complete Creative Discovery, and that is Building A Sanctuary. If you're going to reconnect with your Inner Voice, you need to set up an environment for yourself that is condusive to creative thinking, and remove all obstacles and distractions that may inhibit your conscious mind from interfacing with your subconscious mind, the Collective Unconscious, the Infinite, and the Divine. This space should be Quiet, Removed From The Outside World, and Entirely Yours.

Once you have your creative space, you need to check in and spend some time Clearing Your Mind. You need to sit down, close your eyes, and try to slow down your mental tape reel. This could take you hours, days, or weeks, but you have to do it. There are all sorts of exercises you can do to help you along the way...

(I'll fill them in later)

At first, all sorts of crazy thoughts will zip through your head: when your VISA payment is due, the Nabisco jingle, ooh I need some new shoes.

TO BE CONTINUED........................................................

Christine Anderson
www.christineanderson.net

[Greg]

I have a piano and acoustic guitar in my house. But the things I write on the two instruments are very different.

You might find some inspiration by playing on a different instrument.