Creativity: Bah, Humbug

[figmo]

I feel like I'm the only person in filking who hasn't been creative lately. I've been watching as telynor has been pouring out beautiful stuff. khaosworks also churns out great stuff like crazy. autographedcat just wrote something new today. filkerdave and cadhla also keep writing marvelous stuff.

Why the hell can't I write marvelous stuff, too? I can't even get a song about a stupid napkin ring to gel.

The Pegasus nominations are out. On one hand, I want to congratulate my friends who've been nominated. On the other hand, ignoring the whole process makes me feel less worthless.

Comments

[adamselzer.livejournal.com]

Actually, getting a song about a napkin ring to gel seems awfully difficult to me.

Napkin ring, napkin ring
round like the world
hold in the fablic
all wrapped in a whirl
??

Been there, done that

[poltr1]

I have bunches of songs that are either still in my head or on paper that are just embryonic ideas that haven't quite matured into songs. I've finished less than ten songs. One hasn't been turned into a MIDI file yet, and another one has lost words (they're written down and filed away someplace). The songs that go nowhehere are the ones that start off with "I'm gonna write a song about this topic", and the idea doesn't grow.

BTW, I still love "Fishies On Their Sides"!

Re: Been there, done that

[ladymondegreen.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I can't write on demand. Witness my inability to write for song contests. The one time (yes, this weekend) that I've placed in a contest was a pre-written song that happened to fit the theme and the requirements.

I was asked earlier this year to write a song for a friend's wedding CD, and didn't because I couldn't write a happy love song. I think I've listened to too many Child ballads over the years. I wound up writing a story instead and reading it at the wedding.

Don't be discouraged by a low period in creativity, that usually either means you're too busy and stressed to write, or that you're happy. In your case I think it's probably the former, you've got a lot on your mind. Maybe you should try writing down the stuff that bugs you in song form, and that'll gel?

It's not just you

[jhitchin.livejournal.com]

I've been in a dry spell for a year. Writing songs is like pulling teeth. With some of us, it comes easily, and for others it's more difficult.

In my case, I could probably just write a bunch of stuff I didn't put my heart into, but it wouldn't be any good, and when it comes to my own material, I'm going the route of quality over quantity.