Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
fiyero8132
Broadway Star Joined: 4/27/05
#0Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 5:02pmI started writing a musical two days ago and I found that after I do some really good work I have a period where my creative juices just stop flowing. I have to break for a bit and go back to it later to keep my writing fresh. What do YOU all do to get back in the zone musically and lyrically?
#1re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 5:05pmWhen I read the thread title, I thought you were talking about TARZAN...
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
bwaymizfit
Chorus Member Joined: 2/22/06
#2re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:14pmWhile I've never tried to write a musical myself (good for you!), I would just take a break and try to take my mind off of it. With some luck, more inspiration will come to you. I think the last thing you want to do is try to write stuff down when you're uninspired.
Act4ever
Broadway Star Joined: 4/12/04
#3re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:24pmFor me, I've always had to take long long breaks and not even look at the material I have written... A few weeks, or even months later I'll pull it out, re-read, make changes, and be excited to continue! --- I don't know what it is you're writing about... but make sure it's sometihng that you are really passionate about. Writing a musical can take a looong time...
#4re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:27pmI usually go out and talk to friends and go to places that inspire. Usually you hear great conversations or see wonderous things that will make you pick it up again.
"Are you sorry for civilization? I am sorry for it too." ~Coast of Utopia: Shipwreck
BwayBaby18
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/19/05
#5re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:30pmwhen i am writting my show i can only do it when i feel truely inspired.
#6re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:34pm
I think you need to clear your head of inner chatter and get back to a clear head. Deepak Chopra has great meditation CD's which are a great musical chill out but they go also into chakras and that stuff which is a fun way to get back into the zone.
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#7re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 6:55pm
I've always found the best inspiration to be a deadline. "Oh, the show starts rehearsals in a week; better finish that song!"
Seriously, sometimes it does help to get singers/actors involved. Set a date to have someone learn a new piece and you will finish it in time. Writing is all about making choices. When you have less time to dwell on your choices, your first instinct is often the right one.
Also, Doug has a good point. Take a breath, clear your head, meditate. Go for a walk. I often ride the subway. The loud noise drowns out the noise in my head and often the work I'm doing resolves itself. Just my opinion!
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
#8re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 8:32pmI don't know why, but with me, I just can't be creative in the morning. Everything comes out late at night, when I'm trying not to wake up anybody around me. I paint, draw, write, and so on. But only when it's dark out.
Hear the words I sing: war's a horrid thing. So, I sing sing sing... Ding a ling a ling.
#9re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 8:41pm^ wow. I'm the complete opposit. I can't be creative at night. Everything comes to me when I wake up earlier than usual.
#10re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 9:46pmUnless you're up against a deadline, take your time. Believe me when I tell you that writing can take a long time, and if you try to be quick about it (unless of course the juices are flowin') what you create won't necessarily be what you wanted. The show I've just written, Squiggllydickler, is a play but it still took me over a year to write it. But, we begin rehearsals tomorrow so it is definitely a rewarding experience. Stay in it, take your time, and breathe. And if all else fails, and you're still stuck... ask a trusting friend. They'll be honest and may spit out an idea you can run with. And at the end of the day: make sure you're having fun.
Go see JACOB MARLEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL this December 19 - 20 at The Colony Theater in Hillsboro, Ohio. For more information visit: http://www.jacobmarley.net
#11re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 9:52pm
I agree with you benjamingullett and great luck with your new show. Let us know how rewrites go during rehearsals. :)
Over the years, having written for stage, film and television, I've learned to write quickly, and to allow lots of input from others (especially the director). Hey, why should I do all of the work? lol
Of course, when starting a new project the first few steps can be brutally painful and slow. I still hate the blank page...terrifying!!
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
Cruel_Sandwich
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/30/05
#12re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 10:36pmMeh, I'm having the same problem. I've been working on this screenplay for about two years.
broadwaybelter
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/26/04
#13re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 10:40pm
Musicals do take an extensive period of time to write and revise. [Sarcasm afoot] Unless you are a brilliant composer like Elton John and you can write all of your songs within month [end of sarcasm] So just take your time with your show and see what comes of it. Sometimes inspiration will be completely unavaliable in which case you should just wait to see when you'll get another idea...or you can use the easy button!!
#14re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 11:03pmThanks for the support TomMonster! I'll definitely keep posting about the process. I'm actually working on a rewrite right now and it is driving me crazy!
Go see JACOB MARLEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL this December 19 - 20 at The Colony Theater in Hillsboro, Ohio. For more information visit: http://www.jacobmarley.net
#15re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 11:27pmWell, I don't really write musicals, but with my plays, usually when I lose inspiration I take a break for a day or so and then just keep going. Just keep plodding along and something will rise out of something else. You can go back and edit all the crap later.
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#16re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 11:38pmI never write anything good when I sit down to write. It usually happens when I'm running or working out at the gym and my mind just wanders (then I rush off to find a pencil and some paper to jot it down). I find that if I'm just in the shower humming and stuff and making up songs, usually I can find a little melody that clicks. I was singing to myself in my car with my parents and I found a great melody and I just kept repeating it all the way home until I could record it. I just inspiration just comes when you're not looking for it.
#17re: Sometimes the creative juices just stop flowing...
Posted: 6/25/06 at 11:45pmMy now dead cat used to wake me in the middle of the night by playing on the piano. Every once in a while she came up with a good idea...
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
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