For me, these slumps, generally speaking, fall into one of two categories.

1) I’m writing regularly but still can’t get a flow going.

This is when the antidote might be to take a break, recharge the batteries. I give myself a short songwriting vacation, trying not to think about the writing of songs.

I will, however, gladly grab an idea if it appears. In fact, that’s the point – to take the pressure off so that my creative subconscious will reassert itself. It’s reverse psychology – on myself.

It takes a certain amount of trust to take this path – trust that if I go for a (short) while without writing, my natural desire to create will come back on its own, without me ‘forcing’ it.

The danger is, since writing is a habit, a routine, a way (an addiction?), that I’ll lose the habit and have a hard time reclaiming it. Laziness, and the natural inclination to not write, to be distracted, even to be freed of the obsession, will reclaim my psyche. That’s my fear, anyway (not completely unfounded).

So, as I said, I have to trust myself if I’m going to take a real break.

2) I’m having the same difficulties as above… but I admit to myself that the problem is not lack of inspiration. It’s lack of work.

Writing, when it’s not fun, and sometimes even when it is, can seem quite difficult. It’s not digging ditches, but frequently, to crack the code, you have to spend a lot of time grappling with a song’s particular challenges.

Each song has its own code. Compare it to picking a lock. You have to spend whatever time it takes for the tumblers to fall into place… or you just won’t get in.

That can be quite a wait. But I think a part of what makes a songwriter a songwriter is that we find these kinds of challenges not just frustrating (which they are), but also exhilarating.

Simply put, often the problem is that I’m just not putting in the time. I get complacent, either giving up on an idea too quickly, or saying, ‘this is good enough’… when it really ain’t.

Putting in the time is what it’s all about. To some extent writing is a numbers game. If I apply myself and produce a reasonable quantity of songs or song ideas, the odds that quality will follow improve with every melody note, word, and chord I write.

My problem is more likely to be #2 than #1. If I put in the time, things usually take care of themselves. But I certainly have tried #1 occasionally and found it to be just the ticket to get me back on track. However I do suggest caution when taking that road.

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