Ten Song Tips to Activate Your Creativity
Time to up your lyric game to breakthrough writers block & spark creative ideas.

Have you ever experienced writer's block? Have you started at a blank screen or page only for your brain to follow suit and go blank too? I have, so I know how incredibly frustrating it can be. Writer's block is so frustrating it will have you questioning your creativity, and if you don't find a way to beat it, it only gets worse. So if you're a songwriter, writer's block is probably your worst nightmare. To remain effective, you must find a way to effectively deal with writer's block whenever it pitches a tent in your brain. Let me show you how...

Five Strategies to Beat Writer's Block

Write

I know, I know, if you're already struggling to write, this sounds ridiculous. Just hear me out first. Consistent writing can train your mind into building the habit such that you're always ready to go. You don't have to write the hit song you have in mind, but just writing can help clear your head. Write a poem, write an article, write about how you feel, just write. Writer's block is only as powerful as you let it be. When you wait for inspiration to hit you before you write, the block will just keep getting stronger. So fight back by writing. It's simple, like "Beat your fears by facing them", but it's true.

Train your mind so that you're always in the mood to write. If you can't write a song, write something else. Eventually, the song will come. One exercise I find helpful is something called free writing. It's simply writing nonstop for a given amount of time without regard for grammar or spelling errors, just continuous writing. It'll help you open your mind.

Clear your mind

One major reason for writer's block is an overwhelmed mind. When you have too many things on your mind, you'll struggle to think clearly. So you must clear your mind before settling down to write. Take it easy on yourself, calm your mind, and do something else that helps you relax. Drop your pen, close your laptop, and just take a walk. Try going to the gym or playing sports. Whatever helps you relax, try it out. Another way to clear your mind is to write, which agrees with the last point.

Optimize your workspace

One simple, often-ignored reason why you might be struggling is your workspace. If your workspace is cluttered or disorganized, it can affect your productivity and the flow of your creative juices. I know this because I've been guilty more than a few times. As much as you can, keep your workspace clear and optimized. It will help open your mind more than you know. Sometimes, you just need a change of scenery. Leave your workspace and take a walk. Find a bench in the park and try to write from there. The right environment could be the key to unlocking your mind.

Consume content

The main reason for writer's block is not knowing what to say, and a big reason you might not know what to say is that you don't have what to say. If your mind feels empty, fill it up with valuable content. Read a book about something you love, read a poem, or read whatever you want. It will engage the creative part of your brain and put your mind at ease so you can get your juice flowing.

Reading isn't the only way to consume content. You can watch a movie or a show, you can listen to your favorite podcast, and you can consume content in different ways. My personal favorite is reading, it's not a set-in-stone rule.

Song prompts

If all else fails, your writer's block is a truly formidable opponent. One more thing you can do is to jumpstart your brain. At times, your brain just needs something to work with, and that's exactly what prompts give you. Writing prompts are suggestions with scenarios to help spark your creativity and imagination. For example, if you're trying to write a story, a good prompt would be the plot or conflict of the story. Reading prompts can spark your mind to life by helping you with an image to build on. Sometimes, that's all you need.

If you're currently struggling with writer's block, I have some prompts for you. Ten song prompts from five themes that can help spark up your brain muscles. Let's go!

Ten Song Prompt Ideas for You

Romance

Romance is one of the spiciest and most emotionally charged themes you can write about. Whether it's the happy side of love or the tear-racking side, it remains a hot theme. Here are two prompts about love:

1. Imagine you're preparing for a date, and you plan to propose. Start from the very first date and tell the story leading up to this moment.
2. Picture your parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary. Write a song telling them how they've inspired you to believe true love exists.

Hate

Right next to love, hatred is the strongest emotion people feel. Many people even claim there's only a thin line between love and hatred. It's a feeling more people than you think can relate to. Here are two prompts for you:

1. Imagine your best friend's wedding, except they're getting married to your ex-partner. Not that you broke up ages ago, they "stole" your partner from you. Imagine watching her walking down the aisle. Pen down your thoughts.
2. Your spouse is cheating on you, and you know this because you're seeing them right now. Tell us what's on your mind.

Sadness

We all feel sad sometimes, who doesn't? If you're looking for a way to connect with your audience, there are a few ways more effective than sadness. We all feel sad sometimes, but it makes us a bit happier to know we're not alone. Let's have the prompts:

1. It's been five years since your mom died and you've just found one of her old recipe books. Talk about some fond memories you had with her.
2. You used to have a best friend, but not anymore. Something happened, and the relationship was never the same. Now you hardly talk. Tell us about it.

Fantasy

Sometimes we want to escape our reality and float around. Whatever the situation is, we just need a break from the real world. You can write something to help with that. Let's have some ideas:

1. Think of anywhere you'd rather be right now and what you'd be doing. Tell us about it.
2. Imagine you're walking down the street and a portal to another universe opens up. Tell us what you see.

Activism

The world is full of oppressors who would take over the world if not for the activists who speak out against them. Everyone feels aggrieved about something, you can help us feel heard. Here are two ideas for you:

1. Think about something everyone thinks is normal, but you find unfair and unacceptable. Use your pen to vent.
2. Life is unfair. People lie, partners cheat, and governments steal. Have a go at it all.

Final Thoughts

Songwriting is a key part of making music, and if you're suffering from writer's block, that can be damaging. Make sure you apply these tips on beating writer's block and have a go at writing songs from the prompts. Remember, I'm always rooting for you.