coming off a LOOONG writers block

[Layla Nahar]

Hi,
I used to post here regularly. I'm writing again. I'm working on a new song, it will have a sort of traditional pre-country folk sound. I got a great catchy chorus, but I'm *nowhere* on the melody for the verse. In the meantime, to get more unblocked, I'm writing verse. I wrote a sonnet this morning.

I do have a writing/composition question - any suggestions on how to get better melodies for one part when you've already got something really good for the other?

A Game of Ball

In the evening when the lights come on
across the field, across the street the noise
rises, begins at first at fresh dusk from
the chatter of ball playing boys.

I, however, have my small room, windowed
well by three tall frames open on the street.
I have my books, I have my work, now slowed
to a crawl in the struggle to complete.

"We need a pitcher!" now says one bright voice
"Not a belly-itcher!" comes the response.
I pause, where before I had stopped. This choice
is at hand - drown all the voices at once,

close the windows on air, on sound, on all
'round, or surrender to a game of ball.

 

[nickjc]

hmm yeah it's tough when you've got a great chorus that you don't wanna mess up with a crap verse.

I dunno if this is much help, but what I usually do is keep playing over that chorus - the part that I've got sorted, and just sort of see what leads off from it. You don't wanna start from scratch with something that's not gonna fit - better to lead off with the chorus, and as that last note fades away, just see where it wants to go next, even if it's the most simpole chord progression - you can add to it later.

best way to come off a writer's block is to write - even if it's crap, it's worth gettin out so the good stuff has room . .

 

[Layla Nahar]

best way to come off a writer's block is to write - even if it's crap, it's worth gettin out so the good stuff has room . .

Hi - thanks soo much for your feedback. I actually started doing that this morning, I mean - instead of giving up on the song and saying, well, it wasnt that good anyway, and that's why I can't get more done on it, I've decided to *write it* anyway, as an excercise.

I really like your point about getting it *out* so that the good stuff has room. I like to think of it as, the mediocre stuff is crowding up the hallway ...

thanks for the ecouragment and feedback

Layla