Set the Atmosphere for Creativity

Being that I just love creativity, and knowing that you need the right atmosphere to get creative, here is an awesome set of tunes, probably geared toward my fellow nerds, that should help.
I grew up playing video games and fell in love with the RPG genre.  The character and story development always captured me.  This music is taken from one of the most successful RPG sagas in history, Final Fantasy.  If you're an RPG fan you've more than likely at least heard of this series and if you haven't played it yet, you NEED to make it a thing.
I know, most of the time I'm writing about worship, and leading, and stuff..... Today seemed like a great day to just have some fun!  Make sure you get some time to kick back and relax for a bit folks!  Break out your oldschool gaming system and lay in to some bad guys!!!

I aspire to one day write a mind blowingly amazing adventure novel.  I've developed some character ideas already but haven't really fleshed anything out.  Sometimes I'll sit down with my sketch pad and just scribble out some ideas of how these characters could look.  Other times I write their back story and imagine myself as that character.  But every time i sit down to write like this, even as I'm writing to you now, I need some atmosphere, so I put on something that will stir up my brains creativity and these songs work amazingly well.  You can also find these with full orchestra, and they are EPIC!

So my bottom line here is this:
1. Take time to refresh. Relax and do the things you enjoy!  I read a ton, and love the occasional old school video game.
2. When you're recharged and feeling that creative urge, make sure you have a space that holds the atmosphere you need to cultivate those creative ideas.

Who knew that such incredible music could come out of video games. 
This particular song set is taken from one of the video game industry's top ranked game of all time, Final Fantasy VII.

Seasons of Songs: It's Not Time Yet

Ecclesiastes 3:1
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven..."

I recently came across one of my old lyric books (I've got a pile of them boxed up...It can drive my wife crazy lol).  Not to toot my own horn, but I was rather blown away at some of the lyrics I've written just a few short years ago.  There was incredible insight and metaphorical poetry taking place that I didnt realize I had in me at the time.  Needless to say, I had to jump on those papers immediately and start crafting the words in to songs.  

Like a swordsmith preparing a new blade, I unsheathed my Ipad and went to work on the words, lines, and phrases contained in one of my notebooks.  I would love to tell you that one of the most amazing musical works I've ever created came out of that time but I would be lying.  A big, fat, nothing came out of it. As hard as I tried, as much thought as I put in to it, I just couldn't come up with anything that felt right and I was frustrated as to why I couldn't put the pieces together.  Why wasnt this working?

Well, I've developed a theory (though I'm not usually one to theorize anything at all).  

Just as we go through seasons in life, I believe certain worship songs can be marked for a specific season.  It may remain locked to you until that season starts.  Even as I'm writing this to you I can recall moments in my own life where I've poured back over old lyrics that had frustrated me before and suddenly sprung to life in that moment.

My point in all of this is to encourage you to not become discouraged.  The lyrics you write are important and may not show fruit for a while.  Continue to create!  When the right season comes and the door is opened that song will bust open from the depths of your chest like a wild river.


“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
― Albert Camus

Creative Constipation

If you're a creative person you probably, literally, have creative cravings that come on out of nowhere.  Sometimes they are triggered by something you see or hear, but other times (for me its usually the most inopportune time of my day...Like the toilet) it just hits you!

You're going about your day, minding your own business, and WHAM.  Suddenly you absolutely have to create something.  Its like getting hit in the face by Hulk Hogan, if he was cupid, and cupid gave out creativity instead of a crush... 

But what happens when you hit a block?  I suppose sometimes it is just a block you bump in to or smack your head on and something great may be on the other side (darn you Mario!).

But what do you do when you REALLY get stuck?  Like, "holy crud I have no idea where to go with this lyric.  NOTHING rhymes with orange!"

Without going in to a bunch of details you probably wont need, here are a few little tips to help get the juices flowing again.

1.  Know what you want to say.
Think about the story or the message of your song.  Whats the basic idea?

2.  Think about your audience.
If you're a blogger this is VERY important.  Who are you writing too?

3.  Go back and read or listen to some of your old work.
This is actually a huge one for me.  Its encouraging to hear some of the things I've already created and helps get my brain working again.

4. Focus on whats in front of you.
I suffer from ADHD (although I think it only aids in making life more entertaining at times) and can easily become distracted.  When I write I have to find a space that will help foster the creative process. Right now, living with my lovely wife and our 2 year old in rather cramped quarters, this "creative space" is the back seat of my car.  Find a spot that works for you!