October 13, 2025 • 28 mins
Good old writer’s block… it’s definitely real, as many creative people have experienced it. But luckily there are some things we can do to get unstuck and back into flow again. In this episode, coach Juliana and I discuss how to get back into flow and feel inspired to write and complete songs again.
👉 Grab the Songwriting Framework PDF here (currently on sale for just $7!): https://lessons.voxtapestudios.com/the-songwriting-framework-pdf
👉 Join our live class called How To Write Songs You’ll Actually Like happening on October 14th: https://lessons.voxtapestudios.com/how-to-write-songs-youll-actually-like-live-masterclass
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
why writer's block happens
(00:01):
I think every creative no matter what
like if you're a writer or if you're a painter whatever
like there's just moments where like
we have nothing they're like
I don't have anything for you this week
I just I didn't feel inspired or nothing came to me
even with like motivation right
like a lot of people are like yeah
I'm just not motivated to work out me haha
once that boat is moving like you're
(00:23):
you're rolling right
the motivation almost follows it
you know creative skill
it's tricky to have it be so mathematical
like I have to set a routine for this
and I have to write every day
like it feels almost counterproductive
but it will help you in the end
I feel like I was very against that when I started um
writing and like
(00:43):
I was taking classes
the extreme of needing systems to do something
I think that's because I was never
naturally gifted at songwriting
I needed to have systems in place to get me there
to actually get me to writing something
(01:07):
Hey Vox Star
and welcome to from singer to artist
I'm Lara Chapman award winning singer and songwriter
turned viral vocal coach and the host of this show
at VoxTape Studios
we help singers from all over the world
level up their voices
by teaching them the three fundamental skills
all singers need technique
awareness and artistry whether you're looking to go pro
(01:28):
or just develop your voice for fun
my team and I are here to help
check the link in the description
to book your first session
or grab some of our other resources
Alrighty are you ready
let's get started
experiencing writer's block
is probably something a lot of songwriters
and just writers in general
can relate to it is something that happens all the time
and I have Coach Juliana with me here today
(01:51):
hello hello
and we will talk about why writer's block happens
and what you can do to not make it happen hahaha
to get around it and also
you know more about inspiration in general
how much should we rely on inspiration
when it comes to songwriting
where can we find inspiration
(02:11):
so just all around
writer's block and inspiration for today
so welcome Juliana
thank you for being here thank you for having me
how are you doing I'm good
how's life in LA good
there was someone cutting grass out
so we'll see if they wanna join our podcast today
there you go hopefully there's no like
that's quite loud disturbing
(02:33):
it's okay it's okay
if you if you hear that noise
you know what it is
it's the people mowing behind Giuliana's building haha
or in front I don't know where
they're mowing somewhere haha
somewhere somewhere
but thanks for joining today to talk about inspiration
and writer's block writers block
is that something that you ever experience
(02:53):
or have experienced in your songwriting career
yeah I think every creative
no matter what
like if you're a writer or if you're a painter whatever
like there's just moments where like
we have nothing that just like
uh huh you try and nothing comes out
um so yeah
I've done with it I've dealt with it
(03:13):
and I see a lot of students like
that we are that we're working with on songwriting
they're like I don't have anything for you this week
I just didn't feel inspired
or nothing came to me or yep
whatever and like
that's okay like
we're not gonna be like
you are the worst person on the planet like no
that it happens
that's okay but we do need to look at tools
(03:34):
so that when we are on a timeline
we can do something like
I know people
they write a song or even multiple songs a day
and that's
but you don't have to compare ourselves to that
because those are professional writers
that's all they do for a living
they write songs for other people
yep um
we don't have to compare ourselves with that
but we do
wanna figure out a way to get around writer's block
(03:57):
like
what can we do to start a song and or finish a song
that's another way
a lot of people are experiencing writer's block
they start something
but then as soon as they hit the second verse
they're like I don't know what else to say
yeah so let me just pause here
and then the song never gets done
uh so yeah
it's important to figure that out
(04:17):
because I truly believe there's
even with like motivation right
like a lot of people are like yeah
I'm just not motivated to work out
me haha I'm
I am I am never motivated to work out
I don't like doing it but
I know that I always feel a lot better after doing it
so for me it's not a matter of motivation
(04:38):
it's a matter of discipline
because a lot of times
when you discipline yourself to work out
to write the song to answer that uncomfortable email
and not wait 500 days
right like it's
it comes down to discipline
and once you're in action
once that the boat is moving
like you're rolling right
it gets the the motivation almost follows it
(05:00):
you know like
it just gets easier to keep doing it
do you ever experience that or
absolutely yeah
I mean I think
especially with a skill that is a creative skill
it's tricky to have it be so mathematical
like I have to set a routine for this
and I have to write every day like
it feels almost counterproductive
(05:21):
but it will help you in the end
I feel like I was very against that when I started um
writing and like
I was taking classes through Berkeley as well
I was like oh
but like
I don't want to have to do this every day
but like
once I started doing it I was like oh
I get it that's why
cause like
it's just like putting your brain through workouts
(05:41):
so like whether
and we talked about it in a different podcast
but something called object writing
like it teaches your brain to think faster
and make connections in your brain faster
so that your um
little neurons
are a little more active in the creative side
so if you do that every day or every week
(06:04):
it's less likely for there to be a full block
like sure
you can get to a point in the song
you're like oh crap
I don't know what else to do
but it's not like what do I do
like you will be able to like
drag things from places
because your brain already has that skill developed
yes yes
that's not where we start right
but that's why we work on it
(06:25):
so that we can work our way up to that kind of level
yeah um I okay
let's get into why writers block happens
in the first place
I believe the biggest reason why writers block happens
is because there's a lack of system
yeah
like people rely on inspiration to write something and
you know they need to start humming a melody
(06:45):
or write some sort of lyric down
before they start writing a song
or whatever before they take action
and then that I think
is what causes a lack of flow
right
and then that's why you're experiencing writers block
I think that to me
that's the biggest reason
why I see people struggling with writers block
because as soon as we teach them our system
(07:06):
they're like
it's not a problem anymore as long as they keep it up
right
like if you stop writing for a long period of time
and then you get back into it
and when I say a long period of time
I mean like a couple months or years
yes uh
then it's like OK
we're
and we need to like
restart this whole train
and it's gonna take a little bit to get into motion
right but when you have a system
(07:27):
and you're following it consistently
you're so much less likely to experience writer's block
what do you think like why
why writer's block happens
yeah I think it's lack of action
like lack of that skill being developed
like consistency like upkeep
maintenance of the skill
writing for the sake of writing
not cause you need a really cool hit song
(07:50):
I feel like I used to do that a lot when I was younger
it's like no
I only wanna write when it's a really good song
it's like no
like
you have to write 10 bad songs to write a great one
because it's just giving you that movement and like
that you know
it keeps the creativity going
and flowing through your brain
um so I think not relying on inspiration
(08:12):
and sure when you're inspired
absolutely right
like of course that's
it's gonna be so much fun
but don't rely on it for it to happen
cause you you could be waiting a lifetime for that
yes so you're saying a lack of action
I love that why do you think people don't take action
(08:33):
is it like again
like lack of system
that could be like they
they don't know where to start right
they like uh
I don't like
I don't have tools under my belt
to know what to do when I hit a roadblock
right like
I think that that's definitely a big part of it
but I also think maybe just like fear
yeah around the whole songwriting process
like fear of judgment
(08:53):
like what are people going to think about my deepest
darkest thoughts yeah
that I'm putting on a piece of paper
like what if they're like
you're a psycho or that's really not that good
like you know
that that can yeah
I don't know that can be scary to
to do that any other reasons like
why people don't take action
yeah I mean
I think that's a big one like
(09:14):
fear for sure like I
it's so funny I was literally today on Instagram
and this uh
friend of mine who's an incredible songwriter
is starting to get a little bit of like
traction in his reels and of course
the moment you surpass like
a thousand uh
hundred or like whatever
like 100 k
let's say it's not just good comments
(09:34):
it's a lot of bad comments
it's like
and you're like
wondering like
how come this incredible song
this incredible singer is getting
you know this type of attention
negative attention and it's just bound to happen
like we can't do anything about it
and it comes with it right
so yeah
and he's making fun of it as well
so I think it's more how you you know
(09:57):
but yeah
I get it
it's scary to put it out there and be vulnerable and
you know
let people into your inner world and inner thoughts
I also think like
on the other side of we can call it mental health
like sometimes if you're going through a dark time
or if you're sick or if
you know there's like
other life things getting in the way
(10:19):
writer's block is bound to happen'cause like
that kind of like
connection with your sensibility and like
your emotions may be a little bit blocked
and that's okay I think those are moments
where you can be a little gentle with yourself
and be like okay
I'm not gonna push through it
like sometimes it's so funny
like when I'm in that moment
I'm like either all in or all out
(10:39):
like I'm like no
I'm actually like
so motivated to write
cause I need to get it out of my system
or I'm like nope
I can't like
not ready brain dead
like no yes
so it you know
I think that's very acceptable and it's okay
and of course give it a little time and then come back
like don't let it just like
stop you
but I think that that's also very possible for people
(11:01):
that is definitely something I have experienced with
as well uh
when my poor little baby baby Navi
he's a cat he's not a human
but my my cat Navi
he had a rough little life
poor guy he had an autoimmune disease
and we tried everything to keep this little guy alive
but eventually you know
like after being on steroids for such a long time
(11:23):
he was bleeding out internally
which is why he had steroids
but then
those steroids messed up his heart and his lungs
the lungs started filling with water
and his it
it was just time yeah right
like it was just like he
we tried we tried everything we possibly can um
but we you know
did have to put him down eventually
and my dad was like write a song about it
(11:45):
and I'm like nope
there ain't no way yeah
like no nope
like and still to this day
I don't have a desire
to write a song about that experience
not because I'm traumatized from the experience
but just because I don't feel the need to share that
yeah and that's okay
and I think that's okay too
(12:07):
uh and even if I don't like
even if I just write for myself
cause there's I think
a lot of people who just wanna write for themselves
and not necessarily with the uh
need or want to share it publicly
but even just if I were to like
write this just for me and I'm not
like thinking about sharing it with anybody else or
you know that's not the goal
even then
(12:27):
hmm don't wanna write about it right
not something I wanna do I can't tell you why
uh maybe I can write a song about that
why don't I write
want to write a song about my cat's passing why
I mean there's always things to dig out
for sure yes
but you don't have to like
you know it's
it's not like a must
(12:48):
yeah yeah
and that I think
goes into inspiration then
like where can we
where can we find inspiration
like I think there's a lot of inspiration in
in your daily life obviously right
things that happen
it doesn't need to be something as major
as a loved one passing away
to write a song it can be also be smaller things
(13:09):
um and it could even be like
you're going to a coffee shop
and you're overhearing a conversation
and now you're making up the rest of that conversation
in your head and you're writing a song about it
um or
you know just things that are happening in your life
but then there's also other things
like consuming media right
we were just talking about that
(13:29):
before we started rolling cameras
do you want to get a little bit deeper into
consuming media for inspiration
I think a lot of times and I
I do this as well when I'm like
maybe I'm at a point in my life where like
nothing is happening socially
like literally
literally me I am like
oh my god
I am either in this basement here
or at my desk upstairs like
(13:51):
literally right up there every day
all day I don't leave the house
literally this morning
I was like oh
my god where's my ID
I can't find my ID
and then I noticed the last time I left the house
I used it just like
I put it in my pocket but that was weeks ago
I have not noticed that my ID was missing for weeks
(14:12):
wow I found it
I found it like
a couple hours later I was like
it's in my pants because I went out week
six weeks ago that's hilarious
but anyways yeah
no social life over here it's all work
work work work
work work
well hey
it's you know
we love what we do it's fine right
yeah and
you know when we're in that moment or like
let's say like
and for the longest time I
(14:34):
I was single so I was like okay
like nothing's happening
and I wasn't dating or something
so like I
I am a very romantic writer
like it's really hard for me to write something
that's not about relationships
I can but it's
I prefer to write about relationships
it comes easier
so you know
we have books we have TV shows
we have movies we have music
(14:55):
sometimes I'll be listening to music we like oh
that gives me an idea for this song
or like
even the melody I'm like oh
that's a pretty melody and then I sit down and I start
like playing with it
and then that gives me an idea
so it's just like
giving yourself little pieces of inspiration
um so one little story that I have that
I think it's kind of
like one of my favorite memories of songwriting and
(15:15):
like the industry whatever
um I wrote
I read this book a couple years ago
called One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reed
and it's this beautiful love story
and I was like
so in awe of it
and I was so into it that I wrote a song about it
and I was like I'm just gonna post it on Instagram and
like I did
and she commented she liked it
(15:36):
she shared it and she was like
thank you so much I feel so honored
and I was just like oh
my god like what
and like
I have all of her freaking books
like right here
I'm looking at them and I adore her
so I was like okay cool
like I didn't intend for her to see it
I just wanted to share the song that I made
um so
you never know where inspiration can come from
and where that could lead you
(15:57):
but I think it's it's good to just keep your ears open
and I like the idea of
of using your daily life as walking into a coffee shop
and you know
take your headphones out put your phone down
like observe what's happening around you
you know there's so many people that have individual
beautiful complex lives within them
(16:18):
so it's like if you just like listen
like you could find a
very cool things and stories to write about
oh yeah absolutely
I think there is a there's a balance
between finding inspiration in media that we consume
and also just going out into the world and
and experiencing life yep
there too
whether it's your life or somebody else's life
(16:39):
right uh
but there's inspiration everywhere
you just need to realize it
yeah yeah
and like
understand that this is an opportunity to write a song
you don't need to have the whole story of the song
figured out before you even think about
I could make a song out of this
like you could think about
I'm gonna make a song out of this
(17:00):
and then sit down and like
and it doesn't need to be in that same moment
but whenever you know
you get around to writing the song or you make time
cause you have like
we never get around to doing anything
that's that's a lie we tell ourselves
when you make the decision
the choice to sit down and write the song
now that's when you can figure out the details
yeah right
that's when that's when the system
(17:21):
having a system comes in very handy
I think I maybe I'm just
I don't know I might be a little bit on the extreme
of needing systems to do something
I think that's because
I was never naturally gifted at songwriting
I needed to have systems in place to get me there
to actually get me to writing something
(17:43):
um other people rely a little bit more on just
creativity and inspiration
but when inspiration is failing you yeah
you gotta use the system
you can fall back to the system exactly
yes yes yeah
and it's it's gotta be one or the other
like at some point
like you're gonna have to use both
if you're serious about songwriting
like
if it's something you actually wanna do'cause it's like
(18:04):
oh I just wanna like
write a little songs here and there like okay
do your thing but if you wanna be a songwriter and like
actually pursue it you got it
yeah put in the work
and you know what I even think
even if you're just like yeah
I'm just gonna do it like
whatever for myself
and write a song whenever inspiration strikes
I yes
(18:24):
I agree with you if you're already used to writing
and you already know what you're doing
but if you're just getting started
and you have no idea where to start
then it can be still very much overwhelming
if you're just relying on inspiration
because you have no idea what you're doing
right um
so and then if it's like OK
now I I know what I'm doing
(18:46):
I have a little bit of an understanding
and then
you just write a song whenever inspiration strikes
like that's totally fine
but I think to get started
having something is is helpful
yeah that might just be me
no no yeah
I agree everybody I've ever worked with
I agree yeah
especially if you're not used to it
like you said like
if you don't know where to start
or what to do after you start
(19:06):
how to complete it yeah
and we have little guides for that
don't we Laura
yes we do have little guides for that
so if you're like okay
I don't know where to start
or I have a million song ideas
and I don't know what to do with them
uh we created a little guide
called the Songwriting Framework
where we literally
walk you through the framework
that we teach our students
(19:27):
and it's step by step easy to follow
and if you apply it
you can write however many songs as you want
and it's currently on sale for just $7 75% off
if you wanna check that out
just click the link below somewhere
and go start writing some songs
and turn those ideas that you have into actual songs
because we can't release unfinished stuff
(19:49):
sorry we can't um
but yeah inspiration and writer's block
I think it just all comes down to momentum
and figuring out how can you create your own momentum
just like you have to do that for anything in your life
cause nobody ever is motivated to do anything
(20:10):
like I'm not like
unless I like
absolutely love the thing that I'm about to do
but the majority of my time
is not spent doing something I absolutely love doing
like when I get to hop on a call with someone or
you know
create one of these podcast episodes that I love
and I don't need motivation or discipline to like
to show up for like
I'm motivated to do that
I don't need the discipline to do that
(20:31):
but when it comes to setting up a freaking automation
or scheduling this stuff or
oh my god do you think I wanna do that no
but I have the discipline to do it anyways
and it's so that I can do the other thing
yeah it
unfortunately it's just something that you have to do
in every aspect of your life
like keeping up and like
(20:52):
being consistent with your job or with relationships
with going to the gym like
you don't just like
go to the gym once and I was like
oh now I go to the gym
like no
you gotta keep going and like
you gotta keep showing up and
you know your muscles wait to call me out
Juliana it's not good to call me out
(21:14):
that is true no
but you're so right you're so right
yeah and I was thinking that too
like with friendships and
you know any kind of relationship like
let's say like
I make a new friend I'm like
oh cool
I made a new friend now I have a new friend
you gotta keep up with that friend
and you gotta like
keep nourishing that relationship
and like
you know
(21:34):
it's not like you make it once and it's there forever
you gotta keep it rolling
with anything in life yes yeah
and in songwriting too
I was just uh
recently talking to Kaisa uh
someone I worked with a student
oh my gosh
three and a half years ago
we've been doing this for a long time
Juliana oh
my gosh time flies
(21:54):
but um
she was going through our Songwriter
Songwriting for singers program
and she I was messaging her recently and I was like
girl what you up to
cause she had a major life change
she was initially when we met
in school for architecture and hated it
and she's like my goal is really like
my dream is to be a songwriter and like an artist
(22:15):
like that's what I wanna do
we started working together
three weeks later
she dropped out of architecture school
and she was like wow
actually you made me believe that this is doable
because I can write songs now hahaha
um and so anyways
her life has changed a lot because of this
because of you know
understanding how to write a song
um but anyways
this is three and a half years ago
(22:36):
I reached out to her and I was like hey
what are you doing now I see you're still singing
but I haven't seen much about
you know the songs that you're writing
and she said yeah
I haven't really been writing much
I think you should I should get back into it
she's like I have a lot of unfinished songs
and I'm like girl
you got the system we taught you the system
use the system to finish your songs
and just me messaging her that
(22:58):
like a couple days ago made her like
oh my god yeah
I have all these tools I just need to use them
let me do it
and then that night she sat down and wrote a song
and I was like yay
and now she feels in flow again right
like it's okay to sometimes have a couple months
or a couple years where if
if you're doing it as a hobby right
um then you know it
(23:19):
like it
it happens but if you have the tools
you can just get right back into it
and feel and flow again yeah
now obviously
it's better to never take a break
but let's be real we're all adults
and life life
life be lifing
that's in the way life be lifing
yeah yes
but that's I also
that's also why I think accountability is so important
(23:40):
right like
if I am not actively enrolled in voice lessons
I don't sing unless I am teaching
but that's not for my voice
that's for other people's voices
and so I'm just not practicing
unless I'm enrolled in voice lessons
because I know myself
enough to know that I need that accountability
and that's how I make progress
but everyone's different I don't know
can you create your own accountability
(24:01):
like are you one of those people that can do that
yep
OK OK
OK good good good
for some things yes
for some things yes
for others no
like working out I have made since I was like 17
I was like this is gonna be my life now
thank god cause it just like goes hand in hand
with mental health like
if I'm not working out down like immediately wow
(24:22):
um but with singing and songwriting
I do struggle cause it
it feels like we're doing it every day
because of our job but we're not doing it every day
yes so sometimes
like we're doing it for other people
I should be doing this more
and I'm like sometimes I'm
I'm hearing it and it's so funny
cause I know you you have said this too
where we're like telling the student like
(24:42):
are you practicing every day
are you doing this are you putting
and I'm like I'm not doing
I know like
do as I say not as I do
yeah which
I mean it's good to be reminded and be like okay
like maybe I can give myself a little extra time when
within my week I mean
I can we can all do that
even if it's 20 minutes just like
set the time apart
(25:03):
make the choice to set the time apart
it's a choice it literally all comes down to
making the choice to do it
and setting aside the time
cause we are all busy bees
and if you don't block off that time on your calendar
or whatever you need to do
to make it work for yourself
then we're gonna fill that time with
scrolling on the internet
(25:23):
watching a movie watching another episode
or
doing whatever it is that you usually do in your life
and um the time is gonna get filled either way
the time is gonna pass either way
might as well use it
choose if you wanna write a song or not
or practice your singing or not
or whatever it is that you're doing that brings you joy
(25:44):
right anyways
if you wanna take action
come and join us we're hosting
both Juliana and I we're hosting a class
live
class called how to write songs you'll actually like
hmm cause that's important
yeah we want you to write songs that you like hahaha
and not something that you like
I hate this cause then that doesn't bring you joy right
(26:04):
we want you to experience joy
and we also want you to take action
so that you can get into that state of flow
this class is happening on Tuesday October 14th
which is around the corner
you should totally come and join us there
it's free to join if you can't make it live
you have the option to upgrade to a VIP ticket
and with it you get access to the replay
(26:25):
a uh
VIP only Q&A session you know
that songwriting framework guide
that we were talking about
that's actually included as a bonus
so if you're like I wanna get that guide
just get the VIP ticket for a couple extra dollars
and you get all these other bonuses as well
a recording ready guide is in there as well
and the VIP ticket is 17 bucks
so just some food for thought
(26:45):
uh come and join us in the class
let's take some action let's write some songs
and hopefully we'll see you there
anything else that you need to get off your chest
Juliana about motivation inspiration
writer's block just do it
just do it just get into action
make the choice
yeah the more you think about it
the less you're actually doing it
(27:05):
you know yes yes yes
just get into get into flow
and to get into flow we need to take action
and to take action we need to make a choice
yeah make a choice exactly yeah
same thing for for gym goers and
and you can take this if you want as well
but it's the same thing like
sometimes I'm like
I'm not even gonna think that I have to go
I'm just gonna put on my clothes
so then I have one less step to think about
(27:28):
so maybe just write it in your schedule
songwriting time if you see it there in your schedule
in your calendar
you're gonna be more likely to actually be like
oh yeah
I should write a song and not like oh
I didn't write today right
cause it was in your schedule
same thing just yes
right in it yes
and then hold yourself accountable right
like if it's there
(27:48):
make it a non negotiable to show up
and do the thing that you said you were gonna do
you said this on another episode
Juliana and it was about practicing voice
and it was with your friend Rachel
we were recording this in
in LA together with her and you said
the only person you're like
you're doing yourself a dishonor by not practicing
(28:09):
by not showing up for yourself
the only person you're hurting is yourself yep
it's not like you're letting down anybody else
it's you're letting yourself down by not doing it
so hold yourself accountable
yeah and show up for yourself
you deserve it queen yeah yeah
ha ha ha ha ha ha anyways
enough for today thank you guys for tuning in
(28:30):
thank you Juliana
for joining me uh
and hopefully we'll see you in the live class yeah
which I think it's actually
I think this episode comes out on Monday
so it's tomorrow
come and join us come
all right we'll see you there bye
why writer's block happens
(00:01):
I think every creative no matter what
like if you're a writer or if you're a painter whatever
like there's just moments where like
we have nothing they're like
I don't have anything for you this week
I just I didn't feel inspired or nothing came to me
even with like motivation right
like a lot of people are like yeah
I'm just not motivated to work out me haha
once that boat is moving like you're
(00:23):
you're rolling right
the motivation almost follows it
you know creative skill
it's tricky to have it be so mathematical
like I have to set a routine for this
and I have to write every day
like it feels almost counterproductive
but it will help you in the end
I feel like I was very against that when I started um
writing and like
(00:43):
I was taking classes
the extreme of needing systems to do something
I think that's because I was never
naturally gifted at songwriting
I needed to have systems in place to get me there
to actually get me to writing something
(01:07):
Hey Vox Star
and welcome to from singer to artist
I'm Lara Chapman award winning singer and songwriter
turned viral vocal coach and the host of this show
at VoxTape Studios
we help singers from all over the world
level up their voices
by teaching them the three fundamental skills
all singers need technique
awareness and artistry whether you're looking to go pro
(01:28):
or just develop your voice for fun
my team and I are here to help
check the link in the description
to book your first session
or grab some of our other resources
Alrighty are you ready
let's get started
experiencing writer's block
is probably something a lot of songwriters
and just writers in general
can relate to it is something that happens all the time
and I have Coach Juliana with me here today
(01:51):
hello hello
and we will talk about why writer's block happens
and what you can do to not make it happen hahaha
to get around it and also
you know more about inspiration in general
how much should we rely on inspiration
when it comes to songwriting
where can we find inspiration
(02:11):
so just all around
writer's block and inspiration for today
so welcome Juliana
thank you for being here thank you for having me
how are you doing I'm good
how's life in LA good
there was someone cutting grass out
so we'll see if they wanna join our podcast today
there you go hopefully there's no like
that's quite loud disturbing
(02:33):
it's okay it's okay
if you if you hear that noise
you know what it is
it's the people mowing behind Giuliana's building haha
or in front I don't know where
they're mowing somewhere haha
somewhere somewhere
but thanks for joining today to talk about inspiration
and writer's block writers block
is that something that you ever experience
(02:53):
or have experienced in your songwriting career
yeah I think every creative
no matter what
like if you're a writer or if you're a painter whatever
like there's just moments where like
we have nothing that just like
uh huh you try and nothing comes out
um so yeah
I've done with it I've dealt with it
(03:13):
and I see a lot of students like
that we are that we're working with on songwriting
they're like I don't have anything for you this week
I just didn't feel inspired
or nothing came to me or yep
whatever and like
that's okay like
we're not gonna be like
you are the worst person on the planet like no
that it happens
that's okay but we do need to look at tools
(03:34):
so that when we are on a timeline
we can do something like
I know people
they write a song or even multiple songs a day
and that's
but you don't have to compare ourselves to that
because those are professional writers
that's all they do for a living
they write songs for other people
yep um
we don't have to compare ourselves with that
but we do
wanna figure out a way to get around writer's block
(03:57):
like
what can we do to start a song and or finish a song
that's another way
a lot of people are experiencing writer's block
they start something
but then as soon as they hit the second verse
they're like I don't know what else to say
yeah so let me just pause here
and then the song never gets done
uh so yeah
it's important to figure that out
(04:17):
because I truly believe there's
even with like motivation right
like a lot of people are like yeah
I'm just not motivated to work out
me haha I'm
I am I am never motivated to work out
I don't like doing it but
I know that I always feel a lot better after doing it
so for me it's not a matter of motivation
(04:38):
it's a matter of discipline
because a lot of times
when you discipline yourself to work out
to write the song to answer that uncomfortable email
and not wait 500 days
right like it's
it comes down to discipline
and once you're in action
once that the boat is moving
like you're rolling right
it gets the the motivation almost follows it
(05:00):
you know like
it just gets easier to keep doing it
do you ever experience that or
absolutely yeah
I mean I think
especially with a skill that is a creative skill
it's tricky to have it be so mathematical
like I have to set a routine for this
and I have to write every day like
it feels almost counterproductive
(05:21):
but it will help you in the end
I feel like I was very against that when I started um
writing and like
I was taking classes through Berkeley as well
I was like oh
but like
I don't want to have to do this every day
but like
once I started doing it I was like oh
I get it that's why
cause like
it's just like putting your brain through workouts
(05:41):
so like whether
and we talked about it in a different podcast
but something called object writing
like it teaches your brain to think faster
and make connections in your brain faster
so that your um
little neurons
are a little more active in the creative side
so if you do that every day or every week
(06:04):
it's less likely for there to be a full block
like sure
you can get to a point in the song
you're like oh crap
I don't know what else to do
but it's not like what do I do
like you will be able to like
drag things from places
because your brain already has that skill developed
yes yes
that's not where we start right
but that's why we work on it
(06:25):
so that we can work our way up to that kind of level
yeah um I okay
let's get into why writers block happens
in the first place
I believe the biggest reason why writers block happens
is because there's a lack of system
yeah
like people rely on inspiration to write something and
you know they need to start humming a melody
(06:45):
or write some sort of lyric down
before they start writing a song
or whatever before they take action
and then that I think
is what causes a lack of flow
right
and then that's why you're experiencing writers block
I think that to me
that's the biggest reason
why I see people struggling with writers block
because as soon as we teach them our system
(07:06):
they're like
it's not a problem anymore as long as they keep it up
right
like if you stop writing for a long period of time
and then you get back into it
and when I say a long period of time
I mean like a couple months or years
yes uh
then it's like OK
we're
and we need to like
restart this whole train
and it's gonna take a little bit to get into motion
right but when you have a system
(07:27):
and you're following it consistently
you're so much less likely to experience writer's block
what do you think like why
why writer's block happens
yeah I think it's lack of action
like lack of that skill being developed
like consistency like upkeep
maintenance of the skill
writing for the sake of writing
not cause you need a really cool hit song
(07:50):
I feel like I used to do that a lot when I was younger
it's like no
I only wanna write when it's a really good song
it's like no
like
you have to write 10 bad songs to write a great one
because it's just giving you that movement and like
that you know
it keeps the creativity going
and flowing through your brain
um so I think not relying on inspiration
(08:12):
and sure when you're inspired
absolutely right
like of course that's
it's gonna be so much fun
but don't rely on it for it to happen
cause you you could be waiting a lifetime for that
yes so you're saying a lack of action
I love that why do you think people don't take action
(08:33):
is it like again
like lack of system
that could be like they
they don't know where to start right
they like uh
I don't like
I don't have tools under my belt
to know what to do when I hit a roadblock
right like
I think that that's definitely a big part of it
but I also think maybe just like fear
yeah around the whole songwriting process
like fear of judgment
(08:53):
like what are people going to think about my deepest
darkest thoughts yeah
that I'm putting on a piece of paper
like what if they're like
you're a psycho or that's really not that good
like you know
that that can yeah
I don't know that can be scary to
to do that any other reasons like
why people don't take action
yeah I mean
I think that's a big one like
(09:14):
fear for sure like I
it's so funny I was literally today on Instagram
and this uh
friend of mine who's an incredible songwriter
is starting to get a little bit of like
traction in his reels and of course
the moment you surpass like
a thousand uh
hundred or like whatever
like 100 k
let's say it's not just good comments
(09:34):
it's a lot of bad comments
it's like
and you're like
wondering like
how come this incredible song
this incredible singer is getting
you know this type of attention
negative attention and it's just bound to happen
like we can't do anything about it
and it comes with it right
so yeah
and he's making fun of it as well
so I think it's more how you you know
(09:57):
but yeah
I get it
it's scary to put it out there and be vulnerable and
you know
let people into your inner world and inner thoughts
I also think like
on the other side of we can call it mental health
like sometimes if you're going through a dark time
or if you're sick or if
you know there's like
other life things getting in the way
(10:19):
writer's block is bound to happen'cause like
that kind of like
connection with your sensibility and like
your emotions may be a little bit blocked
and that's okay I think those are moments
where you can be a little gentle with yourself
and be like okay
I'm not gonna push through it
like sometimes it's so funny
like when I'm in that moment
I'm like either all in or all out
(10:39):
like I'm like no
I'm actually like
so motivated to write
cause I need to get it out of my system
or I'm like nope
I can't like
not ready brain dead
like no yes
so it you know
I think that's very acceptable and it's okay
and of course give it a little time and then come back
like don't let it just like
stop you
but I think that that's also very possible for people
(11:01):
that is definitely something I have experienced with
as well uh
when my poor little baby baby Navi
he's a cat he's not a human
but my my cat Navi
he had a rough little life
poor guy he had an autoimmune disease
and we tried everything to keep this little guy alive
but eventually you know
like after being on steroids for such a long time
(11:23):
he was bleeding out internally
which is why he had steroids
but then
those steroids messed up his heart and his lungs
the lungs started filling with water
and his it
it was just time yeah right
like it was just like he
we tried we tried everything we possibly can um
but we you know
did have to put him down eventually
and my dad was like write a song about it
(11:45):
and I'm like nope
there ain't no way yeah
like no nope
like and still to this day
I don't have a desire
to write a song about that experience
not because I'm traumatized from the experience
but just because I don't feel the need to share that
yeah and that's okay
and I think that's okay too
(12:07):
uh and even if I don't like
even if I just write for myself
cause there's I think
a lot of people who just wanna write for themselves
and not necessarily with the uh
need or want to share it publicly
but even just if I were to like
write this just for me and I'm not
like thinking about sharing it with anybody else or
you know that's not the goal
even then
(12:27):
hmm don't wanna write about it right
not something I wanna do I can't tell you why
uh maybe I can write a song about that
why don't I write
want to write a song about my cat's passing why
I mean there's always things to dig out
for sure yes
but you don't have to like
you know it's
it's not like a must
(12:48):
yeah yeah
and that I think
goes into inspiration then
like where can we
where can we find inspiration
like I think there's a lot of inspiration in
in your daily life obviously right
things that happen
it doesn't need to be something as major
as a loved one passing away
to write a song it can be also be smaller things
(13:09):
um and it could even be like
you're going to a coffee shop
and you're overhearing a conversation
and now you're making up the rest of that conversation
in your head and you're writing a song about it
um or
you know just things that are happening in your life
but then there's also other things
like consuming media right
we were just talking about that
(13:29):
before we started rolling cameras
do you want to get a little bit deeper into
consuming media for inspiration
I think a lot of times and I
I do this as well when I'm like
maybe I'm at a point in my life where like
nothing is happening socially
like literally
literally me I am like
oh my god
I am either in this basement here
or at my desk upstairs like
(13:51):
literally right up there every day
all day I don't leave the house
literally this morning
I was like oh
my god where's my ID
I can't find my ID
and then I noticed the last time I left the house
I used it just like
I put it in my pocket but that was weeks ago
I have not noticed that my ID was missing for weeks
(14:12):
wow I found it
I found it like
a couple hours later I was like
it's in my pants because I went out week
six weeks ago that's hilarious
but anyways yeah
no social life over here it's all work
work work work
work work
well hey
it's you know
we love what we do it's fine right
yeah and
you know when we're in that moment or like
let's say like
and for the longest time I
(14:34):
I was single so I was like okay
like nothing's happening
and I wasn't dating or something
so like I
I am a very romantic writer
like it's really hard for me to write something
that's not about relationships
I can but it's
I prefer to write about relationships
it comes easier
so you know
we have books we have TV shows
we have movies we have music
(14:55):
sometimes I'll be listening to music we like oh
that gives me an idea for this song
or like
even the melody I'm like oh
that's a pretty melody and then I sit down and I start
like playing with it
and then that gives me an idea
so it's just like
giving yourself little pieces of inspiration
um so one little story that I have that
I think it's kind of
like one of my favorite memories of songwriting and
(15:15):
like the industry whatever
um I wrote
I read this book a couple years ago
called One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reed
and it's this beautiful love story
and I was like
so in awe of it
and I was so into it that I wrote a song about it
and I was like I'm just gonna post it on Instagram and
like I did
and she commented she liked it
(15:36):
she shared it and she was like
thank you so much I feel so honored
and I was just like oh
my god like what
and like
I have all of her freaking books
like right here
I'm looking at them and I adore her
so I was like okay cool
like I didn't intend for her to see it
I just wanted to share the song that I made
um so
you never know where inspiration can come from
and where that could lead you
(15:57):
but I think it's it's good to just keep your ears open
and I like the idea of
of using your daily life as walking into a coffee shop
and you know
take your headphones out put your phone down
like observe what's happening around you
you know there's so many people that have individual
beautiful complex lives within them
(16:18):
so it's like if you just like listen
like you could find a
very cool things and stories to write about
oh yeah absolutely
I think there is a there's a balance
between finding inspiration in media that we consume
and also just going out into the world and
and experiencing life yep
there too
whether it's your life or somebody else's life
(16:39):
right uh
but there's inspiration everywhere
you just need to realize it
yeah yeah
and like
understand that this is an opportunity to write a song
you don't need to have the whole story of the song
figured out before you even think about
I could make a song out of this
like you could think about
I'm gonna make a song out of this
(17:00):
and then sit down and like
and it doesn't need to be in that same moment
but whenever you know
you get around to writing the song or you make time
cause you have like
we never get around to doing anything
that's that's a lie we tell ourselves
when you make the decision
the choice to sit down and write the song
now that's when you can figure out the details
yeah right
that's when that's when the system
(17:21):
having a system comes in very handy
I think I maybe I'm just
I don't know I might be a little bit on the extreme
of needing systems to do something
I think that's because
I was never naturally gifted at songwriting
I needed to have systems in place to get me there
to actually get me to writing something
(17:43):
um other people rely a little bit more on just
creativity and inspiration
but when inspiration is failing you yeah
you gotta use the system
you can fall back to the system exactly
yes yes yeah
and it's it's gotta be one or the other
like at some point
like you're gonna have to use both
if you're serious about songwriting
like
if it's something you actually wanna do'cause it's like
(18:04):
oh I just wanna like
write a little songs here and there like okay
do your thing but if you wanna be a songwriter and like
actually pursue it you got it
yeah put in the work
and you know what I even think
even if you're just like yeah
I'm just gonna do it like
whatever for myself
and write a song whenever inspiration strikes
I yes
(18:24):
I agree with you if you're already used to writing
and you already know what you're doing
but if you're just getting started
and you have no idea where to start
then it can be still very much overwhelming
if you're just relying on inspiration
because you have no idea what you're doing
right um
so and then if it's like OK
now I I know what I'm doing
(18:46):
I have a little bit of an understanding
and then
you just write a song whenever inspiration strikes
like that's totally fine
but I think to get started
having something is is helpful
yeah that might just be me
no no yeah
I agree everybody I've ever worked with
I agree yeah
especially if you're not used to it
like you said like
if you don't know where to start
or what to do after you start
(19:06):
how to complete it yeah
and we have little guides for that
don't we Laura
yes we do have little guides for that
so if you're like okay
I don't know where to start
or I have a million song ideas
and I don't know what to do with them
uh we created a little guide
called the Songwriting Framework
where we literally
walk you through the framework
that we teach our students
(19:27):
and it's step by step easy to follow
and if you apply it
you can write however many songs as you want
and it's currently on sale for just $7 75% off
if you wanna check that out
just click the link below somewhere
and go start writing some songs
and turn those ideas that you have into actual songs
because we can't release unfinished stuff
(19:49):
sorry we can't um
but yeah inspiration and writer's block
I think it just all comes down to momentum
and figuring out how can you create your own momentum
just like you have to do that for anything in your life
cause nobody ever is motivated to do anything
(20:10):
like I'm not like
unless I like
absolutely love the thing that I'm about to do
but the majority of my time
is not spent doing something I absolutely love doing
like when I get to hop on a call with someone or
you know
create one of these podcast episodes that I love
and I don't need motivation or discipline to like
to show up for like
I'm motivated to do that
I don't need the discipline to do that
(20:31):
but when it comes to setting up a freaking automation
or scheduling this stuff or
oh my god do you think I wanna do that no
but I have the discipline to do it anyways
and it's so that I can do the other thing
yeah it
unfortunately it's just something that you have to do
in every aspect of your life
like keeping up and like
(20:52):
being consistent with your job or with relationships
with going to the gym like
you don't just like
go to the gym once and I was like
oh now I go to the gym
like no
you gotta keep going and like
you gotta keep showing up and
you know your muscles wait to call me out
Juliana it's not good to call me out
(21:14):
that is true no
but you're so right you're so right
yeah and I was thinking that too
like with friendships and
you know any kind of relationship like
let's say like
I make a new friend I'm like
oh cool
I made a new friend now I have a new friend
you gotta keep up with that friend
and you gotta like
keep nourishing that relationship
and like
you know
(21:34):
it's not like you make it once and it's there forever
you gotta keep it rolling
with anything in life yes yeah
and in songwriting too
I was just uh
recently talking to Kaisa uh
someone I worked with a student
oh my gosh
three and a half years ago
we've been doing this for a long time
Juliana oh
my gosh time flies
(21:54):
but um
she was going through our Songwriter
Songwriting for singers program
and she I was messaging her recently and I was like
girl what you up to
cause she had a major life change
she was initially when we met
in school for architecture and hated it
and she's like my goal is really like
my dream is to be a songwriter and like an artist
(22:15):
like that's what I wanna do
we started working together
three weeks later
she dropped out of architecture school
and she was like wow
actually you made me believe that this is doable
because I can write songs now hahaha
um and so anyways
her life has changed a lot because of this
because of you know
understanding how to write a song
um but anyways
this is three and a half years ago
(22:36):
I reached out to her and I was like hey
what are you doing now I see you're still singing
but I haven't seen much about
you know the songs that you're writing
and she said yeah
I haven't really been writing much
I think you should I should get back into it
she's like I have a lot of unfinished songs
and I'm like girl
you got the system we taught you the system
use the system to finish your songs
and just me messaging her that
(22:58):
like a couple days ago made her like
oh my god yeah
I have all these tools I just need to use them
let me do it
and then that night she sat down and wrote a song
and I was like yay
and now she feels in flow again right
like it's okay to sometimes have a couple months
or a couple years where if
if you're doing it as a hobby right
um then you know it
(23:19):
like it
it happens but if you have the tools
you can just get right back into it
and feel and flow again yeah
now obviously
it's better to never take a break
but let's be real we're all adults
and life life
life be lifing
that's in the way life be lifing
yeah yes
but that's I also
that's also why I think accountability is so important
(23:40):
right like
if I am not actively enrolled in voice lessons
I don't sing unless I am teaching
but that's not for my voice
that's for other people's voices
and so I'm just not practicing
unless I'm enrolled in voice lessons
because I know myself
enough to know that I need that accountability
and that's how I make progress
but everyone's different I don't know
can you create your own accountability
(24:01):
like are you one of those people that can do that
yep
OK OK
OK good good good
for some things yes
for some things yes
for others no
like working out I have made since I was like 17
I was like this is gonna be my life now
thank god cause it just like goes hand in hand
with mental health like
if I'm not working out down like immediately wow
(24:22):
um but with singing and songwriting
I do struggle cause it
it feels like we're doing it every day
because of our job but we're not doing it every day
yes so sometimes
like we're doing it for other people
I should be doing this more
and I'm like sometimes I'm
I'm hearing it and it's so funny
cause I know you you have said this too
where we're like telling the student like
(24:42):
are you practicing every day
are you doing this are you putting
and I'm like I'm not doing
I know like
do as I say not as I do
yeah which
I mean it's good to be reminded and be like okay
like maybe I can give myself a little extra time when
within my week I mean
I can we can all do that
even if it's 20 minutes just like
set the time apart
(25:03):
make the choice to set the time apart
it's a choice it literally all comes down to
making the choice to do it
and setting aside the time
cause we are all busy bees
and if you don't block off that time on your calendar
or whatever you need to do
to make it work for yourself
then we're gonna fill that time with
scrolling on the internet
(25:23):
watching a movie watching another episode
or
doing whatever it is that you usually do in your life
and um the time is gonna get filled either way
the time is gonna pass either way
might as well use it
choose if you wanna write a song or not
or practice your singing or not
or whatever it is that you're doing that brings you joy
(25:44):
right anyways
if you wanna take action
come and join us we're hosting
both Juliana and I we're hosting a class
live
class called how to write songs you'll actually like
hmm cause that's important
yeah we want you to write songs that you like hahaha
and not something that you like
I hate this cause then that doesn't bring you joy right
(26:04):
we want you to experience joy
and we also want you to take action
so that you can get into that state of flow
this class is happening on Tuesday October 14th
which is around the corner
you should totally come and join us there
it's free to join if you can't make it live
you have the option to upgrade to a VIP ticket
and with it you get access to the replay
(26:25):
a uh
VIP only Q&A session you know
that songwriting framework guide
that we were talking about
that's actually included as a bonus
so if you're like I wanna get that guide
just get the VIP ticket for a couple extra dollars
and you get all these other bonuses as well
a recording ready guide is in there as well
and the VIP ticket is 17 bucks
so just some food for thought
(26:45):
uh come and join us in the class
let's take some action let's write some songs
and hopefully we'll see you there
anything else that you need to get off your chest
Juliana about motivation inspiration
writer's block just do it
just do it just get into action
make the choice
yeah the more you think about it
the less you're actually doing it
(27:05):
you know yes yes yes
just get into get into flow
and to get into flow we need to take action
and to take action we need to make a choice
yeah make a choice exactly yeah
same thing for for gym goers and
and you can take this if you want as well
but it's the same thing like
sometimes I'm like
I'm not even gonna think that I have to go
I'm just gonna put on my clothes
so then I have one less step to think about
(27:28):
so maybe just write it in your schedule
songwriting time if you see it there in your schedule
in your calendar
you're gonna be more likely to actually be like
oh yeah
I should write a song and not like oh
I didn't write today right
cause it was in your schedule
same thing just yes
right in it yes
and then hold yourself accountable right
like if it's there
(27:48):
make it a non negotiable to show up
and do the thing that you said you were gonna do
you said this on another episode
Juliana and it was about practicing voice
and it was with your friend Rachel
we were recording this in
in LA together with her and you said
the only person you're like
you're doing yourself a dishonor by not practicing
(28:09):
by not showing up for yourself
the only person you're hurting is yourself yep
it's not like you're letting down anybody else
it's you're letting yourself down by not doing it
so hold yourself accountable
yeah and show up for yourself
you deserve it queen yeah yeah
ha ha ha ha ha ha anyways
enough for today thank you guys for tuning in
(28:30):
thank you Juliana
for joining me uh
and hopefully we'll see you in the live class yeah
which I think it's actually
I think this episode comes out on Monday
so it's tomorrow
come and join us come
all right we'll see you there bye
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