Pick a random object and write for 10 minutes: candle
Candle. Burning bright. I write my morning pages under your glow. Soft sizzle in my ear. Flicker. Flicker. The wind from the open window move your yellow flame back and forth. Hot wax dripping down the candlestick. I pull my sweater closed. There’s a chill in the air. Back to writing. The taste of cinnamon and nutmeg sweet on my lips as I bite into a morning treat. Bitter coffee washes it down. The perfect balance to excite my mouth. Joy, I feel with you lit in front of me like a tiny sparkle from the mighty sun. When I’m done writing, I will put the brass bell over your burning flame until I see puffs of gray smoke escape, rising up around the bell. Tolling without a sound. Signaling your are out. My morning pages done. It’s safe to walk away now.
This exercise is from the book Writing Better Lyrics (Second Edition): The Essential Guide to Powerful Songwriting by Pat Pattison. I highly recommend it if you’re wanting to improve your songwriting.
I’m starting to read Chapter 3: Making Metaphors.
If you’d like support and encouragement, I host a community called the Creative Comeback Club. It’s a place to rekindle your spark one week at a time with structured activities like this one.
If you’ve never done The Artist’s Way and your approaching or past 50 years old, consider my next workshop The Artist’s Way for 50 and Beyond. It’s a 12-week guided workshop to reignite your creativity later in life because it’s never too late to create!