How to Compose with the Burden of a Heavy Workload

[MusicgalSD]

In order to continue composing often during the fall when school begins again, I want to know if anyone has any tips for keeping up a good morale as a composer despite being burdened by heavy schoolwork. I often begin pieces but never finish them, which frustrates me so much because I feel as if I let good ideas go to waste for the sake of homework. For example, has anyone tried composing a few lines a day? How has that turned out for you? If you have any ideas, please let me know and tell me how they have worked for you (or frustrated you).

[Mozer Martin]

Forcing yourself to do a few lines a day is an excellent way to make yourself work, but when I do it, it exhausts me for some reason. I know what you mean about not finishing songs, but I usually just go with the flow, and compose when I feel the best, that way I write music that I feel like writing, rather than writing music I'm forcing myself to write.

[Ben Corrigan]

Don't do your homework!! Works for me :D

[Jamie Klenetsky]

Best to just compose when you want to, and not put so much pressure on yourself to constantly produce. At least that's what works for me!

[Kento]

I find this is useful as well, I think like creating space to free write every day, while you might not always feel like writing, it helps you practice and also create the space where you'll actually be writing music when you're inspired to instead of just thinking about it.

Mozer Martin said:

Forcing yourself to do a few lines a day is an excellent way to make yourself work, but when I do it, it exhausts me for some reason. I know what you mean about not finishing songs, but I usually just go with the flow, and compose when I feel the best, that way I write music that I feel like writing, rather than writing music I'm forcing myself to write.