Use the past!
Use the forms others have forged. Like the way Beethoven did that key change? Try it—see if it works for you. Think Virginia Woolf had a great structure for Mrs Dalloway? Mimic it: that's what Michael Cunningham did for The Hours.
Write a sonnet. A sestina. Copy a favorite artist's painting strategy. Write new lyrics to "Hey, Jude," then write new music for your lyrics.
Recreate a beautiful garden photo in your back yard.
Start with a classic cocktail — change one of the ingredients. Presto! A new drink!
"Good artists borrow; great artists steal."
You can read blog posts about STEAL FROM THE BEST here.
