As a regular songwriter, I recognise that my inspiration for a song and creative motivations have many different causes. I went searching this forum with the words 'inspiration' or 'creativity' in the title, and in each case, the last thread was 2019 or before - so I think it's time to revisit!

Scrolling through what people have written in previous threads (see links below), here is my summary.

Question: what have you found to be a great source of inspiration or have influence on your creativity? Recognising that some take their inspiration and creativity from the written word, whereas others might be inspired musically - this probably informs the lyrics first / music first differences. Do you have an example(s) or story(s) of where one or more of the following inspired you? Feel free to answer short, long narrative, or ranking - the points are numbered for your convenience. Also feel free to add to or expand the list. My own answer is in a reply to this post.

1) Location or environment
2) Your mood or emotional state
3) Theme or subject matter
4) Relationships and interactions with others
5) Circumstances you have experienced
6) Character study
7) Title or phrase or quote
8) Media, movie, TV, reading, podcast
9) Listening to other artists, new songs
10) Listening to other genres, styles
11) Experimenting with different sounds, tunings, effects
12) Using different instrument than your normal e.g. playing keys if normally a guitarist
13) Using tools and tech e.g. BIAB, loop station, effects pedals, plugins
14) Playing for fun, jamming
15) Playing/noodling and discovering riff, melody, chord progression, groove etc
16) Co-writing, collaborating, responding to a songwriting challenge or idea
17) Medicinal or chemical assistance

Previous forum threads:
https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=458355#Post458355
https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=395171#Post395171
https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=465143#Post465143
https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=399186#Post399186
https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=416621#Post416621

Regards,
Andrew D
Adelaide, Sth Aust
Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/SQE4btVvNVkLq74e9
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewoftheantipodes