Artists, I have a question...

[BlackVelvetElvis]

I need a creative kick in the pants. How do you find your muse?
Mine comes in spurts and it isn't working right now.

[TheHelplessLlama]

1. Lots of ways.

Just to start naming a few of my own (I hope they help):

Go for a walk by yourself. Every time I need inspiration, I go out for a walk at night or during the sunset and leave myself alone with my thoughts. Let your mind wander while you're walking and chances are you'll come up with something.

Have someone bounce ideas off of you. They don't even need to know what you're up to, just bring up a subject that already interests you and start talking about it. My brother and I do this all the time, it never fails for me.

I don't know about you, but music tends to do it for me. Try to illustrate a favorite song or poem. Take whatever image you have in your head and try to apply it to paper. A few favorites of mine are "The Heart," a poem by Stephen Crane and "Cowboy Dan," a song by Modest Mouse.

Doodle. Doodle doodle doodle. Did I mention doodle? Always keep a pen on you and try to keep it moving. Start with a line and just see what it evolves into.

Most importantly, don't kid yourself by thinking an idea will just pop into your head. As much as we all deny it, you find inspiration, inspiration does NOT find you.

Let me know how it turns out for you :)