Why Is It So Hard to Keep Writing Music?

This is the time of year when I start to get a little sentimental.

Last week marked the end of the most recent ThinkSpace Orchestral Composition Bootcamp, where I’ve been a tutor alongside an incredible team (shout out to Jake, Chuck, and Emily for being such a solid foundation and truly inspiring group of musicians!)

For eight weeks, it’s pure momentum. It’s non-stop deadlines, feedback, live sessions, and a community of composers all pushing toward the same goal.

And then suddenly… it stops!

I genuinely love music education. I get so excited to meet these composers, listen to their music, and literally hear their growth from week 1 to the end of the bootcamp.

But my favorite part of the experience isn’t just talking about the music. It’s connecting with the students on our final call. We talk about where they struggled, what makes them excited, and the reality of trying to turn this creative passion into a career, even if it’s part-time.

But there’s a pattern I notice every time.

By the end of the bootcamp, the students are grateful for the feedback and the community of likeminded composers. But then, this realization comes in…”the bootcamp is over. Now what?”

After a while, that initial buzz starts to die down. Without the deadlines and the group energy, the motivation to compose dips. It’s easy to feel stuck or uninspired when you’re suddenly back on your own.

That is the exact feeling I try to solve with OdysseyNotes.

My goal with this newsletter (and my YouTube channel) is to create a space that keeps that spark alive.

When I feel unmotivated, I don’t try to force myself to “grind.” I go back to the stories, the music, and the feelings that inspired me in the first place. When we can just go back to the roots of enjoying music for the story it tells, we can feel like kids again…exploring our own imagination, getting lost in creativity!

That is when the drive to create comes rushing back!

So, if you’re feeling a bit stuck or just looking for that next step, I want to invite you to join Week 2 of The December Prologue.

The idea is to set the scene for 2026 right now (hence the prologue!!) and I’m currently running a step-down event specifically for the Annual OdysseyNotes Pro plan to help you keep that momentum going all year. The best part is that this discount lasts for as long as you’re a member.

• Dec 1 – Dec 7: 30% off (Already passed!)

• 👉 Dec 8 – Dec 14: 25% off the Annual Plan (This Week!) 👈

• Dec 15 – Dec 21: 20% off the Annual Plan

• Dec 22 – Dec 28: 15% off the Annual Plan

Hopefully it can be a way to build up some momentum as we head into the new year, even if you’re writing alone!

(Just a heads up, this 25% tier ends Sunday night. On Monday, the discount drops to 20%!)