Deriving Inspiration. What are you doing?

[offki]

I'm always in the mood, I just find any one element that sparks my interest, build it up and then add the rest.

Oops, yep, emotions tend to steer the direction very strongly, it's not really the emotions though, it;s how someone expresses them.

[ozy]

Originally Posted by CaseyMartin

What gets you in the mood to create? Is it emotionally driven?

destruction adds a lot to creation. It is the basis for creation.

Breaking old patterns, refuting old ideas.

forgetting something, losing something, changing places and people. moving, traveling.

Buying a synth? not [it usually leads just to plenty of sketches based on some preset: 98% of them, junk when listened to later). Selling one synth for buying another? Maybe. Because of the change.

losing something/someone and finding refuge in a good old friend (which could possibily be a musical instrument)? yes.

Originally Posted by CaseyMartin

Is it emotionally driven?

not just emotion.

Emotion is part of creation, but relying only on emotion will lead you only to cheesy riffs.

Originally Posted by CaseyMartin

Is it just the urge to create?

oh, THAT's powerful...

And again: urge to create is never as strong as just after a destruction or a loss or a change.

[neoncortex]

You could try the Oblique Strategy cards by Brian Eno to get those creative juices flowing.