Most songwriters, artists and creators in general usually think in terms of creating a product for external consumption. I know I do.
However, it’s a good practice to create things for yourself. This means creating something that is out of your comfort zone that no one would ever see. Create something that uses skills outside your expertise. This builds the creative muscle and will most likely give you more ideas for your primary creative endeavors.
Todd Henry, author of “The Accidental Creative” calls it Unnecessary Creation. Allow yourself to dig deep into something that you never plan on showing anyone.
You will be surprised at the results.