Just my 5c worth relating to these 2 specific questions:
Squonk wrote
Does your mood effect your creativety?
Absolutely......also I think your mood dictates what you come up with, or even what you like to play or listen to.......bluesy, moody, rock, hard rock, metal.......whatever.....
Squonk wrote
Or can you just switch it on? ???
That requires a really special skill........I think if you're a full-time muso, the "job" dictates that you switch on on demand........ the more/ longer you do it the easier it becomes.....maybe even a joint or two is sometimes required to get the creative juices flowing.....hahahaha. ? (the answer is no, I don't.......)
eg. (Having worked in Ad Agencies for many years), creative people get a brief, and a deadline to come up with a concept for an ad, or TV commercial, or a jingle for an ad, or whatever, there is no such thing as you can do it when the "mood" is right, so people get used to "performing" on demand, and especially under pressure (there are people who perform at their best under pressure, I know I do.).....
However, because most people here have a day job, and lots of other things to deal with, switching on and off on demand is not always that easy.
I also believe that lots of the BEST creative ideas, musically or otherwise, comes from two (or three) people working together (brainstorming an idea)...... Lennon/McCartney, etc......great tunes AND great lyrics. Very few individuals can do both successfully.....
