I don't really know how it works, but when it works it works.  Some days in certain moments the muse will just hit me, and I'll be able to create something really cool and meaningful to me.  Then there are times when I can't get the fire burning and I write just to write but not very happy with the result.  I'm the type of person who is easily distracted by anything.  So I either need to put myself in an empty room, or just do my best to focus and make something of worth.  I find only in few occasions that music helps but most time I just end up listening to the song more than thinking of writing.  I love art and photos but I don't often feel inspired by them.  I tried that a few times, but I find it really limiting.  A lot of times when I do get inspiration I may only write a few stanzas and stop, because I feel it's good where it is and worried that if I add any more I may mess it up.  Or I may just loose the muse.  I'm kind of a perfectionist too.  So I'm probably not going to be to happy doing revisions on the muse poems and feel that most are good as is.  But we'll see, and I'll try to tinker.  Sometimes I'll tell myself that I'm going to write in Iamb or  I'm going to make my lines rhyme every three lines.  Something like that to see what comes out.  I guess giving yourself some boarders to work with can help at times.  I often try to think of things in my past , emotions I felt, things I saw, anything to create poems.