Hmmm, I'm in a similiar situation as well. I've been having trouble making things that sound good. Leik I'll have something, then, crap. Though it has more to do with the fact thaT i'M JUST NOT MUSICALLY INCLINED AT THE MOMENT. Plus I'm lazy right now(note the fact I hit caps & refuse to retype it).
Though when I do make music, I go through the same process Zirc does. I just sort of make stuff as I go. One thing that helped me a whole lot was to use my emotions at a given time. Soemtimes I'd think about someone or something. A person, or a thought, or a state of being. From that, I get some inspiration.
Yes, totally weird starting point for a new paragraph. Anyway, once I visualize whatever it may be, I make music that reflects it. If I'm feeling happy, or thinking about something that's upbeat; I make something upbeat & happy. If I'm thinking about dark moody stuff; BAM, dark moody stuff.
And that's how babies are born. Musical babies. At least in the Puga household.