Kris Kristofferson may be one of country music’s—nay, all of music’s—greatest songwriters, but the timeless Renaissance man says he can’t force inspiration. In other words, don’t try scheduling a writing session with him anytime soon.

“I’ve never been able to write on schedule. Even when I was in Nashville. I had to wait until the inspiration hit me. And fortunately, it did. Now, not as much as it used to, but I don’t feel any anxiety for not writing as fast or as often as I used to,” Kris tells Country Weekly. “I figure I wouldn’t care if I didn’t write another song.”

But his fans sure do. And fortunately they’ll be rewarded with Feeling Mortal, Kris’ first album since 2009’s Closer to the Bone. Vulnerable and unflinching, the acoustic project’s 10 tracks deal plainly with the twilight of one’s life and career.

“I don’t know how it happens. It just happens in my brain, you know?” says Kris of his writing process, before adding with a raspy laugh, “I guess it’s just like everything else: It worked a little better when I was younger!”

Look for our full interview with Kris in the Feb. 4 issue of Country Weekly, on stands Jan. 28.