I'm a self taught pianist and lately I've been wanting to start incorporating jazzy elements and melodies into my compositions. I have a pretty good grasp on music theory, but incorporating these elements is really hard for me. It always seems forced, even when utilizing 7ths and going off key with the help of the circle of fifths, I can't make it sound truly organic. I'd really appreciate some advic on how to do better.
you will need to pinpoint the source of your desire to do whatever it is you are trying to do. was there a certain song you heard that made you want to do things a certain way? if so, start by learning to do it exactly the way that song did. if it was simply just someone telling you about how they do things a certain way but you didn't actually hear it, then all you have to do is describe your own work to someone else in the same way and you probably don't even have to change the work itself