Well, here we are. The year ends tonight. For many of us, that’s a time for reflection. For resolutions. For moving in new directions.
If you’ve been struggling to make the leap into freelance writing, or unhappy with how much you’re earning from freelancing, it may be time to move to a new tune.
A lot of writers seem to have negative tapes playing in their heads. I want to suggest you pop that tape out and install a new one for 2014.
Listening to my iPod Shuffle on my morning walk recently, I realized that besides choosing mostly upbeat tunes that are good for briskly walking to, the songs I’ve chosen have some common themes.
Here’s a sampling of the lyrics to some of the rock/alternative style songs I often listen to to get my head ready to write (with links to the videos if you want to check them out):
“Today is the greatest day I’ve ever known.” (Today – Smashing Pumpkins)
“Tonight, we are young, so let’s set the world on fire, we can burn brighter than the sun.” (We are Young – Fun)
“Won’t let you bury it, won’t let you smother it, won’t let you murder it…our time is running out.” (Time is Running Out – Muse)
“I’m useless, but not for long, the future is comin’ on.” (Clint Eastwood – Gorillaz)
“Time flies by, they all sang along, time flies by, bye bye.” (Come a Little Closer – Cage the Elephant)
“It’s a beautiful day…don’t let it slip away.” (Beautiful Day – U2)
“Yesterday’s history, and tomorrow’s a mystery…Reach for the sky ’cause tomorrow may never come.” (Reach for the Sky – Social Distortion)
“I’ve been waiting…I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life.” (Lazy Eye – Silversun Pickups)
In the morning, when I’m getting ready to write, my head is going a million places. Scattered. I’m plotting, planning, thinking, dreaming.
And I need to get focused. For me, what does that is bringing it back to this day and this moment.
Which is all we really have for sure.
Maybe because I came out of songwriting into prose, I respond strongly to musical messages. But it works for me.
Usually, after an hour out with these tunes, I have the answer, and I’m ready to sit down to whatever has risen out of the babble in my head to be today’s priority — that one thing I’ve just got to write today.
What’s the soundtrack for your writing? Leave a comment and share the tunes that get you inspired.
P.S. — Enjoy the holiday and come back Friday with your best blog post link about writing, blogging, productivity, work/life balance, or marketing — the First Friday Link Party returns!
