23 Comments
Feb 7Liked by Justin Cox

that is an amazing description of how Bruce's creativity, and effort to put these rock and roll songs together the way he does.... and more specifically - his creative process - can be "learned" or if nothing else, appreciated by all of us.

Expand full comment

"Fitting, too, because I wrote most of the book listening to Springsteen and the E Street Band."

How can anyone write anything original while listening to Springsteen lyrics? Try Miles Davis.

Expand full comment
Feb 7Liked by Justin Cox

Writing advice mixed with Springsteen makes my day! Thanks, Justin.

Expand full comment

Thank you for the advice Justin. Much appreciated :)

Expand full comment

What a wonderful surprise to see your Bruce concert photo as the title image! I’ve been a Bruce fan since high school and been to multiple shows, most recently Atlanta on 2/3. He is more energetic and plays longer than most much younger musicians.

Like you, I find him inspiring in multiple ways and have no problem focusing on my writing with his music playing in the background.

Expand full comment

You mean different people have different habits and routines? Damn. News to me.

But thanks.

Expand full comment

Writers crave quiet. I don't know a single writer who can think straight while listening to strong lyrics. Classical music, jazz, some sambas work well, but I defy anyone to write anything while

listening to Dylan. Most folks I know have to turn off their radios while trying to follow directions. Same dynamic.

Expand full comment

My ideas come from just living life. I think I have 20+ ideas in my draft folder right now 😂 If I care about it, it's worth writing about.

Expand full comment

Um. Nothing against Bruce. He's the boss, but "The Best Damn Band in the Land" is The Ohio State University Marching Band. ;-) #gobuckeyes

Expand full comment

A lot of my articles are responses to other articles. When I find myself wanting to write more than a paragraph in the comments, I close the app and open a document instead. Other than that, I'll wake up and find something in the news that irritates me. There's always something that needs to be said.

Expand full comment
Feb 7Liked by Justin Cox

I do the same

Expand full comment

Oh you have me so excited. I’m seeing Springsteen in Denver in a couple weeks. Been seeing him since 1980. He’s mind blowing!!!

Expand full comment

I find writing topics by reading social media posts and watching the news. I have a hard time writing fiction. Plots and premises elude me. That's frustrating to me. I really want to be a novelist. Right now, I'm working on my memoir. It will be finished some day.

Expand full comment

Thank you for your insightful advice

Expand full comment