Inspiration can strike at any time. It really can. I suppose this is true for any writer or creative soul. Inspiration is elusive but you know it when it strikes. Just the other night, I was at work but a down time happened. I work on the railroad as a freight train conductor. There are times we encounter a stop signal on the rail. A stop signal means the track ahead is occupied and we have to stop and wait.
I used to hate to stop and wait. Waiting is not my virtue I guess. This particular night in question found me stopped at a wayside signal for over 2 1/2 hours. This happens sometimes. However, this time, inspiration struck me and I ended up writing four songs during the time I waited.
I wish I could bottle inspiration up and release the top of that bottle at will. It doesn’t work this way. Inspiration strikes at odd and oftentimes unexpected times. You just have to be ready when inspiration strikes.
I do this by having my phone with me much of the time. I use Apple Notes to write many of my songs. On the railroad we are not allowed to use our personal phones much, so I keep a small notebook and pen with me at all times at work. This really helps to capture inspirational ideas when they appear. They might show up as song ideas or hooks. Or they might be an entire song!
Are you ready when inspiration strikes unexpectedly? Do you have the necessary tools at hand? Can you capture and record the inspirational ideas?
I do try some things to keep the well from running dry and attempt to prompt inspiration. One way I do this is listening to music. My music collection is varied and wide. I keep all my mp3s in my phone and use iTunes all the time—in my truck when I’m driving, at home when I attempt to invoke inspiration, in the hotel between train trips, etc.
What do you do to get into an inspirational mood? Is there anything you do that works for you?
Inspiration can strike at any time. I will be ready. Will you?
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