What Bruce Springsteen taught me about writing
Persistence, heart and passion are essential to creating memorable prose that will move your readers. Take it from this legendary rock star.

My love for Bruce Springsteen began on a bus from Cleveland to Chicago.
I sat down next to a young guy wearing a polo shirt and khaki pants who was headed to the Windy City to catch a Springsteen show and return the same night on the midnight bus to Cleveland.
He asked if I had any Springsteen music on my phone. I did.
He asked if I’d seen him in concert. I hadn’t.
Without hesitation, he offered me his extra ticket to that night’s show. “Anyone with Bruce on their phone needs to experience him live,” he said. “Trust me.”
I protested the entire four-hour trip, but to no avail. He handed me the ticket when we stepped off the bus, and he walked away, hoping I’d show.
I did.
I walked into the United Center for the first time, standing on the wooden floor that Michael Jordan made famous. I teetered with as much anticipation as a little kid about to take his first lick of ice cream.
I could not have prepared myself for what happened in those next three hours.
It was a revival, it was time suspended, it was electrifying and freeing. It was a thesaurus full of “laissez les bon temps rouler” synonyms. It can’t be explained, only experienced.
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today
Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.
