In addition to launching and operating Attic Ink, I freelance on occasion for marketing trade magazines, though I'm doing some more personal writing as well to develop my essay-writing skills. I've also done some copywriting work for the web. I've found in the last year or so that when I start a project, no matter what it is, it helps my concentration to choose a soundtrack for it. My obsessive nature takes over and I dive completely into the music and the work simultaneously so that the music becomes a motivator and a metronome, passing the time and setting a consistent tone. Rilo Kiley's "Under the Blacklight" was my last project's. According to my play counter, I listened to it all the way through at least eleven times. I think I worked on that project for four days. Um, yeah.
This morning I'll officially start a new project, and my soundtrack is the music from Once, the small, sweet film that I took Joe to yesterday. Sublime and sad with its Irish-folk laments, it's perfect for pouring over notes and picking the best words to use. I've realized that even though everything is best in moderation, it's healthiest for me to work this way, lest I fall prey to the evil spirits of procrastination.
How do you work best? What's your latest musical obsession?
