Your anthem starts with a truth you can stand on. You named that truth in your Foundation Statement and shaped your voice in your Identity Map. Now we turn both into lines you can sing.

This guide shows a simple way to draft a verse or chorus, using short prompts that work with any writing model. Keep it plain. Keep it honest. The goal is a 30-second first pass you can test this week.

Connect the earlier steps

• Foundation Statement: why you create.
• Identity: message, audience, motivation, and one metaphor.
• Creator Stack: two-tool workflow you can repeat.

We will use all three. Paste them into your prompt so the model mirrors your intent, not generic lines.

The anthem writing process (short and repeatable)

1. Choose an emotion: the feeling you want listeners to keep.
2. Select your metaphor: one image from your Identity Map.
3. Draft 4–6 lines: a chorus or verse that can loop cleanly.
4. Refine for clarity and rhythm: fewer words, stronger nouns.
5. Test a 20–30s idea: sing or render a quick preview.

Don’t chase perfection. Chase a take you can finish and share.

Core prompt: Anthem Draft Generator

Use this with ChatGPT or any text model. Replace the bracketed parts with your own notes.

You are a songwriter and creative coach.
From my materials, write a short chorus or verse (4–6 lines) that could guide an AI music demo.

My foundation statement: [paste yours]
My identity (message, audience, motivation): [paste yours]
My metaphor: [e.g., porch light / road home / ember]
Desired emotion: [e.g., steady hope / release]
Style notes: [plain language, singable phrases]

Constraints:
- Short lines (max ~8 words), clear rhythm
- Concrete nouns and verbs; minimal adjectives
- One image repeated for cohesion
Return two versions with slightly different angles.

Refine prompt: Lyric Editor

Act as a lyric editor.
Take this draft and improve clarity, specificity, and singability.
- Replace abstractions with concrete images
- Remove filler words
- Keep one core metaphor
Return: revised lyrics + one sentence explaining the main change.

Hook and title prompts (optional)

Hook Finder

Create 10 hook lines (≤ 8 words) based on my statement + metaphor.
Make them easy to remember and sing.

Title Maker

Suggest 12 song titles that echo my metaphor and theme.
Mix literal and poetic options. Return in a bulleted list.

Tighten the draft: clarity and rhythm

• Fewer words: cut anything you wouldn’t say.
• Concrete language: switch “freedom” → “open door,” “hope” → “morning light.”
• Repeat the image: use your metaphor in 2–3 lines.
• Rhythm test: clap or tap while reading aloud. If you stumble, shorten.

Good lyrics survive a whisper. Try reading them quietly. If they still land, you’re close.

Make a 30-second test

1. Pick your strongest 2–4 lines.
2. Decide on a simple pulse (slow, mid, or brisk).
3. Record a quick voice memo or render a short AI demo.
4. Listen once for feeling, once for words.
5. Adjust one thing. Save a new version.

Keep versions labeled (anthem_chorus_v01, v02). Small changes teach faster than big rewrites.

Keep it aligned with your identity

Run the quick check:

• Do the lyrics match my three identity words?
• Does the metaphor show up clearly?
• Would my audience recognize themselves?

If two answers are “no,” edit the words before changing the sound.

Example transformations (before → after)

For beginners

Four honest lines beat twenty fancy ones. If a line sounds close, keep it and move on.

For professionals

Limit your first pass to 90 syllables. Enforce one image system. Commit to a 30-second demo before arrangement.

Faith & authenticity (optional but honest)

Write what you can live with off the mic. Integrity outlives style. If you pray before you play, say that privately. Let the song carry the rest.

Common mistakes and fixes

• Too abstract: switch to concrete nouns and actions.
• Overstuffed lines: one idea per line. Breathe space in.
• New image every line: pick one metaphor and repeat it.
• Endless drafting: stop after v03; render a demo; learn by listening.

What comes next

You now have words you can sing and a 30-second test. Next, we’ll plan how to move from draft to release—without overwhelm.

Next article: From Anthem to Action — plan your next 90 days.

Previous article: Creator Stack 101.

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