So, what’s in a Muse?
Sometimes I wake up in the morning with an idea so compelling that I have to grab my dream book and write the idea down that instant, or I will lose it. Sadie and William’s story started out that way. Luckily it was a weekend morning, because I wrote for two hours without stopping for more than a potty break and some coffee. It became a full first draft.
Wikipedia says: The Muses… in Greek mythology, poetry, and literature, are the goddesses who inspire the creation of literature and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge…
Director Albert Brooks made a film called “The Muse” in which Sharon Stone’s eponymous character is a demanding, annoying crazy lady who nevertheless inspires Brooks’ character in spite of all the trouble she causes. Or because of it?
Judy Collins has said, “When inspiration does not come, I go for a walk, go to the movies, talk to a friend, let go… The muse is bound to return again, especially if I turn my back!”
And Piers Anthony has said, “One reason I don’t suffer Writer’s Block is that I don’t wait on the muse, I summon it at need.”
Elizabeth Gilbert has some very interesting things to say about The Muse as well. “Listen, you, thing, you and I both know that if this book isn’t brilliant that is not entirely my fault, right? Because you can see that I am putting everything I have into this, I don’t have any more than this. So if you want it to be better, then you’ve got to show up and do your part of the deal, okay? But if you don’t do that, you know what, the hell with it, I’m going to keep writing anyway because that’s my job. And I would please like the record to reflect today that I showed up for my part of the job.” For more from Elizabeth Gilbert, you can watch this great video: http://stranglingmymuse.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/are-you-the-genius-or-is-the-genius-working-through-you/
I am a writer. I have not known this for very long, less than two years, and I’m in my 5th decade. It’s not the only thing I am. I’m also a mother-daughter-wife, a quilter and church-rummage-sale volunteer, an indifferent cook, a dog-and-baby-lover, the person at the movies who has to bring Kleenex even if it’s a comedy.
But there are definitely some stories that have come to me to be written. If I don’t write them, the writer they finally get may not tell them the way they wish to be told. They had to bonk me on the head with increasing force, but I finally got the message. I am responsible to these stories. They need me.
I must do my part, must sit down and write, for them to happen; I must find the time, the quiet, the space; I must pee and eat, feed the dogs so they’ll sit quietly with me, and make sure I have my coffee. I have had to train my family to take their questions elsewhere when I’m writing. I have had to train myself to ignore their questions when I am writing. Because my Muse is waiting for my fingers and mind to be in place so the ideas can flow.
My Muse and I are partners. We have to work together for stories to get written. The Muse inspires; I wrestle and guide.
What’s in your Muse?
