What have you done for your muse lately?

Photo: The Nine Muses by dunechaser

How is your muse?
You don't know, you say?

When was the last time you talked with her (or him, or it, or them)?
What?
You don't remember?

It is time to starting talking, my friend.
Ask all the right questions, and listen intently.
With the canyon of silence between the two of you,
You must begin to repair your work relationship at once.
Immediately.
Your writing and creating depend on it.

I recommend the following approach:
Sit quietly without distraction (like teh Interwebs, caffeinated beverages, and juicy blackberries of both fruit and tech kinds).
Ask one question without speaking it aloud. (Muses do like quiet minds and spaces.)
Then wait and listen.

And wait.
And wait a bit more.

Do you hear her (or him, or it, or them)?
Do you recognize the voice? The words? The advice?

Listen carefully and then ask a second question related to what your muse has shared.
Keep listening, keep talking.
A conversation has begun.

Make a promise to talk to and listen to your muse regularly.
Write down key points of your talks — the inspiring mantras, the mysterious phrases which repeat and make no sense, the common-sense reminders of good writing habits.
Review them often.
Acknowledge that your writing needs this ritual,
And that nothing great is ever created alone.
(Or, as my muse-coach likes to bellow, "It takes team work to make the dream work!")

Some wise people I know bake delicious blueberry pies for their muses. It takes them, and their writing lives, very far indeed.

Comments

[patry]

Thanks for reminding me that my muse needs more attention. A pie every August is not enough!

[Becca]

Great post! The muse indeed thrives in those rare moments of quiet reflection. That's why great ideas always seem to come in the bathtub!

[KG]

patry — If you start baking more pies, I'll start at least making one. Deal? ;)

Becca — Yes, I think many muses like water! Doing dishes seems to bring out my muse (in addition to other water-related activities), and it's interesting to hear that others have the same water experience.

[Copywriting Maven]

I'm a marketing copywriter. My only muse is the mortgage and attention must be paid each and every month! :)

[KG]

Copywriting Maven — Ah, yes — the Mortgage Muse! A very motivating one, indeed. :)