The Elusive Muse

Stephen King warns of waiting for your muse to present themselves when you are ready to sit down and write. According to him…”he’s a hardheaded guy who’s not susceptible to a lot of creative fluttering…Your job is to make sure the muse knows where you’re going to be every day from nine ’til noon. Or seven ’til three. If he does know, I assure you that sooner or later he’ll start showing up.” He says writing is a job like any other. I love the idea of a muse being a man, rather than Olivia Newton-John on roller skates. No Greek mythology or togas to be seen.

When I sit down to write, I write. Sometimes I am inspired and it is easy. Sometimes it feels like pulling teeth. The words don’t come, the ideas fall flat. When the inspiration hits, it’s hard for my fingers to keep up with my brain. The words come tumbling out, wrapped up in great ideas, revelations, epiphanies. It’s dreamlike and a pleasure to be writing. Sometimes, though, those tooth-pulled words lead you somewhere unexpected. I never trash anything until I have looked at it in a different frame of mind.

I may not have a muse (although Stu is pretty inspiring) I do find inspiration in many places. I am always transported by good writing. Reading a couple of chapters of something very well written can light a fire in my belly.

Walking in the forest clears my mind. This may not be inspiring, strictly speaking, but it does help create the space for words and ideas.

Great conversation really sets my mind on fire. Having a chat with someone who you find interesting, sharing ideas and connecting on an intellectual level, is dynamite. I often find walking in the forest, having an excellent discussion with someone, is enough to keep me writing for days.

Watching good movies can have the same effect as reading goods words. Cleverly put together dialogue, fascinating plot twists, and well rounded characters, are stimulating. A story on screen which pulls you in and makes you lose yourself somewhere between the screen and your seat. This kind of passive motivation is always good if your energy levels are low.

Walking around a gallery can also stimulate some fresh and original thoughts. Coming at something from a different perspective. Stephen King suggests you always have a notebook, but I find my iPhone is good for notes to myself.

The other place I find inspiration is in restaurants. Good food, good cheese, good wine, all very inspiring. My favourite thing in the world to read is a menu. What else whets your imagination and your appetite like a beautifully described combination of incredible ingredients. A night out with great friends, great conversation, and great food is about as good as it gets. Fortuitously for my waistline, I need the walking in the forest to clear my head after the wine, and to walk off all that cheese and deliciousness.