by Enisa Haines
Life in all its manifestations, with daily obligations and constant demands on our time, most often comes with no guarantee of 'happy ever after'. So, too, for a writer and the inner source of inspiration that fuels their creativity.
A fickle creature is the muse. At times she eagerly inspires me to bring the story playing in my mind into vivid life on paper. At others she hides out of reach, unwilling to appear. It could be because life interrupts with unexpected happenings - emergency surgery for a life-threatening head injury from a car accident, a marriage breakup, the unexpected passing of a brother, those are a few of my experiences. Or it could be an issue with the story I'm writing. There's a block that won't go away no matter how many times I sit down to write so I feel discouraged and a growing frustration so the story waits unwritten.
When creativity refuses to cooperate I know my muse is still there. It's just asking for some nurturing before inspiration sparks to life. How we nurture differs for everyone and countless articles written discuss the ways, some I've listed below:
- Meet with other writers - whether a writers' conference/retreat, a writing group or critique partners, there's creative energy in abundance that's sure to inspire.
- Read a genre you don't write - and so stretching your imagination to other styles of writing.
- Carry a journal - the muse can appear in times both expected and unexpected.
- Go to a public place such as a cafe - watching and listening to people, seeing how they interact can inspire new scenes and characters
- Catch up with friends - conversations can bring inspiration
- Clean and clear your writing space - uncluttering does wonders for imagination
I've had great inspiration from each but for me evoking ideas and emotions is best achieved by:
Immersing myself in nature - taking a walk through the bushland around where I live or simply gazing through the window and watching the rain relaxes my mind and gets my creativity flowing.
Meditating (with lit candle, and crystal) - starting my day by focusing on breathing, , on being mindful and aware, brings a state of calmness and clarity that helps my mind stop wandering and instead concentrate, increase productivity.
Being grateful - I always feels good when I've got to the end of a writing session and words had flowed, and acknowledging that with thanks feels even better.
Are there times your muse needs nourishing? How do you bring your muse to life?
Love to love: listening to rock ballads. I'm visualising stories as I listen to the words.
Love to laugh: at the funny antics of characters in romantic comedies.
Love to learn: all things writing.
