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.
Hi Enisa, I encourage my muse by going for long walks and by watching something in nature such as the ocean, bush land or a stream.
ReplyDeleteMy comment failed to include my name for some reason. Gremlins? Thanks for such an interesting post. Sharon.
DeleteNature is wondrous, Sharon, isn't it? Really great for bringing calm and inspiration.
DeleteEnisa it can be so hard when the muse does not cooperate. All those suggestions are great. As women we carry a large mental load and it can be hard to make room for our muse to let loose when it is competing with life issues. I find the shower or measured breathing can help with clearing the mind. I love the ocean and regularly need some "vitamin sea" to keep the stress levels at bay.
ReplyDeleteHi Cassandra. Nature on all its forms is wonderful for calming and clearing. And for health too.
DeleteAh yes, so many of your points resonate with me! The muse can be a fickle creature. I'm fairly fortunate...not sure how I've managed to train her or I'd pass the information on, but...she does seem to behave herself when there's a deadline looming!!
ReplyDeleteHi Alyssa. Sounds to me that your muse thrives under pressure. That's a good thing on itself as your mind ikes keeping creatively busy it seems.
ReplyDeleteHi Enisa, I find doing inspiring things inspires me. Sounds slightly weird, but it works. Reading a good book inspires me want to put pen to paper - the magic of their words makes me love my words more. Hearing music makes my mind soar. Watching the ocean, ditto. I love Cassandra's comment about needing 'vitamin sea'. Spotting a big, beautiful moon, chasing around the clouds. Watching children at play or adults playing things like sport is always inspiring for me - it's the 'having the time of their life' aspect of the activity that is inspirational. When are you truly happy? Can you sometimes be caught with an awareness that 'this moment is happiness', and remember it? I remember sitting on a soccer field in the middle of last winter. The wind was furiously cold but the sun was out and gave warmth. I was surrounded by family, all watching (and cheering for) a certain young man who was charging around the soccer field with his team, kicking up muddy clogs of grass and doing miraculous things like scoring or setting up goals. All of a sudden I realised I was exactly where I wanted to be, completely happy in the moment. This was happiness, watching him. Other inspirations for me are looking at art. Patting an animal. Sitting in a hushed church. Moments when things are happening around me and my mind is receptive to it all. My goodness, I am waxing lyrical! So glad you asked. Mwah.
ReplyDeleteMy 'go-tos' to help my muse appear are music and a lit candle. Thankfully, she usually co operates. :)
ReplyDelete