Is there such a thing as a writers muse? According to what I’ve read, painters seem more likely to have one, usually in human form, while most writers seem to manage perfectly well without.
Personally, I have never had one, nor have I felt the need. I suppose I’ve always been more of a practical sort of person – hence this site.
I don’t have any beliefs in anything mystical, but that doesn’t stop me enjoying the concept. I like the idea of having other mystical beings in our world, such as witches, banshees and fairies etc.
WRITING ABOUT UNEARTHLY BEINGS
These add a great deal more to our creative world and the options for writers working with mystical beings are endless. Writing about these unearthly beings opens up a new world for possibility and fun.
It is fun that brings me back to the idea of a writers muse. Many writers claim to only be able to write during certain periods, or when the conditions are somehow perfect for writing. This in a way, is like the artist waiting for the muse to arrive but is usually yet another form of the dreaded procrastination.
As I said above, being a more practical sort, I have never paid much attention to the idea of having a muse but it doesn’t stop me seeing the appeal, especially after I looked at the Wikipedia page on the Muse.
GREEK GODDESSES OF INSPIRATION
I learned that the muse were the Greek Goddesses of inspiration for literature, science and the arts, as well as being the source of knowledge contained in poetry, lyrics and myths.
Maybe they’d help me write a bestselling book. If that were true who wouldn’t want their own little Greek Goddess floating above their laptops while they add word upon word?
HOW DO YOU FIND A MUSE?
Thing is though, how do you find a muse? Are they human – someone you know who inspires you? Or, do they take another less earthly form?
If so how do you attract one? Do you leave food out for them and hope they’ll come to you – like the blue-tits and sparrows that feed at my window.
Do you sense their presence? That idea is far too spooky and flaky for a practical creative writer like me. So I have decided that I will throw the question out there and see what happens.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Do you believe a writer should have a Muse? Do we really need a bunch of Greek Goddesses to write? Where does an ordinary, decent writer find a muse these days? Do you have one? Do you think it’s a load of old ………?
Any opinions or comments you have are very welcome – whether you have a muse or not.
Best wishes
Grace
Thanks for this, Grace. No, I can’t say I do believe in ‘muse(s)’ – inspiration can come from almost anywhere for me, but often it comes from sitting down with pen and paper and starting to write. It comes, perhaps, from within. But then what does that signify? Where does what comes from within originate? So maybe there is a muse of a kind, but it’s nebulous and shape-shifting and elusive. Like your shadow, you can’t catch it.
Hi Simon, great to hear from you. Thanks so much for your wonderfully considered answer. I will let you know if I ever catch it 🙂
Hi Grace, I’ve always been enchanted by the idea of having a muse for my blog post writing. Not thinking of a muse as being an entity, but as a kind of hope or feeling that when you’re stuck you can call on some aspect of yourself – the writer within you – for help and assistance.
Lovely post. Thanks for writing it.
Thanks so much, Rose it is lovely to hear from you. I think you hit the nail on the head when you describe the muse as being a hope or feeling rather than an entity.
Best of luck with your writing.
Grace