Many times, I’ve mused on the writer’s muse. In general terms, does a creative type need some object, person, or imagined being as inspiration to formulate or manifest ideas?
I had a muse. Her name was Lucy, my faithful and loving English Springer Spaniel for 14 years. Lucy would curl up at my feet as I hammered away at news articles for a weekly paper, churned out college assignments, or revised my latest screenplay draft. She patiently settled down next to me as I pounded the laptop keys or scribbled in a notebook—thoughts flowing through to my fingers. Lucy played the muse as I mused on strings of words.
On February 15, 2008 Lucy died of natural causes. Yet, in some ways, Lucy is still with me. In her final hours, I held vigil with a strawberry scented candle in a mason jar. The candle itself resembles plump strawberries as if preserved in a gelatinous mold. The candle holder’s well is so deep now that I add a small votive candle to its center and light it every February 15 in her memory. Maybe her essence remains with me as a muse. But practicality tells me too many years have passed. Lucy no longer sits at my feet with her soft black and white feather-like coat.
Since her passing, I’ve penned and published two novels. With the first book, weeks and months went by in between the writing, a painful process in fits and starts. But, “all’s well that ends well,” as quoted from Shakespeare’s play of the same name.
My retelling of my beloved four-legged friend is important to me. Why? Because I’m not sure I need a muse to write. If I have one, it’s on a subconscious level and I’m unaware of its presence. And, once again, I wonder: what is the role of a muse and does a writer need one to write?
Some writers believe a muse is an essential force that spurs on the creative process. The word itself comes from the Greek “mousai” and refers to the goddesses of creativity and the arts. They include Polyhymnia for poetry, Erato for love poetry, Euterpe for lyric poetry and Melpomene for tragedy. Of course, the Greeks of antiquity had gods and goddesses for every worldly and heavenly matter, seen or unseen.
If you’re inclined, as a writer, to seek out a muse, don’t rely on conjuring up one for inspiration. First, get into the practice of writing. If a muse comes along, well, so be it! When I’m not motivated to write (which is most days!) I set a timer for 25 minutes and repeat four times with five-minute breaks in between. Yes, most of you may be aware of the Pomodoro Method of timed sessions. It works for me when feeling uninspired!
With or without a muse, record those fleeting, imaginative sparks! I’ve had chapter names cross my mind thinking I’d remember them a day or two later. No such luck! Don’t rely on memory to recreate a striking piece of dialogue or descriptive passage. Write the words down immediately!!
Also, stay attuned to the natural world! I spend an inordinate amount of time sifting through an avalanche of emails! I hover between 1,000 and 1,400 emails waiting in my inbox. It’s my greatest time sponge with potential rabbit holes galore a la the click of a hyperlink. If anything could kill off a potential muse for your truly it’s screen time. Keep your day balanced. Go for a walk to recharge!
Every day, before writing, I call upon the Holy Spirit to guide my work. Typically, I won’t even answer an email until I’ve written in my daily journal beginning with “Dear Holy Spirit.” Invariably I ask for wisdom and understanding, the two holy gifts that I believe will help me in my daily thoughts, words and actions. Calling upon the Holy Spirit gives me guidance and peace, and I don’t seek out a muse. Yet, maybe Lucy remains my muse. Her exuberant nature and unconditional love are nestled in my heart. If not a muse, she’s a joyful memory that lingers.