"Being a writer is a very peculiar sort of a job: it's always you versus a blank sheet of paper (or a blank screen) and quite often the blank piece of paper wins." Neil Gaiman. Each time you begin a new project, or even a day's writing, you're faced that blank page - and often the overwhelming urge to crawl back into bed. At times like these you need to unleash your secret weapon. That weapon, and the best way to fight that initial fear-blockade is to find your Muse.
Who or what is a Muse? Most simply, it is someone else to blame. And sometimes that is enough.
If you're a fan of Greek mythology, you'll recognise Muses from the nine Muses of the ancient Greek world. Though often portrayed as scantily clad women, their primary purpose was not to inspire through the arousal of sexual desire. Rather, they were the embodiment and sponsors of all arts. The Muses would bless you the necessary skills and inspiration; then, and only then would you be able to produce truly great art.
Muses have maintained their place throughout history in various forms, used ever as an entity that bestows inspiration and passion upon an individual (rather than arousing it within them). This is a critical distinction of roles. This way, it's your responsibility to be open and willing to work when the inspiration is given, but it is her/his/its responsibility to give you that inspiration. If you sit down and work, and yet nothing good comes out, well that's not your fault. Your Muse is throwing a sick day. You are, of course, responsible for doing all you can to win over the Fairest Muse of All, but you can't expect any more from yourself than this.
In recent history, artists have tried to internalised and take responsibility for this creative element, and the result is the tortured artist. In contemporary times, it is the writer's fault if they cannot produce inspired work on demand. This is stressful enough to make anyone curl up and whimper. It instils and magnifies the fear of failure that can cripple a writer, that fear which causes much of the writer's block in the world.
As such, one of the most effective mental exercises for the developing writer is to find and identify your Muse. It is something external to you that has the ability to grant you inspiration when it wants, and only requires that you sit down and faithfully work, and maybe write it a sonnet or two in thanks. Then, unseen by you, it will infuse its magic into your work, and together you will create something great. And if the work you produce is not great? Well, you can blame your muse for not turning up on that day.
What is your Muse? My personal faith works well for me, and you need to find that which works best for you. If you are at all imaginative, give it personality, characteristics with which you can interact. Make a deal with it: your part is to turn up and write on demand (perhaps a little wooing is in order), their part is to bless the process and take responsibility for the outcome.
In general, I have found cats make good Muses. There is something in the way they carry themselves that suggests they have the ability to grant inspiration (it certainly explains why they love sitting on keyboards so much, and perhaps why there are so many photos of them online). They also have egos big enough to take your successes or failures in their stride.
Perhaps your Muse is the spirit of your favourite writer, or Botticelli's Venus, the spirit of new-born art. Whoever (or whatever) it is, their role is to be an external being, there to assure you of some higher meaning to your work, and to remind you to relax and let the words flow.
As unusual as it sounds, I urge you to undertake this activity right now. Search for an answer that will work for you and has a strong personal meaning. Either real or imaginary, designate someone else to take the pressure and stress of the creative process, so you can just enjoy having fun in your writing. Who knows what it might bring?
Who or what is a Muse? Most simply, it is someone else to blame. And sometimes that is enough.
If you're a fan of Greek mythology, you'll recognise Muses from the nine Muses of the ancient Greek world. Though often portrayed as scantily clad women, their primary purpose was not to inspire through the arousal of sexual desire. Rather, they were the embodiment and sponsors of all arts. The Muses would bless you the necessary skills and inspiration; then, and only then would you be able to produce truly great art.
Muses have maintained their place throughout history in various forms, used ever as an entity that bestows inspiration and passion upon an individual (rather than arousing it within them). This is a critical distinction of roles. This way, it's your responsibility to be open and willing to work when the inspiration is given, but it is her/his/its responsibility to give you that inspiration. If you sit down and work, and yet nothing good comes out, well that's not your fault. Your Muse is throwing a sick day. You are, of course, responsible for doing all you can to win over the Fairest Muse of All, but you can't expect any more from yourself than this.
In recent history, artists have tried to internalised and take responsibility for this creative element, and the result is the tortured artist. In contemporary times, it is the writer's fault if they cannot produce inspired work on demand. This is stressful enough to make anyone curl up and whimper. It instils and magnifies the fear of failure that can cripple a writer, that fear which causes much of the writer's block in the world.
As such, one of the most effective mental exercises for the developing writer is to find and identify your Muse. It is something external to you that has the ability to grant you inspiration when it wants, and only requires that you sit down and faithfully work, and maybe write it a sonnet or two in thanks. Then, unseen by you, it will infuse its magic into your work, and together you will create something great. And if the work you produce is not great? Well, you can blame your muse for not turning up on that day.
What is your Muse? My personal faith works well for me, and you need to find that which works best for you. If you are at all imaginative, give it personality, characteristics with which you can interact. Make a deal with it: your part is to turn up and write on demand (perhaps a little wooing is in order), their part is to bless the process and take responsibility for the outcome.
In general, I have found cats make good Muses. There is something in the way they carry themselves that suggests they have the ability to grant inspiration (it certainly explains why they love sitting on keyboards so much, and perhaps why there are so many photos of them online). They also have egos big enough to take your successes or failures in their stride.
Perhaps your Muse is the spirit of your favourite writer, or Botticelli's Venus, the spirit of new-born art. Whoever (or whatever) it is, their role is to be an external being, there to assure you of some higher meaning to your work, and to remind you to relax and let the words flow.
As unusual as it sounds, I urge you to undertake this activity right now. Search for an answer that will work for you and has a strong personal meaning. Either real or imaginary, designate someone else to take the pressure and stress of the creative process, so you can just enjoy having fun in your writing. Who knows what it might bring?
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