As many of you know, this past year I became a first-time father. And as I think about care and feeding the muse, my sleep-deprived brain can’t help but draw parallels between it and my infant at home. And the more I mull it over, the more I realize that babies and muses are pretty similar. They both bring everything from great joy to hair-ripping frustration. Their schedule becomes the center of yours. Their happiness takes precedence over yours, for yours is fused directly to theirs.

And so, if these two things are so alike…mustn’t the care and nurture also be?

Let’s take a look.

Boiled down, babies 0-6 months-old and muses are simple creatures. Their needs are basic. They get upset when something is wrong and they let you know it. For babies, it’s crying. For muses, it’s writers block, crappy writing, paralyzing fear, etc. However, I found that following a few guidelines can make all the difference.

They’re hungry. New infants eat all the time…and like clockwork (and all around the clock). Muses need to be fed often and at regular intervals. Unfortunately, there isn’t a formula premade for the muse, but over time, it’s easy to recognize what nourishment your muse craves…be it long walks, playlists, or salted caramels. 

 

They’re tired. Babies sleep more than they are awake. And good luck trying to get an overtaxed infant to sleep. Muses need their rest too, so step away from the manuscript and go grocery shopping or watch reality TV.  And just as an overtired child, running a muse beyond the point of exhaustion will just make her all the fussier. Look for the signs of her tiring (no ideas seem good, you’re boring yourself, etc.) and take that break…it may mean you miss a deadline or have to sacrifice going to a party later, but honestly, the work will be much, much better. 

They have a dirty diaper. Babies poop and pee more than they sleep (okay, not really, but it sure feels like it). This is a function of their bodies starting up – gross, but necessary. And a constipated baby is not a happy one. Again, muses are the same…they need to excrete their systems too. As writers, our fears, hopes, and obsessive facebooking can plug up our muse. Let her get it out of her system – but into a diaper. Allow yourself  those couple of hours in the morning (as Katherine does) to check social media, but then turn it off before opening the manuscript. Or I let myself worry about querying agents while I walk the dogs in the morning, but calm the nerves when I sit down to write.

They want to be held. Sometimes babies get scared or don’t feel good or (God forbid) are teething. During these moments, they need loving, protecting arms. A muse is the same way. She needs hugs in the darker moments…and, as Talia said, that’s why writers need the kind ears of a supportive writing group.

They need to be set down. I won’t lie: it’s not easy to just set a cute baby down and let him play on his own, especially when there’s very little time in the day to coddle him. But, in the long run, letting him have independence and alone time breeds self-sufficiency. Muses need this space to play too. She needs the Slutty Next Novel to think about, even if you’re on a deadline for this one.

I’m sure there are more similarities, but honestly, I’m too sleep deprived to come up with them.

The term "muse" has its origins in Greek mythology.  They are the goddesses of inspiration for literature, art and science.  There were nine muses, but one of them, Thalia, was the muse of comedy and pastoral poetry.  Perhaps that explains why I chose Talia as my pen name.  I certainly love a liberal dose of comedy in books, and who doesn't enjoy poems about sheep?

Inspiration tends to strike me at odd moments, often when I'm far away from my manuscript.  But every now and then, there's a day when the words seem to come out faster than I can type them, when it truly does feel like a muse sits over my shoulder and guides the way.  Most days though, I'm searching for inspiration.  Here are some places I've found it:

Music:  Listening to songs that evoke a certain tone or emotion can inspire a scene, a character, even a whole book.  I am a firm believer that art inspires art, and I always create a playlist for my work in progress, refining it as I discover more about the characters and the plot.

My Real Life:  They say to write what you know, and while most of us do not have the kind of life that makes a riveting memoir, we all have moments and experiences that are unique to us, and that shape the way we see the world.  These moments may be big or small, but they leave strong emotional imprints that can be mined in a scene.   Oftentimes, these completely original moments can elevate a story from cliche to completely your own.

Characters are Everywhere:  Sometimes it helps me to cast a story with real people.  Sometimes I'll picture a particular actress in a a role as I 'm writing.  Some smaller characters might be based on random people I've seen in real life.  A lot of times, bits of characters, including hobbies, attitudes and wardrobes, are borrowed from people I've run across in real life.

Craft Books:  When I'm brainstorming plots or new book ideas, I love to spend time reviewing craft books about writing.  I always approach my writing with new energy afterward.

The Muses:   Supportive writing friends always inspire me.  I am inspired by their ability to push through the hard parts of this business, and their incredible talent.  But they're also the ones that will remind me that it's okay to write a horrible first draft, and who I can count on to tell me when something is not working.  Seriously, if you don't have a writing group, get one!

The Characters:  This is my favorite kind of muse.  When the characters become so fully formed that they dictate their own role in your story. Let them go!

The News:  Every now or then I see a story on the news that I can't get out of my head.  It might be a new science breakthrough, a real life miracle or an emotional journey.  Stories happen every day.  Some of them deserve to be retold, manipulated and nurtured.

Other people's stories:  Movies, books, televisions shows, documentaries...stories are everywhere.  Nothing inspires and terrifies me like great writing and story telling.  There is always more to learn.

How do you take care of a Muse?

Personally, I need plenty of sleep,  the occasional massage and lots of chocolate.

But of course, we're not talking about a YA Muse, but the general definition of "the source of inspiration for a creative artist." Once you've found your source(s) of inspiration, what do you do to maintain that connection?  How do you feed that muse as it feeds you?  Because it can't all be taketaketake, you know.  If I deplete my sources, they tend to abandon me (at the most inopportune moments).

Maintaining a muse means combatting the crazy.

It means finding the balance.

It means mining all your sources of inspiration.  Because I've found that just one isn't enough.

Maintain a muse requires that you take advice from other writers.  Seek out new posts on your favorite blogs.  And keep going back to the thoughts that have inspired you most.  For me, this includes words of wisdom from Libba Bray and Hilary Mantel.

In order to keep my muse close, I have to turn off my Skinny.  I have to turn off the Internet.  I have to give my mind time to rest and stretch and travel.  I have to take a walk or find a quiet place to retreat.  I need to remember why I write in the first place.  I need to pry open the closed door that won't let me see the big picture.  I need to lie on my back on the floor and watch the ceiling fan spin.  I need to immerse myself in research.

Even with all of that, sometimes my muse escapes me.  And then, I just have to keep writing and believe, wholeheartedly, that on the next revision, I will find that inspiration.  Because sometimes keeping a muse close requires letting her go.

What do you do to maintain your muse?

This week we look at maintaining our muses.  

What is your muse?  A piece of music?  A person?  A piece of art?

We'd love to hear what inspires you to look at, to listen to, to be with...


In my case this seems to be the truth:

But if all else fails, I recommend chocolate!  Get it?  Chocolate muse!  (I crack myself up)


Ok.  Back to deadline.

Happy Musing!!