My Muse has been cranky lately. Apparently she needs more sleep than I've been getting. And she doesn't like deadlines, even the ones I impose upon myself. Her job is to create, not be on time, on demand. Uh, no; that would be my job. And her job is to help me with my job. She doesn't seem to get it.
It takes discipline to be a writer, hard work and planning. She doesn't like any of those qualities either, doesn't understand them. I asked her once if she thought all she was supposed to do was stand around and look like the bored little goddess she is while I rant and rave. She looked at me like I was crazy, which, technically I was at the time. I'd been sick for a month, it was the week before Christmas and I'd just received the edits from my new editor for my very first story. It was not party time at my house, I can tell you.
I've tried placating her with the promise of a mini-vacation, a trip to the day-spa, or some much needed retail therapy after I've turned in this book. Nothing, nada, zip. She knows deep down that I'm already thinking about my next deadline. All she has to do is tempt me with one tiny idea and I won't be able to resist working.That's what I get for trying to fool someone who has been around long enough to know I'm a workaholic.
At least it's a two-way street. She's snickering in my ear right now, teasing me with the solution to a scene problem because I haven't been paying attention to her this morning. Did I mention she was an attention-whore. A cranky, attention-whore. I need more coffee to deal with this and her.
How do you deal with your muse? I've learned not to ignore mine, so it's back to work.
Growling and snarling (I told you I needed more coffee)
Paris
14 comments:
Great topic, Paris. Those muses are such fickle things, and waiting around, subjecting yourself to their whims, can kill a career before it even really gets started. I finally had to fire mine. I find that the fact that my son wants to go to med school to be much more consistently motivational than any muse could be. :)
Happy writing!
Shannon K. Butcher
LOL!!! Yeah, that would motivate me too! Thanks for contributing:-)
Ah the elusive muse...
Mine refuses to take my bait, no shopping trips or spa days, no begging or pleading will work. He wants what he wants and sometimes I have it to give other times...not. I have found that I can placate him with music, but some days his tastes are...interesting to say the least! ;-)
Great post, Paris!
I've never heard of a muse who communicates through music! Now I'll be trying to guess what you were listening to every time I read one of your stories!
My muse leads me by the damn nose. I think I know just what I want, and the little sneak drags my fanny in a totally different direction! Gotta get a muzzle for mine. ;)
Oh, they can be sneaky:-) Mine has been known to interrupt my sleep, which come to think of it makes us both cranky. Muzzle, huh? Something to ponder! Thanks, Fran;-)
Paris, oh those Muses... now mine is a dang slave-driver at times... and I have to placate both my Muse and myself with lots of chocolate... Music is good too... but only sometimes...
And, yep, those sudden side trips into territory I never envisioned, then I'm forced to figure out a way to pull the entire story together... ain't easy!
No, it certainly isn't. I think they live to challenge us! But then, life could get pretty boring without challenges:-) Thanks for stopping by!
I agree with Nora Roberts who said, "If you need to believe in the muse, let's say, fine and dandy. Whatever works for you. But don't tell me you can't work today because the muse has left you. Go track down that fickle slut, drag her back, chain her to your keyboard and GET TO WORK!"
LOL!!! Sometimes I wish she would leave and give me some peace! She never leaves, she smirks, she giggles and she snickers but leave, nope:-)If I'm not working I'm sick, shopping or getting a massage! Thanks for stopping by Chicki!
I haven't been handling mine all that well lately. She's been kicking my a$$ actually!
*minx who hasn't had her coffee yet this morning*
Minx Malone
www.minxmalone.com
Hmmmm...a militant muse:-) I feel for you. Mine usually stops just short of being snippy! Thanks for stopping by Minx!
Funny. All of you have female muses. Mine is a guy. A really hot guy. This is great for those all important love scenes - not so great when he gets distracted by NASCAR or football or something. Sigh. At least he's been present lately, for which I'm highly thankful. Great post, Paris.
It must be something in their DNA! but the inspiration for the love scenes might be worth it! Thanks for dropping in!
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