According to Wisegeek.com, “Many artists, writers, poets and musicians have said that their creative work has been inspired by an individual whom they refer to as their muse. A muse is someone who has such an influence on another that he or she becomes the focus and inspiration for that person’s creative work.”
Writers often talk about their muse and how it helps them get to work on their creative projects.
Every writer has something that inspires them–a person, a place, a song, etc. And in order to get and stay inspired, you need to figure out exactly what inspires you and channel it.
If it’s music that inspires you, listen to the same CD every time you write. If it’s a place, go there and write as often as you can. Or if it’s a far-off place, get a picture of it and keep it by your computer when you’re writing. If it’s a person, try to have that person around when you write, or at least keep a photo of them with you.
Another way to channel your muse is to sit down for five to ten minutes before you start to write and think about the person/place/etc. Remember times you’ve spent there or fun things you’ve done with the person.
By listening to the music or thinking about the person/place, you’re reminding yourself of why it inspires you and it will help continue to inspire you.
My muse is John Mayer. Even though I don’t know him, his music and his public personality have inspired almost every story I’ve ever written, including the novel I’m currently penning. Whenever I’m writing, I always listen to John Mayer (ok, sometimes I also listen to Seether, but whenever I’m writing my novel, I listen to John). This helps me channel the inspiration and keeps me writing.
So what inspires you? Who/what is you muse?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
My muse varies each project. Generally, it’s a branch of alternative rock, mostly post-punk. For example, I once wrote an One Act play to Fall-out Boy’s “Take this to Your Grave.” No matter what I’m writing I usually have to scour through my itunes to find an artist or band that fits the sound of what I’m trying to write. I’m faithful, sticking with that one musician or musicians’ until the project is done.
@DonaldE.W.Quist That’s a great idea!! Find music that fits the mood/tone of your writing piece. That’s genius! I’m going to try it out when I’m writing my fiction agian.
As a full-time worker and dabbler in old cars I find that writing time is relatively rare, so I listen to my music whilst welding and repairing my old vehicles (aren’t MP3s a brilliant invention?).
As I find music-whilst-writing a little distracting (my imagination goes off on a tangent), I visualise my story as I work/fix cars and allow the music to propel the imagery of my mileu onward, giving me something to flesh out the imaginary worlds when I get back to my Netbook.
My favourite bands? It’s going to sound a little off-beat, but there might be someone else out there who’s heard of this little lot;
Lesiem
ERA
Magna Canta
Amethystium
Ideal for fantasy writers…
If you’re curious, just type any of these names into YouTube.