The Mute Muse
by Administrator on Mar.17, 2009, under WIP
Muse not talking to you? Me either.
I’ve been working on a story for a while and I guess my muse got tired of me asking her so many questions. I mean, what is a muse for if you can’t transcribe every detail of your story? But mine turned her back on me two-thirds of the way through the story and she refuses to tell me the ending. I know it will be something wonderful, something original and amazing…if only she would share her thoughts with me. I’ve tried going for a walk, taking an art class, visiting with friends, talking to the cat, etc. But none of my antics amuse her or bring her out of hiding.
So what do I do? Wait until she finishes her temper tantrum and decides to be friendly again? I’m not sure.
I think a muse can be helpful in story creation and with creative ideas–although mine may be a different species from yours. She’s helped me out in more than one pinch. But I think my muse has decided to help me grow as a writer.
What the heck does that mean? You may think I’m a keystroke short of a full sentence, but I believe my muse is being mute on purpose. I think she wants me to stretch and explore myriad endings to the story we started together. In short, I think my muse might just want me to pull my own weight in this unique writing relationship we have. She’s tired of dictating and wants to see what I can come up with while she catches her breath.
Ah, yes. I see her giving me a slight nod of her head, a smile playing on her lips.
Now it’s my turn to share my ideas and see if they mesh with hers. Perhaps I do have the most wonderful and amazing story ending hiding somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind. I think I’ll come up with a few and see what she thinks.
What do you do when your muse becomes mute?
14 Comments for this entry
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March 18th, 2009 on 1:58 am
Hey, Laura…I have the same problem sometimes. My muse will drop an idea in my mind, maybe just the beginning and expect me to finish on my own. I wish you luck!! Your ending when you find it, will be great.
March 18th, 2009 on 6:54 am
My muse has been AWOL for 3 months now. I’ve tried all you have; as well as “writing exercises” that are meant to get you back in the habit of sitting at appointed times and just writing…anything at all. Still nothing. So, I’ve taken to to joining more loops in the hope that something posted, replied to..anything will bring my muse from vacation. No luck yet…
March 18th, 2009 on 8:07 am
Hey Laura, ah yes the mute blog. I guess that’s better than the kind that abandons you completely.
The Muse and what to do to get it going again is a subject I’ve been discussing on Fridays at The BookSpa. I might set the ms aside and read a book or two, watch a movie in the genre, start a new story, write a free read. Oh, so many things. And then after a week or or even a month go back and finish that ms. Hope you find that ending.
March 18th, 2009 on 8:08 am
Oops I meant mute muse.
March 18th, 2009 on 9:51 am
Nice Blog! When my muse is being stubborn, I’ll either put what I’m working on down and start something new OR I research something related to the story, usually something will come to mind then.
Good luck!
March 18th, 2009 on 11:07 am
And all along I thought I was her inspiration. After 18 years of marriage I find out that she has this Muse person
-Jeff
March 18th, 2009 on 12:29 pm
When my muse goes mute, it’s usually from hunger. I feed her. I read — fiction, nonfiction, things related to the novel, things not related to the novel. She slurps up the yummy new ideas and is soon ready to work again.
March 18th, 2009 on 2:47 pm
If my muse goes mute I try any number of things. I do some research. I start a new story. I watch a movie. I read a book. I listen to some music. One of those things normally works.
If all else fails, I turn to the hubby for inspiration!
March 18th, 2009 on 8:48 pm
ISOBEL!!!
My earlier comment didna show up! I was just sayin’ ye did a foin job of the blog and I enjoyed it for certain sure!
Caitlin
March 18th, 2009 on 10:28 pm
Great post! Your muse might have gone dormant, but your talent is still with you. I was reading today on some prompts that great writers use to get them going. Here’s one that works for me:
Have your character take a bath (or anything else mundane: brush their teeth, pour out breakfast cereal and eat – just GET them moving). Write 3 pages about it.
Good luck!
~Ashley
March 18th, 2009 on 10:55 pm
Oh, thank you one and all! What wonderful suggestions! I will have to try these out and see if my muse decides to start talking again. The way I see it, after I ply her with all this extra attention, how can she not??
Thanks for the encouragement everyone, and I’ll keep you posted as to the outcome of that evasive yet amazing story ending!
Laura
March 19th, 2009 on 8:50 pm
I really enjoyed this blog. If your muse abandoned your story she sure was there for this excellent blog.
Ray
April 17th, 2009 on 10:20 pm
when my muse goes on vacation, I bake her cookies and sometimes, oh heck, it never works. She hates me online to much and waits for me to stop.
April 17th, 2009 on 10:50 pm
Thank you, Ray!
Saroya,
She must like those cookies somewhat…I’ve read your poetry!
Thanks for visiting, guys!
Laura