Finding your muse in the oddest places
I had another post all written and scheduled for today, then I realized, that New Voices announced their top 21 today (without me). So my post is moot.
Instead, I want to discuss the wandering muse. Or Writing Fairy as Deb discussed earlier this week.
I found my muse in the oddest places this month.
I took a few hours off work to visit the Monet exhibit at the art museum. Walking though the museum, waiting for my ticketed time, I found myself in the Asian section. There, on top of a very large podium was a Goddess sculpture.
As I stood there and watched, an idea for a middle grade/young YA story seeped into my brain. “What if,” my muse whispered. “Then what would happen?”
Before I knew it, I was furiously scribbling note about the plot and my character and my goddess statue.
Then as I was sitting in the main exhibition hall, relaxing and watching Monet’s three panel study of water lilies, another whisper. “What about the artist as a young man? His love affair with his benefactor’s wife? What if…”
The muse had attacked again. Now, I was into pages of a character description. Both of my paint wielding hero, and the strong, organized art instructor who falls in love with the man.
Fast forward a day later, and future characters were hanging out on Antique Row in my little town, just waiting for the muse to introduce us. As we walked away, my muse whispered, “Wouldn’t he be an excellent character for your book?”
Now I have lots of ideas and little time. I need to find that muse a job so I can write while she pays the rent.
When have you been surprised by an idea hitting you right out of the blue? Do you believe in a muse?
3 comments:
Oh yes, I believe in the muse.
It's hit while having normal conversations with people, it's hit while driving in the car with my kids, it's hit while listening to the radio, and it's hit while holding a Christmas ornament in my hands.
And when it hits, I don't argue. When I stopped arguing, I started selling.
Sounds like you might need to stick a lollipop in your muse's mouth, though, just so you can get caught up...
I tell you, the girl needs a job!!!
Thanks for stopping by.
I suppose it depends on how you define a Muse.
I think ideas sometimes come from places we don't fully recognize or understand. I think, when the stars are aligned just so, and the wind is right, and we're feeling part of the world around us, gifts come to us.
Is that the same as a Greek goddess whispering in your ear? Or is it simply subconscious observation, assessment and structuring?
Don't know.
From a distance, I guess, it all looks the same.
In the end, regardless of where it comes from, a gift is a gift...and each time it comes, I'm grateful.
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