Comments on: On Muses, Partly

By: Eric Shonkwiler

Eric Shonkwiler — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:29:40 +0000

Someone used that as an example, Noel, at some point. Maybe a few times, because I remember what I *think* is a separate anecdote, when Billy Collins visited my undergrad, and he related a little story something like this:

I had a visit from an accountant friend of mine, and we were discussing poetry, and my friend said, “You know, my six year old daughter is a poet. She writes poems.” And I said, “Oh, that’s nice. My son’s an accountant. He plays with change.”

Different points, but you brought it to mind. Odd that it’s a vaunted occupation but everyone claims they can do it at some point.

Nico: You’re about to find out!

By: nicopolitan

nicopolitan — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:53:37 +0000

From the musician’s perspective, muses do need to be internalized in order for it to work. Like Clowncar’s blank page, the musician in me requires nothing but a microphone. Inspiration should be a state, not a reaction.

Wondering what part 2 will be like…?

By: Noel

Noel — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:08:24 +0000

I love that quote Clowncar. Although the blank page scares me as well. Face your fears and move on?

And thank you for this post Eric. I am so tired of people saying “I need to be inspired.” I mean, yes there is something to be said about inspiration but there’s something more to be said about hard work.

Writing is work. It’s a job. No one ever wakes up and says, “I think I’ll do some brain surgery. I just need to be inspired to do so.”

And as for Shelley and Byron, is it possible to be a legislator of the world and still get some ass?

By: Eric Shonkwiler

Eric Shonkwiler — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:30:37 +0000

Jen: Thanks very much. Hopefully the next round will be even moreso.

Ant: 10 points for “must needs”.

Kristan: Get your inspiration from wherever, but my contention is that if you spill the beans and say “a volcano”, you’d damn well better have written something to back it up.

Clowncar: That is damn good. I’ll have to quote you on that someday.

By: clowncar

clowncar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:28:32 +0000

The only muse I need is a blank page. Fill it. Fill it well. Move on to the next one.

I think making out on the couch with The Lion King on sounds like a good premise for a story. Though since hyenas don’t actually make out, she might wanna rethink the simile.

By: Kristan

Kristan — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:39:44 +0000

You know, I used to think I needed emotional stimulus to write, but I’ve actually found that to detract from my focus. Inspiration is a slightly different beast… A great scene or line of dialogue might pop into my head and serve as a springboard for more great writing. But yeah, for the most part, I think I’ve learned (and then had the lesson reinforced by what the pros say) that the muse is pretty much a construct, and diligent work is the only thing that’s really going to put the words on the page time and time again.

LOL to the hyena bit. And the volcano, for that matter. I even think Stephenie Meyer’s inspiration for Twilight (a dream she had) is less lame.

By: Antagonist

Antagonist — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:09:32 +0000

Also, the hyena thing? Yeeuch.

By: Antagonist

Antagonist — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:08:20 +0000

I never gave muses any thought, honestly. I know that I write more when I have emotional stimuli (whether or not I write better is debatable!), but I think there’s good reason for that. When you face a stimulus that’s enough to change your world, it must needs change your way of thinking, as well. Even if the change ends up being so slight you don’t notice for years – your mind has to expand, reform around the newness. When your mind is open and already working furiously… well, more can come from it.

It’s been a long time since I was seriously trying to work on any prose. Now that I am again I find it’s almost like a puzzle or a problem for me. I have a series of small questions that need to be answered on the way to the large questions, the ones that make up the thrust and plot of the book. How should this happen, how would this character do this, etc. Sometimes I feel more that I’m problem-solving than writing. It’s a little strange. But there’s no supernatural force guiding my hand.

Maybe I never liked muses because holding them up as an ideal seems to diminish my own part in the process. I have an amazing imagination. Sometimes beautiful, sometimes diseased, but it’s mine. I claim any products of it, dammit.

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:34:36 +0000

I hate people who think they have to come off as being (crazy) one with The Gods. I mean, sure…it takes all kinds to make the world go around and all that jazz, but why insist on worshiping them as heroes? There’s a difference between respect and groveling.

I’m not sure why I’m saying all this… In any case,you’ve written a very thought-provoking blog