I sometimes wonder which – if any – of the muses speaks to me.
The muse is upon me! I have this awesome idea to create this amazing thing!
Okay, this is not true. But it’s a statement I’ve heard – and even said – before. Having a muse is like having an invisible angel of inspiration for creation.
As far as I know, the idea comes from the Greek mythology of the 9 Muses of Antiquity. Each of these goddesses brings inspiration. Like patron saints, they have those whom they “look out” for.
If you are unfamiliar with them, these are the 9 muses:
- Calliope – Muse of Epic Poetry
- Clio – Muse of History
- Euterpe – Muse of Music
- Polyhymnia – Muse of Sacred Poetry
- Urania – Muse of Astronomy
- Erato – Muse of Love Poetry
- Thalia – Muse of Comedy
- Melpomene – Muse of Tragedy
- Terpsichore – Muse of Dance
Many of these nine have familiar elements still with us today. Erato is eroticism, Thalia and Melpomene are the masks of comedy and tragedy, and Urania is easily associated with astronomy and the planet Uranus.
The 9 muses were considered the great inspirers of the arts. When they smiled upon you, your creativity would know no bounds.
Inspiration can come from lots of different places. And whether the muses serve you – or not – where can you turn to be inspired and find your muse?
Where do you turn for inspiration?
One of the best things about the internet is that it’s an endless resource for inspiration.
True, it’s often abused and overloaded with uninspiring crap – but we can move past that in search of the good stuff.
I love Pinterest for this reason. I can go and find tons of inspiring images to spark my creativity.
An image I came across on Pinterest inspired an idea for sci-fi that evolved into my forthcoming Savagespace series. It was one image that sparked a question in my mind – which started character development, that led to story development – and now I’ve plotted out 6 novels.
Another major source of inspiration for me is music. I love when music stirs my imagination.
I have a writing playlist. It’s largely composed of movie scores, but also has classical, some new age, and other theatrical music motifs in it. Since I visualize my stories as movies – this makes a lot of sense.
I love to be inspired by what I read. Hence, I read a range of fiction and nonfiction for that purpose. I read every day.
Finally, nature inspires me. I can barely explain the power of the energy of Sedona, Arizona. Each time I’ve gone hiking there I’ve come away feeling renewed and empowered. Overall, any time I get to spend in nature has that effect on me. Nature is full to overflowing with wonder and inspiration.
All you must to do find and recognize inspiration is be mindful. Recognize in your conscious awareness – here and now – what makes you feel incredible and inspires you to create. Mindfulness can show you your muse.
I do have a muse – kind of
When my wife and I first moved in together, we got a cat. It’s a long story not necessary to this article. Because it was an odd situation – and my wife was not a fan at the time – she told me I could name the cat for a Star Wars character.
Though I considered this option, that first night she was with us, this cat made us laugh. A lot. And so, I named her Thalia – for the muse of comedy.
Not a day goes by when – while at my desk writing – Thalia jumps up and passes between the keyboard and monitors for attention. She is far too cute to ignore – especially as she purrs (and her flicking tail knocks stuff off my monitor stand).
My muse checks in on me to make sure I know I’m loved – and to remind me that she matters most in my world. My wife and the other cat understand this relationship.
Muses can come in lots of forms. My wife has been my muse. Several of my friends have served as my muse. And inspiration can come from just about any person, place, or thing – material or immaterial – that you can think of.
More than one iconic spaceship was inspired by ordinary objects. Lamps, irons, letter openers – you name it.
It’s not unheard of to stumble upon a muse.
Seek and ye shall find
When you seek out inspiration – there are many options you can turn to to find it.
Each of the 9 Muses of antiquity had her realm – but cross-inspiration happened. That’s because inspiration can sometimes be found outside of your normal creative realm.
Though I am no scientist, I find certain sciences both fascinating and inspirational. I suppose, as a sci-fi writer, it makes perfect sense that astronomy, biology, and physics fascinate me. And why wouldn’t they? The notion of faster-than-light travel is a matter of physics, cloning is all about biology, and the stars are a great unknown full of potential and possibilities.
I might be unable to comprehend the technical and mathematic elements of these sciences – but they are still a source of inspiration to me.
Every stripe of artist imaginable gets inspired in some way. Writers, painters, actors, sculptors, singers, and more find their “muse” in some form, to be the creative that they are.
Sharing creative work is both from inspiration and I believe to inspire. My writing blogs on various topics are both for me to get certain ideas out of my head – while simultaneously presenting them to the world. Ultimately, this writing is intended to inspire and empower.
How many paintings have been inspirational? Sculptures? Sweeping architecture? And that inspiration was inspired as it inspires.
Everyone is creative in some way. I think those of us who make a career of our creative work has some muse speaking to us. That’s why – unlike hobbyists – we choose artistic careers. The muse is too present and too loud to be ignored.
Whether or not one of the 9 muses of antiquity is speaking to me – I appreciate and am deeply grateful to whatever muse – be it person, place, thing, tangible, or intangible – drives me.
Thank you for being part of my ongoing journey, for joining me, and for inspiring me and my craft.
This is the one-hundred and thirty-second article exploring the ongoing creative process. Please take a moment to check out the collection of my published works, which can be found here.
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