Musing About The Muse

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I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my “muse” 🙂

I even looked the word up in the Oxford English Dictionary lol

noun
1 MUSE (in Greek and Roman mythology) each of nine goddesses, the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, who preside over the arts and sciences.

2a woman, or a force personified as a woman, who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist:
Yeats’ muse, Maud Gonne

Ok, so she’s female is she? Lol….nope, sorry, I’m not buying that.

I was under the impression (don’t ask me why) that my muse was suppose to be a real person, but I’ve seen so many writers refer to their muse as part of themselves. Ok, interesting idea. So if my muse can be almost like an imaginary person, a part of me, that means I can have a male muse doesn’t it?

You can probably tell from my writing that I have a dark side. You might also have been able to tell that one of my favourite books is Wuthering Heights, and that I’ve got a bit of a thing for Heathcliff *sniggers*

Sooooo, I’m hoping that my muse kind of looks like this lol

20120615-101808.jpg
Photo from Elyse Snow

Could my muse be the “male” dark and broody part of my character?

Ok, probably not, so I’m still confused lol

Tell me about your muse……

I’m still struggling about the idea that it’s not a real person lol 😉

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37 thoughts on “Musing About The Muse”

  1. I have yet to identify my muse but I’m certain I have one lurking around somewhere inside me. I believe that muses can be a physical being as well as a part of yourself- it all depends on what you need at the moment.

    I tend to believe that muses are internal because I can’t bear the thought that my creativity and imagination are dependent on someone else’s whim and fancy. Perhaps this is the pragmatic, super-independent, rational mind of mind refuses to think I need external influence to be great but the romantic, idealistic side of me thinks that some person (or perhaps a select few) could encourage me to write some of the best work I have in me.

    If that’s the case I hope I marry them.

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    • Thanks Sandra, I’m glad im not the only one then lol 😉

      Yeah, I’m warming to this idea that they’re internal and like you, I’m not keen on the idea that I can only be inspired by another person.

      But, yeah, who said you could only have one 😉

      Xx

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  2. Vikki, as you know and I’ve referred to mine as impish, mischievous and male that goads me relentlessly with a raspy little voice. I wish he were better looking but alas I’ve been stuck with him for awhile. There was some movie (I forget the name) where a guy had a must who looked like Sharon Stone and walked around naked a great majority of the time.

    Ah, the elusive muse. If yours shows up soon, I hope it’s like that pic you like. 😉

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    • Lol, it was reading what you say about your muse Brigitte that got me thinking about mine 😉

      OMG!!!! Ewwwwww lol….ahhhhh, so I could have Heathcliffe naked? Now that’s tempting lol 🙂

      I’m so jealous, but pleased for you, that you’ve found yours…now, can you tell him to give mine a nudge so he (I’m still sure it’s a he) will identify himself 😉

      Thanks honey xx

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  3. My muse is definitely male. It may be odd for a male to have a male muse, but I didn’t pick him, I grew up with him. He’s been rattling around in my noggin since I was a wee tot. I call him Mr. Muse (he won’t tell me his real name. Rude, right?). He is a part of me, but his muse (yes, even muses need muses) is the world around me. Everything I experience passes through him and gives him ideas, which he then has his way with (who knows what foul and unnatural things he does to them?) and forces them down my gullet at his whim. He isn’t a very nice guy. In a sense I suppose I could bypass him and just claim the world as my muse, but he wouldn’t like that very much. He might even kill me in my sleep if I tried that. Like I said, he is not a nice guy. Plus, I think my writing would suffer if I offed him.

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  4. I can’t really say much about my muse. I’m not sure whether it’s a he or a she, but I don’t believe it’s an actual person. I believe your voice is your muse.
    Think of it kind of like working out. When you’re new to writing, your voice/muse is kind of weak, but you keep working at it/stay inspired, and eventually they both develop. You become a better writer, and your muse starts talking to you more. However, some days you just don’t feel like working out/your voice/muse doesn’t feel like talking to you. But, certain things inspire you to work out and reach your goal, just like certain things inspire your muse, therefore inspiring you to write.

    I really hope that makes sense, and answers your question, haha.

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  5. Oh, gosh, where do I start?
    My Muse is not a real person, but real in the same sense that the characters in my stories are. He’s a man. With wings. Sometimes.
    He looks a lot like Brandon Lee in ‘The Crow,’ and if I listen, sometimes I can hear his voice. I’ve learned to write what the voice says, in spite of my misgivings, because that’s where the interesting stuff usually comes from.

    Of course, I know this is only my subconscious letting me know what my logical self doesn’t, but it’s a fun way to look at it.
    I think you might be onto something with Heathcliff. I like a dark, brooding Muse myself. 🙂

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  6. I never thought of my muse as a person. I though of it as what motivates me to write. If that is the case, my muse is life’s situations or my muse is my over active imagination. It is inspiring and motivating and sometimes a curse as well. Just like those daughters of Zeus.
    I think Chris has the right idea. The more you tap into your muse the stronger it gets to move you to write, but if you don’t use it much, it will be weak and harder to start up the next time you want it to work for you.
    Isn’t it so like us writers to use analogies to make a point. HAHA.

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    • Ah, yeah, your motivator, I get that 🙂

      I write every single day so you’d think he/she would have identified themselves by now wouldn’t you 😉

      Ha ha ha, I’ve LOVED all the replies, and yeah, only writers eh *rolls eyes* lol

      Thanks honey xx

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  9. I think my muse, if he/she/it is within me, would be human suffering and hardships, as well as the overall human experience. I need to think about this more, but you’ve opened my eyes up to something I’ve never considered.

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  10. My muse is Androgynous. Always hear it’s voice but there is definitely no definitive male or female sound to it. Wish it would shut up and sort it’s own back yard out. Must have a dark side myself as I too am a fan of Wuthering Heights. 🙂

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    • Now that’s interesting, thanks honey 🙂

      Ha ha ha, ok, you can stop bragging that your muse is very talkative lol 😉

      Ooooo, Wuthering Heights, Romance with grit 😉 I really must get back my copy with Timothy Dalton in from the friend I lent it to!

      Xx

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  12. My muse is my strength. I like to write about strong female characters who make mistakes but don’t need to be saved by a knight on a white horse. I don’t always have opportunities to show how strong I can be so I use my muse to inspire me to write situations where my characters show their strength.

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  15. My muse and I are like that old married couple that knows exactly where each other’s buttons are and we love to push them! Mine doesn’t let me sleep, but she makes up for it with great stories!

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  16. It’s hard to think the muse isn’t a real person. I think he or she is at least a culmination of several people or experiences we’re familiar with. Hmmm, fascinating to think about. As we age, I think our writing grows in richness, and perhaps it’s due to our growing experiences with parts of the muse.
    Cool post. 🙂

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