Muse Takes Over...

Muse here :) You'll be glad to know that EE and I have put aside our differences for a brief time in order to save you from any more of Janet's depressing blogposts! After yesterday's horrendous sing-along about eggs, baskets and caskets (caskets? Can you believe that? Obviously, she didn't have any assistance from me on that!), we knew we had to act quickly. So we hatched a plan.

It was an easy decision to have EE spend time with Janet, since her mood matched his natural personality (although, I worded it differently when we were hatching - he's so sensitive). I also reminded him that his time on the blog over the years has been less than positive - luckily, I had those blog posts and comments as proof (he has a very short memory). So EE began whispering in her ear first thing this morning - hinting that a recent piece of writing was good, but he had the means to make it better. I give him credit, he was very convincing - I almost fell for his story.

Meanwhile, I was busy with the blog. Once it's posted, she won't change it - so it was simply a matter of keeping her occupied until I got this up and running. Yes, you can thank me at any time! I've thanked myself numerous times - she really was bringing me down!

And I've decided that I'm going to get EE to spend more time with Janet. This freedom is great for my creative soul! Already this morning, I've opened up an old story that we (all three of us) started  together, one I've been thinking about a lot - and I'm going to keep working on it while those two nay-sayers are commiserating over stuff I've finished. Yeah, let them - I'm all about getting the story on the page. Grammar, shrammar! Chapter breaks! Character arcs! I'll let them fret over that - my job (and with all the angst those two wallow in, I've forgotten that it.is.my.job) is to get the story written!  I'm so excited!!

This could be a bit of a challenge, considering EE's control issues and Janet's worry gene (they really are a pair), so I'll need some really great ideas to keep them out of my hair. That's where you come in, my friends. Look what I've done for you today - and even though I'm extremely cute and adorable, fun-loving and positive, I'm all about payback. Pony up some ideas to keep Janet and EE occupied, together, while I do what I do best - WRITE!!

This, That and Pimpage*...

*stole that word from B.E. Sanderson

THIS: I purchased a new pillow recently - was having a very hard time getting my pillow to behave, I think all the fluff had defluffed. I'm the kind of sleeper who rolls around (a lot) and drags the pillow with me - tucking it up under my chin. You can see why after a year or so said pillow gets defluffed. By the morning, my pillow looks like it has been through a war. For the past couple of weeks (more like a month), I've been uncomfortable - a good sign that a new pillow was needed. I splurged and bought a very fancy pillow (I won't even tell you the price because I am appalled that I spent that on a pillow, but I got sucked in by the advertising promise of "The Best Sleep Ever"). Result: I.Love.My.Pillow.

Only problem - I end up with severe bedhead in the morning! Prior to The Pillow, I'd have a few hairs out of place - easy enough to tame. Now, I look like I've got my hand on one of those electrical balls you see in the science museums (if you touch it, your hair will stand on end). Oh, well, I'm sleeping, so that's the important thing - I'll just pretend that I'm back in the 80s when big hair was all the rage (hmmm, I should get some shoulder pads).

THAT: After how many months (years) of being stuck with Mickey Spencer, AC (wrote her into a corner that I couldn't figure out how to get out of), I've had an epiphany! Muse must have been working hard in the background without me knowing about it because earlier this week the next scene just popped into my head. Strange how things like that happen - OK, granted I have been thinking about Mickey again, but not in an all-consuming, fingers poised over keyboard kind of way. Then - boom, the answer. Now I have to get out of my own way and type that scene - don't go back to the previous two scenes, which now will be null and void with this new scene, I can fix that later. Then, I can press forward and maybe, maybe get it finished!

PIMPAGE: The Wild Okies are at it again. Over Christmas they did a lovely anthology based on The Twelve Days of Christmas - 12 short stories all somewhat related sent in Regency England. I loved it - and I know a lot of you were reading along, too. For Valentine's Day, they've set the scene in the present at a ski lodge in Colorado. We're on Day 3, my friend Silver James has her story posted for today. I've added the website back to my blogroll on the right-hand side: Chocolates, Flowers and... For those wanting to start from the beginning, here's the first post (a blurb on the 'project'), http://wildokies.blogspot.ca/2013_01_01_archive.html, and you'll find the right-hand side of their blog has all the stories listed under the Blog Archive. Enjoy - I know I am.

So, pillows? Are you a fluffer or do you simply sleep in one position and the pillow cradles your head the same way every night? Do you think it's important to spend lots of money on a pillow - afterall, you do use it 8 hours a night? Feathers, foam, firm or soft?

The End...

...well, tomorrow - according to some. The Mayan Calendar End of the World Scare - are you ready? From all that I've Googled, there are many possible end dates including tomorrow (12/12/12 - at noon), Dec. 21st at 11:11 (go HERE to read about the actual Mayan Calendar and how it works - fascinating) or Dec. 23rd. There is so much information on the 'event', my 'take' - the Mayan Calendar Guy simply got tired of making calendar pages so many years in advance that he gave up! I certainly would have lost interest in creating a calendar for thousands of years in the future!

No, this THE END is about Dancing with the Bodyguard, my NaNoWriMo project. I 'finished' NaNo on Nov. 30 with a little over 51,000 words. Yesterday, I finished the story at almost 60,000 words! After years of starting and stopping, of questioning whether or not I could finish another story, of doubting my own love of storytelling, I finally finished! The feeling that came over me yesterday was relief - but excitement and accomplishment were close on relief's heels. When you have doubted for so long and you finally break free of that doubt, anything's possible.

As I said during NaNo, my creative self is flying. And that was no more evident than yesterday. No sooner had I typed THE END, than Muse was whispering in my ear. Another story needs to be told. I plan to open a word document (well, a Scrivener document because after many recommendations - Janice, Karyn, Silver - I've decided to purchase the publishing software) and keep writing! I will be taking my Advice for Beginning Runners and applying it to my writing:

1. Start
2. Be Realistic (especially at this time of the year)
3. Do Not Compare Yourself to Others
4. Keep a Journal (although, with Scrivener, I may not have to)
5. Use a Schedule
6. Writing Blogs - Beware
7. Don't Be Afraid
8. Sustained Effort (B.E.'s addition)

Any NaNoWriMos out there still working on their story? Anyone finished? Do you think that creativity breeds more creativity? Anyone partying tomorrow so they can meet the End of the World with a Big Bang?

Inspiration - Chaining the Muse to the Desk...

I am behind - by 2486 words! But, not to panic. There's still time AND I've actually written something every day for the past 13 days - that, in itself, is worthy of a prize!! So, yay, Me!

The week's discussion of the writing wall and last week's quote from Neil Gaiman had me searching Google for something appropriate for today's inspiration (I know, what the hell am I doing searching Google when I'm supposed to be writing - I asked myself that very same question and as soon as I get an answer, I'll share it here). I love this quote - but don't show Muse, it will just upset her and she's already being very stingy lately with her ideas and suggestions. Evil Editor, however, I can't get to shut up!

Discipline allows magic. To be a writer is to be the very best of assassins. You do not sit down and write every day to force the Muse to show up. You get into the habit of writing every day so that when she shows up, you have the maximum chance of catching her, bashing her on the head, and squeezing every last drop out of that bitch. ~ Lili St. Crow
I hope to be back on track soon, but if not, I'm OK with that. I.Will.Not.Beat.Myself.Up.This.Time!

How's your bitch Muse treating you these days?

Weekend Words - Sunday Edition Part 9...

The prompt: Use the following eight words in your piece: newspaper, eager, jiggle, quiet, fund, blanket, episode, grasp.

There should be a Muse-fund, money available to compensate me for having to write under such constraints. Eight words picked at random from a dictionary and then she expects me to be eager to weave them into a story. I have better things to do: read the newspaper, watch the latest episode of NCIS Los Angeles or nap under the purple blanket in her office.

And this whole Weekend Words thing? Yes, I know I’ve been quiet for some time, but forcing me out to write? Does she not grasp the concept of capitulation? A Muse can only take so many hits!

To be honest, just between you and me, I enjoy these little exercises. They jiggle loose my imagination. Reading the newspaper, watching an episode on TV, napping under a blanket are lovely, quiet activities, but I am eager to write again, to grasp an idea and jiggle with it until it sings. Don’t tell Janet though, I’m still demanding a Muse-fund be implemented!

Inspiration - Muse Contributes...

Hello everyone - I'm Muse, some of you already know me, others haven't had the pleasure. There was a discussion on Erika's blog yesterday about abandoning your muse and Janet, misguided as she is, commented on the fact that I have gone missing. Well, I haven't. I am here and have been here waiting and waiting and waiting for her to get her act together and get back to the thing that brings her great joy and pride. No use me jumping up and down, shouting in her ear, when she is obvious immune to me and isn't listening. I refuse to holler for attention, then be ignored six seconds after the last word tipples over my lips. Back in the day, I used to - but I've matured. And I can wait - she'll come around. She has to, writing's in her blood.

So, while we wait for Janet to accept the fact that she must write and one day 'publication' will be an everyday word in her vocabulary, I'm contributing the inspirational quotes today. I hope at least one of them resonates with you and your muse - and that you never, ever deny yourself that which gives you the most pleasure (no matter how little time you have to contribute to that venture).

Spend time every day listening to what your muse is trying to tell you. ~ Saint Bartholomew

I would especially like to recourt the Muse of poetry, who ran off with the mailman four years ago, and drops me only a scribbled postcard from time to time. ~ John Updike

The man who arrives at the doors of artistic creation with none of the madness of the Muses, would be convinced that technical ability alone was enough to make an artist . . . what that man creates by means of reason will pale before the art of inspired beings. ~ Plato

Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite: 'Fool!' said my Muse to me, 'look in thy heart and write. ~ Philip Sidney

There you have it - my version of Inspiration Wednesday. Let me know which one spoke to you today and please, I'd love to meet your muses - go ahead and introduce them in the comment section.

**I have no way of creating a signature - I am a muse, not a signatory!

A Conversation with Muse...

Think of something, will ya?

Me? You dragged me over to that house and made me watch you clean floors all day and now you want me to be creative?

Usually you're full of ideas. And what was with the silent treatment all day. I can never shut you up while I'm doing mundane tasks, you're going a mile a minute with this thought or that idea, a piece of dialogue or an interesting way to change a scene. Today, nothing other than the empty sound of my own brain.

Chanting "Out damn spot, out." Like that's original!

Now you're all huffy! Really, Muse, you're not yourself. What's wrong?

Nothing.

Can you get your lip out any more than that? I'm pretty sure a seagull will mistake that for a landing post!

So, you want me to come up with an idea for the blog because you're too tired to think of something yourself. You want me to fill your head with characters and scenes, new plot twists, and story lines, but you're ridiculing me? That'll get you far.

I'm sorry. No, really I am. I'm tired, Muse. Exhausted, in fact. I snapped at you when I should have been more compassionate. Obviously something is bothering you. You've been quiet the last couple of months. Heck, I haven't even heard you request to do a blog for Prairie Chicks - I know how much you like to blog with the girls.

I do. They're a fun bunch. They understand me. They get my fickle ways. They relate to my need to stretch my imagination.

You're saying I'm not?

Not recently. When was the last time you just let me write?

Um, we're working on Mickey's story for Friday Fiction.

Yeah, but that's a short run. You let me fly for 600, 700, once over 800 words and then we're done. Enough to have a post for Friday. When was the last time you let me write for hours on end?

I can't remember.

Exactly. My creativity needs time. It needs to be nutured. It needs constant and consistant opportunity. I'm tired of being needed only for a blogpost when you can't come up with something yourself. Or a quick glance at Lady Bells or Jane and Ryan's story when you open up that word document late at night. Well, I'm tired of being your go to girl in times of crisis. You're going to have to give me more than that or...

Or what?

I'll quit.

You can't quit. OK, I'm sorry. I realize I've been neglecting you. I've been busy with the Day Job and this new house.

And all the other stuff you don't need to do - time wasters.

Yes, time wasters. OK, I'll make you a promise. After this move is done and I'm settled into my

new office with the purple walls -

Thank you for that.

You're welcome. I'll sit down and figure out a schedule to give you time during the day to create.

Consistant, expanded time?

Yes, a good chunk of the day will be dedicated solely to you, Muse. We'll get back to where we were, writing as a team.

And you'll set some goals? Real goals that you'll actually focus on and accomplish?

Yes, real goals.

Good. That would make me happy.

Good. Now what about this post that I have to have ready for tomorrow morning?

It's done. And you're welcome.

***Do you treat your Muse well? Who runs the show, you or your muse? How's your writing goals coming along, People of Blogland? Feel free to introduce your muse in the comment section - I have a feeling mine is going to need some company over the next couple of weeks until I can get into my office and schedule my days :)

Guest Blogger - Muse on Murder...

Hello everyone! OK, so maybe hello six people - not a lot of traffic on this blog. Which is good, because I don't want my plans for murder to be read by the wrong people, authorities alerted, and my arrest before the actual fact.

Yes, you heard right - MURDER!

First, I should introduce myself - who wants to learn of a murder and not know the killer? OK, mystery readers probably, but this ain't no mystery. My name is Muse, as in Janet's muse. My soon to be victim, Evil Editor - the pesky counterpart who questions my every idea. Most days I can tolerate him. Some days, when he's really twisting my aura all shades of black, I ignore him. But the past week - he needs to die.

I have this brilliant idea - sparked by a short story that I developed for Janet's writing group. And I am sparkling with excitement. There's a hero who's dreamy, and arrogant, and has a small issue with social etiquette. He's tricked the heroine into a bet, a whole year living with him, to convince her that her cynical outlook on love and marriage is wrong. The heroine, with problems of her own - like the mother who believes in 'happily ever after' and is determined to find it even if she's has to marry husband number 7, and the family business her sister and brother-in-law are determined to bankrupt with their crazy ideas, and the father who wants the mother back. Then there's the men who are after the hero, the real reason he needed a place to hide out for a year. Scenes and subplots are sizzling, I'm ready to go...except for -

Evil Editor, who has convinced Janet to rework an old project that I have deemed finished, complete. He whispers in her ear that it's not perfect and she needs to get it right. He tells her that she should be outlining a new project, tied in with the old. OUTLINING? Don't put me in that box, buddy. The final straw - the one that broke the proverbial camel's back? He's been suggesting to me, TO ME, that we should revisit some of the other stories I started back when. I AM MUSE. No one dictates inspiration. NO ONE!

And Janet's listening to him. She's being brainwashed into believing that he's right and I am fickle. "Fickle will not get you published. You want to be published, don't you?" That's what he said. I heard him. He needs to die.

Now, to plan. Perhaps a slow torture of poorly written prose? I could steal his Thesaurus and red pen, which would send him into convulsions? Contact poison smeared upon the delete key so that everytime he uses it (and believe me, it's endless) he slowly kills himself? That combined with a day of trying to fix the poorly written prose would speed up the process.

Come on you six people - help me out. How should I murder EE?