Do you use/need a muse?

[MortalKombatKitteh]

I have to have a muse when I write or it comes out poorly. Does anyone else feel this way?

 

[MortalKombatKitteh]

That was supposed to say sometimes. Apparently, I cannot spell.

 

[sr71plt]

That's a pretty open question. I call my inspiration a Muse, so I guess that's a yes. But, with that definition, I couldn't imagine anyone saying no.

 

[MortalKombatKitteh]

Yes but I mean to write. I need one to be able to write properly.

 

[Hypoxia]

Need one or more? Probably. Have any? Not that I know of. Except maybe when I get some profound or funny-ha-ha book filled with material to plagiaize, like Bierce's DEVIL'S DICTIONARY or anything by Ashleigh Brilliant. That book may serve a muse function for a few weeks or hours.

 

[SamScribble]

I guess it depends on what you mean by 'muse'. Are you talking inspiration? Or do you mean something more than that? And, if so, are you talking about a real person, someone you know and (probably) respect; or are you talking about an imaginary persona?

 

[Wolfias]

My muse isn't embodied in a person, she's the unseen whisper in ones ear that tickles the senses.

 

[JKendallDane]

Yes, I have and need my muse.

Unfortunately though, lately she has been collaborating more with my main characters than with me. That tends to create some very strange plot shifts.

 

[Handley_Page]

I like these Muses. . . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRq7lLawQB4


But: the real problem is thinking of a good ending to the tale.

 

[sexnovella]

No I use/need several muses.

No I use/need several muses.

 

[Sir Victor]

Yes ....

 

[_Lynn_]

I don't care for the word muse (and the implication/definition applied to it by others), so because of that, my answer is no.

Do I use/need inspiration? Then yes, I do.

 

[TxRad]

A muse is a strange and fickle thing. My muse is usually in the form of someone or something I've seen while people watching or browsing websites. Some call it porn and others call it research.

I currently have three stories with this as part of the plot. All are stalled at present. That about covers the fickle part.

 

[PennLady]

I don't need a muse. I need time. Time to focus and get in the zone. It is hard to find that time.

 

[redzinger]

I don't need a muse. I need time. Time to focus and get in the zone. It is hard to find that time.

Yeah, I feel like that.

Though some days, I've cleared my schedule and the words just don't come. Then others, I can't type fast enough.

 

[DreamCloud]

My muse is the lawn mower. My best ideas are formed while mowing the lawn. Winter sucks.

 

[TxRad]

My muse is the lawn mower. My best ideas are formed while mowing the lawn. Winter sucks.

I guess a snow-blower just doesn't have the same charm.

 

[greygotskills]

I do find inspiration for my stories from persons I have known and from past experiences.

 

[Hypoxia]

I will admit to being a-muse-d whilst writing songs, very personal songs, songs driven by that muse, that special person. Storytelling usually has a different dynamic for me. A story may be driven by an idée fixe, an obsession, like that pushing my BRIDE OF KONG, or fantasized relationships with the real people behind many characters. But my muse-driven songs seem to burst out in a creative frenzy. My stories are more methodical work.

EDIT: I am consumed at the moment by two historical idée fixes -- and they are difficult. One is a mostly made-up story about two very real plant hunters 125 years ago, THE BOTANISTS. I know how it ends but am not sure how to begin or proceed. The other is a totally made-up story about a maybe-mythical godling 2000 years ago, THE GREATEST STORY EVER SOLD. I know the basic start and end but must invent everything in-between. Oh bother...

 

[karaline]

My muse is the lawn mower. My best ideas are formed while mowing the lawn. Winter sucks.

Oh! I thought that was just me!

 

[DreamCloud]

I guess a snow-blower just doesn't have the same charm.

It certainly sounds like it should, but alas, no - cold lips have little charm.

 

[shutterpsb]

I generally pull ideas and characters from my imagination. Once in a while I might see a person that intrigues me and I'll use them for a physical description, but not knowing them, the character's personality is made up to fit the story.

 

[DreamCloud]

I generally pull ideas and characters from my imagination. Once in a while I might see a person that intrigues me and I'll use them for a physical description, but not knowing them, the character's personality is made up to fit the story.

I steal mercilessly from real life. People, places, situations and attitude.

 

[redzinger]

I steal mercilessly from real life. People, places, situations and attitude.

Me too, sometimes.

There's a nightclub which appears in a few of my pieces called 'Flames'. It's actually based on a notoriously cheesy place called 'Inferno's' in Clapham Common, which is inexplicably popular.

I find basing a place or person on real life keeps the image straight in my head, so I don't make continuity mistakes.