Needed: Editor/Muse

[Max ODrive]

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Even if we don't ever make a connection as an editor/writer combination, the effort you've made to look at this thread is greatly appreciated.

As you may have noted, I write under the pseudonym Max ODrive. I've used this nickname on the internet since 1996, and have 'published' several stories under that name. I have 2 stories- "You Win Some, You Lose Some" and "This Morning" on Literotica under this name, and have received many favorable reviews on them.

However, as you may also notice, I've submitted nothing since posting those two stories here, or on any other story forum. And the reason for this is as simple as can be. (Also, extremely complex, for those who understand.)

I lost my Muse. I was great friends with a wonderful, sensuous, sexy lady who seemed able to push my buttons in such ways as to entice and enhance my creativity. She had this innate ability to bring out my best as a writer and as a person (unfortunately, she could also bring out my worst.) Due to circumstances (some within our control, some beyond it) we parted ways, never to talk to each other again.

After "Win Some" was edited (thanks again to Babs for her patience with me. She may never read that thank you, but I still feel compelled to express my gratitude for her effort.) and posted, Babs seemed to fall of the face of the planet.. so I also lost my Editor.

If you take the time to read my submissions (and as someone who may want to become my Editor, I sincerely hope you do!) you'll notice that "Win Some" is particularly suited to a sequel. I would like to write that sequel, and possibly a third installment, however I can't seem to lock in the ideas to continue the story and produce them.

I also have other erotic story ideas in mind to write, however those are little more than ideas I've kicked around at times.

Now, as you may have gathered, I am NOT a professional writer. However, I do have aspirations on becoming one. I do have several non-erotic stories "on the spike" as it were, and have a desire to take those to the "next level" and, hopefully, have them, or some of my other novel concepts, published in the "real world".

First things first, however. I need to "get my groove back". If you are willing to help, please contact me. However, do not contact me lightly. I can do wonderful things with words, but I do have to pay a personal price for that level of effort. That means I will procrastinate, will be cranky, emotional, irritable and intractable at times. Other times will find me to be lucid, sweet, complimentary, and quite lovable. I can show streaks of pure genius, and can be as dumb as a damn brick five minutes later. (No, I don't drink, nor do I do drugs! LOL!)

I tell you these things so you'll know in advance that the road you may choose won't be the smoothest road to travel. However, hopefully the rewards will be worth it for both (all?) of us.

Thank you for your consideration!

Max ODrive

PS To save you time, here is a link to my stories page...
http://www.literotica.com/stories/memberpage.php?uid=38429&page=submissions

 

[snooper]

... I lost my Muse. ...

That is a real problem. Editors there are here, and plenty of them. Muses are very rare and hard to find; I married mine, divorcing a previous wife so to do.

 

[Guest]

Max, I am sorry to hear about your situation.

I don't know of a solid cure for finding your Muse. Yours seems to have disappeared because of a personal loss and that takes so much time to heal.

(I know this, because it has taken years for me to find mine again after losing a family member.)

Something unexpected may kick start things once you've healed, though. Playful banter on this or other sites, reading a story that fuels you up because it was written so poorly, watching a sexy gal cross the street . . .

But I don't believe anyone can help you with your Muse. Editing, certainly, but not the inner spark to get off your ass and write.

Best of luck.

 

[CopyCarver]

Muses, like good luck, are inexorably attracted to prepared minds. Although I haven’t yet had an opportunity to read your stories, your post makes it obvious that you’re intelligent and articulate and that you think analytically and logically. That combination will prove irresistible to any muse worthy of the name.

Since creativity is so individualistic and so nebulous, I doubt that any simplistic, rigid “12 step program” will help, but I have no doubt that Sarahh is absolutely correct: write, write, and write some more. It doesn’t matter what you write; it doesn’t even matter if some of the forced efforts produce sheer crap. The important thing is to write something and to improve it as much as you can, even if you delete it later. If you have no story in mind, describe a setting or some event in your life, or write a mini-profile of someone you know, or explain why you like Heineken better than Budweiser, or brainstorm various forms of revenge against telemarketers who interrupt your dinner. Depending upon individual personality and the mood of the moment, writing about a topic you care deeply about may demolish writer's block; at other times, you might benefit most from doing an outstanding job of writing about complete trivia.

That process can be pushed too far-- if it ever reaches the point that you’re overdosing on words, or if writing exercises ever become an excuse to avoid real writing—but the immediate result is sheer synergy. Simply writing “George Grimmelhorn has the personality of a wolverine” spurs the brain to ask why he's a sociopath, what made him that way, what he gains from being such a jerk, etc.

No muse will be able to resist for long. It won't matter at all that your new muse resides inside your own cerebrum instead of externally.

 

[Noctame]

i'd be too mean :s sorry

 

[Max ODrive]

Thank you for your replies and your insights.. ! While many good and constructive methodologies are presented here, I have a particular need within myself that has to be in place before my writing exceeds the 'mundane' category..

Those who state "write, write, write!" are, on one level, exactly on the money.. I find myself having to go back and rewrite passages now that are painfully thin and anemic, but that is partially due to a lack of practice.. but part of that ability to "see" a scene and transmit that vision to the reader is inextricably tied to that "inner need".

However, through the good graces of Fortune and the auspices of this forum, my path through the darkness finally appears to be at an end.. If things continue as they have these past few days, you will begin to see my stories posted again.. as long as my "support structure" feels they are worthy of being read.

Stay tuned! And thanks again..!