"There's No Such Things As Muses!" *pop*
A counterpoint to the first of the TEDtalks I linked to earlier. I like this refutation of the muse more than the call to bring it back. (Thanks for sending me the link Alex!)
When I first saw that video, I found myself nodding along. Especially as I remembered the relief I felt when I realized I'd be perfectly happy in a variety of careers, so I didn't have to make myself miserable trying to write. A little while after that I could actually acknowledge that I wanted to be an author and to have written, more than I actually wanted to sit down and do the work. I'm having a hell of a time just putting my thoughts in order for this post, so thank Christ I came to that conclusion.
Communicating an experience is hard work, be it as a song or a book or even an intimate conversation. If you want to do it well, you're going to have to put in the work. Muses and talent have a common parent, chance. Hone your skill. Muses maybe get you a homerun your first time at bat, but they may never come to you again. Skill is yours, hard earned and I think far more valuable.
Click to viewWhen I first saw that video, I found myself nodding along. Especially as I remembered the relief I felt when I realized I'd be perfectly happy in a variety of careers, so I didn't have to make myself miserable trying to write. A little while after that I could actually acknowledge that I wanted to be an author and to have written, more than I actually wanted to sit down and do the work. I'm having a hell of a time just putting my thoughts in order for this post, so thank Christ I came to that conclusion.
Communicating an experience is hard work, be it as a song or a book or even an intimate conversation. If you want to do it well, you're going to have to put in the work. Muses and talent have a common parent, chance. Hone your skill. Muses maybe get you a homerun your first time at bat, but they may never come to you again. Skill is yours, hard earned and I think far more valuable.