 “YOU CAN’T WAIT FOR INSPIRATION, YOU HAVE TO GO AFTER IT WITH A CLUB.” -JACK LONDON
When I was little I used to hear about this thing from writers and artists called a MUSE. The way people talked about it, it felt like some kind of mystical thing, like a sparkly ghost that flew into your brain and shook inspiration into your brain, like pixie dust. It was a fickle creature who showed up when it wanted and people were always wishing for its magic power to visit them. At first I thought I had to wait for this mystical creature but then I decided I didn't want to wait for a muse I wanted to write. What is a Muse? I turned to the usual sources to find out. A quick google search came up with this definition. A muse is in Greek or Roman one of the 9 goddesses that presides over art or science. Okay that's pretty cool. But it didn't match what I'd heard since I was small. So I looked again. This time I just looked for a definition of muse in google. This is what turned up; Muse is a spirit or source that inspires an artist. Now we are talking. It is something that inspires people. I liked that, but I wasn't sure how much I wanted to trust a google definition, so I turned to my favorite dictionary. Merriam-Webster. www.merriam-webster.com As usual in dictionaries there wasn't just one simple definition but three. The first under muse was; to become absorbed in thought. (verb) The next was if it was used as a noun.1. A state of deep thought or dreamy abstraction. The next there were also nouns 1.capitalized : any of the nine sister goddesses in Greek mythology presiding over song and poetry and the arts and sciences 2.a source of inspiration 3. A poet What I gathered from my quick research was that a Muse wasn't a mystical ghost like creature full of pixie dust. People talked about it like they would a fairy or a dragon or a mystical goddess. What I learned is when people are talking about their muse they are talking more about inspiration. When I first started writing I thought I had to wait for this mystical Muse to show up and bless my life with it's magical dust, but later on I learned if I wanted to write I just had to sit down and do it. If you want to write you can't wait around you have as it says in the quote, go after it! Fight for it. Sometimes inspiration will hit in the funnest of moments, in the shower, while mowing the lawn, while doing the dishes, or driving your car, from a dream, or from reading other peoples work. Those moments are fantastic, they are special they are amazing but if we only write when those special moments come then we will find it harder to get things done. If you are someone who needs their muse, or who feels like they must have things set in order to feel inspired to write then make sure you set that up. For some it is a certain kind of music, for others it is quiet. We are all different when it comes to how we like to write and what will help our words flow. Ways to feel inspired to write without waiting for your muse: 1. Go get some exercise that will get your endorphin going. I know I love to think about backstory while walking or on a treadmill. I will also problem solve when I am moving. I find that for me it really helps. 2. Turn on some music, see if it can help you get in the zone. I know that I have a power song that can help me get moving when I feel sluggish. 3. Do chores that don't require a lot of thought. You can brainstorm while mopping the floor, hand washing dishes or mowing the lawn. It's a great use of your time. 4. Do a 5 minute writing sprint to warm up. You can write about your story or use a random prompt but this is like reaving your engine and getting you ready to write. 5. Read something that inspires you. 6. Watch something that inspires you. 7. Read a motivational quote, that makes you feel like you can do it. 8. Get your favorite snack and a comfy chair, set the feeling you need to write. 9. Challenge yourself. You can't do X until you write X amount of words... etc. 10. Try a writing prompt. 11. Spend some time interviewing one of your characters. 12. If you already have a cover for your book, print it out and post it above your writing space. Make it a goal to see pages under that cover and give yourself a deadline. 13. Read a book about writing. This never fails for me. I get story idea after story idea when I read a writing book. 14. Spend some time on Pinterest finding pictures of your setting or clothing to help you get excited and ready to write. Just don't get lost here and forget to get your words down. 15. Talk on the phone with someone you trust about your story idea. Chances are you'll feel resaved up and ready to write after that kind of conversation. The tall and short of it is guys is that sometimes we have magical moments where the muse hits us (aka inspiration) and sometimes we have to set the stage ourselves and fight a bit to get the words coming. One way or another you can write. Don't wait around for the time to come to you, make the time to write yourself. Happy Writing!
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 Grab it here!Title: A man worth Shaving for
By: Michelle Pennington Oh my word, I loved loved loved this book. I seriously read it so fast, I can hardly wait to read it again. Romantic comedy is absolutely the right category. This book is so incredibly funny! I laughed out loud more than once, smiled like a goofy idiot and said over and over again, “this is fantastic!” I loved the aspect of a curvy girl, the business consulting and the witty dialogue. This is one I’m glad I bought because I’m gonna need to read it again! If you love sweet romance that still sizzles this is one to pick up and I mean it. I already bought book two and can't wait to dive right in. SOOOO WORTH THE MONEY!  FIND IT HERE!Coming Home to Maverick By: Sophia Summers I absolutely loved this book. I loved the cowboy, rodeo aspect of it. I loved their romance. I loved little Gracie. It was one of those books where I wanted to just keep reading even if it was after midnight. It was a feel good book. I loved the christen aspect of it about keeping God in your life, praying to him and having him on your side even if you made some big mistakes. I loved how it mixed the childhood sweet hearts and second chance romance tropes. I loved all of the sweet relationships in this book and I honestly can't wait to read another one! I totally recomend this to anyone who loves sweet romance, espcially christen romance. It was a joy to read ! I've been sharing a lot of my favorite quotes on my Facebook and Instagram pages and I just had to share a bunch of them here two. I love to write and I love to read and these quotes just make me smile.  FIND THE BOOK HERE!BLOOD AND SNOW
BY: RASHELLE WORKMAN This book is very fun. Its interesting how she twists the original tale to work with vampires. I admit to getting quite captivated and because of the cliff hanger ending reaching for the next book the very next second I could grab it. It is YA and with some romantic elements that get a little touchy, but no full on love scenes. I admit to staying up late reading this one too and I will also admit that I'm reading the next one right now. If you like a little teenage drama and paranormal's it's a good one to pick up.  FIND THE BOOK HERE!THE LADY AND THE HIGHWAYMAN
BY: SARAH M EDEN So I love Sarah's books I will always read any and all of them and this book proved to be AMAZING just like I always knew it would be! I loved the fun victorian time era, the fact that the main characters were writers and that there was just enough romance woven into the mystery of the plot. I feel like I learned a lot about how the victorian era worked and I loved learning a little more about the rules. I loved the secret society and how important it was to the men. Kind of gave me a little bit of a scarlet pimpernel vibe, which I loved a lot. My favorite thing about this book by far though is the fact that intermixed with the main story is the two stories(penny dreadfuls) both of the writers are writing throughout the book. Seriously three stories for the price of one how can it get any better! I will admit to reading this book late into the night (ahem 3:00am) and loving every second of it. I absolutely recommend it to everyone and especially to those who love historical Romance!  Tricked!!!My newest book is now available!! AND IT IS FREE!!!
What does a foiled prince and a clever witch have in common? Only one thing... Revenge. Holden found Jemma left out to die. Little did he know how much saving her would change his life. Jemma volunteered to help Holden little did she know what she was getting herself into. Together they must face insurmountable odds or doom the kingdom to a terrible fate. Like the sound of it? DOWNLOAD IT FOR FREE HERE!  FIND THE BOOK HERE!SPELL CHECK
BY: JULIE WRIGHT Okay this book is so much fun. I love how much the feel of this book reminded me of Sabrina the teenage witch. Her magic causes all kinds of trouble and of course her regular life gets in the way of her magic. It is light hearted and fun. The magic in this book is unique. I really loved how it had a lot to do with trolls. I think this is a great read for tweens, teens and adults who love these kinds of books. GREAT READ! **only trigger warning would be those with recently divorced parents. That is a big issue in this book and if you are dealing with something like that you might want to consider that before picking this book up.  The Heart of a Vicar |
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August 2021
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