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Mystery muse~

This is who I am.

I hear of an upcoming event. I think it sounds good. I commit to it. Then as the date is nigh, I lose enthusiasm. I think, I really don't want to do this.

This is the way I am, and I know myself. If I stick with my plans, I'm glad. If I renege, I'm glad too sometimes, but I know I missed out on something I would have enjoyed, and my friends make sure I know this, too. They know this is the way I am.

A while ago I signed up for the "Writer's Weekly 24 Hour Short Story Contest."

I heard, it sounded good, I committed.

I paid five dollars to register, comfortable with leaving that on the table should I renege.

Today is contest day. I had from noon today until noon tomorrow to write no more than 1050 words on a theme that was revealed via email at precisely 12 p.m.

I'm writing this now.

Part of me is saying, "Let it go. It's only five bucks."

The other part is saying, "Give it a shot. All you can lose is five bucks." I'll give the contest a fair shake, or rather, it's me who will get the fair shake. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
~~~~~
Sitting on the patio this evening with my laptop, my husband said to me, "Your sky is pink, Hon." He knows I love sunsets.

I turned to see my sky. I said, "I'm going for a walk across the street." I shut the laptop, put it away, slipped on my sandals and walked under my sky. Our sky. Anybody's who cares to look sky.

I thought of a question Rick, a writer friend, has on his blog: Who/What is your muse? In other words who/what is my inspiration, my creative influence, my stimulus.

I didn't respond. I know there is something inside that flips my switch from off to on allowing words to flow, but what? It just happens. I've always called my muse a he. That's all I know.

Walking tonight I thought . . . my muse is the sunset. I absorbed the pink glow. But I remembered the cumulous clouds I love, and the steel grey ones before rain. Tonight's moon hung just above the trees, nearly full and mellow as butter cream frosting. Sunset, clouds, moon . . .?

Yes, all of the above, but more. Monarchs on milkweed, ladybugs, blades of grass in sun and shadow. All of these and more. Leashed dogs that nuzzle my hand, their owners who chat with me. The saxophone, fresh corn from my garden, *you* . . .

My muse is the world, different parts at different times for different reasons. A mystery muse for now.

Will he flip my switch in time for me to complete the contest entry? I hope so. It's a lot easier with him. But if not, I won't renege.
~~~~~
Showering with my muse~
Fondling my muse~

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Anonymous said…
My writing muse seems to have gotten bored with me of late. Right now I think it is out roaming through trash cans and other people's thoughts. As Steven King said in his writing memoir, "sometimes it just comes to the edge of the forest, defecates, and leaves." I'm hoping that smaller thoughts and anecdotes–– through the blog–– might help me allow it back into the house, or at least close enough to recognize it's face again.
July 29, 2007 at 3:13 PM
Ruth L.~ said…
Maybe your muse is a double agent and working for me here in the states right now. :>)

I think the thing with my muse is he can't be pushed; he plays hard to get. When I go looking for him, he's sleeping. When I'm not thinking about writing, that's when my muse feels abandoned and comes looking for me.

He gives me and idea, and I tell him I'll think about it. That keeps him on his toes. Low key, no pressure works well, then the thoughts flow. But I'm not making a living from writing, so I can afford to relax a little.
July 29, 2007 at 9:29 PM
Bob Sanchez said…
My muse is such an unreliable creature that I sometimes have to start writing without her.

So how did you make out with the story?
July 30, 2007 at 7:49 PM
Pauline said…
I don't think I have a muse - if I do it's been in hiding forever! I like knowing I'm not the only one, though, who opts out at the last minute. Things always seem like a good idea at the time, don't they?
July 31, 2007 at 9:07 PM
Ruth L.~ said…
Bob~ I'll know the answer to that in a month.

Pauline~ Last minute opt outs . . . they are far too easy to do. I suppose I could blame them on the fact that I hear my muse calling.
August 1, 2007 at 1:11 PM
Janice Thomson said…
Your muse is the same as mine - with a creek added in for a little more attraction. I loved this post Ruth and I know too that feeling when your mind is blank. Do let us know the results. You have a wonderful way with words so I know you'll come up with something exotic.
August 1, 2007 at 3:35 PM
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