I've decided that my son is my muse. Why? Because I do my best thinking when I curl up next to him in his toddler bed, attempting to be quiet while he falls asleep for naptime or at night. (Yeah, I'm one of those moms!)
At first I was annoyed that I had to stay absolutely still while he tossed and turned himself to sleep. I'd count down the minutes until I could hop up and start getting.things.done. Because that’s what I do. No idle time allowed!
But then, last fall, I was staring at the crack of light filtering under the door and the idea for a new young adult fantasy novel popped in my head. A little pearl of an idea. I had a good 15 minutes to mull it over. Did it make sense? Did it have an ending? Could I work with the characters?
The idea stuck in my head for the next few days. And every time I rested in that car bed, I worked out the finer points. I thought of a name for my main character and mulled her appearance, habits, favorite subjects.
And then I started writing. Every day I found that I had a solid 15 minutes in the early afternoon and late evening to get in the zone, get an idea culminating, and then get to work writing it out. It was amazing, the amount of writing I completed during those few months!
Recently I've been mulling over another novel, this one a dystopian, and much of my thinking is done in that little bed.
So what (or who) is your muse?
Thankful for that car bed, huh? Those quiet times are the best. I'd have to say my muse(s) are my children, as well. The most amazing ideas pop into my head while I'm talking with them. Yeah, some frustration, too, but that's part of the bigger story.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Nikki
I can't say my kids are my muse, if anything, they chase muse away! Muse is an elusive, amorphous creature who hits me in the middle of the night, when I'm bored at work and can't possibly act on my inspiration, or when I'm in the middle of a walk. Muse can behave in a way that is very inconvenient!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog guys!
Great post, Nikki. My muse is my grown-up kids and my grandkids. Gotta love those toddler beds. My three-year-old grandson has a Spiderman one and he loves it.
ReplyDeleteMy muse at the moment is my daughter. I took a photo of her as she stroked a horse that poked his head over our fence on Mother’s Day. The picture inspired me to write a Y/A fantasy love story.
This is a great blog, Nikki.
@Sheri - kids can have the most amazing ideas!!
ReplyDelete@Joanne - I definitely get ideas at other times as well :) I finally threw a journal and pen near my bed so I wouldn't have to get up to wander the house in search of a utensil to jot down a fleeting idea :)
ReplyDelete@Trish - how sweet!! That's great that you found the inspiration in the photo.
ReplyDelete@Nikki - Yes, and I didn't want to sound like I favor one child over the other, but my daughter loves to write so she's my first Muse and my first ears.
ReplyDeleteMy other Muse, which I forgot to mention, is the shower. I don't know why but I come up with the most interesting scenes in the shower. Now, if they can only invent a waterproof laptop....
Cool post, Nikki! (Your son is adorable, by the way!)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how I do it, but I've developed the ability to read aloud to my son while thinking of something completely different. I do the majority of my writing after both kids are in bed, so I agree that it's great to have that special time to think about what comes next.
But I agree with Joanne that I'm more likely to get ideas at work, in the middle of the night, or while walking. And Salarsen: I totally get ideas in the shower, too. I keep track of writing notes on my iPhone, so it's not unusual to find me typing while dripping in my towel.
I look forward to reading your blog!
That is hilarious about detaching your mind from reading!! I definitely have several "favorite books" memorized at this point. Luckily DD reads to ME now, so I can zone out unless she needs help on a word.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the time when they are small, because I can almost guarantee it will be different when they are older.
ReplyDeleteMy kids constant distract me.
I need to go here. I need to go there. Give me some money. I forgot my homework can you bring it to school. Oh!! Are you writing mom, here let me talk to you. LOL!!!
Sorry for being the downer. LOL!!
@Ebyss - yeah I also have a 6 and 8 year old, and afternoons are exhausting!! My writing time is nap time, which is why I think the toddler bed works for now - sort of my transition time. Once he drops his naps I think I'm screwed :)
ReplyDeleteMy hubby is usually the catalyst for most of my ideas - he's shockingly creative without trying to be. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's so sweet! My muse usually hits when I'm trying to fall asleep or on my way to/from work. Usually wherever it is hard to jot the idea down, but like you said, the good ones stick around for a few days!
ReplyDelete@Shannon - you're lucky! My husband tries to give me ideas, but they don't usually pan out :)
ReplyDelete@Olleymae I have a journal by my bed now for that exact reason! Lots of horribly written notes as I jot down thoughts in the dark :) The difficult part is deciphering them the next day.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I bet we have the same toddler bed--blue plastic, big black wheels just right for stubbing your toe if you're running after the little guy?
ReplyDeleteMy empty head time comes on my long walk to and from my car at work, and on the even longer walk to the cafeteria (about 1/2 a mile). Nothing to do but think of the WIP as my feet march down the straight halls by rote. It's a goldmine.
Thanks for a great kick-off post at the new oasis!
- Liz
Oops, I'm late to my own party! LOL. My muse is my husband and my uncle. My husband is my sounding board. I go, "Honey, I want to do this..." and he, without even thinking goes, "How about this instead..." He's usually right. :) My uncle because when I'm absolutely stuck on something, I'll have a dream and know exactly where to go the next morning. He passed away July 2005 and I'm sure it's him guiding my stories, since I dreamed of him the night before I started writing seriously again.
ReplyDeleteok - I've been trying to post all day with no success. maybe it'll work from home? I tried Nikki's advice the other night and it worked! Being contorted into a toddler bed, w/o moving in the dark is a great way to force those creative juices to get active.
ReplyDeleteI second Jessie's lack of success. *pouts*
ReplyDeleteMy muse is a split personality, kinda like my hubby says about me. *snort* Writing in different genres and ages ranges can do that to you. Each book is different, and for my recent book FORESIGHT, it's been industrial or Christian rock, like Depeche Mode, Skillet and Thousand Foot Krutch.
Officially, I give my cat, Spiff credit (see blog) but for my chick lit YA CLOCKWISE, I definitely have to say my teen daughter is my muse.
ReplyDelete@Liz - yep, that's the same car bed!!!
ReplyDelete@J.A. - I totally understand. My dad passed away in 2002 and I'd like to think he is still my muse as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun blog! So glad you started it. My muse? My husband, no doubt about it.
ReplyDelete