Being My Own Muse

Dear Readers,

Those of you who know me and my writing, I am sure you have wondered where I disappeared to. I fell somewhere down the rabbit hole, took some turns and got distracted by all the responsibilities of life. Now, I’m trying to get back on track and into my writing again. Writing to me is like breathing, so you can imagine that I’m malnutritioned by now and gasping for creative air. I have been doing my occasional poems and even wrote a short story recently, which I have entered into a competition. Keep your fingers crossed. But now I want to go deeper into my writing and get back to my novels.

How to get on schedule? Benjamin Franklin said: “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” Well, this is good advice; however, I already get up at the crack of dawn to go to my teaching job. Then, I return in the afternoon and though it might be considered at an early hour, by that time after a long day of children’s demands, I’m exhausted… I’m haggard. I’m ready for a nervous breakdown! So, I need a bit of time to recharge my battery and to find my mind again.

Sure, evening is an option to write, but sometimes I have work I brought home with me. Yes, imagine teachers have homework, too! Then after that is done, I should fulfill the demands of my husband, yes I have to remember my better half needs my attention, too. So, I’m still trying to find this new daily writing schedule.

Maybe I can do it during the weekend. This could be a great option in between the housework I’m catching up on. And more school work. And even a bit of extra time with my husband and possibly a chance to catch some extra z’s.

MIA

 

                                                  

                            

Once I find time to write, what to do when my Muse is missing in action? Where the hell did she go? Especially when I need her? I have learned that I can’t wait for my Muse to decide to show up. I have to push forward and be my own hero. I have to push my inspiration like praying for a miracle, and somehow it seems to fall out of the sky. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Just take it and run with it. Finally, I have some written words on a page! Finally a finished product! And without that naughty, missing Muse. So sometimes you just have to save yourself. I have to become my own Muse!

Now, the question is, how to schedule a writing schedule in the midst of a chaotic and busy life? Best answer: just fit it in anywhere I find small breaks, breaths and stretch the time. That means that preplanning a story starts while trying to fall asleep, and sometimes I write it in my dreams. Some story plots reveal themselves while taking a shower. And while on the way to work, just typing it into my phone. Writing has no borders, boundaries or special time. Writing is any time… any place where I can find the time. The way to a finished product is determination. Writing is something that is in my blood, so I must do it no matter what. So, what is the moral of my story: any writer must realize that if a writer truly wants to share their vision with the world, then no obstacle can stop the words from flowing.