Three Ways to Win Back the Neglected Muse
What to do when writing is like giving birth because your muse has left you
Artistic creation can sometimes feel like a constipated exercise. The ideas, words and images are supposed to come out in one single, uninterrupted flow requiring only moderate effort. Instead, the output is of doubtful and uneven quality and the exertion massive and painful.
Your muse, like any talent or mental muscle, requires consistent and rigorous investment to maintain and hone. You neglect her at your peril.
But there are times when you need to go away. When you do return, you find her unresponsive to your charms. Here are three strategies I have personally used to woo my neglected muse back into my arms again.
Arouse and Stimulate
Muses are quick to respond to arousal and stimulation. Start slowly and gently and build up to that climactic end.
Go for a walk at first, but ramp it up to a moderate run and then end with some flat out sprints.
Watch a movie, preferably from an unfamiliar genre. Be entertained by the plot theme, cinematography and acting.
Play an unfamiliar game. Study how the rules of engagement tickle you creatively.
Take Risks and Fail
Nothing ventured, nothing gain, so say the sages of antiquity. Your muse loves a risk-taker. Nothing gains her favour quicker than some well taken, measured risks.
Explore unfamiliar styles and themes.
Experiment.
Dial down on the censoring self-talk.
Do hope to fail and fail.
Emulate a creative whom you admire for a day. Try to think like him or her during creation.
Have a Few Quickies
After ignoring your muse for an extended period, do not expect her to respond when you return to your creative endeavour. You will need to coax and rekindle her passion in you.
For the writers: chill out on that 1,000-page monograph and churn out some more manageable articles instead. Try shorter, punchier compositions of around 300–500 words long. Time-bound the effort for maximum effect.
Only when your muse starts to respond should you then try for longer accomplishments.
Bonus
I offer an additional strategy at no charge: figure out the minimum level of indulgence required of you by your muse for her not to abandon you. Experimentation is required and may vary according to your creative circumstances.
For the writer in me, it is a haiku a day. The minimalist 5–7–5 rubric plays well within my personal and professional obligations and allows me the much-needed distraction.
Parting Words
So the next time she leaves you, realise that it is entirely within your power and control to entice her back into your arms. Where possible, have a daily ritual to remind her that she is always on your mind. Prevention is still always better than a cure.
