muse

Is Pride Hurting your Writing?

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The Muse

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Pride is a natural human trait.  It is normal to be proud of our creation; of the things that we put heart and soul into and many times, all our resources.  Pride is good; however, it is not when it becomes a roadblock to our progress and growth.  This is when pride becomes an obstacle and many times, a blindfold as well.  We become so enamored of our creations – our work – that we fail to see that it can be improved, and we curse the one who dares to give us constructive advice.

Pride can be fuel but it can also fuel the fire that consumes your soul and your work.  This is why we have to be so careful with it; it can be a healthy tool against too much self-deprecation, but if not kept in check, it can become your biggest roadblock as a writer.

One way to deal with pride is to look at constructive criticism objectively, and to do the same with your work – although this is sometimes difficult.  Humble yourself by making it a goal to improve your craft – whether writing or something else.  When you realize that you do not have all the answers and that it is good to want to improve, the road will become easier and the criticism much easier to swallow.  Sugar up your pride this way, and you will begin to see a change – you may even find that your writing has a better flow, since you are open to growth.

Sometimes, our Muse inspires us, but it can also get very protective of its creation.  Think of it for at least a moment, ask yourself, “Is my pride preventing me to grow in my craft?”  Then give your Muse a sugar pill if you must.

The Ageless Artist

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Sketch of W. Somerset Maugham.

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This morning I read a post on Facebook that quoted someone – “… no artist should be allowed to live after he’s 40.  By then a man has done his best work, all he does after that is repetition.” Of Human Bondage,” W. Somerset Maugham.

My reply to the quote itself was,  “Those are such foolish words, inspiration and art are ageless.”

If that was true possibly half or more of the greatest works in history would have not come to be.  Art and Inspiration are ageless, simply because they come from within, from the heart, the soul, and the deepest crevices of our spirit.  The artist inside you is ageless and ready to create when the need and instinct to create makes it inevitable for Art to be born.  Whether artists realize it or not, their art comes from their deepest desire to become creators themselves, and from the spiritual connection between their humanity and their soul.  When you create a piece, there is more than the aging carcass at work; the shell is just the instrument to make art real, art relies on the artist to become, but it is.  Many artists may have the same idea, but it is expressed in different ways and takes its unique form; therefore, becoming art.  In that sense, the artist is ageless.

Uninspired? Change Your Spot

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Distracted Bunny

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Today, as I was getting ready to work on my novel, I could not get myself started.  I sat at the desk, opened the file, and soon got distracted with something else.  I knew I had to go back to it, but something was not quite right.  I felt the urge to go outside and write, pen in hand.  I looked outside and the chair was still a bit wet from last night rain, but I went outside anyway.  I sat to write.  Soon, words started to pour, almost nonstop.  In no time, I had a chapter done, as soon as the words stopped pouring in.

I understood that I was ready to write, just not at my desk.  Sometimes, just moving to another spot will do the trick to get you started on that page or that chapter.  Next time, if you want to get started but somehow don’t seem to connect with your muse, go somewhere else and try it.

Shakespeare a Day 7

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Malvolio and the Countess

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“But be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon ’em.”  (Twelfth Night, or What You Will)

This one is a very popular line and we have heard it a lot.  What I like about it is that it makes greatness accessible to all.  Despite our doubts and fears, we all have greatness in us – if we could only let it thru, let it shine.  We are works of art by a Creator of all things (my personal belief) and most times, we forget about that. 

We mesmerize while observing works of art at a Museum, while reading a poem, or a brilliant piece; however, we don’t do the same when we look in a mirror.  Why is that?  It puzzles me too.  Maybe it is because in failing to recognize this greatness we protect ourselves from being afraid of it, from letting it out – from stepping up to the plate and becoming great.

Shakespeare a Day 2

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Ludwig Devrient as King Lear, probably made fo...

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“Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow!” – King Lear

This is the perfect quotation to illustrate the power of words, descriptive and emotional.  It lets you feel the type of rage and anger; you can picture the face turning red, ready to blow up in all kinds of verbal display, steamed up!

I love writing that brings up emotion.  Hope you enjoy today’s quotation.

Shakespeare a Day 1

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Title page of the First Folio, 1623. Copper en...

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For the next few days I will post one quote from Shakespeare’s plays daily.  For the first quote I have selected probably the most quoted of all.

“To be or not to be, that is the question…”

At one point or another, we have asked the same question ourselves.  In our search for identity, for belonging, for our life’s purpose, there are many things that we must be, or not, and in the end, only we have the answer(s).  To be , to have the courage to follow our path and do what we know we have to do.  Or to give into our fears and not to be, and never answer the question.  In the end, it is all up to us.

 

White Blanket of Dreams

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The snow inspired me today, so I decided to write a few verses.

Frozen branches 

White blanket of dreams,

one by one falling.

Covering my Universe,

Hearts of many, minds of few.

Ice age in frozen time,

one by one dreams are falling

as snowflakes unique

white blanket of dreams.

If I ever wake up from dreamland that’s thawed,

flowers of ice would grow amongst us.

One by one dreams are falling,

Petals of ice, frozen desires.

Hope you enjoyed my attempt at poetry 🙂

What Makes You Dance?

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Eadweard Muybridge's phenakistoscope "A C...

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I have a sign that reads, “Sunshine makes the flowers dance.”  The sign is full of primary colors and has a busy bee attached to it. I have it located way above my visual line, on top of the frame of the door, in the room where I work.  It is at that height for a reason.   When my eyes get tired, I tend to look up and then to my right; the first thing I see is that sign, instinctively I read it.  It is a way to remind me to dance thru life, to enjoy the things that make me dance, and to push those buttons as often as I can.

When I push those buttons, I end up feeling refreshed, inspired, and renewed.  It makes me feel like dancing. 

Have you ever thought of the things that make you dance?

Slow Down to Synchronize

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Rose und Eis

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Maybe we have read about the importance of synchronicity in our lives, at some point.  There is much written on it, and many philosophies base some of their principles on it – the law of attraction …  However, sometimes we forget to realize that to be able to appreciate synchronicity in our lives, we must slow down the speed of our lives.  Simply put, when we are running through the path at high speeds, we fail to see the beautiful red rose hiding in the bushes, or the gorgeous butterfly atop the daisy.  We will miss the sweet aroma of the lavender field nearby … we can end up missing the best opportunities of our lives. 

I have been guilty of living at high speeds in the past, and I missed synchronicity at its best.  I had to crash, stop, look around, breathe, stand up, and start walking slow again; and I have to admit that I am happier now, and have been able to appreciate the blessings of learning to recognize synchronicity in my life.

I dare you to slow down and find those miracles working right now in your life.

Blessing Your Surroundings with Your Soul’s Creation

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The title of this post may sound a bit dramatic; however, it is the opposite – it is more about simplicity in your daily routine.  On an earlier post, I talked about creation for and with love.  Blessing your surroundings with your soul’s creations is related to that love.  Doing things lovingly for you, your family, and everyone who will share your surroundings is part of that love.  However, there are many ways in which you can enrich your surroundings, and one of them is by being creative in what you do.

We live hurried lives, and many times we function on the auto mode.  By minding the moment and giving it your own touch (creativity) you will enhance the mood, the moment, the task …  When you do this you operate from simplicity, and you bless your surroundings thru your creative spirit.  A simple task of washing dishes (or loading the dishwasher) can become significant, as opposed to being a menial task.  Creativity comes in many forms, visual and non-visual, as a colorful arrangement of fresh-cut flowers at the dinning table or as a gentle breeze flowing thru an open window.

As you continue to bless your surroundings with your creativity, inspiration will continue to flow.