Today’s post is part of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Click here to find out more about the group and to see a full list of participating blogs.
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In the past, I’ve written a lot of IWSG posts about my muse. Mostly, I’ve written about how much we fight. We quarrel over what to write, how to write, when to write (sorry, muse, but 2 a.m. is not the appropriate time).
But today, I just want to take a moment and say something to my muse. Something I don’t say often enough.
Of course these muse posts are hyper metaphorical. They represent the inner triumphs and turmoils of the creative life. I don’t actually believe a magic fairy whispers ideas in my ear.
Metaphorical or not, the relationship between a writer and muse can become strained. Writing is hard. Tensions run high. It’s upsetting when words just don’t fit together the way they’re supposed to.
You might start to think you suck as a writer. Your writing sucks. You life sucks. You blame your muse for withholding inspiration; your muse blames you for lacking persistence. And then things get nasty.
That’s why it’s so important to stop and affirm to yourself, as often as you can, in whatever metaphorical or non-metaphorical terms you prefer, that you are good at what you do, and that you’re getting better. Go ahead. Do it now.
It might seem silly at first, but the power of positive thinking is real. It won’t solve every problem, but it is the best defense against the chronic negativity that afflicts so many of us as writers.
Planet Pailly 
Hi – I’m one of the co-hosts today and popped by to say hi. Your muse cartoons are hysterical! I’ve got a few voices in my head that tell me what to write about. The problem is that there’s more than one of them and they’re constantly arguing 🙂 If only mine were as well mannered as yours. You are right, the power of positive thinking does go a long way. Great post! Cheers – Ellen
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Thanks! I always appreciate hearing from the co-hosts. Keep up the positive thinking, and your internal voices might start learning some manners. 😉
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*giggles* Are you the artist, too? Those are great! My muse is pissed at me because I can’t put him first these days. I swear I wish I could but both work and family have shoved their way to the front of the line.
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I like your muse’s quirky sense of fashion, combining wings and black boots 🙂 I also think it’s wonderful to thank our muse, and maybe dialogue with our inner critic in a less reactive way (where we listen for advice and befriend the critic).
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Absolutely. Maybe the inner critic can learn to provide constructive criticism.
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It’s definitely good to remind ourselves that we don’t suck, lol! We writers certainly tell ourselves the opposite a lot. =/
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We do indeed. The scary thing is when that’s the only thing we’re telling ourselves.
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Great advice, and I love the images. 🙂
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Thanks!
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Hey, if my muse would actually work up the energy to do some real “musing”, I’d be more than happy to get up at 2 am to jot down a thought or two.
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Fair enough. Sometimes you have to take what you can get from muses.
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Affirmation goes a long way.
And between you and me, magic fairies are real…
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Yes, they totally are.
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I’m behind on visiting my IWSG blogger buddies, and in this case, I’m glad, because I SO needed to read this today. I hate my book and writing and everything about it right now–it’s been one of those days.
By the way, those cartoons are fantastic! You’re really talented. I love your muse. You can tell she has attitude.
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