~ The Poet's Place Cafe~

by Jay O'Toole

Rated: E · Message Forum · Writing · #1937709

A place for discussion on poetry, reviews, contests, etc.

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Mar 16, 2020 at 4:52pm

#3331918

DISCUSSION: Harnessing Your Muse

by Dave

The muse is a fleeting, capricious creature, like the wind.

Just as the windmill captures the energy of the wind for productive use, so can you harness your creative spirit for more effective expression.

Harnessing your muse will be easier if you recognize the dual nature of a writer’s mind and understand that each aspect tends to work in opposition to the other. Your task is to train each side to work in harmony with the other.

The shy, elusive creative spirit which supplies all the treasures of memory, emotion, hints of character, and sparks of inspiration frequently operates at a subconscious level, beyond the glaring light of scrutiny.

Phantoms (E)

...haunting my soul.

#1349552 by Dave

This artistic part of the brain is an uninhibited inventor of new patterns, tones and shades capable of turning a giant airliner into a soaring silver bird. It provides a channel for creative instincts and must be given free rein to engage new ideas without obstruction or fear of retribution. Although we can’t all be Mozarts or Picassos, we all have some measure of genius within us. That inherent ability to capture flashes of inner awareness, interpret penetrating insights, and perceive the essence of life must be liberated so it can flow unhindered along the river of inspiration into your work.

The logical part of the writer’s brain perceives the world from an objective point of view according to established criteria--analyzing, arranging, critiquing, correcting, and preparing your artistic brainchild to meet the outside world. Since this critical creature tends to be meddlesome and overbearing, it must be trained to give the artist within sufficient latitude to create freely.

Along with critical analysis and refinement, the censor’s functions also include providing suitable conditions for the artist to thrive. This entails finding a time and place for the quiet reverie required to let the inspiration flow uninterrupted.

Another very important responsibility is to serve as a buffer against the ruthless reproach of the outside world. Whatever you do, do NOT let the sensitive artist see any of those nasty rejection letters.

The writer’s logic is much better equipped with the objectivity required to handle that kind of critical response.

As an exercise in objective observation, picture yourself as someone else would see you at this moment. Turn the creative writer’s eye on yourself, describing your appearance and any impressions a stranger might gather about your attitude, mood, and body language. Then use the same objective examination technique as you remember yourself performing simple tasks. This exercise is meant only to strengthen your powers of objective observation, so there is no need to share it with others.

Final assignment: Share your thoughts about how you plan to let the light of your creativity shine.

Post your visions in the discussion forum using the appropriate rating format. Then clean up all the loose ends and go forth into a world made brighter by your shining luminescence.