by Theresa Ann White

Created on: February 14, 2009

When nothing pours from our pens, when the keyboard is silent, when we go for days without starting that article or poem, what do we do?

Invoke our muse.

Who is this elusive being? How can we call on this creature when we do not know its identity? Without a name, who do we address? And why is it that when our writing limps along, the "muse" takes the blame? Yet, when our writing soars, more often than not, we pat our own back and congratulate ourselves for a job well done?

The answer is that we are our own muse.

The word "muse" derives from the Greek "Mousa" which is connected to Mnemosyne, Titan goddess of memory and time and mother of the Nine Muses. Mnemosyne represented the memorization that was required to preserve oral histories before writing was introduced. Not surprisingly, "memory" is an extended form of the word which means "to think" (men-). So the Greek "mousa" takes on the connotation of "having mental power."

Thus, our muse combines our mental prowess with our memory. Wordsworth described it slightly differently when he wrote his philosophy of poetry. He called the process: "emotion recollected in tranquility."

Now our muse is becoming clearer. It originates from our memory; it is connected with our mental ability; and, it needs tranquility, a respite from the hubbub of the world, to flourish.

When I am in need of my muse, I practice tranquility. This is the key to unlocking memory, emotions and the mind. Oftentimes, this tranquility takes on the form of mindless activity. A few of my favorite pastimes include:

- lounging in the sun

- playing with my pet

- mowing the yard

- walking in the park

- bicycling

- yoga

- weight-lifting

- washing dishes

- doing the laundry

- tending to houseplants

- vacuuming

- writing "To Do" lists

- paying bills

Notice that these mindless activities have their own set of benefits. All of them are free. They are simple exercises. Many of them promote good physical health. They can occur indoors or outdoors. Several are necessities of existence. But mostly, they free the mind. It is at this still point where memory and emotion come together, and something like inspiration emerges. The muse enters.

Now that the muse is in the room, how do you keep him or her?

One practical exercise is to write a list of people whom you admire, and to whom you would send your writing for review. Your list might contain a few select writers. Or it might be a collection that includes Biblical figures, family members, best friends, super heroes, historical characters, members of your writing group or people in the news. No one is off limits here.

Once you have assembled your names, write a short explanation for why you have included them. Do they write in a style that you covet? Have they earned recognition for their work? Or do these individuals represent an attribute that you find admirable?

The point is of this list is two-fold: you are choosing your inspiration and choosing your audience. Your muse has a focus. And you have a mentor.

Of course, as a writer, you know that having the muse in the room is just the first step. Writing that article or chapter or poem is the real work. Here, we can follow Hemingway's lead. "Work every day," he tells us. "No matter what has happened the day or night before, get up and bite on the nail."

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