Wednesday Writing — Meet the Muse

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Javier Rodrigues at Pixabay
Javier Rodrigues at Pixabay

Every now and then Diana Wallace Peach talks about her muse. In fact, she has more than one.  She gets other authors talking about their muses.  I listen, mystified.  Apparently most authors have a muse — or several.  Then I usually respond with the complaint that I don’t seem to have a muse.  Actually that could explain some of my problems… but I digress.

Diana has invited everyone to share a conversation with their muse.  I was instantly befuddled.  However, Diana replied, “Don’t have a muse? Just open the door and see who shows up.”

Well, I already had a post scheduled for today.  Plus, it’s dark outside and I wasn’t about to open that door… But then I heard a soft sort of scraping sound, just outside…

Doorknob

Dry, rustling accompanied the movement of huge leathery wings.  A long claw tapped at the window of the door.  Tentacles moved subtly, inviting me to open the door.  I shook my head.  My feet declined to listen to my brain, which told them to run. 

“How can you be my muse.  How could you be anyone’s muse?” I demanded from my side of the firmly closed door.

“Of course I’m your muse,” his dry voice whispered.  “Why do you think so many of your novels torture you?  I am the burden of the stories that are seared into your soul.  You will write them.  You will.  Else I will never stop tormenting you.”

The Elder God Cthulhu. Artist unknown. Wikipedia
The Elder God Cthulhu. Artist unknown. Wikipedia

“If you want those stories finished, then it would be helpful if you sent a muse who had a more appealing, or at least friendly, form,” I replied as the odor began to seep around the edges of the door.

“I am what I am,” he rasped. “And now I am also the reminder not to forget the novel that only yesterday you gave yourself permission to put on the shelf… for a break,” he added with a sneer.

At least it sounded like a sneer.  It was impossible to tell with that hideous tentacle covered maw that served as its mouth.

“All right!” I yelled at the huge Lovecraftian monster that claimed to be my muse.  “If it’s any consolation to you, “Dead of Winter” is finally coming — after ten years. Winter is coming!  Does that make you happy? Winter is coming!”

“Ahhh… So it is.  That is a start,” he rasped, turning to glide away.  “But it is not enough.” 

“Okay. I won’t forget the other one. Or any of the others.  How could I?” I shouted to its back. 

A dry chuckle reached my ears as it disappeared into the night.

Dead of Winter, promo image by Teagan R. Geneviene
Dead of Winter, promo image by Teagan R. Geneviene

In the USA, Thanksgiving Day is near.  Whether you’re celebrating or just being grateful on your own, please be safe.  I care about you.

Hugs on the wing!

This is a work of fiction.  Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright ©2020 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved. 

No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

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86 thoughts on “Wednesday Writing — Meet the Muse”

  3. Pingback: Meet the Muse Wrap Up | Myths of the Mirror

  4. Delighted to hear about your book, Teagan. Either your monster muse works from home, or you did it all by yourself. I look forward to reading the story that began ten years ago 😊

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Yeah… I think I got something other than a “muse” — regardless of what everyone says. LOL. I mean, I still haven’t written anything, so not much of a muse with his guilt trip. But it was fun to play along. 😉 My advice — check the window or peephole before opening that door. 😀 Good luck! Hugs on the wing.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  14. I’ve seen your muse. He stops by here once in a while for a joke and a beer. He likes jalapeños which is probably where the breath comes from. A bit pushy but not a bad guy for a Hell-Spawned creature. Next time he stops by, look him in the eye and remind him that he needs you as much as you need him. The muse is a symbiosis and loses all power if it stops inspiring.

    Love the thoughts. BTW my muse is a laughing Cat. I think the two of them might be dating

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Hahaha! Now that was really funny. 😀 🐱 Maybe I can get him to keep his distance if I put a stack of jalapeños outside the gate. Or better yet, I’ll put the jalapeños on the porch of my creepy stalker across the street. Have an easy coast down the other side of this midweek hump. Hugs!

      Liked by 2 people

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    1. Haha! Michael, Crystal begins to get annoyed with the sound of me typing on the computer. It disturbs her many naps. 🐱
      Seriously though, no. I’ve never felt the “muse” the way other writers talk about it. Maybe my muse is the “three things” or “random reader things” I get from other people. That’s what “sparks” my writing.
      Thank you for the Thanksgiving wishes! ❤ It will be a simple day for Crystal and me, but we will give thanks abundantly. Have a wonderful rest of the week, my friend.

      Liked by 1 person

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  18. Teagan, I see how many blogger friends showed up to comment! Your tormenting muse blows my mind away. More like a nightmare scratching on your door. But…wait a minute. Maybe this Cthulhu monster can be useful in helping you write the difficult novel. But make sure he obeys your rules. He represents fear of the unknown. Just don’t look at him. He can drive any human that gazes upon his form to sanity. If he will be helpful, he stays on the other side of the door. Make a nice comfy place on the porch or front step. And he can only talk, encourage or give you an idea when invited to do so. I think you can face the fear of the unknown with your strength as a writer. Give him a name and keep him in focused during writing sessions. He might surprise you and turn into something not quite as scary. Now, that’s a challenge for your creative mind, Teagan. Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. Huge hugs, too. 🍂🧡🍂

    Liked by 1 person

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  20. I can’t say I’ve met my muse, but I know he’s there. If I cracked the door I have a feeling I’d run into something similar as yours…lol. Happy Thanksgiving xo

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  22. LOL. You have the first monster-muse to come this way, Teagan. How fascinating since your stories are generally on the fun side. Perhaps this is your muse for your winter stories. It’s not uncommon to have multiple muses or one that changes shape based on what you need. And it’s not uncommon for our muses to challenge us – that’s their job! I hope you make friends with your monster; I’m certain he has his good points! Thanks so much for playing!! I love it. Hugs and Happy Thanksgiving!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. At least now I understand why I thought I had no muse, Diana. I mean… who’d want to know that guy was lurking around? Maybe one day I’ll get a real, useable, ordinary muse — I hope. Thanks for the prompt, and for visiting. Happy Thanksgiving to you too. Hugs on turkey wings!

      Liked by 1 person

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        1. Ha! Instead of “You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a handsome prince” it’s kissing Cthulhus? LOL, not happening. There’s not enough mouthwash in the whole world. 😀
          But you’re right, Diana. Maybe this is a beginning.
          The “muse” idea actually came from a realization I had yesterday, about The Dead of Winter and something (non story) it has in common with the novel I’ve been working on for a year now. Meaning the reason why the novel is so hard to write. But that reason is not as continuously a part of Winter as it is of the current novel, so there’s hope for me to enjoy the editing of the ebook serial.
          Yes… maybe the muse will gradually improve. The next visit might be from Frank N. Furter…

          LOL

          Like

          Reply

  23. Well. Your muse hangs out on hour couch. Spunk and Silver wrestle, knead on him and snuggle with him. Although, I have to say, in his form on the couch, Cthulhu is much better looking than the drawing you posted. Only ten years of waiting on Winter? Good it’s coming at last.

    Liked by 1 person

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  24. Wow! You have confronted with your shadow, I think you must take the opportunity to know her. You don’t need to scare, every one of us has a shadow;
    Dr; Carl Gustav Jung says; Everyone carries a shadow, and the less it is embodied in the individual’s conscious life, the blacker and denser it is. If an inferiority is conscious, one always has a chance to correct it.
    Hugs and good luck 🤗💖🌹

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Haha! Thanks GP. Now I see there’s no wonder why I said I had no muse! I think it came from a realization I had yesterday about The Dead of Winter. I hope editing that story won’t be as difficult as writing the one I’ve been working on for a year now. The reasons for it being hard are about the same. But that reason is not as continuously a part of Winter as it is of the current novel. So I try to be hopeful about continuing the ebook-serial project.
      Anyway, happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Hugs on turkey wings!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  26. Oh my, that’s a scary muse, but I think you can handle him. Your stories do have an edge to them (I like that, by the way). In any case, I’m looking forward to “Dead of Winter,” and I’m sure there’s lots more good stuff coming. Stay safe Teagan. We care about you, too.

    Liked by 1 person

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  27. Your muse is scary . . . I love it. I think a creature like that would inspire all sorts of creative stories! Your muse even has a smell . . . awesome! Congratulations on the upcoming release of Dead of Winter, and happy Thanksgiving!

    Liked by 1 person

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  30. I suspect such a powerful muse could take many forms, Teagan. I’m into horror, so I find it fascinating anyway. And a muse is a muse. And congratulations on Dead of Winter. Take care! (No thanksgiving here)!

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Yikes, I just pulled this comment out of Spam, dear Ape. Cthulhu ate it. Now I think the spam folder is part of his digestive tract… I’m hoping he will gradually morph into something less objectionable. Next time he might come back as Frank N. Furter… At least there wouldn’t be the tentacle covered mouth… 😉
      Hugs on the wing!
      Thank you for reblogging this craziness.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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