Morning Muse: Writer’s Block, Pass the Windex

by Davina on August 5, 2009

A window of creativity interrupted

Before 7 a.m. morning birds are calling. There’s a special quality about this time. Reminiscent of freshly fallen snow, waiting for that first trail of footprints to cultivate an impression.

Alive with appreciation, awareness is keen and the senses are engaged. The pen is poised over the page, alert with pronounced posture. Ready.

Then, noise cuts a path through the stillness and the creative whispers disperse. Now distracted from my journal, I watch a driver spray Windex on his windshield.

He just pulled over and stopped, got out and left the engine running. He’s wiping the windshield while holding a cigarette in his other hand. The morning air has become tainted with exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke.

Soon his passenger arrives and he drives away noisily, leaving me in a wake of dusty judgments. “People are so unaware of the noise they create; they barrel through their day like a freight train.”

Happy the silence is back, I return to journalling. I notice the sun now casts a shadow across the page from where the tip of the pen touches it. Scrawling, pushing forward, I try to break free of the shadows. They follow the pen.

The muse is waiting

Feeling virtuous for being here this morning at this time, yet the writing reflects no virtuosity. Inspiration interrupted and dead to appreciation, I’m awash with writer’s block.

Discontentment creates unwelcome impressions on the snowy white page before me. Polluted thoughts cast shadows over inspiration.

Noise had again cut a path through the morning stillness. This time it was my noise; all in my head.

I was barreling through my thoughts, not respecting the space. Just like people barrel through their day making noise, closing doors harder than necessary, stomping down the stairs and dragging their feet.

Here I was in a sense, doing the same; a writer barreling through my thoughts with entitled expectation.

While smoking the wasted stillness my exhausted thoughts shimmered. Idle thoughts and scribbling, with the door closed and a dusty window, I too was waiting for my passenger — the muse.

And the muse? The muse was waiting with the door open and the engine idling. Waiting for me to just get in and go. Ready?

Are you riding with your muse today?

If not, what is stopping you?

Photo Credit: Pwray

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Tagged as: Creativity, Inspiration, journal, muse, Writing

{ 31 comments }

1 Barbara Swafford August 5, 2009 at 2:32 pm: This is beautiful Davina. Your writing talent is shining through. :)

When I think of my muse, some days she’s there all day long, whereas other days, I prefer to be lost in chosen thoughts. What I have learned is to take advantage of those days when the muse sits close, the ideas abound and I get partial posts written for later.

There’s nothing worse than sitting at my computer, staring at the screen and drawing a blank. You’ve reminded me it’s those times I need to open the door. Thank you!
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Passing The Torch =-.
2 Avani Mehta August 5, 2009 at 2:48 pm: Davina,

My muse is rebellious in nature. It chooses to come out exactly at the same time when I shut down my comp, switch off lights and plan to go to sleep. It doesn’t matter whether I sleep at 10 or 12 or 2 or 4 … my muse always finds out! And doesn’t stop shouting my ears or buzzing in my brain :)
.-= Avani Mehta´s last blog ..Tap Into The PowerHouse Of Negative Emotions =-.
3 Positively Present August 5, 2009 at 3:16 pm: Love this post! It offers such great visual imagery for me to think about and I love that. I’ve been SO busy with work lately that I can’t say that I’m riding with the muse, but I’m working on it… :)
.-= Positively Present´s last blog ..want to be happier? stop avoiding unhappiness =-.
4 Daphne @ Joyful Days August 5, 2009 at 5:26 pm: Davina,

You seem to be connecting much more with your muse lately, and it shows in your writing. It feels inspired, and is inspiring to read.

I’m very sensitive to smell, and hate the smell of chemicals (even when I’m the one using them) so the Windex would have bothered me as well. And I love being still and watching the world go by, especially in the morning. Right now I’m sitting in silence and can hear only the fan whirring, my fingers on the keyboard, and cars zipping by under my window. I almost can feel the situation you were in when writing this, just that I don’t write about is as beautifully. Thanks for putting my feelings into words!
.-= Daphne @ Joyful Days´s last blog ..How to Give SMART Encouragement =-.
5 Julie August 5, 2009 at 5:43 pm: Davina, I love it when you write like this. It’s so beautiful.

When I don’t heed the nudges, I end up in one-way conversations: “but I’m not ready, yet”, “I just need to clear the decks”, and “give me a minute…okay, another minute, then” while my muse patiently and quietly and very persistently plots a more effective way of getting my attention.

I’m thinking with this beautiful bit of writing, your muse will be happy. :)
.-= Julie´s last blog ..The Honor is All Mine =-.
6 Vered - Blogger for Hire August 5, 2009 at 7:51 pm: I don’t really believe in muses… I just write, however crappy or dry the result. But then again, my writing is not as good as yours!
.-= Vered – Blogger for Hire´s last blog ..Value of Social Networking =-.
7 Liara Covert August 5, 2009 at 7:53 pm: As you connect with your inner self, every choice you make empowers and renews you. Part of you is detaching from the inner judge. You learn to savor every moment, the timeless joy wherever you are, just because.
.-= Liara Covert´s last blog ..11 Things to raise energy vibration =-.
8 Lance August 5, 2009 at 8:22 pm: Hi Davina,
Noise…and our muse. I let noise in my brain keep me from truly listening…and then writing. Little thoughts that don’t have meaning other than to take up the space where quiet cannot then enter.

Davina, this is so good. It’s like I’ve gained some clarity into “me” in reading this post – and it’s been so good. If I keep my mind from wandering into the noise of the day…hmmm…I’m thinking this can take me places even deeper…

Thank you! This is a great thought for me to sleep upon tonight..
.-= Lance´s last blog ..Where Is This Journey Taking Me? =-.
9 Cath Lawson August 5, 2009 at 11:00 pm: Hi Davina – This is awesome. I love how you compare barreling through your thoughts to the noises created by folk who don’t realise how much they’re interrupting us. And I really love this line: “While smoking the wasted stillness my exhausted thoughts shimmered.”
10 Davina August 5, 2009 at 11:10 pm: Hi Barbara.
Thank you very much. “…lost in chosen thought.” — I like that! You’re right, some days we have it and some days we don’t. Some days it falls in our laps and some days we have to reach for it. A tricky business writing is. This post was written about a month ago and was tweaked a little each week.

Hi Avani.
Lol, oh yes I know what you mean. You have a spunky muse. So what you’re saying is you should never turn your computer on and keep your lights off? :-)
That’s a new avatar isn’t it? Beautiful.

Hi Dani.
Visual imagery really gives you something to hook onto doesn’t it? It’s another language all itself. The title of your current post has me intrigued. If that’s not your muse talking… well then…

Hi Daphne.
Thank you. This post took about a month before the muse got her message across — a little time here and there every week — just puttering :-) Windex does have a strong smell, but the cigarette smoke overpowered it. Quiet mornings are the best way to start the day as opposed to running a race.

Hi Julie.
Thank you — it just happens and I really don’t know how. But I am thankful when it does. For those one-way conversations, it’s like all those voices are trying to hold on to something, but the writing happens when we just let go… like heaving a big sigh before we make the leap. Otherwise those voices keep us perched on the edge, dangling. My muse said “It’s about time.” :-)

Hi Vered.
Thanks :-) I happen to enjoy your writing. My feeling is that the muse is an illusion, just like the ego. People talk about them as if they are separate from us, but they ARE us. We create them rather than the other way around.

Hi Liara.
There are a lot of moments to savour when we are detached from that inner judge. That’s when time flies too. :-)

Hi Lance.
Wow, you have some great insights here — woo hoo! I LOVE hearing this. Listening is so easily forgotten when we get caught up in writing and thinking about writing. And I’m no expert on this either… but it feels good to offer some food for thought and to know you’ve been inspired :-)

Hi Cath.
Thanks! I HATE interruptions and “noise” — arghhh! :-) Yes, the poetic muse seemed to show her face for this one. I wish I knew how to MAKE this happen. It really is a gift from “somewhere”.
11 Avani Mehta August 5, 2009 at 11:29 pm: Davina,

I was actually thinking the opposite. I should switch everything off and try to go to sleep all the time! Hoping to trick my muse in coming out when I want but on it’s terms ;)

Yes, that’s a new avatar. Thank you.
.-= Avani Mehta´s last blog ..Tap Into The PowerHouse Of Negative Emotions =-.
12 Joanna Young August 5, 2009 at 11:59 pm: Hi Davina, I loved this piece, it works on so many different levels. Interesting that it was the noise, the smell, the busyness of the day that interupted you… but also that provided the hook for these words, for your muse to find what she wanted to say. Mine, perhaps like yours, responds to what is, what she sees round about her, not what I think she might like to put on the page.
.-= Joanna Young´s last blog ..Bloom Where You Can: Guest Post by Robert Hruzek =-.
13 Betsy Wuebker August 6, 2009 at 6:47 am: Davina, the quality of your writing is more and more awesome. I think my muse is tail-gating yours for inspiration! I’m learning to respect the ebb and flow of musing. If I try to force things, a forced example is the output. Patience is better for me. Thanks!
14 Davina August 6, 2009 at 6:54 am: Hi Avani.
That’s exactly what I meant. Leave your lights off and never turn your computer on. You muse will never leave your side. I hope she’s not distracted by the flickering candle flame though, or the flashlight :-)

Hi Joanna.
Exactly! You hit the nail on the head. I was rudely interrupted :-( and couldn’t think of what to write. So, I wrote about the parallels I saw IN the interruption. You’ve gotten to know your muse really well I see. It’s an advantage to be able to draw on what’s there when there “seems” to be nothing there. Hey, somebody should write a book about the psychology of the muse. Or has it been done already? :-)
15 Davina August 6, 2009 at 7:02 am: Morning Betsy.
What a great compliment! Thank you. Hey, you snuck your comment in when I wasn’t looking. “The ebb and flow of musing” is Amusing :-) Forcing it… yeah, it feels like calling the dog and the dog doesn’t come and you can’t MAKE it come. And then you start wondering if you even HAD a dog in the first place. Verrrry frustrating, especially when you love writing so much and it’s time for another post :-0
16 Sara August 6, 2009 at 9:31 am: Davina — You have a wonderful gift with words and making them evoke a feeling, a scene, a smell or an action. These are just a few examples of your words that amazed me in this post:

“Polluted thoughts cast shadows over inspiration.”
“I was barreling through my thoughts, not respecting the space.”
“While smoking the wasted stillness my exhausted thoughts shimmered.”

All I can say is that even though you felt like you didn’t join your muse, she definitely joined you. Perhaps, she’s learned to teleport herself :~)
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Who is Your Target Audience? =-.
17 janice August 6, 2009 at 10:34 am: This is a beautifully written piece, Davina, really engaging. Thank you!

I love the concept of the muse and really enjoyed Elizabeth Gilbert’s TED talk about hers, but to be honest, I don’t think I see myself as having a muse. I feel more like a jug, sometimes empty, sometimes overflowing with inspiration from what I perceive as the universe. I rarely get blogger’s block these days, but I do screw myself up sometimes by trying too hard to do a good guest post if someone’s asked me for one. I think it’s easier on my own blog because I don’t have a fixed schedule or routine. I’m still finding my posting rhythm and usually write when I have something spilling out that wants to be written.

I have the flipside problem of lots of posts withering on the vine because I don’t capture them in time.

I’ve had a regular monthly column for a couple of years, and with that, I’ve come to realise that I can trust that there will always, always be something to write about if I’m open to learning from what’s going on in the world around me and stay alert, present and engaged with the details, as you did when you wrote this.
.-= janice´s last blog ..Alfonsina and the Sea =-.
18 Lori Hoeck August 6, 2009 at 5:59 pm: Hi Davina,
Now that was simply delightful and fun reading. Noise or no, your writing is shining with a warm, wonderful light.

Although I like the idea of a muse, I’m somewhat like Janice, I can’t quite separate myself from my writing like that.
.-= Lori Hoeck´s last blog ..21 self defense questions you (and your teenagers) may want to think about =-.
19 Davina August 6, 2009 at 10:47 pm: Hi Sara.
She beamed herself up to the mother ship :-) Thanks for your wonderful comment. All I can say is that I LOVE writing and setting the mood. It is satisfying when I know people have been moved. That moves me. Hugs to you.

Hi Janice.
This is right on!: “…I’ve come to realise that I can trust that there will always, always be something to write about if I’m open to learning from what’s going on in the world around me and stay alert, present and engaged with the details…”

I like your analogy of the jug. It is neat how using imagery helps us to capture and express the meaning of our message.

Hi Lori.
Thank you. The muse is a romantic, dreamy notion I find, and I love that notion. I enjoy your writing too. Your newer blog “Think Like a Black Belt” has a lot of value to offer your readers.
20 LisaNewton August 7, 2009 at 6:40 am: Today, my muse is patiently waiting for me to finish my initial photo walk, seeing the words as the photos come to life.

So, off I go on another adventure in the big, bad city. :)
.-= LisaNewton´s last blog ..“Anytime You’re Hungry, Everybody Goes to Rick’s” =-.
21 Carol | Stress Eating August 7, 2009 at 7:02 am: Wonderful piece! Thank you for the reminder to slow the train down. My muse is mighty restless today. Sometimes it is so hard to just let that BE.
.-= Carol | Stress Eating´s last blog ..Stress Eating and Hormones =-.
22 Meryl Evans August 7, 2009 at 7:06 am: My muse has been napping lately because of my kids’ being home most of the time. The noise from the kids and the TV scare away my muse. I can shut out noise by turning off my cochlear implant, but it’s a different kind of silence — not the one I want while I work. At least, I have that option for when it gets noisy or I have a headache. I’ll be glad when school starts again!
.-= Meryl Evans´s last blog ..40+ Writer Uses for LinkedIn =-.
23 Jannie Funster August 7, 2009 at 9:54 am: Davina, pushing through your writer’s block gave us one of your most wonderful posts yet, it just bubbled up on the bouillion of your heart, right from your unconscious light.

I’m glad to hear the man was not giving his car a spray-paint touch-up, cigarettes and flamables might’ve made for a totally different exerience.

I stash my muse in the trunk a lot but she always escapes.
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..46 Blogging Observations So Far =-.
24 Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach August 7, 2009 at 11:26 am: Ooo I really like this!

I can relate to it – I call it “casting my mind to the universe” and seeing what echoes back. Actually, not only just “seeing” but also giving myself permission to even consider it (because some of the ideas are just plain wacky!).

But I’ll tell you….it’s a great way to give yourself up to your inner creativity.
.-= Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s last blog ..Delight Your Visitors – Easily Add Online Help for Free =-.
25 Caity August 7, 2009 at 11:27 am: What a gorgeous post! Your way with words is absolutely beautiful! I think my muse is letting myself fall into certain moods that do not inspire creativity or positive thoughts. I try to work past this by reading and exposing myself to positive things and listening to happy music.
.-= Caity´s last blog ..You asked questions – I give answers! =-.
26 Davina August 7, 2009 at 5:07 pm: Hi Lisa.
You’re gonna take your muse for a walk eh? I’m sure I’ll read all about it soon :-)

Hi Carol.
Thank you. Sounds like your muse has got something cooking. Set the table, quick! :-)

Hi Meryl.
I didn’t know you wore a cochlear implant. I guess turning it off can come in handy but that silence would be quite different, I can imagine. Three and a half more weeks to go and you’re muse’s holiday is over too.

Hi Jannie.
Lol, yep that would have caused a rather rude awakening for the rest of the neighbourhood. “I stash my muse in the trunk a lot but she always escapes.” Ha, ha… hey, that’s not funny, that’s mean ;-)

Hi Barbara.
Thanks. Wacky is good stuff. I like this: “‘casting my mind to the universe’ and seeing what echoes back.” Wonder what you’re gonna pull out of your hat next?

Hi Caity.
Thank you. I wonder what your “muse” would say about those moods? She’s sounding a wee bit rebellious. Reading and music are good ways to encourage the inspiration… plus a little Windex :-)
27 Davina August 7, 2009 at 10:38 pm: Barbara, I just noticed that you shared this post on your forum. Great! Thank you. http://www.virtual-coach.com/forums/posts-we-like/5019-you-riding-your-muse-today.html#post9814
28 Chris Edgar | Purpose Power Coaching August 8, 2009 at 10:55 am: Thanks for this. What I find is that those “writer’s block” moments are really a test of my ability to be patient with myself, rather than running away from the sense of emptiness. If I have faith that something will arise out of the emptiness, it usually does, but if I try to force the emptiness away it won’t.
29 Davina August 9, 2009 at 12:54 am: Hi Chris.
This is a great way to look at writer’s block. I love it! Really cool… after all, how can we force nothing? It’s like grasping air.
30 Hilary August 11, 2009 at 12:59 am: Hi Davina .. I loved that .. the thought process you put into the stages of noise .. and yes the thumping door bugs me every day here .. and I remember my father many moons (years would be better) ago .. telling me I’m not an elephant – walk quietly, and we’re not born in barns … & yes I too get unwanted smoke into my ‘terrace’ house from the street – yugh!

So re the exercises in your next post – I must get out and smell the flowers ..

Thanks lovely to be here
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..How are the Romans, Monty Python and Jugglers all linked to Scotland? =-.
31 Davina August 11, 2009 at 11:37 pm: Hi Hilary.
Lol, your father sounds just like my mother did — exactly the same! “Not born in barns.” :-) Enjoy the flowers…