What'd I Tell Ya?

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times....{uh-oh. did you just hear your mother's voice? that is NOT where we're heading. so take a breath and let's start over....}

I think I've said it a thousand times. Maybe only 673. Either way, I've said it a bunch. You get what you focus on. Or, thoughts become things. Or...what is it you DO want?

These days it's pretty easy to get all tangled up in the Loud of Life. There are so many flippin' distractions that it could drive any sane person crazy. If you're already crazy to begin with...well, that's a whole 'nother ball game. Point is, there's just wayyyyyy too much going on and if we're not careful, we can get sucked under like the giant slurp from the Titanic's last breath. 

{Aside: it is said that many lives were lost because those in life boats were afraid to go back for those in the water lest they be "sucked under". Tragically, that was not what would have happened because when the Titanic finally disappeared into the frigid waters of the Atlantic, there was very little undertow. Just a little more useless information from the Queen of Trivia. Gee. There's a minute and a half you'll never get back. Aren't you glad you stopped by today?}

ANYway...

We were talking about getting sucked under. With all the distractions. And noise. And inanities that we call "modern life". Lots of folks do (get sucked under, that is) but there are those who use the technologies we have afforded to us in the ways they are meant to be used: to facilitate our lives, NOT to overrun them with junk we don't need. They use them to focus on what matters most, get things done more efficiently, and spend more time doing all the things that float their boats. 

{Aside number two ~ do you see a pattern developing here? Oh good. I was sure I'd lost you.}

A few weeks back I shared with you the latest book by my favorite Muse, Jill Badonsky. I kept that one pretty short and suggested ya'll go grab a copy because it is so fantastic I couldn't bare the thought of you not having it. About a week later I told you about the darling Robin Rice and her sensational Self. Also a Muse of mine. Also a fabulous human Being. In short, I've been sharing stuff that has me all fired up because I'd made up my mind that this was the year I'm going to DO instead of THINK. Not that I won't think too. But the theme here is to focus, and these ladies are gems for that sorta thing.

Then....yesterday someone shared yet another Genius Being who has, yet again, rocked my happy world with her stunning gift. Her name is Nikki. She has a blog called Fridaville. And this blog....well, lemme just say that if you have any kind of passion for the written word in its highest form...you might like to click on that link and have yourself a look around. I am telling you: she's A-W-E-S-O-M-E.

Now, I realize that "awesome" is subjective. You may think that Bob Dylan is a great singer or that The Simpsons is a funny show or that neon green is cool to wear with checkered pants and a screaming orange pair of granny boots. From where I sit you would be wrong. 

{One last aside. I think. ~ BOYHOWDY! She sho' is feelin' frisky today!}

All I'm saying is, you've probably been here before. And if that's true, you've decided this place is fun enough or good enough or mindful enough for you to keep coming back. So, in that regard, we have similar tastes, yes? 

{Okay. This really IS the last Aside ~ if you HAVEN'T been here before, please don't let this be the only piece you read before leaving, never to return. The flavor here is ever-changing, but always leads us to choosing joy. That is, after all, the name of this place! Okay REALLY. I'm done with the Asides.}

So if we have similar tastes, then it might very well be worth your time to cruise on over to Fridaville, grab a cup of coffee or tea or whatever it is you sip on, and have a little set-down with this marvelous lady. You may just find your own Muse there.

Now I really am going to get to the point of this long-winded and somewhat noisy meandering: I made up my mind to focus on those things that would best nudge me along on my Creative Path. One by one, little by little, the "stuff" that nudging is made of keeps showing up. In the form of women I'm inspired by. And little surprises in the mail. And old friends I haven't seen in years. And more than I can even remember right now. LOTS of clues that the Universe is, indeed, listening. And answering. And loving us every single minute of every single day.

All we gotta do is FOCUS.

That is all.

{see? no more Asides. maybe there really IS a god.}

whut the frog???

Holy Angel Cakes! The Blogger BigWigs seem to have gotten some kind of  Wild Hair. And since I'm not averse to change {praise the puppies!}, I figured it might be a good time to shake things up a little on my end too. Hence...the "new look". As for all the other changes: jury's still out. It took me all day to finally realize that it wasn't me OR my computer gittin' hinky on me. It was the site. Ah well. Not always as snappy as I like to think. Anyhooo ~  just wanted to let you know...it's still me and the meanderings shall continue.


{Gee. Aren't you relieved?}


Moving on....


Thought I might get a little (more) brazen and give you a sniff of what's cookin' with my new book. I'm going to trust trust trust that the folks who come here to read my stuff aren't gonna go stealin' any of it. Besides...I figure even if some such knucklehead did, they'd still have to come up with the rest (and do it with as much brilliance as ME! HA!) But before I get to that, I wanted to put this out there:


I'm absolutely open to commentary, input, suggestions, etc. That is, so long as you're being nice. Anybody who wants to be ugly (you wouldn't do that, would you?) may be warned now: I moderate before I post comments. I also do not read past the first few words if I even get a hint of Ick. Don't need it. Don't want it. Won't do it. 


{Now that we've got that out of the way, let's get on with it, shall we?}


So the book is about writing. That is to say, it's about the way I do things. It is in no way a "how to" book, as I'm not big on that kinda stuff. Plus, there are wayyyyy too many of those kinds of books already. Boring. Arrogant. Presumptuous. Who the hell am I to tell you how to write? You are you and I am me and that is the way it's supposed to be. 
{Hey! I made a rhyme! Oh brother.}


In the name of humor, and in response to lots and lots of queries, I thought I'd put it all down and see just how much I can actually relay without sounding like I'm trying to school somebody. Not as easy as it sounds. But a whole boat load of fun. The following is an excerpt from the Book Without A Name (yet)


{please note: there are little orange numbers next to some of the words which are there to denote a footnote, which you will find at the bottom of the post. They're there on purpose. Which also means you might have to scroll up and down to keep up. I think it's worth the effort. You can decide for yourself. Just so ya know.}

Finding a Muse.

There are probably loads of writers who don't have one. Probably even more who think the whole idea of a Muse is ridiculous. There may be some who like the concept but don't find having a Muse of their own necessary. There may also be those who thought about it¹ and decided to ixnay the process. There are all kinds of options for creative sorts. It's up to you to decide what's going to work for you.

For me, a Muse is kinda fun to have around. Even when she decides to high-tail it out of here and run off to some exotic island with her friend, Humor. Even when they stay gone too long and then come back all sun-tanned and svelte. Even when they don't bring me any souvenirs. My Muse is a hoot-and-a-half. So is my Humor. Combined, the three of us make a pretty dandy trio and I'm happy to have found them both.

Finding a Muse isn't as tough as you might think. It's actually pretty simple. First you figure out what kind of Muse you're looking for. Do you want her to be serious or funny? Do you want her to whisper or holler? Do you want her to wear wildly goofy garb or be Audrey Hepburn elegant? Must she be ever-present or just show up every now and then? Are you going to share your chocolate with her or make her bring her own?

You get the idea.

Figure out what kind of Muse you're looking for. And then. Write her a letter². Tell her what you're looking for and why. Give her your credentials³ and be totally honest about all of it. No need to blur the edges or paint a picture that's less-than-honest. Just spit it out and be as clear as you can. Oh...and take your time with this. Because once you've found her⁴, she's likely to be around til the end of time. That's the thing about Muses. They're forever. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise. It just ain't true. Muses are like …......{pause to think of good analogy}.......{still thinking}...........................................................{hold yer horses, will ya?}..........................{pause for bathroom break}............{back from bathroom break}..........{still thinking}.....

…...TADAAAAAA. Got it!

Muses are like herpes...only better.

Okay. Maybe that wasn't the best analogy. But still. The point is that a Muse is going to stick around for a very long time. So take your time figuring this one out. Because you sure don't want to pick a Muse who's going to drive you crazy and then not be able to get rid of her. I'm pretty sure the only way to get rid of a Muse is to have a frontal lobotomy. Or so I've been told.

Anyway. Now that you've figured out what kind of Muse you're looking for, and written your brilliant letter, all you have to do is stick it in an envelope and mail it.

HUH?

Yep. You have to mail it. That one's a deal-breaker. You have to mail it because if you don't, how in the world is she going to get it?

The mailing address? Well, you have to make that up⁵.

Okay. Before you start hyper-ventilating and asking yourself⁶ why in the world you bought this book....just take a moment.

Breathe.

Take a moment.

Are you breathing?

Oh good. Breathing is so much better than...not.

You have to make it up because that's the only way your Muse is going to find you. That's how it works. Kinda like when people go to the Humane Society to “pick out a dog/cat/puppy/kitten/etc.” People think they're the ones doing the picking. Not so. It's the other way around. Just that most folks are too egotistical to believe that an animal can have “control” of such things. But that's a whole 'nother story. Suffice to say that they⁷ are far better at picking out the right person than we are at picking out the right critter. If you don't believe me, just go to your local shelter. And see how many critters are waiting to be adopted. Then ask the shelter people how those critters got there. You'll get your proof.

So after you've written your concise letter and figured out where you want to send it, your Muse is going to show up. She may give you a call first, but don't count on it. Most Muses don't much care for phone calls⁸. Kind of defeats the whole purpose. Just not their style. That's why they're Muses. And that is also why I wanted one of my own. A Muse is all about spontaneity. And surprises. And guts. A Muse never worries over dumb stuff like what anybody thinks about them or whether or not their entrance is appropriately timed. They don't even do the “time” thing. Time is for puny humans. At least that's what I've gathered. I took no offense to the term “puny human”. She laughed when she said it so I figured I might as well go with it. Turns out she was right⁹.

A Muse is more focused on how much fun she's having and how much she can inspire you to lighten up. She'd rather shrivel up and wisp away than trouble herself with such inanities as time or success. Which is why I wanted to have one. She reminds me¹⁰ that I'm not “all that”. That nothing is so serious as to warrant making myself sick, sleepless or otherwise stupid over “seriousness”. That regardless of how dire a situation may seem, it will pass. And I'll get through it. And yes...I will laugh again. I love having her around and when she runs off for her unannounced sabbaticals, I don't get all freaked out¹¹ or go into some “OH-I'LL-NEVER'WRITE-AGAIN!” tizzy. Like I said, my Muse has taught me some pretty cool lessons. One of them was that she's not here to write it for me. I can do it without her. She's here to inspire me to be who I am. I just find it so much more fun when she's in the room.

'Nuff said.

NOT finding a Muse.

If you're not into it, you're not into it.

Your choice.

Some folks are more suited to working entirely alone. I get that. And if that's who you are, I say more power to ya! Whatever works for you. Plus, you won't have to put up with any of her antics. And I can tell you...a Muse is full of antics. Anyway...like I said: YOUR choice.

The end¹².

1for a minute.

2it's excellent practice for you, my soon-to-be-famous writer friend.

3more on that in a minute.

4or rather...once she finds YOU.

5another fantastic exercise, STBFW. (you DID read the previous footnotes, right?)

6while breathing short, shallow breaths...

7the critters.

8nor are they obliged to call first. After all, they are Muses!

9Go figure.

10on a VERY regular basis.

11well...not anymore. I used to. But then I figured out that I could live without her every now and then. Good lessons.

12Not THE end. Just the end of the Muse thang.