I Find It A -“Muse”-ing

[Definition of “Muse”: a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist. Well, there you go.]

Question for my fellow songwriters and artists of every ilk: do you have - or believe in the concept of - a Muse?

Until rather recently, I pooh-pooh’d the idea of a Muse. I mean, if I can’t SEES it, I can’t BELIEVES it, know what I mean? That’s just me. But lately, I’ve had to wonder… is there possibly an external force that drives one’s creative output?

If you’ve read any of my previous posts, you may be aware that I struggle with perfectionism that often manifests as a lack of ideas for songs. It can be very frustrating and makes me doubt if I really am an artist or just an imposter. I’ve had to slowly come to terms with these challenges, realizing I’d just have to power through and keep writing.

In Julia Cameron’s book, “The Artist’s Way”, the author begs us struggling creatives to trust that there is some other entity that can be called upon to guide us. For some, that may be “God”, for others, it may be a power source of creativity coming from somewhere in the universe. In any case, it appears to relate to the concept of a Muse.

I had my doubts about this, and for good reason. I am a rigorously trained scientist with an advanced degree and decades of work experience in a highly analytical field. There is no room for fanciful imagination in that realm.

Sometime in the past few months, I think I just got exhausted by the struggle of trying to create songs that sounded fresh and inspired. So I took Ms. Cameron’s advice and gave up thinking I was in control. I clearly was not.

Enter my Muse.

In my head, I have ceded creative control to the Muse. Now, when I sit down to write a song, my mindset is that of a humble and willing scribe. “I’m ready,” I tell the Muse. “Have at it.”

And something magical has happened. The songs are getting written at a dizzying pace! One is barely finished before the Muse starts another one. As long as I “show up at the page”, she keeps coming back with more to write.

I can hardly express how great it feels to no longer be responsible for either my failings or triumphs as a songwriter! If the song we write is not-so-hot, it’s not my fault. And if the song is pretty dang good, I can’t take credit either. I’m simply the personal assistant of the Muse, and she’s in control. Yippee!

OK… sometimes the scientist in me fights back against trusting-something-I can’t-see stuff, so I still have to arbitrate between the “logical” and “fanciful” parts of my psyche. But right now, it’s all working, so…