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m onto the written page.To be honest, it’s just not like that for me.In fact, I can’t recall it ever being exactly like that either.Although I have a sense that it may have been similar to that when I was much younger. I used to write for hours and hours about characters that to me were very real.But how I find my muse, at least for much of my adult life, is a much more elusive and unpredictable process.Some of you may know that I often have extended family in the house full-time, including any combination of my mother, ten grandchildren, and usually more than one of my four children. Top that off with two cats, two guinea pigs, and a dog and throw in the fact that we are the “kool-aid” house (biggest yard) on the block. It’s a recipe for almost constant noise and disruption.It’s often within the midst of this chaotic environment, I find myself trying to write.For me, finding my muse is more about whether or not I have the strength, to not only drag her kicking and screaming into my head, but the added energy to hang on to her tightly while I try to get any ideas out onto the paper. Or in my case into the computer, which is a Godsend.Because when I can hold onto my muse, at least I can type really fast. I try to capture the ideas quickly, before the crying and bickering starts in the other room and my muse runs screaming back into her peaceful world.So for those of you who have a muse that is your close friend and confidant, I envy you.And for those of you who, like me barely have time to use the bathroom without company, let alone write uninterrupted for hours whi

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le your muse dances around you, I sympathize.Know that you are not alone. And take comfort that someday when the house is quiet again, you may come to know your muse better. Or at least in a way that doesn’t involve choke holds.The process has gotten better for me this year. Not because things have begun to settle down, but more because I’m investing more time.I’ve found certain writing exercises are effective in coaxing my muse out of hiding without needing choke holds as often. In response to one of my readers, I wrote a post with more details on the <a href="https://readmedium.com/time-tested-writing-exercises-to-coax-your-muse-out-of-hiding-and-conquer-writers-block-6cf9c0e89924">writing exercises I use to coax my muse out of hiding</a>.I’ll let you know how it goes.Ready to find more freelance writing jobs? Get my free <a href="https://www.getrevue.co/profile/writewizard">Market Mondays </a>newsletter every week. It’s chock full of links to writing jobs and other markets that pay writers and my best tips and tricks for freelance writers.Meg Stewart has been freelancing for nearly two decades. She’s a multi-passionate skill hoarder and the intersection of freelance writing, technology, and teaching is her sweet spot. <a href="https://medium.com/freelanceladder">Freelance Ladder</a> was founded to help writers get paid and help solopreneurs do tech stuff better. Meg and her family, (along with two dogs, two cats, and two leopard geckos), live in Northeast Ohio. Follow me on Medium or <a href="https://medium.com/membership/@writewizard">become a Medium member</a> and get unlimited access.</article></body>

How Do I Find My Muse?

How do I find my muse? was originally published on my blog March 19, 2011. Updated 10/12, 2017

How working with a muse goes for some writers

I know for some writers finding their muse is a wonderful and creative process.

It’s an enjoyable endeavor and involves listening to their favorite music, whether it’s Nirvana, Garth Brooks or even something by Bach or Beethoven.

Some of my friends who are writers, have described their writing process to me.

They talk about their muse as if she’s a close friend and confidant.

She or he dances into their head when exactly the right conditions exist, to help them pour forth creativity and wisdom onto the written page.

To be honest, it’s just not like that for me.

In fact, I can’t recall it ever being exactly like that either.

Although I have a sense that it may have been similar to that when I was much younger. I used to write for hours and hours about characters that to me were very real.

But how I find my muse, at least for much of my adult life, is a much more elusive and unpredictable process.

Some of you may know that I often have extended family in the house full-time, including any combination of my mother, ten grandchildren, and usually more than one of my four children. Top that off with two cats, two guinea pigs, and a dog and throw in the fact that we are the “kool-aid” house (biggest yard) on the block. It’s a recipe for almost constant noise and disruption.

It’s often within the midst of this chaotic environment, I find myself trying to write.

For me, finding my muse is more about whether or not I have the strength, to not only drag her kicking and screaming into my head, but the added energy to hang on to her tightly while I try to get any ideas out onto the paper. Or in my case into the computer, which is a Godsend.

Because when I can hold onto my muse, at least I can type really fast. I try to capture the ideas quickly, before the crying and bickering starts in the other room and my muse runs screaming back into her peaceful world.

So for those of you who have a muse that is your close friend and confidant, I envy you.

And for those of you who, like me barely have time to use the bathroom without company, let alone write uninterrupted for hours while your muse dances around you, I sympathize.

Know that you are not alone. And take comfort that someday when the house is quiet again, you may come to know your muse better. Or at least in a way that doesn’t involve choke holds.

The process has gotten better for me this year. Not because things have begun to settle down, but more because I’m investing more time.

I’ve found certain writing exercises are effective in coaxing my muse out of hiding without needing choke holds as often. In response to one of my readers, I wrote a post with more details on the writing exercises I use to coax my muse out of hiding.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Ready to find more freelance writing jobs? Get my free Market Mondays newsletter every week. It’s chock full of links to writing jobs and other markets that pay writers and my best tips and tricks for freelance writers.

Meg Stewart has been freelancing for nearly two decades. She’s a multi-passionate skill hoarder and the intersection of freelance writing, technology, and teaching is her sweet spot. Freelance Ladder was founded to help writers get paid and help solopreneurs do tech stuff better. Meg and her family, (along with two dogs, two cats, and two leopard geckos), live in Northeast Ohio. Follow me on Medium or become a Medium member and get unlimited access.