Comments on: Guest Post: Following Your Muse

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:45:30 +0000

Nicky, I think what you said is brilliant - "I'm a firm believer that 'we' are the main reason why we don't progress forward as hoped."

We as writers do tend toward a defeatist attitude sometimes when facing a new area or a new challenge. Why? We're writers. If we don't get it right, no one dies (unless it's a murder mystery). I say check the fear at the door and try. Open that Word document and say "What the hell" and just write.

Isn't she inspiring, Cathy? :)

No one stares down that "I can't" voice better than you, Devon. :)

Jake, any way of whipping that inner muse into submission, or does it agree with your outer muse, so to speak?

Do it, Paula! Make that your goal today - to enter at least one flash fiction contest.

Maura, it's wonderful seeing you here! Belated happy birthday to you. You're right - the prompt sounds very freeing. You just write. :)

Thank YOU, Anne. I appreciate your post and your encouragement to others.

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:45:59 +0000

Great tip, Anne. Thanks! I am going to check it out.

By: Anne M.

Anne M. — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:30:41 +0000

Thank you all so much for your kind and supportive comments! It would be a real thrill to see some posts later on regarding what you are all experimenting with.

I recommend the free service http://www.duotrope.com, by the way, for checking out calls for submissions and sort by rates, genres, audience etc. Why not experiment and see what inspires you?

That's where I found the Pill Hill Press opening. You never know!

With very best wishes to all of you,

~~ Anne

By: Maura C

Maura C — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:07:19 +0000

What I love about this is that Anne didn't have "a brilliant idea" before she got the prompt. That's very freeing. Thanks for sharing her story, Lori!

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:49:47 +0000

I love your post, Anne. What a great example of how unstoppable and unpredictable the creative process can be, and how you made it work for you. Congratulations!

Your story also shows why flash fiction (or scriptwriting) is a great way to spur creativity. Some writers might need the tight deadline as the motivation to knock something out. Others might like the challenge of fitting the required word and setting into the given genre. Whatever any writer's reason, flash writing is a great way to spark some fresh ideas.

You made me realize I need to find some flash writing contests. The last one I entered was two years ago and I had a great time writing a 10-minute script about mustard. That wasn't technically a flash contest - I only learned about it a couple of days before the deadline. It was about as exhilarating as writing can be.

By: Jake P

Jake P — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:50:48 +0000

Great story, Anne!

Alas, my inner Muse's dialogue on fiction writing comes straight from Bartleby the Scrivener: "I would prefer not to."

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:02:44 +0000

Good for you, Anne. It's so important to keep taking risks. So few writers nowadays are willing to do that -- they'd rather stay in the familiar than take risks.

The best writing comes when you face down the voice that says, "I can't" and triumph.

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:23:03 +0000

Inspiring post, Anne, for all of us closet fiction writers. :-)

I always admire those who take a step into the unknown and succeed.

Continued success!

By: Nicky Parry

Nicky Parry — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:04:05 +0000

What a great story Anne! And for sure a great lesson in learning to overcome any negative talk that might lead one to think "I can't". I'm a firm believer that "we" are the main reason why we don't progress forward as hoped. Often it's a lack of self-belief that stops someone picking up the phone or mailing out those 5 applications…..or trying something slightly new. So worthwhile though, especially when you start seeing positive results. Your post here exemplifies that!