[GUEST POST] Writing and Transformation: Meet Your Muse

Good writing takes the writer through a transformative process.

When you write and it takes you somewhere you didn’t expect to go, or brings a new insight, that, for me, is transformative writing—and a delight for both reader and writer.

But can you create transformation on demand?

Maybe not on demand, but fairly consistently, in my experience. For years I’ve led my clients and students in my book writing classes in a process where they discover what they do not know consciously but know in a deeper way. I call this the journey to “meet your muse.”

“What’s a muse?” you may ask.

I think of it as that creative part of you. It may seem to emanate from deep within you or, on the contrary, from an external source. Everyone has their own experience–all valid.

For some people, the muse shows up as a symbol, power animal or wise being. For others, it’s more of a felt-sense of connection or a color or just light. People in my book writing classes are often surprised at how their muse shows up.

They have experienced their muses as:

• A hawk
• A mouse
• Jesus
• An angel
• A deer
• A desk
• Light
• A man they knew in childhood—and not all that well
• A grandmother
• A bell
• A famous choreographer
• Olympia Dukakis

When someone asks me advice about their book ideas, I often have a professional opinion about which of several concepts is most marketable or whether self-publishing or traditionally publishing will best meet their needs. I may have an intuitive sense as well. But their muse often provides the deepest level of knowing.

More and more, I combine sharing my expertise and hunches with an inner journey where I take writers to meet their muse. The clarity they receive often astounds me.

For example:

• Vicki felt stuck, her chapter notes strewn all over the kitchen. She tried writing the chapter several ways, none of which was working. She went back to the muse exercise we’d done in class and got clarity. Vicki said, “I focused on my muse being much larger and wiser than me, and that it would guide me. Then I fell asleep for a little while, and when I sat back down to write my chapter, the writing flowed and the organization made sense.”
• Anna struggled with how her story fit together until her muse appeared in her dream bringing clarity. Still, she wondered whether she should start with fiction or nonfiction. I led her through a journey with her muse and the answer became clear.  When you feel unsure about your creative direction, your muse can provide answers.
• Beth felt a strong passion to write her book, but had equally strong doubts about her ability. The book remained foggy—both whom she was writing for (her audience) and how to best connect with them through the book. I guided her in a visualization, asking her muse to make clear who her reader was and how develop an authentic writing voice that would resonate for her readers.  Her muse provided some clarity, along with a sense that more would be revealed. Later that day, a young woman sat next to her and their conversation naturally flowed into Beth sharing about her book’s topic. It became clear to Beth that this was how to write her book–as a conversation.

Would you like guidance from your muse?

Close your eyes and imagine yourself on a path in a meadow. Use all your senses to experience this path. Now see the woods in front of you and notice what changes as you enter the woods—the temperature, the smells, the light? In a clearing, you’ll find a small structure—perhaps a little building where your muse awaits you. Enter the building and connect with your muse. Use your senses to experience the space and connect with your muse.

Then:

• Thank your muse for this time together.
• Share any challenges you’re facing and ask your muse for help—confidence, guidance, support.
• Ask your muse a question, if you wish—something you’ve been struggling with or wondering about.
• Listen for answers. Trust what you get, even if it doesn’t make complete sense to you at first.

You may actually hear something (most likely in your own inner voice). Or your muse may communicate through images or a felt sense within you. Everyone has their own way of experiencing their muse. You may get clarity right away or it may be somewhat challenging at first. The more often you connect, the stronger this connection will become and the easier it will be to get answers.

The more you use this process, the more you will experience transformation—transformation into a confident writer, growth in your intuition and even spiritual evolution. Enjoy the journey.

Download Lisa’s complimentary “Meet Your Muse” guided visualization today.

QUESTION:

Do you have a muse that you turn to for writing and creative flow?