How to Contact the Muse

Writers are not computers. It is not a matter of input and output. Ideas are born in inspiration and passion. Writing dozens of articles a month, or starting a third novel, or trying to write another advertisement, can drain a writer leaving them and their work lifeless and uninteresting. This means the writer needs to stir the muse and get the creative juices flowing again.

There are dozens of methods of overcoming writer's block. There is no right or wrong way to get over writer's block. Anything that breaks us out of the box is a good plan.

To many writers look toward drained creative juices and inspiration. In many cases, the cause of writer's block is much closer to home. Sometimes writers are dry in spirit because their mind or body is tired. Stress can also sap a writer's ability to bring words to life. Sleep deprivation, depression, and emotional abuse can cause writers to loose their edge. An hour nap, or even twenty minutes, can ignite a writer's creativity.

Physical Causes

A lack of creativity and production could also be the body's way of signaling hunger or thirst. One large glass of water morning or night can be as good as a nap.

Burn out is the result of physical fatigue. Even five minutes an hour, walking around, looking out the window can make the difference between working 10 hours a day for five days, and burning out after two weeks. Some writers can suffer from a from of cabin fever. The same walls, the same routine, can be draining. Taking a few minutes to step outside can revitalize any writer.

Light

This often overlooked aspect of the home office can have the most dramatic effect on a writer's productivity. Good lighting does not mean bright light. It refers to the quality of the light. Some florescent lights mimic the sun's rays. Even a desk lamp with a good florescent bulb in it can dramatically increase a writer's productivity.

Social

Writers often use their computer as an excuse to hide from the world. While this may make life more comfortable, it does help. Sometimes writers need to remember that real people exist and life goes on outside of their brain. Characters are always in conflict. The story ends as soon as they are happy. Then, there is more characters and more conflict. Interaction with real people can restore balance.

Simplicity is often the best remedy. The brain is a complex instrument. Abusing it can lead to problems. A few minutes of relaxation, driving to town for a coffee, visiting a friend, or curling up in a lounge chair with a good book, might be all that is needed to stir the muse, capricious as it is, will suddenly appear, acting like it never left.