The brightest heaven of invention

[Image credit: Pixomar]

O! for a muse of fire, that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention.
~ William Shakespeare

When I was younger, a crushed boy-girl relationship yielded my most inspired and impassioned writing.  Now that I’m older and have outgrown the childhood drama, I still require some sort of muse to fuel the creative juices.  Oftentimes I find it while curled up on my chaise lounge, staring at the leaves on the trees filtering late afternoon sunlight and dappling the pavers.  But other times, it runs dry like parched grass or riverbeds in the Southwest summer heat, and I need something more.  Perhaps that change of scenery I’ve mentioned.  If I had my way, I’d travel across country and settle in a beachfront cabin, the Gulf in front of me and laptop at my fingertips.  For now, however, I must continue searching for that muse of fire where I currently reside.  And if I’m lucky, it’ll always burn from within.

Who or what gets your muse motor revved up?

A case of spring fever

[Image credit: dan]

You may be familiar with the TV commercial catchphrase from the 80s: I’ve fallen … and I can’t get up.  On that same note, I’m stuck in a rut … and I can’t get out.  I’ve periodically written about the occasional funks that move in with me, the longest one taking residence shortly after I returned from my trip to the Midwest in January.  But I wouldn’t label this one a funk.  I’m happy and fulfilled in my day job as I continue learning the ropes of the publishing trade.  I’m also 19,000 words into one story, drafting another and invited to write a new magazine article.  Further, I continue to tackle my yearly goals one at a time.  But I’m restless.  My mind keeps drifting to the should’ves, could’ves, would’ves, didn’ts — how the years ahead have started piling up behind — and I’m afraid I will be forever stuck in this place where I’m comfortable, but not really living.  I just wish I’d muster the courage to seize the day I can’t seem to reach.  Or maybe it’s simply a case of spring fever cured by a change of scenery.  In the meantime, a good seasonal cleaning might not be a bad idea either.  More on that later …

What would you do if you could throw caution to the wind and seize the day?