Me, waiting for my Muse to get inspired!

Don’t wait for you Muse to get inspired…

I know you‘ll probably think that you can’t write if you don’t get inspired. After all, even Homer¹ called upon his Muse, Calliope to inspire him heroic poetry in Iliad (An epic poem that is telling about the Trojan war)…But, to be honest the inspiration is only the “ignition” of our engine – brain…if it gets started, then you are on your way to write!

In this article, you will find some useful ways to get your “engine” started:

1) Use your imagination!

What do I mean? Well, for example, if you are writing love poetry, imagine a very beautiful woman ( or a handsome man ) and describe her. For example, say she is a fallen angel from heaven or that her hair has the color of the sand.

If you are writing a short story, imagine that you are walking in the shoes of your character. For example, if your character is a detective, try to think like him. What is on his mind? Who is the best suspect? Things like that.

2) Use your own experience!

Try to think your emotions about your girlfriend. Write for your love. If you are alone this time of year, (don’t you worry, you’ll find your sweetheart) try to remember the last time you held your darling in your arms. Even if you are separated, you can describe your feeling right now. Break ups are very inspiring (believe me I know so).

If you are writing a story with police and villains, then you’ll probably don’t have personal experience. But, no, you do have! You will have certainly watched a film noir. These movies are usually consistent to the real thing, so you can get inspired from there!

3) Read, read, read!

O, yes that’s the most basic advice! If you are writing poetry, then read other poets. If you think, you can’t handle a whole book then try to search online poems from famous poets that you have heard about. Make friends in social networks that write and read them. Don’t worry about the level of what you are reading. The time will come that you will know what you will find interesting and what not. The same advice goes for reading short stories. Also, search groups that are all about Literature.

4) Write, write, write!

Yes, you are reading correctly! The best way to improve your writing skills is by…writing of course! It doesn’t have to be perfect! Don’t hesitate and don’t leave it for another day! You can do it now! Eventually, you will get the level it requires for the readers to follow you!

5) Your special reader!

Give your writings to someone that knows how to do it, but makes creative critic and does not criticize you in a bad way, so you won’t stop writing, but you’ll get better and better!

6) The next step!

When you think you have reached a level in your writing skills, send a poem or a short story to an online magazine. Don’t get frustrated, if it won’t get published. Keep focused on your goal! If it gets published that will boost your efforts to keep writing!

Jerry Moschopoulos

sources: 1) http://gym-kastell.ker.sch.gr/main/arxaiaa1.pdf