I don't have a muse. I find the idea of some inner voice -- belonging to who knows what --that advises and/or decides what an author should write, rather twee at best and distinctly disquieting at worst.
'It were the voices wot told me to do it!'
That being said I know there are many successful writers here on SOL and out in the www, wider writing world, who ascribe their success to 'their muse'. Good for them; whatever floats your boat or oils your boils can't be bad.
Having no muse means I can't blame anyone other than myself when I f don't produce any new stuff in yonks. I started on Book 7 of Poacher's Progress not long after the last chapters of Book 6 were posted, sometime in July of last year. I had hoped to complete writing, and preparing to post, Book 7 by June of this year, but that is not going to happen unless something, or somebody, gives me a good kick up the khyber.
I am slothful, and easily diverted from writing, probably because I never write an outline for a story, as real writers are supposed to do. I write off the top of my pointed head, which is fine when the spirit takes me but not much good when in the lazy, 'can't be arsed ', mode that is my default position.
I also do a lot of research during writing a story - although Mr.Your mom blows goats would disagree. He berated me for my lack of knowledge of chemistry, and the production of cocaine. (See Chapters 11 and 12, Desire and Despair, Book 3 of Poacher's Progress). Mr.Your mom blows goats -a charming name for a charming fellow - is correct. At school I did neither chemistry nor coke. I was in the thickos stream at school, and took the jack of all but master of none subject known as General Science.
So, what with my natural idleness, coupled with a lack of direction, and a propensity to go delving into arcane and esoteric research, that has little to do with the current project (but I'm a whiz at Trivial Pursuits), the completion of Book 7 is a long way off, unless I do something drastic about it.
Fortunately, Book 7 splits neatly into three parts, much like Gaul back in the day of Julius Caesar, which would allow me to post each Part as a separate 'book', as others have done on SOL.
Part I is in a state fit to be sent to my illustrious editor when he is available. Part II is in rough draft. Part of Part IIII is in a rougher draft, but the greater part is in my head. I know how the story ends but I am having trouble plotting a logical path to get there.
Carpe diem!
At my age the diems available to be carped,are limited, so today I will bite the bullet (billet) and write an outline for Part III, and try not to go off- piste when researching. (It is possible I go off- piste when I am pissed off with what I have written). Maybe I could do with a muse. But where does one find a muse -- in a museum? (Oops, I've committed a shagrinism).
If anyone has a muse-going gash then feel free to drop me a line. - I'll try anything once.
Glossary: for those who have not enjoyed the benefits of a UK/ military education.
yonks = a long time
khyber = the posterior.
Going gash = surplus to requirements.
Regards
Jack G