July 1, 2015

ISWG Post #11!

IWSG
Guess what time it is! Nope, it's not Howdy Dowdy time! Nor is it time for the original "Oh my God, they killed Kenny"! That's write, it's time for the monthly world-wide meeting of the IWSG, where writers from all around the world and all around the galaxy, as well as NYC, gather around the wishing well to commiserate and pump up each other's self-esteem until it's off the charts!!!!!!

But, enough with the jocularity.

Today we have a three-fer IWSG post.

#1: Today marks the 11th consecutive post that I've written under the IWSG banner, which for those of you who don't know me that well, is a major accomplishment.

#2: I've finally released the print version of my novella, "A Taste Of Pain". Now available at CreateSpace and (in a week or two) at Amazon, as well as a pre-order at my book blog. Clicking on the title will bring you to my book blog and all the salient details that you could every want.

#3: Today's topic, even thought it was covered quite well by the wonderful Ruth Harris at Anne R. Allen's Blog, deserves to be talked about yet again, because quite frankly, the well has slightly run dry this week and this actually dovetails quite nicely into today's topic. And if you're confused, imagine how my muse feels about my confusion.

Like most writers, I have a muse. Unlike most writers though, my muse is pretty much the spitting image of my commercial debut (take 2), with a serious kick ass attitude to match. And unlike most writers, I will bring my muse to life on this blog (see tags Muses & SubMiss) from time to time. Most of my regulars already know this, but for those of you who are stopping by to say "hi" for the first time, my muse has become my alter ego, so to speak.

When my muse graces this blog with her presence, all hell breaks loose, mostly because she speaks what I normally wouldn't be caught dead speaking out loud on this blog, and because I'm like most writers, in which I will beat myself up over my writing, it also manifests itself with semi-mild physical violence against yours truly.

While you may recoil in horror, mock or otherwise, over what I've just written, using my muse as my blogging/writing alter ego has become a truly worthwhile endeavor. Because, like it or not, as one of the strangest professions one can pursue, we are often too nice to our fellow writers and well as to ourselves, and quite frankly, having a muse that we can bring to life and treat as our alter ego is just what the doctor ordered.

To be honest with everyone, your muse is the dominant partner in your symbiotic writing relationship, and you know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that deep down, you really enjoy it. Because without a symbiotic relationship with your muse, your writing really is just dead in the water. And who wants their writing to be on the same level as Kim Kardashian?

So embrace the muse. Be one with the muse. But most importantly, treat the muse as your alter ego from time to time. In the long run, you'll be glad that you did.

"Did I do good?" he asks expectantly like Pavlov's dog.
"Yes, you did fine, my slave. Now go off and write me scene that does my talent justice."
"Yes my mistress," he answers subserviently, as he scampers off to do what was asked of him.

(c) 2015 by G.B. Miller. All Rights Reserved.

15 comments:

  1. I'm hoping the muse will be kind to me today

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  2. I did a blog fest recently that was supposed to be a party to which you bring your muse. Mine showed up in smelly fishing clothes, carrying a mac and cheese with spam casserole. He was rude and insulted me on several occasions. If my muse was anything like me, I'd be bored to death.

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    1. If my muse was actually like me, I would be bored to death too. Fortunately, she isn't, which makes wickedly interesting. :D

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  3. I know I don't want my writing at that level!
    Twelve months in a row - you can do it, little camper.

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    1. I think I can, I think I can...yes, I know I can!

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  4. Congrats on writing on the IWSG for almost a year. I like that you have a muse who says things you may not and only you can see and hear...hmmmmm-just kidding. Thanks for visiting my blog

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    1. Thankee...

      My muse will always be my alter ego on my blog, because with amount of stuff I have to put up with on weekly basis, I need a way to redirect the sarcasm w/o getting into trouble.

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  5. I find the idea of your alter ego being your muse very interesting. In all three of my books I have used the alter ego (inner self) with my main characters. In my first book, Saving Gracie, she was referred to as Grace #2, then simply #2. I've hit a pattern here with these "people" and have developed them into their own personalities. Sometimes they're supportive but for the most part they're pretty sarcastic, but with a touch of humor. Guess I could say the same about my own:)
    Interesting post:)

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    1. Thankee...I too inject my alter ego into my stories from time to time, but mostly, she helps me explain/elaborate on what I need to do and what I should do with my writing. I find it very refreshing to use her on my blog as I think in a perverse way, people like it when a man gets hoisted by his own petard from time to time.

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  6. I am back but I can see its going to take me awhile to get caught up here and understand what all is going on. Can't wait!

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Take 2 (just saw your post after I'd written my first reply).

      Welcome back!

      In a nutshell, I celebrated my 50th b'day by throwing a cookout that not everyone who was invited came too; showed everyone what I actually looked like with a selfie that was taken by my daughter; released the e-book version of my novella "A Taste Of Pain" in late May; and released a print version of the same about a week ago.

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  7. You know, I've never really thought about the muse - maybe I don't have one yet?

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    1. I think it's something that one doesn't acquire, but merely develops/evolves over the years. If ya got, ya got. If not, no big thing. :D

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