What Do You Need in Order to Write?

What do you need in order to write?

Do you need to be inspired? Would a grand vista just outside of your home make you a better writer? What would you write if you could look outside and see the waves crashing along the ragged shore, the very edge of the world? The ultimate springboard! What couldn't you write? Does your muse require this to write?

Sure it'd be wonderful to have and many a writer has been fortunate to have this type of view but speaking as a Muse, Irene E., you really don't need this to be a writer.

Perhaps a pristine or ornate writing desk with proper lighting and while were dreaming, lets add in the views of groomed gardens in the foreground and ocean vistas in the distance, in order to write. LOL

Sure! I'll take that! But add in an Apple Computer, huge screen, and state-of-the-art software, including digital cameras and other office equipment.

Truly, what you need is a few simple writing tools (pen and paper really) and the habit of writing. That's it!

You read advice from writers in magazines, books or papers and their number one question is, "How can I become a writer?" and their pat answer is always,"Write"!

So what are you waiting for? Get to it - Write something. Anything even if its a, "to do" list that includes buying a new home along the coast! Just write it!

Write Here!

Surely there is an inner god or goddess in us all who deserves the luxuries this world has to offer.

Irene and her daughter, Kasmira and I took a tour of this central coast castle's gardens and may I just say, Wow! Oh how we wanted to loose ourselves from the group and play among the grounds, take a dip in the pool, and luxuriate in the spender. Sigh.

Blooms were everywhere, flowers and color supported by statues, and garden structures unavailable to most mortals. Butterflies drifted and flitted in the sun and there was a Kodak opportunity at every rove of the eye.

We took as many pictures as we possibly could and practiced the art of pre-writing under the limited time we had. Fortunately there are many pictures to jog our memories, and research tools available on the web or in books to further assist us in our writing.

The point? Get outside of your normal routines and jostle your muse of course!

Trust Your Muse

Have you connected with your muse? Are you beginning to feel the bond? I am a part of Irene and wouldn't exist without her. We are alike in many ways but sometimes she perceives me as different. I am not held to the same norms as Irene, I am a creative spirit.

I can stretch Irene in ways she doesn't know she is capable. Irene tends to be safe, responsible and somewhat predictable. Like most humans, she tends to resist or avoid changes and is overly concerned about how others perceive her. Like an inner-child, I am her playmate. I encourage her to try new things, explore with enthusiasm outside her comfort zone and be bolder and better like so many of the divas in the Solstice Parade. Irene's always in charge but she also knows the fun in giving in to a playmate.

I don't encourage reckless abandon, however I do endorse living passionately. The divas of the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice exemplified connecting and honoring their spirit.


In particular there was one woman at the Solstice that represented what I'm talking about. She was caught up in the celebration of the solstice. For the majority of the people participating and observing it was a really fun parade. For this woman it was a spiritual celebration, which she gave herself to totally. I could sense this woman and her muse were one at this very moment. Her passion for life was palpable and bigger than her.


Writing, or any other type of artistic expression is a merging of muse and artist. When an artist is in the groove or zone, it feels like an empowered spiritual process. The connection is the driving force that brings the two together time and again. Its addictive but never ever destructive.

When was the last time you let your muse guide and empower you?

Are you starting to understand that play dates are important for more than material or inspirational opportunities? Play dates with your muse are to keep you in touch and provide time to build an honorable relationship between you and your Muse. Do you trust your inner-muse?

See The Big Picture - Write or Create the Details - iPhone 3G can expedite your blog

When Irene and I were at the Santa Barbara Summer Solstice, I noticed how much there is to see. Look at the above image and see how much is going on. This was just a snapshot of an entire parade with close to 1000 participants and 100,000 spectators. That's a lot of possibilities for writing or other artistic expression!

We can break the image down and focus on even more details. Do you see the young girl with the hula hoop and smile? She's not nearly as concerned about the unofficial judges as the lady dancing at her feet. Perhaps she wished for her own live jeanie?

Maybe in real life they are Mother and Daughter? Who knows? As a writer, you can create the story. 

One thing's for sure, there is virtually a never ending supply of characters. This guy, for example is comfortable enough to wear body paints and pastel splotches on the butt of his jeans yet he has such a "manly" colored hula hoop. I didn't even know they made that color. 

Where's this lady in white going? The parade is moving the other direction. Is it possible that she and the guy with the manly hula hoop got in an argument? Is she circling around to cover more ground? Maybe she's backtracking to the nearest bathroom?

I've dubbed this woman the Solstice Queen Bee. She was hilarious. She shows up in several pictures that Irene took because she was actually a spectator sitting right next to us that jumped into the action whenever she was moved. Like me, she really liked drums - and there were a lot of drums! 

All of these details and story possibilities came from just one image Irene took at the Summer Solstice with her cheap camera (one she will be replacing with an iPhone 3G). Using her MacBook Pro and iPhoto, Irene captured memories and material she didn't even know she had... 

Take you muse out often and bring along a camera to jog your memories to further expand your options. A camera phone like the new iPhone is a terrific option. You can snap the picture, write about it and even post it on your blog right from the festivities. See the big picture, pay attention to the details, and record them. 

You and your muse wont be disappointed.