Creative friends and clients often complain that getting connected to their Muses and staying connected is an ongoing challenge, especially when in the middle of a book or project.
But once in a while, a client has a Muse who is a Chatty Cathy. Chatty Cathy, a doll that was manufactured from 1959 to 1965 by the Mattel toy company, talked to you if you pulled the ring in her back. She’d say adorable things like “I love you,” or “May I have a cookie?” or “Let’s play.”
Little girls loved having a doll who could finally talk to them…all the time. Parents, who wanted a little peace and quiet, probably wanted to snip off the ring or hide the doll after several days of listening to “I love you,” in its too-sweet voice. Eventually, being excessively talkative became synonymous with the doll.
In the creative process, we long to hear the voice of the Muse. The idea of taking dictation for a book, of following direction to paint the perfect masterpiece, or of hearing the perfect notes sung for that chart-busting song is irresistible. Creativity without so much of the guesswork and the investment of mental and emotional sweat and blood is enticing.
Until the Muse shows up to grant us our wish and then won’t stop talking and chattering at us, like an excited little girl who’s had too much ice cream and cake.
Recently, I had the opportunity to do an oracle reading for a woman, an artist and writer, who wanted to look at the next steps for her business. After some new insights and direction from the oracles, her mastermind colleagues provided further insights and brainstorming. All of which made space for connection with her Muse, who hasn’t stopped talking since, and is rattling off ideas so quickly that the artist can barely get them written down.
If your Muse turns into a Chatty Cathy, here are some ways to take advantage of it while keeping your sanity:
- Record it all. If you can’t write the ideas down fast enough, then use a voice recorder on your cell phone or computer. Date the idea, give a brief description of it, and note several of the important points.
- Organize the ideas. When the Muse pauses to take a sip of the delicious tea you’ve prepared just for her, then is the time to prioritize and organize those ideas so that you can focus on the most important ones and easily locate the others when you are ready. You may want to keep colorful manila folders for each, throwing in photos, clippings, quotations, and other things related to that idea as you come across them. Or you may prefer to use a software program like Evernote to keep those ideas in line.
- Get physical. Sometimes, your Muse just needs to go for a walk in order to ground all that creative energy. Walking, swimming, biking, dancing. Do something that gets the blood and the oxygen moving. Good for the brain and the heart.
- Say thank you. Appreciation is an important part of the giving cycle. Even if you are feeling a little overwhelmed and bleary-eyed after a creative download, be sure to express to your Muse how much you appreciate her presence and her gifts. Then she won’t hesitate to visit again.
And remember, if a few ideas slip past you, don’t panic. Your Muse, if valued as a beloved guest, is sure to bring you more ideas. Creativity, when nurtured, is endless.
Just think twice before you pull the ring on her back.