Standing Tall Despite Change

When I was growing up, in the early 80's, a group of neighborhood kids and I would ride our bikes from our homes in town out to Point Beach State Forest which was over 10 miles away. We would spend the day hiking, biking, swimming, and laying on the sandy beach planning our next great adventure. We would often take different routes just to keep things interesting. There was one particular route I loved because right smack dab in the middle of a farm field stood a majestic tree. I would ask my friends if we could take a rest and we would sit in the shade of her branches with our backs resting against her strong trunk. I would ask "why do you think they cleared all the rest of this land but let this tree stay?". We had our theories but never really knew for sure. We guessed that the large tree was very old and she likely held many secrets.

Fast forward to today. I still enjoy riding my bike although I don't think I'd be able to bike 20 miles round trip with much energy for swimming or other shenanigans and I now prefer a swimming pool to sand in my swim bottoms, but I still get a little curious when I see a lone tree in a farm field. Lucky for me, I have my very own farmer who I thought might hold the answer to my very old question.

Mark: "Why are you taking pictures of that tree?"

Me: "She sure is beautiful, isn't she?"

Mark: "Umm....ok....but it might be easier to work the field if  the tree wasn't right in the center."

Me: "Why is it there anyway? I've always wondered that."

Mark: "I think in most cases, there were 2 smaller fields or a small field and a pasture separated by some sort of fence line. As farms got bigger and needed more land, they combined the areas to work them with large machines. They probably removed lots of the smaller trees and posts, but sometimes it's more hassle to remove a large tree, so they leave it."

Me: "Well,  I really think it must be wonderful to be that tree. She probably has lots of secrets and I think we should have our lunch right there once she has all her leaves."

Mark: "You're pretty cute."

Now I have my answer and I'm pretty blessed to have a patient husband who answers all of my questions and listens to my ramblings. I imagine that tree, once surrounded by other trees, maybe cattle grazing beneath her limbs. I imagine her watching as all the other trees and posts were removed. Speculating about the animals leaving and being replaced with loud machinery uprooting the land. That tree, like so many like her became alone in the middle of something she didn't understand. The landscape changed, but her roots remained strongly planted in the soil. The seasons continued to come and go. Unlike the animals and other trees she spent time with each day, the machinery wasn't a constant. She sees the loud machines a few times throughout the year and they don't get too close. It's a drastic change from the daily back scratching the cows would do against her bark.

She is alone, yet she isn't lonely. The sun shines. The wind blows. The birds chirp. The farmer
occasionally rests his weary back against her trunk while sipping his coffee and eating his sandwich. She doesn't really fit in with the cornstalks and alfalfa the farmer grows on alternating years, yet the rustling of the stalks and quiet whispers of the stems are music to her ears. Life has changed and she has changed, yet she still stands tall and proud ready for whatever change may come and ready for whatever secrets someone wants to share.

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I'll let you draw your own conclusions about why I feel this tree is so important right now and why I feel so kindred to her.

Are there any elements of nature that inspire you? 
How are you doing with your writing goals right now? 
What about reading? 
What's a great book you've read recently that you think everyone should read?

Leave a comment on this post - we love hearing from YOU!!

and now...a little more about me...

Crystal is the office manager, council secretary, financial secretary, and musician at her church, birth mother, Auntie, babywearing mama, business owner, active journaler, writer and blogger, Blog Tour Manager with WOW! Women on Writing, Press Corp teammate for the DairyGirl Network, Unicorn Mom Ambassador, as well as a dairy farmer. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and their five youngest children, two dogs, four little piggies, a handful of cats and kittens, horses Darlin' and Joker, pony Miss Maggie May, and over 250 Holsteins.

You can find Crystal milking cows, riding horses, and riding unicorns (not at the same time), taking the ordinary and giving it a little extra (making it extraordinary), blogging and reviewing books here, and at her own blog - Crystal is dedicated to turning life's lemons into lemonade and she has never (not once) been accused of being normal!

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4 comments crystal casavant, crystal otto, farm thoughts, Inspiration, muse, nature elements, point beach, state forest

Friday Speak Out!: The Relationship of Writing: Mad Dash or Life-Long?

by Amanda Russell

When I think about the writing process and how creativity works for me, I cannot separate it from a regular practice.

I used to write a lot during my teen years and in college- those times when everyday life is intensified by complex ideas like who am I, what do I believe/think, where am I headed and the ever-present how do I get there?

As time progressed, I found that my muse was not ever-ready in the wings. It seemed that my existential searching was part of her fuel. So, I began to look for her, to wonder if she’d ever return. Then, I found her. Where? In practice.

My Writing Experiment

Several years ago, I was put to a challenge by a spiritual father of mine to make writing my rule. He had patiently listened to what I loved about writing, what I wanted to convey about the human experience and how. When he asked me what my practice was like, I was stumped. I did not have one! Then he put me to a challenge: write every day. Make writing your practice.

In searching for how to do this, I came across Natalie Goldberg’s book Writing Down the Bones. The author was attending sit meditation and inquiring about Zen Buddhism. “Why do you come to sit meditation?” her Roshi asked, “Why don’t you make writing your practice? If you go deep enough in writing, it will take you everyplace.”

In that book, I found the guidelines for what I now call my Writing Experiment. I set out to write every day following the rules for writing what Goldberg calls “First Thoughts”: In order to do this timed exercise all you need to remember is to keep your hand moving constantly, no crossing out or editing, no worrying about spelling or grammar, let go of the control, do not allow logic to get in the way, and go deep without fear or judgement. According to Goldberg, first thoughts allow a writer to “capture the oddities of your mind” and “explore the rugged edge of thought.” Yes please!

I began to do the timed exercise daily and found that the muse came back. But I was building a life-long relationship with her instead of the hot mad-dash that results from inconsistency. This practice filled many notebooks, and I began to realize that I was doing a lot of personal work in my writing, moving through times of uncertainty and processing all kinds of ideas and experiences from joy to grief. My forthcoming poetry chapbook, Barren Years, is a product of this experiment.

The other day my four year old son asked me, “Are you a fill-in?” I puzzled him back by answering, “No, Love, I’m a full-time.” Whatever he meant by that question, I may never exactly know, but it surfaces again and again in life as an invitation to show up and be present, to practice.

* * *

Amanda Russell is a poet living in New York with her husband and two children. When she is not busy with her family, she enjoys reading the work of Rainer Maria Rilke, Mary Oliver and Stanley Kunitz, spending time connecting with friends, gardening, writing, sewing and other creative endeavors. BARREN YEARS, her debut poetry collection, will be published by Finishing Line Press in June 2019.
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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
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8 comments Amanda Russell, Friday Speak Out, muse, natalie goldberg, writing experiment, writing practice

Friday Speak Out!: Living with a Sadistic Muse

by P.R. Gutierrez

I’m probably one of the rare writers who have a name for the inhuman voice in their head known as The Muse. I call her Lydia, after one of my scrapped pennames back when I thought writing would just be a hobby. She prefers Mistress, for reasons. She imagines herself as an embodiment of the painting with Aphrodite standing in an open shell, skin softer than silk and hair billowing in the breeze as other deities clothed her in flowers. I see her as a siren clothed in the night sky, stars sparkling like diamonds around her curving hips and elegant neck, eyes like burning embers with a grin like a predator stalking its prey as her talon-like nails cut open my skin as wine-colored blood flows onto the pages of my notebook or the keys of my laptop.

Working with her for all these years has created a complicated relationship. Sure, she would keep me from boredom during class with tales that would develop into short stories or the beginning of novels I wouldn’t finish, although there were moments when I’d miss something important since she would let out one of countless plot-bunnies that would hop around in my head at random points in the day. This unfortunately didn’t stop during college, the years when lectures held precious gems of information that could be on the next exam, or as the moment when I would hold my degree in my hand, valuable subjects for future essays or short story assignments.

If you could ask her she’d say I try to starve her by withholding fun whereas I’ll say she’s the one withholding inspiration when I’m working on either a book review or a story I’ve been writing for a literary magazine out of financial desperation. There are no shouting matches between us where glass decorates the floor like glitter. It’s more like silence that would often last for days, even months if we’re both particularly huffy. I recall moments when she’s wrapped my wrists in my insecurities for several hours, letting its venom sink into my bloodstream. She’d whisper in my ear, voice honeyed velvet, that this is for my own good as she ties a scarf around my mouth, leaving me wondering where she found it.

Most of the time she’s hiding somewhere, traveling to places I can only dream of going until she comes back. I ask her where she’s been but she smiles her cruel smile before locking the door behind her.

There are still moments when she’s gentle, sweeter than any chocolate I’ve ever tasted. She’ll embrace me with all the warmth of a cozy blanket in winter. She’ll whisper soft words of encouragement and motivation as the pen or pencil in my fingers runs across the page. Perhaps there’s a reason she hasn’t left me yet, or perhaps she enjoys tormenting me too much.

Either way, I miss her when she’s gone, and love when she's home.

* * *
P.R. Gutierrez is an avid book and coffee lover who blogs about both. When she’s not reading she’s crafting boxes with her thrift store and yard sale finds. She’s also a writer of short stories, poems, and novels from fantasy, mystery, suspense, and horror. She tries her best to write every day, but her house panther prefers stealing her attention and her pencils. Find her at https://randombooksandcoffee.wordpress.com/ ~ https://www.tumblr.com/blog/ravenshymn ~ https://twitter.com/LadyofEclipse and https://www.etsy.com/shop/LadyEclipseCrafts

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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
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1 comment Friday Speak Out, muse, P.R. Gutierrez

Friday Speak Out!: Tuning in to Good Writing

by Carie Juettner

Sometimes writing feels like magic. Most of us have experienced it at one time or another. Some people call it “being in the zone.” Other people label it “muse.” Whatever name it goes by, there are moments when the writing flows from our fingers with ease and fluidity. Moments when it seems as if the words were already there on the screen before we even had a chance to think them. Moments when we read what we’ve written and say to ourselves, “That’s good. Where did it come from?” If you’re lucky enough to have experienced one of these magic moments, then, chances are, you’ve spent a LOT of time since trying to recreate it. (If you’ve been successful, please send me an email with your magic recipe.) While I’m still not able to conjure such carefree creativity at my whim, I’ve learned a few tricks to help me get there, and one of them is music.

Writers have different opinions about what makes good background noise for putting words on paper. Some prefer lively coffee shop conversation while others need absolute silence. And when it comes to music listeners, I’ve heard of everything from classical to thrash rock.

I used to make specific playlists for my larger projects. My middle grade novel about a geeky gamer included “Pinball Wizard” by The Who and “Hero” by Family of the Year on its playlist, while my comedy-fantasy novel set in Hell had more Band of Heathens and Hank Williams. (It made sense, trust me.) While themed soundtracks are fun and sometimes do inspire me, they’re also prone to steal my attention away from the task at hand. A slow song switches to a fast one or something easy to sing to comes on and before I know it I’m Googling lyrics or checking Facebook while humming along. Plus, creating those playlists is a really fun method of procrastination.

Eventually, I figured out what I need is music that fits any genre—something that inspires me without distracting me. And I found it: yoga music.

I used to take kundalini yoga classes, and I loved the musical mantras that played while I breathed and meditated. Unfortunately, I rarely make it to yoga anymore, but I can still tune into the kundalini mindset by listening to the music at home, and that mindset works well for writing too. While the songs are different, they all have a similar cadence and tone so that transitions aren’t jarring, and the beat is both energetic and soothing. These days, when I find myself fidgeting in my desk chair and wanting to run away from my work-in-progress, I turn on my yoga playlist, take a deep cleansing breath, and get one step closer to that magical writing moment that I seek. And, as a bonus, the mantra always puts my dog right to sleep.

Here are some of my favorite yoga songs:
* In the Light of My Soul – GuruGanesha Singh
* Adi Shakti – GuruGanesha Singh
* Sat Nam Wahe Guru – Singh Kaur & Kim Robertson
* Bountiful, Blissful, Beautiful – Bachan Kaur
* Pavan Pavan – Guru Shabad Singh

What do you listen to while you write?

* * *

Carie Juettner is a poet, short story author, and novelist in Austin, TX. Her work has been published in Nature Futures, The Texas Observer, and The Texas Poetry Calendar, among other places, and she has a story forthcoming in Ember: A Journal of Luminous Things. In addition to writing, Carie substitute teaches, shelves library books, and speaks to students about poetry. Follow Carie's blog at cariejuettner.com. 
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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
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5 comments Carie Juettner, flow, Friday Speak Out, muse, songs, writing and music

Finding a Muse While You Snooze?

What stories do you think they're writing in their dreams?

I hope you find the title as amusing as I do. Maybe it’s my sleep deprived self or the countless Dr. Seuss books I am asked to read each day, but I wanted to talk about where inspiration comes from, and this title just seemed too cute to pass up.

I am blessed with a job allowing me to interview, chat with, and get to know many talented writers. One of those writers is Mari McCarthy of Create Write Now. Mari recently asked me how my own writing is going. I was ashamed to tell her I haven’t been making time. With four young children and a business, I am just thankful to sleep most days. After responding to Mari, I told my husband “I need to make more time to write” and he pointed out I haven’t been journaling either. Some of my best short story ideas came as a result of journaling. When diligent about it, I would write in my journal before even hopping out of bed in the morning. I would try to recall my dreams and get them down on paper before they slipped away and I got busy with the day.

As my current husband and I chatted about time management and how busy things have been, he turned to me with a smirk and said “you haven’t killed your ex-husband lately either, I’m sure he misses reading those stories”. So, before I ask you to share your best dream inspired stories, or tell us where your story lines come from, I’ll share a cute story about how my dreams killed my ex.

I woke up quite disturbed and before drinking my coffee, I had to text Ben (my ex who is still a friend). I had a dream he had died and I was summoned by customs to leave the country and identify his body. The dream was so incredibly real I just had to know if he was okay. He responded to my text with a phone call; we laughed and I told him the entirety of the dream. He encouraged me to turn it into a short story on my blog…which I did…readers loved it, and we still get a good laugh about the situation.

This leads me to ask the question:

Where does your inspiration come from?

Photo Courtesy of Olivia Brey of Oh! Photography

Crystal is a church musician, business owner, active journaler, writer and blogger as well as a dairy farmer. She lives in Reedsville, Wisconsin with her husband, four young children (Carmen 8, Andre 7, Breccan 20 months, and Delphine 12 weeks), two dogs, two rabbits, four little piggies, and over 200 Holsteins. You can find Crystal blogging and reviewing books and all sorts of other stuff at: http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

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3 comments author, dream, dream journal, ideas, Inspiration, inspirational dream, inspire, journal, muse, Writers, writing

Aloha Writers Retreat: Tap Into Your Naturally Creative Soul

What could be better than spending a week relaxing and writing at the beach with other like-minded writers? Doing it in Hawaii! That's what writers and workshop leaders, Dawne Knobbe and Svette Bykovec, are offering writers this fall (November 7th through 14th). As their website states, come to the Aloha Writers Retreat and "join us . . .for a unique journey into your creative soul."

Dawne is the author of Runaway Storm, a young adult novel, and is very involved with SCBWI-LA. You can find out more about Dawne below as she talks to us about the Hawaii retreat, or you can visit her website. Svett is an award-winning author and illustrator; her books (writer/illustrator) include See Into the Sea and Crazy Crustaceans. Her website is MoonDog Manuscripts.

Read on to see what you will do in Hawaii, what the price includes, and special discounts for WOW! readers and/or if you are willing to have a roommate.

Dawne & Svett

WOW: Hi Dawne, thank you for being with us today to discuss the Aloha Writers Retreat. Please start by telling us how this wonderful retreat began.

Dawne: For many years, Svett Bycovec and I organized two writers' retreats in California. One year we would hold Critiquemania, which was a very fast-paced, intense 3-day retreat; then the next year, we would organize Sense and Sensibility, which was more about the creative process and nurturing your inner muse. When Svett moved back to Australia, we started thinking about doing something that would combine the two, and the idea for the Aloha Writers retreat was born. There is something so magical about Hawaii that we couldn’t think of a better location to inspire writers.

WOW: Yes, that is so true! I'm sure Hawaii would inspire me. Who should attend this workshop? Are there any specifications for certain writers, genres, etc?

Dawne: This retreat is for writers of all genres. It is geared towards people who are actively working on writing projects but beginners are welcome. Writing is a creative process, whether you are writing fiction, non-fiction, or for children or adults. I personally have a background in many genres, so I hope to help people explore different genres.

WOW: Great! What can attendees expect during their seven days in Hawaii at your retreat?

Dawne: It will be a week of healing and nurturing the writer within you. We will work through stumbling blocks in your creative process and specific issues in your stories. We will critique each others work supportively and participate in different exercises designed to inspire our muses. Attendees will come away with new friends, the inspiration to move forward with their writing, and new methods to help achieve their goals. We will also have a lot of fun exploring the island culture and relaxing in this tropical paradise.

WOW: That sounds wonderful. What all is included in the price for the attendees? Who leads the retreat?

Dawne: The price of the retreat includes 7 nights of accommodations. 

Breakfast and dinner daily, plus some lunches and lots of snacks. 

If you have uncomplicated special dietary considerations, we are happy to work with you. Otherwise, we have an open kitchen policy, and you are welcome to prepare your own dishes.

 Besides food and lodging, the price all program fees include: materials including entrance fees on planned excursions

, transportation (with some limitations), 
daily “writing fun-shops” 

inspiration and exercises with faculty, plus one-on-one editing and group critiques. There are also

 specialty supplies and surprises.

 So there's time to relax, reflect, write and enjoy beautiful Hawaii. If you mention WOW, we will extend our early bird discount rate of $2269.00 (which is a savings of $300).

WOW: This sounds so amazing! Thank you for all the details. What else do WOW! readers and writers need to know about the Aloha Writers Retreat?

Dawne: Svett is a published writer, illustrator, and art therapist. I have a master's degree in professional writing and have made my living as a journalist, creative director, writer, and publisher. We run a non-profit press called The Nature Kid, which is all about teaching children about conservation in a fun and wacky way.

And here is some really good news for WOW readers. We have a special early bird discount ($300) and also a roommate discount ($200). We will extend the discount rate for all WOW! participants past the posted deadline.

WOW: Thanks, Dawne, for all the information. It sounds fantastic! 

Okay, Muffin readers, to sign up for this amazing experience, please go to Hawaii Retreat 2014 website by clicking here.

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Leave a Comment Aloha Writers Retreat, Dawne Knobbe, get inspired, Hawaii, muse, writing retreat

Friday Speak Out!: Writing Exercises to Feed a Starving Muse (and Book Giveaway!)

by Jessica Bell

I don’t believe in writer’s block. Well, not entirely. I do believe that we run out of ideas or inspiration on occasion, but I honestly think that’s a result of a starving muse.

What do I mean by “starving muse”?

Sometimes, when you are working on one particular manuscript, your brain becomes lazy or trained to think a certain way. It slips into the routines and personalities of what you believe your characters to be, and creates, what I like to call, an inspiration shield. This means that you could be cutting yourself off from new creative stimulation that could improve your work, and help grow new ideas.

If you think you have a starving muse, here are a three writing exercises that might provide it with some nutrients.

Exercise One

Think about the person you are in love with. If you are not in love with anyone, think of someone you love unconditionally, such as a parent, sibling, child, or pet. Write a scene between you and this person that illustrates the extent of your love through action. You must not use the word love at all, any synonyms of love, or any declaration of your feelings. The reader must see that you love this person from the way you behave. Avoid clichés such as cheek stroking, and looking longingly into one’s eyes. Use at least one simile/metaphor in your scene that relates to smell. Use 1st person, past tense. Write no more than 1000 words.

Exercise Two

Write a one-page memoir from the point of view of an inanimate object. Don’t think about it too long. Just choose the first object that comes to mind. Think about its function. Does it need another object, or a living being, in order to efficiently serve its purpose? If so, what kind of relationship would this object have with this other object/living being, and how would that relationship shape the object’s life? Try to avoid giving the object supernatural abilities. Be as realistic with it as possible, but be sure to give it a “voice.”

Exercise Three

Step one: Grab a newspaper (or your iPad!) and open to a random page. Read the first headline that catches your eye. Write it down. Do not read the article.

Step two: Write a fictional article with the same headline. If you know the real story from the news, choose another one. If you know every single story that has been in the news lately, make up your own headline.

Step three: Use the people mentioned in your article, and the things that happened to them, or the events they are associated with, to write a short story or vignette. Try to “show” as much as possible.

Have random writing exercises ever helped you overcome the elusive writer’s block? If so, how? If not, why do you think that is?

***** BOOK GIVEAWAY*****

Jessica is excited to give away a free copy of her writing skills book, Writing in a Nutshell: Writing Workshops to Improve Your Craft to one lucky winner! Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below and leave a comment for a chance to win. Open internationally. Winner is chosen randomly and announced within the widget on March 21.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* * *

Jessica Bell, a thirty-something Australian-native contemporary fiction author, poet and singer/songwriter/ guitarist, is a the Publishing Editor of Vine Leaves Literary Journal and the director of the Homeric Writers’ Retreat & Workshop on the Greek island of Ithaca. She makes a living as a writer/editor for English Language Teaching Publishers worldwide, such as Pearson Education, HarperCollins, MacMillan Education, Education First and Cengage Learning.

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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!

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12 comments book giveaway, Friday Speak Out, Jessica Bell, muse, overcoming writers block, writing exercises

Friday Speak Out!: Seducing the Muse, Guest Post by Cassandra Key

When I sat down to write this, I didn’t feel inspired to write, much less think of what to write. But you know the power of just doing it. Inspiration has a way of finding us when we show up. Even if we show up in pajamas and last night’s makeup, it can’t resist the seduction of determination.

The muse, inspiration, whatever you want to call it likes to be asked out on dates. It likes routine. It likes to meet you at 7 a.m. for coffee or 10 p.m. for a late night snack. Sometimes it’s less formal and shows up randomly, but you can’t wait around for that. You can’t perch on the street corner and expect it to make its way around. No, you have to ask it out, give it a time and place and show up with pen and paper in hand.

Take this article for example--I had no idea what to write about and knew inspiration wasn’t going to make a sneak attack into my mind, so I called it up, told it to meet me after lunch in the hammock and we’d talk writing. Guess what? It showed up as soon as I put ink on the first line.

Sometimes it doesn’t happen so quickly. Sometimes inspiration is late, like three pages late and the ideas and words seem a bit stale, but it shows up all the same. It always gives us something to work with, and the longer we stay with it, the more it gives. The better it gives.

So next time you’re feeling a bit lonely and inspiration hasn’t showed up for a few days, don’t sulk and wait for the call. Do the calling yourself! Take charge of that muse, pick up the “phone” and ask it out for jasmine tea or lunch in the park. Wear your favorite lipstick if you like, but it won’t matter too much. Once inspiration sees you there, wielding the pen like a magic wand, it will join you and the magic will begin.

* * *

Cassandra Key is a blogger babe, soul writer, fairy changeling rebel girl and creator of The Sacred Middle, a blog dedicated to the magic of the present moment. She currently resides in the Philippines as an American ex-pat and gets to live her dream of writing and being a total beach bum. Join her for coffee and conversation at The Sacred Middle.

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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!

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4 comments Cassandra Key, Friday Speak Out, Inspiration, muse

The Music Muse

by LuAnn Schindler

When I write, I like to listen to music. OK, I usually enjoy listening while I write. Other times, like when I'm on a tight deadline, I prefer the peace and quiet of our farm. Sure, there's the occasional 'MOO'........

Seriously, music ignites my writing muse. My musical choices vary as much as my writing topics. Some days, 80s and 90s rock blares, keeping my energy focused on the page. On Saturday mornings, I need the Kings of Leon and The Fray to jumpstart my morning pages. If I'm working on a creative endeavor, such as poetry or flash fiction, slow tunes by Sara Barilles, Howie Day or Tim McGraw or classical pieces like Moonlight Sonata help me keep an even writing pace.

And some days, I let iTunes decide what's up next.

The rhythm and words formulate the emotional connection between musical rhythm and written word.

It works for me, but does it work for all writers? What artists, music genres or songs keep you connected to your writing muse?

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1 comment LuAnn Schindler, muse, writing and music

Friday Speak Out: "A Walk in the Park," Guest Post by Julie Bloss Kelsey

A Walk in the Park

by Julie Bloss Kelsey

“What is it?” she snaps. Impeccably dressed in a three-tiered suit, she looks like a walking wedding cake. Make that an angry walking wedding cake. I try not to laugh.

“We need to talk,” I say. “About your writing.”

At this, she pauses and absently picks invisible lint from her suit. “I don’t write. Not any more.” She picks up her pace.

"Yes, you do,” I say. I block her path. “Remember last night? You described the riders on the subway in that letter to your mother.”

She smiles. With her stride broken, I tug at her shoulder pad and point at the closest park bench. “Sit!”

She dutifully sits, but her legs soon lace tight. She crosses her arms. “I should get back to work,” she hisses in my direction.

“The work will wait,” I remind her. I use the same gentle tone of voice that I used the day before, and the day before that. “Stay with me awhile,” I whisper. “You’ll have fun.”

For a moment, I have her. She starts to point at the swaying leaves. Look at that! I think she’s going for the notebook!

She murmurs under her breath, “Look at that!”

But then she withdraws her hand. Into her pocket it goes. Out pops the day planner.

I hate that thing. This one is a tiny version of the monster that occupies her desk at work. Her office is a disaster: so much paperwork overflowing with writing, but none of it really matters. I wish I could convince her of that.

She is busy finding just the right tab in the day planner. “Accounts payable meeting at 2 pm.” She checks her watch. “I have to go.”

I grab at her sleeve, but I am no match for her when she’s like this.

“Look at the trees!” I shout at her retreating back. A passerby stares in my direction. I try again, focusing more intently on her. “Look at the trees. Don’t the leaves look like giant eyeballs?”

She stops mid-stride and casts a glance back at the park bench, wearing a curious smile. She checks her watch again. “Maybe there’s time,” she murmurs.

I heave a sigh of relief as she sits down, puts the planner away, and pulls out a ragged notebook and a ball-point pen.

“Now, where were we?” she asks.

I snuggle close. “We were looking at the eyeballs in the trees.” The aspens quake as if on cue.

She holds the pen over paper, so close that I can almost move the nib. My hand hovers over hers.

Curious trees
tap on my shoulder
gaze at my heart
watch my every move
remind me of what’s important.

We sit next to each other on the park bench for a long time, not talking, not writing, just enjoying each other’s company: a girl and her muse.


When not chasing after her three kids, Julie Bloss Kelsey enjoys writing poetry, creative nonfiction, magazine articles, and stories for children. Her work has appeared online at Absolute Write, FundsforWriters, and Writing-World.com. Visit her on the web at Mama Joules (http://www.mamajoules.blogspot.com), her family-friendly science blog.
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Do you want to reach WOW’s audience? We welcome short posts (500 words or less) from writers just like you! You can include your bio, pic, and links to your website/blog for promotion. Our only requirement is that your post be about women and writing. Send your Friday “Speak Out!” post to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration.


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3 comments Friday Speak Out, Julie Bloss Kelsey, muse, poetry, writer inspiration