Mariachi Muse
No, there is not an actual mariachi band playing in the background of this desk. But this IS the desk of Mary Castillo, author of In Between Men, and the Chica Lit blog (see to the right, link to her blog). This is what she wrote me about her writing world/desk:
Right now I'm writing about mariachi and so I alternate between my Mariachi Mujer 2000 CD or the soundtrack to Kill Bill, vol. I. The storyteller idol has been with me since February 1994 when I decided to become a writer. I found her in a tourist shop in Sedona, Arizona and she's been making sure I stay in the seat while writing. But even more important, she reminds me of the magic that happens when we tell stories. There is magic for the teller and the receiver.
My desk is also my safe space. When I sit down with my cup of tea, I tell myself that this is the place where no criticism or praise can touch me. This is where I can play with every thought, idea or character who shows up.
You know, I think the universal thing I am discovering is we writers want a "safe" spot to create. And how wonderful that we can do that. Whether needing a minimalist desk, like Jude posted the first day I wrote about the space where I create, or a clutter-filled, sentimental, momento-insane universe like mine, or one with mariachis . . . we seek to have a space where whatever speaks to us, whatever muse, will come.
What specific things make your desk world "safe" for the muse? Do you court your muse in some sort of superstitious way (even if partially in jest)? For some reason, I am finding a high degree of quirk factor here. We all seem to have little touchstones and things to "help" us create. Storytelling idols. Michele Hauf had . . . I'll have to go look at her original email to me . . . but some sort of stone or crystal to chase away confusion. I have enough Buddhas for a temple.
All right, a little impromptu contest. For one week. My vote is the one that counts (it's my blog after all), but the person who writes in with the QURIKIEST way they court their muse will win a signed copy of Trace of Innocence. Let the quirks begin.
You know, I think the universal thing I am discovering is we writers want a "safe" spot to create. And how wonderful that we can do that. Whether needing a minimalist desk, like Jude posted the first day I wrote about the space where I create, or a clutter-filled, sentimental, momento-insane universe like mine, or one with mariachis . . . we seek to have a space where whatever speaks to us, whatever muse, will come.
What specific things make your desk world "safe" for the muse? Do you court your muse in some sort of superstitious way (even if partially in jest)? For some reason, I am finding a high degree of quirk factor here. We all seem to have little touchstones and things to "help" us create. Storytelling idols. Michele Hauf had . . . I'll have to go look at her original email to me . . . but some sort of stone or crystal to chase away confusion. I have enough Buddhas for a temple.
All right, a little impromptu contest. For one week. My vote is the one that counts (it's my blog after all), but the person who writes in with the QURIKIEST way they court their muse will win a signed copy of Trace of Innocence. Let the quirks begin.
posted by Erica Orloff at 10:49 AM
14 Comments:
Everyone's space seems similar. I plan to put hard wood floors in my office and a inspiring color on the walls.
I've noticed that some writers have pyramids, crystals and other inspiring items on their desks. It's so cool.
Hi Lisa:
I actually once wrote a nonfiction article on color pscyhology and inspiration a few years back. It's been a while, but they say yellow is a really good one for an office.
E
I like yellow. I have a collection of fairies, wizards and witches around my desk. Not to mention all the crystals and my broom (Wiccan).
I enjoy my space and plan to spend more time there.
I tried to court my muse one time. I asked her if she would like to dance, and she said, "Wrong verb."
My muse rebukes courtship. She flies in when she wants to, stays long enough for a quickie, a shot of Mezcal and a Pall Mall, and then she's gone.
Oh, yeah. She flies a jet, and the intake suction from her engine is powerful enough to suck up loose material lying on the runway (the runway, in this case, being my desk). In the avialtion world, this material (rocks, paper clips, bottle caps, small woodland animals) is commonly referred to as FOD, an acronym for Foreign Object Damage.
I try to keep the FOD to a minimum.
I guess you could call that a quirk.
Jude:
Love it! I had a nice laugh, sitting here post-sake from my fave Japanese place. :-)
I used to wear a "lucky bathrobe" that belonged to my beloved grandfather, but the shoulder ripped and I am afraid of doing more damage to it and need to have it properly repaired.
In terms of quirk, I do light candles . . . and I have come to accept the vagaries of the muse. If I know I don't have "it" today, whatever "it" is, I don't force it and figure it will return soon. And knowing that when I am in the zone I can nail 20 pages at a clip, I don't freak out about it either.
Woodland animals . . . Cute, Jude. Maybe my python ATE my muse!
E
Lisa:
My youngest daughter has discoverd the realm of "spell casting" and Wiccan. A teacher told her it was the devil and she came home upset. She's all of 8 and INCREDIBLY creative--her short stories blow me away. I told her that was nonsense, and she should embrace fully her creative "spell casting" side. So today, she mixed some very strange sort of potion. If I turn into a toad, you all know why.
Actually, I embrace her uniqueness!!
E
"Maybe my python ATE my muse!"
I have a character named Katie who could help you find out.
Funny about your daughter, Erica!
I'm not a writer so there is nothing safe about my desk and the only thing I create is a negative balance in my checking account. It's loaded with papers and bills to pay. I spend the least amount of time there as I can. haha!
Kim:
That negative checkbook balance thing . . . oh do I relate! I am VERY bad with numbers and I drive my accountant nuts. I am the type at the end of the year, who has an immense box of receipts, not organized. And when I balance my checkbook, she sees notations like: "Balanced 4/20, Bank says there's an extra $400 in here, I can't figure out how." Then, two days later, it will say, "Bank says I have $52 less than I think I have. I don't know what I did wrong."
Obviously two different sides of the brain at work. :-)
E
Erica:
My daughter too has dicided to be Wiccan but it's my family that tells her that she and I are evil and that we are going to Hell.
She says that they don't know what they are talking about. She writes songs and short stories. It sounds like your daughter has herself together. You should be proud.
Hi Lisa:
You know, maybe it's the creative spirit, but I think writers, artists, etc. tend to embrace differentness, and I just feel children should be allowed to explore all sorts of fantasy worlds and so on, rather than crushing that spirit out of them.
E
I don't know if it's quirky, but my muse always appears when I'm driving alone. She goes by different names and has different personas, and this week, she's going as a gigantic white German woman named "Matilda The Hairy." So I guess when I want my muse to appear, I have to go driving. The ironic thing is I HATE TO DRIVE! If I ever win the lotto, the first thing I'm doing is hiring a driver to ferry me around in my 1998 Toyota Sienna minivan. I kid you not.
Okay, Erica and Mary, now I'm jonesin' for a desk. I write in bed. It *is* where the magic happens, after all...
Does that count as a muse courting quirk?
;) d
PS Erica, as soon as I get a desk, I'll send a pic in. I'm loving these posts.
my muse ran away from home
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