In the writing business
(and it is definitely a business),
there’s a myth about muses,
about inspiration,
about passion.
The myth is…
the muse shows up
on her own.
She fills a writer with inspiration,
with story and character ideas,
with magic.
The reality is…
professional writers hunt
that b*tch down.
Professional writers
create their own magic.
They find the passion
in their current projects.
Often this is d*mn difficult
to do,
especially 50,000 words into
a very messy first draft.
One ‘trick’ is focusing on
the small bits
that we love about the writing project.
It could be as small
as the heroine’s first name.
When we focus on this passion,
it spreads.
We love the heroine’s first name.
Then we love the five words of dialogue
preceding her name.
The love expands
until we love most of the project.
Some days,
you, as an entrepreneur,
as a business builder,
will have to chase down the passion
also.
You’ll have to hunt
for the excitement
and then hold onto it
with both hands.
Passion doesn’t magically appear.
It comes from YOU.
YOU bring it into being.