Verse & Vision: Finding Your Muse (Without Losing Your Frikin’ Mind)

Welcome back to Verse & Vision. Ah, the muse. That magical, mysterious force every writer talks about like it’s some secret lover. Some days they are up with fireworks, other days—radio silence. But here’s the thing: waiting around for inspiration to just hit you isn’t the move. Finding your muse is more about setting the stage so that they actually want to show up. Here’s how you can coax your muse out of hiding:

1. Get Quiet So You Can Actually Hear It

Sometimes inspiration whispers, and if your brain’s full of social media scrolls, notifications, and never-ending to-do lists, you won’t hear a thing. Step back. Take a walk in the woods. Chillax by the ocean. Stare out the window with a cup of tea. Or just free-write with no plan. Your muse might be hanging out in that stillness, just waiting for you to notice.

2. Chase What Haunts You

Your muse loves mystery—and they’re usually hanging around those stories or memories you can’t let go of. The weird obsessions. The “what really happened” questions. The stories you keep circling back to in your head.

Ask yourself:

• What story keeps niggling at me?
• What am I trying to make sense of through writing?

That’s probably your muse waving from the back of your mind.

3. Read Stuff That Sets Your Soul on Fire

Read the books that make you feel something—whether it’s goosebumps or tears. Notice the voice, the rhythm, the themes. Chances are, what you love reading is what you’re meant to be writing. Your muse knows the vibe—you just have to remind yourself what it feels like.

4. Create the Mood

Sometimes the story shows up through visuals or music before it ever hits the page. Try this:

• Gather images that match your story’s mood (I’ve done this and literally taped pictures to my wall—it helps!).
• Make a playlist. Creepy tunes for a ghost story? Soft acoustic stuff for a reflective drama? Go with your gut. Music sets the tone before your fingers ever hit the keys.

5. Write Without Expectation

Sketch out a scene, write a bit of dialogue, invent a weird character. No pressure, no plot, no polished sentences. Just… write. Your muse will peek out when they see you not stressing over the perfect first line.

6. Straight-Up Ask Your Muse to Show Up

Yes, I’m serious. Light a candle, grab your journal, and ask: What story wants to come through me?

It might feel a bit nuts, but it works. Sometimes your muse is just waiting for the noise around you to die down to approach you.

The bottom line is, write a story that you’re passionate about, not what you think will sell the most copies. Readers can spot if you’re being disingenuous a mile away. If you feel strongly about your subject, so will the reader.

Good luck, stay focused and always be real!