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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Coffee is the Real Muse



In Greek mythology, a Muse was one of the many daughters of Zeus. They presumably inspired the creative arts. I’ve read numerous articles about how a writer needs to find the perfect environment and tools to be inspired. As if a private place or the right pen or cool brand of laptop could be a Muse.  I’m not buying it.

All you need is a cup of coffee within easy reach of your right hand. As you type away and get stuck, you simply reach out, take a sip, and by the time you unconsciously set the cup back down, you’re ready to type again. Coffee is a magic elixir. When you really get stuck, get up off of that chair and pour yourself another cup. Writer’s block will evaporate by the time you pour a new cup and do the other three things you told yourself you’d do the next time you got up.


I hate to think how much coffee I’ve drunk while writing. Nine books, three ghostwriting assignments, magazine columns, journal articles, and blogging. That’s probably enough coffee to fill a reservoir. Speaking of filling a reservoir, coffee also gets you up and moving to relieve yourself. It’s hard to be creative when you’re static for too long of a period. Coffee keeps you moving in more ways than one.