In ancient Greece, people turned to the nine muses for inspiration in the arts and sciences.

The Ancient Muses

• For writers, Thalia represented comedy and Melpomene tragedy. Poets looked towards Calliope for epic poetry, Erato for love poems, and Polyhymnia for sacred works.
• For musicians, Euterpe inspired music and Terpsichore dance.
• For academics, Cleo influenced history and Urania astronomy.

Few people turn to the classical muses these days. While we may not have demigods (all were children of Zeus), we have the next best thing — each other.

Real-Life Muses

Not everyone has kind people in their lives. If you are one of the lucky ones, a family member emboldened you to chase after your dreams. A teacher encouraged you to build on your talents. A friend cheered you on, even when things got hard. When people in your everyday life see the good in you, they help you polish it and make it shine. They inspire you by motivating you.

You may also find yourself inspired by what other people do. You may know these people well, they could be acquaintances, and sometimes you’ve never met them. Their work sparks something inside you. It could be their creative energy and passion or their stick-to-it-iveness and career trajectory.

The Anti-Muse

Then, there’s the anti-muse. You know the type. These folks take the air out of your sails. They knock you down to make themselves feel better. It could be jealousy or narcissism or straight-up Debbie Downer syndrome. Some of them may not even realize they’re doing it. They’re so caught up in their negative thinking that everything they touch turns to grey.

I’ve known a few of these people in my life. I know plenty still today.

• After a writing conference, a “friend” told me no one would want to read the idea I was working on.
• Another “friend” said that writing was a waste of time because no one really “makes it big” anymore.
• Even my husband criticized me by saying I had a grammar mistake in a piece I wrote — after I had already submitted the piece to a contest.

You can argue they were all giving practical advice, just being honest. The problem is none of them had actually read anything I’d written, not my fiction work anyway.

• A literary agent I met at the conference brainstormed the idea with me, suggesting someone would read it.
• “Make It Big” is an awesome Wham! album, not my life motto. I write for the love of it.
• That piece, grammar-error included, won a writing contest.

I could let them tear me down or I could keep keeping on.

Be Your Own Muse

It’s all too easy to let imposter syndrome take over, to let the weight of the anti-muse bring you down. Don’t let it.

As a writer, you will have good days and bad. You will have a barrage of brilliant ideas one day and a stint of writer’s block on another. It’s the normal ebb and flow of life. Call it the human condition.

The trick is to seek out people who support you when you feel stuck. Replenish yourself by looking at work that excites you. Look to other creators as muses to inspire your own work. Let the human spirit lead the way and leave the naysayers behind.