How to Connect with Your Inner Muse
By: Jennifer Fiorile
With Crystal Joy’s workshop on connecting with your inner muse that was held on Sunday, 28th March 2021, I asked her some questions about where writers can start with that connection, how to develop consistency, and building up confidence in your writing. If you want to hear more from Crystal, you can listen to the WWBL podcast episode featuring Crystal, released on 31 October 2020.
You can find out more about Crystal on her website and social media accounts:
Website: https://www.blu-room.net/
Youtube: Blu Room Productions (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPSypaJrsD8Rj2rAW3CuZDQ)
Insta: @imcrystaljoy
1. Learning to see the value in the stories in our lives is really about reframing your perspective of yourself in relation to those stories.
It’s all about perspective and how you see life. Either you think life is happening for you, or to you. And if you think the latter, then you’re a victim and you don’t want to be in that mindset because when you play the victim, you don’t learn lessons, you repeat them. With all the stories you have inside of you, a lot of those stories come from problems we once had or currently have. Ask yourself specific questions that don’t push you into self-pity. Where was the lesson in this? Why did this happen for me? Once you get your answers start writing. You can use your self-reflections to take your characters on a journey.
2. The focus of your upcoming workshop with us is to learn how to view yourself as your own muse. For people who struggle with self-esteem and seeing the value in their own stories, this can be a challenge.
In my experience, we think what we have to say is not good enough, our peers will think it’s ‘stupid’ or it won’t be as good in comparison to whoever we are measuring ourselves up to. There’s nothing I have that the next person doesn’t have. I have gifts and talents just like everyone else. Are they unique? Yes, but they are unique to me just like the next person’s gifts and talents are unique and special to them. Many of us get stuck in even recognizing we have gifts and talents because we either downplay them or are too afraid to share them with the world. What people fail to realize is that those gifts and talents have to be tended to. They must be refined and nurtured so they can continue to develop. When we don’t do that we get stuck and then feel like everyone is passing us by. When in reality, they’re not. They simply recognized their gifts and then got to work while you were still waiting to take the first step in acknowledging they even existed. Simply put: share your talents. You have no idea who you could be helping in this world.
3. Wrestling with self-consciousness about the value and worth of your work is something all creatives struggle with. How do you get yourself into the right mindset?
This is definitely something I have struggled with in the past but 2019 and 2020 made me see my worth! I got tired of feeling like my work or ideas weren’t good enough, but most importantly, I got tired of simply feeling that emotion. It was draining to me. It was interesting because doors were opening and I was getting recognition for my projects. If my work was really that bad I wouldn’t have gotten those opportunities. So why am I downplaying myself? Also, it’s valuable because I put ‘myself’ into it. I gave the story pieces of me. If I’m valuable and worthy of being seen so are my stories.
4. Many creatives know they have interesting stories to share but they struggle with consistently creating because life gets in the way. How do you maintain consistency in your creative output?
I love what I do so much and I see a story in everything. I’m highly inspired by myself, my inner world, and the world around me. I also have a routine and a vision for my life. I know in order to get to the things I want, I MUST remain consistent and committed to that routine. Doing something here and there won’t provide me with the results I desire. On the downside, I work 6-7 days a week on content creation and the business side of things; balance is definitely a challenge. I also don’t get as much sleep as I would like. I really need an assistant and a publicist right now lol.
5. Discovering your inner muse is probably the first critical step in taking your writing to the next level. Why do you think that is?
We have to be honest with ourselves so we can be honest in our stories. If you are too afraid to admit and honor your emotions; positive and those we deem as negative, how do you expect to connect with your audience? I do A LOT of reading and I realized that in the entire human existence, there’s nothing a person has felt or gone through that hasn’t been experienced by someone else: death, fear, love, hate, jealousy, insecurity, pandemics, social chaos, etc. Nothing is new under the sun, but when you’re going through it alone, you feel more inclined to hold it close to you due to maybe embarrassment or shame. But there's value in those feelings, they can lead you somewhere. Tapping into them then putting it into your work is the best way to connect with your audience and stay true to yourself.
6. Do you have a ritual for connecting with your inner muse when you sit down to write?
Journaling, therapy, fun, music, fresh air, traveling, getting dressed up, and being honest with myself.
7. How long and often do you typically write?
It’s honestly hard to weigh this because it depends on what my goals are for the year. However, I can also get a light bulb moment for a script and write whatever the idea is so I can get it out of my head.
8. Often as a creative, it can be very alluring to fantasize about skipping over all the hard work and the sucky drafts (and rewrites) and just get to the part where you're famous for your groundbreaking work. What would you suggest to writers to keep themselves grounded but still willing/hungry/able to put in the work?
I just started a YouTube channel, and I’m discussing behind-the-scenes commentary on all my projects. I would highly suggest people watch it because I talk about the pitfalls, delays, the process, and the frustrations that I have experienced creating my own work. There is no skipping steps. If you’re skipping steps you’re missing lessons. You owe it to yourself to allow your dreams to reach their greatest potential and that won’t happen if you’re trying to skip the line. It is challenging, trust me I know, I’m going through my own process but we ALL go through it.
9. Believing in and embracing your inner muse is about re-connecting with your inner child and viewing creative writing as a playground.
Yes! Creativity is all about playing. We grow up and get so serious and forget that our inner child still lives in us. Pay attention to how you feel when you’re having fun. It feels good, doesn’t it? Why wouldn’t you want to connect with that feeling more frequently? The other thing is, sometimes artists take themselves too seriously. I used to be a certified nursing assistant and I worked at a nursing home. I had to take care of the elderly, helping them bathe, eat, and clothe them. I even had to dress them when they passed away to get them ready for the family to come visit them (and then face the family afterwards). That’s a serious job and can also be awkward and uncomfortable. There are so many jobs that require you to take yourself seriously. When it comes to your creativity, don’t. Just play.
10. What does a writer do if they just feel their writing sucks?
Take classes – this is definitely a big one for me as I’ve taken many. Also, get feedback on where you can improve and see the constructive criticism as a tool for your improvement. Continue writing, everybody starts off as a beginner.
11. In your own life, does spirituality play a role in your creative process?
Huge. It’s how I stay centered and reminded on who I am. I am loved beyond measure, not only does that give me confidence, but knowing that pushes me to keep moving forward in my life because I know I have a purpose. I go through self-doubt, and I’m very hard on myself. I learned (and am still learning) how to give myself grace and compassion. I’ve only been able to recognize these things through spirituality. You have to believe in something bigger than yourself. There was a time in my life I was only relying on my own efforts, I didn’t get very far and I frequently felt defeated because I had too much self-reliance. Once I tapped into my spirituality I was able to go with the flow more, anchor myself, and let my light shine even brighter.