Eva Pasco's Blog - Posts Tagged "muse"

The perils and pitfalls of storytelling may predispose a writer to drink on the job. So many of the late, great published authors did. To cite a few: Dorothy Parker, James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Jack Kerouac.

I’ll admit to tipping a bottle of iced coffee while presiding over the keyboard when composing. Preferably, Dunkin Donuts vanilla.

Regardless of what vice gets us through the day behind a closed door, I’ll wager that all creative folks proceed with their craft “under the influence” of someone we respect and admire who resonates in our soul.

I proceed under the influence of author, Ann Lamott, whose philosophy is to write books she’d love to come upon. Hence, she put the notion in my head to write the books I’d want to read.

'Blue Shoe,' which epitomizes Lamott’s knack for writing stories that are honest and revolve around spiritual transformations, families, secrets, and craziness—inspired me to go off my own deep end.

Under the influence, I’ve published and continue to compose Contemporary Women’s Fiction incorporating secrets and idiosyncrasies. In addition, I tap into significant issues affecting the lives of ordinary/ extraordinary, flawed women over forty who grapple with, confront, and overcome their personal dilemmas and become empowered to make profound life changes for the better.

*Who has exerted the most influence in your creative endeavors?

A little birdie told me!

Actually—relayed a clairaudient message conveyed through partial song lyrics crooning through the inner voice in my mind, as I went about my business in the kitchen. Sending me reeling to the theme from 'Moonstruck'.

The refrain of “Don’t you know!” repeating in my mind prompted me to listen to the source from which it sprang—the song adaptation of the aria, "Musetta's Waltz” from Puccini's La Bohème, recorded by Jerry Vale in 1964:

Don't you know
I have fallen in love with you
For the rest of my whole life through
Don't you know
I was yours from the very day
That you happened to come my way

Wouldn’t you know!

An Indie author, I took this further by incorporating the gist of these words for the dialogue of a scene I happen to be working on in chapter 28 of my current Work in Progress.

Furthermore, the scene that’s shaping up has prompted me to change the name of my main character which also happens to be in the title. Yes, I have my work cut out for me, thanks to my muse who mind-melded with me.

Whenever I open my novel document to resume writing, the “pantser” approach renders the process an adventure beset with unexpected plot twists.

Literary works undergo many revisions to absorb the writer’s newfound visions.

(Don’t You Know – Jerry Vale)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gydqT...

Dovetailing International Women’s Day on March 8th, celebrating women’s rights, equality, and empowerment, I’m singing the praises of my mother.

Her shining example laid the foundation for my own independent streak, empowering me to fend for myself. She planted the seeds for me to harness my imagination in writing stories, and fostered my belief in their merit. She would have been proud and “not surprised,” her words—that my latest publication, Aileen’s Guesthouse received the Reader Views Reader Choice Award: General Fiction Finalist.

Also, no surprise, I will devote the Dedication page in my next publication to this extraordinary woman, posthumously.

At this point in time, I’m powering through the draft of chapter 11 (1106 words thus far) along my Contemporary work in progress.

*May each of us be inspired to forsake our comfort zone and excel.

My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.

Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco