Everybody has a New Year resolution, whether or not they own up to it. There's something within our psyche that has us looking to make a change, start something new or just freshen up as we enter the month of January. There's nothing wrong with that, even if it is cliche. If the start of a year is what we need to self-motivate, so be it. Writers depend on self-motivation. They don't always start a new project at the beginning of the year but sometimes they do. Or try to. Yet the Muse follows no calender year and allows no such gentle pushing and shoving. The Muse moves as the Muse moves. So unless a writer is well into the continuation of a project come January 1st, he or she cannot depend on a great inspiration to be delivered through the fog of a post-celebration New Year morning. Oh, there may have been discussion the night before of the novel that has been swirling around their head or the approach to researching that non-fiction they've always wanted to undertake, especially if the Eve has been spent with other writers or those interested enough to have questioned their next work. But if the Muse isn't on board with any of that, they've probably already forgotten what sounded so eloquent as they waxed poetic in an impromptu speculation. It's more likely that they'll be sitting, staring at their computer screen without a clue as to their next move. For days, for weeks, maybe a month. They will be frustrated; they will grab at their hair and bang their fists against their head. They might cry. They will question whether they will ever write again. They will wonder why they ever thought to be a writer in the first place. And all that's okay. Because when the Muse makes her appearance, she will be glorious. She will be more than they expected and she will sweep them away on a wonderful journey that will immerse them into a world that will become their reality for an extraordinary period of their life. In the end, firing up the Muse is impossible. If you want to write, all you need is the patience to wait and the time will eventually come. Allow her to find you and she will carry you into the exploration of a new realm of ideas and expression on her magnificent expanse of golden wings.