A newspaper lays across my desk in my writing office, but it isn’t any newspaper I recognize. It’s not the local Enterprise or Hub. It’s called the Inspiration. The headline reads: “First Annual Muse Gathering”.
Hmmm. Why do I have a funny feeling about this?
Before I can read the article, my Muse sweeps into the office and swipes the paper from my hands. “Hey, I was reading that.”
He folds the newpaper and tucks it under his arm. “Don’t bother. It’s boring.”
Then I notice his attire. No worn jeans here–the ones he’s wearing look like they came fresh from the indigo dye factory. And is that a silk shirt? It’s a rich maroon that adds a little color to his complexion–not that I’m complaining. Oh, no. Sooo not complaining.
“Ah hem. Earth to Julie.”
Ahhh, yeah. “Where are you going? Is that really a silk shirt?”
“I’m going out. Mr. E is picking me up.” He points to my laptop with the paper. “And while I’m out, I want you to write.”
“Out? With Mr. E? Mae’s on a deadline. How can Mr. E go on a pub crawl? And you never dress like that for a pub crawl. What kind of pubs are you planning to hit?”
He waves the paper in my direction. “Doesn’t matter, love. You need to write. You’re falling behind.”
I snatch the paper from him and zero in on the front page. “Are you kidding me? Since when do you guys all get together in the same place?”
He swipes the paper from me and points to the headline. “Since now. See. First.”
“So who else is going on this muse party bus? And do you really think a silk shirt is a good idea?”
“There’s no smoking in pubs anymore, love. Not here, anyway. There’ll be a half dozen of us or so. D’s mercenary muse, A’s Moka and her cousin, G’s muse“–he counts off on his fingers–“she’s pretty broken up, but she’s going even though her ex will be there. P’s muse, muse Brad, and C’s muse Lorelei said she might meet us. She’s looking for a new pumpkin beer for her author.”
Man, there’ve been a lot of muses showing up in the blog-o-sphere lately. “So, the fancy clothes are for what? Planning to sweet-talk some Moka?”
He wraps an arm around my shoulders. “No worries, love. I’ll be back before last call.” He plants a kiss on my forehead. “But you are cute when you’re jealous.”
I shove him away. “I’m not jealous. They’re muses.”
He chuckles and tosses the paper onto my desk before heading to the door. “I want to see words, love.” He points to my laptop. “Get to it.”
Ugh. He’s right. Real life’s been invading my writing brain. School starts for my daughter on Monday, and the new/remodeled school isn’t nearly ready. Hey, hang on. That coiled bullwhip wasn’t on my chair before.
Okay, I can take a hint. He’s out whooping things up, and I’m here. Well, at least I’ve got some craft beer and chocolate. That should last me for a while.
Happy writing!
September 9, 2017 at 6:28 am
I am beginning to worry about what mayhem so many muses together can make.
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September 9, 2017 at 7:08 am
I hear ya. Maybe we need to keep them busier, so they don’t have time to get into trouble! 😀 Thanks for stopping by, Allie!
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September 9, 2017 at 6:56 am
Thanks for the link. The minor gods and goddesses need to get out on occasion. Maybe they’ll learn something new to show us lowly authors.
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September 9, 2017 at 7:09 am
Hopefully they’ll do it to help us authors out instead of be mischievous 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Craig!
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September 9, 2017 at 7:53 am
“A pub crawl?” I asked, “no way I am not going along.”
Then my diet muse blocked the doorway.
Great bit, Julie, but this, I am going out drinking while you sit and write is downright crass. You know there are reams of regulations that control the behavior of muses. Consider filing a complaint….but on second thought, if they replace your muse, you don’t know what you will get.
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September 10, 2017 at 7:18 am
LOL! Come to think of it, my Muse has never invited me along on one of his pub crawls. I hope he’s not embarrassed by me. I found my copy of Muse Rules and Regs, but I think you’re right. I”m not sure reporting him would be a good thing; we’ve been together for a long time, and I’d hate to have to break in another muse. Thanks for stopping by, Greg!
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September 9, 2017 at 5:22 pm
Ha ha. My mercenary muse is wearing his latest in boiled leather and wolf fur. He’s so excited that I think he brushed his teeth and used MY deodorant. Ha ha. He smells like summer rain. 🙂 Thanks for taking up the challenge, Julie!
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September 10, 2017 at 7:20 am
LOL! He actually used YOUR deodorant? So, that means he doesn’t have his own, hmm? Wow. I hope the crawl goes okay, considering his ex will be there. 😀 Have a great weekend, D!
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September 10, 2017 at 10:56 am
😀 No, he doesn’t have his own. I’m sure they’re all hung over this morning. I’m reblogging the pub crawl later this morning 😉
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September 10, 2017 at 1:53 pm
So FUN, this (a)musing post. How come our muses get to go out for a party while we have to stay home and write?
Oh, I guess that’s what we’re supposed to be doing. Dang. They get all the fun. 🙃👍💙
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September 10, 2017 at 7:40 pm
Yes they do. Sheesh! But we are the writers, so we get to work while they play–wait a second. We should get some time to play too. Right? Thanks for stopping by!
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September 10, 2017 at 4:55 pm
Reblogged this on Myths of the Mirror and commented:
What better way to wrap up a series of muse posts than with a pub crawl. They’re dressing up and going out on the town, leaving all their writer’s behind with to-do lists. Thanks to Julie for the fun post. Happy Writing!
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September 10, 2017 at 4:59 pm
Oh what fun! 🙂 And you left at home to work…
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September 10, 2017 at 7:58 pm
LOL! Yep, that’s usually what happens. He scolds me for slacking, then goes off on a pub crawl or to a rugby game 🙂 Sometimes, though, I get more done when he’s not hovering over my shoulder 😀 Thanks for stopping by, Bette!
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September 10, 2017 at 5:11 pm
This is awesome. 🙂 I do wonder what all those muses (with such different personalities) will get up to. Well, at least he left you with some craft beer and chocolate. You’re all set. And the pumpkin beer is already beginning to invade, isn’t it? Along with the pumpkin latte, pumpkin-flavored fish, pumpkin-scented napkins…
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September 10, 2017 at 7:53 pm
LOL! I’m not sure we want to know what they’re getting up to; might be more mischief than we can imagine. Pumpkin-flavored fish? LOL! Thanks for stopping by, Sarah!
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September 10, 2017 at 9:00 pm
They have pumpkin-flavored and pumpkin-scented everything now. It’s out of control. I think they’ll start selling pumpkin-scented spray to spritz your kids when they whine at you. 😉 (Hmm… That would be kind of nice, actually. Calming in the back-to-school madness.)
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September 11, 2017 at 6:54 am
😀
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September 10, 2017 at 5:42 pm
I need to get myself a Muse. He’s missing out on so much fun.
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September 10, 2017 at 7:32 pm
Or maybe you just need to demand he show up. I mean, you ARE a writer, so you should have a muse 😀
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September 10, 2017 at 6:00 pm
What fun Julie! This muse merriment is getting out of hand. Maybe we writers should all go out for a pub crawl and lock our muses at home to write! 🙂
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September 10, 2017 at 8:23 pm
Hey, that’s a great idea! Besides, with all those muses out and about, there’s no telling how much trouble they’ll get into 😀 Thanks for stopping by!
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September 10, 2017 at 8:38 pm
Thanks Julie. My pleasure!
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September 10, 2017 at 6:55 pm
Your muse is sadistic and made me shudder with the leaving behind of a bullwhip while he went out drinking. That’s about right for us writers. Muses are party animals and we are their slaves. I’m going to focus on my writing now, as soon as I polish off this bottle of wine that my muse didn’t realize was in the cupboard. Okay, it’s a box of wine, but that’s a minor detail, don’t you think.
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September 10, 2017 at 8:25 pm
LOL! Very minor detail. Really. I think I’ve got a six-pack of craft brew still taking up valuable refrigerator space–I need the space for, er, other stuff, so I should probably drink it. 😀 So much great fun with our muses. Thanks for stopping by!
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September 12, 2017 at 3:15 pm
We might be more concerned (or at least intrigued) if the bullwhip went with him to the pub crawl …
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September 12, 2017 at 7:13 pm
Hahaha! Good point!
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September 13, 2017 at 6:49 am
Hoo-boy! Never thought about that, but you’re right, Erik! Better he leave that here with me; I suspect they’ll get into enough trouble without it 😀
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September 10, 2017 at 8:45 pm
Well, now I understand where my muse had been! The hangover of the party is still not over and her belligerence persists. Thanks for the info Julie 🙂 🙂
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September 11, 2017 at 6:50 am
LOL! I’m sure she tried to sneak in without you knowing, but just like kids, parents always know, right? And one night probably won’t help her belligerence, but maybe a couple more? Have a great week!
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September 11, 2017 at 8:52 am
Haha…you too 🙂
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September 10, 2017 at 11:03 pm
Julie, I think it is wonderful that Diana started this with her big, hunky mercenary and each muse is so unique! Your idea of a pub crawl would help the authors of their muses CA.e back and described the “underbelly” of situations, getting down and dirty. . . Congratulations and hope all goes well other achieving a completed manuscript. WIP’s abound and best to write when the muses are out, I suppose they can be distractions!!
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September 11, 2017 at 6:53 am
Yep, they can be distracting–unless they’re actually helping 😀 Wishing you much progress on your projects (despite your muse getting caught up in the whole pub crawl thing 😀 ) Have a great week!
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September 10, 2017 at 11:04 pm
“CA.e” = came (back)
Oops, silly cellphone mistake.
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September 11, 2017 at 6:51 am
😀
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September 11, 2017 at 2:56 am
What fun Julie! This dream cheer is escaping hand. Perhaps we essayists should all go out for a bar creep and bolt our dreams at home to write!…
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September 11, 2017 at 10:20 am
That is precious. I think my muse missed this. Next time, post an invite. I’ll get it to her. Truth, I could use the break from the w****.
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September 11, 2017 at 10:48 am
LOL! I think we all needed a break from our muses. Although, now that they are nursing hangovers, they might be even less pleasant for the day. Have a great week, Jacqui!
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September 12, 2017 at 3:01 am
Now will be the reckoning…whilst the muses are gallivanting about how do the writers get on?! 😀 Yours sounds more than dressed for the occasion and it’s been fun catching up on them all and I love the gathering you’ve created for them here. Enjoy the peace and quiet…craft beer and chocolate sounds ideal! ❤️ Ps. hope your daughter has a school fit for purpose when she starts! Building work always goes past schedule. Grr…
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September 12, 2017 at 8:15 am
Glad you enjoyed this, Annika! Haven’t had much chance to talk to my daughter about how much of the building is done yet; she had tennis game away, got home late, then off to bed. On the plus side, the new lunch kitchen now has 5–count them, FIVE–lines for options, so if you don’t like the main lunch choice or the alternate, there are other, um, alternates. OMG, I think our little school is joining the modern school world.
Have a great week!
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September 12, 2017 at 6:07 am
Good post, Julie. 🙂 — Suzanne
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September 12, 2017 at 8:15 am
Thanks, Suzanne! Glad you stopped by!
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September 12, 2017 at 3:17 pm
Watch out, or some of you may wind up with cross-pollinated stories here when your muses return. And I wouldn’t be surprised to find more than one pub scene written in for each of you (we can count on Diana to start). 🙂
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September 13, 2017 at 6:54 am
It’s been fun seeing how everyone handles their muse (or the other way around 🙂 ) And I always wanted to be a “fly on the wall” when my Muse goes on one of his pub crawls. The muse party is another of those “fly on the wall” moments! 😀
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September 12, 2017 at 6:16 pm
Oh, I enjoyed this read!
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September 13, 2017 at 8:05 am
So glad you did! Thanks for stopping by 😀
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September 13, 2017 at 8:31 am
You’re welcome! 😀
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September 12, 2017 at 8:38 pm
I like their own newsletter or newspaper, those defiant and strong willed Muses.
Julie, yours sounds “hot!” I like the fresh look he has, almost like a perfect male model, Muse. 😎
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September 13, 2017 at 6:55 am
LOL! I understand before he became my Muse he dabbled in modeling. Now if I could just find some of those old photos … 😀
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September 14, 2017 at 6:14 pm
Oh, Julie! How wonderful to have an ex-model (male) for your Muse! I might be inspired to start writing if I had this sort of Muse. . .
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September 13, 2017 at 3:16 pm
Ahhhhh I’ve missed your blog! It’s been so long since I’ve been on WordPress. Hoping I can make a comeback. Good luck with the writing while your Muse is out partying! 🙂
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September 13, 2017 at 4:34 pm
Hey, Em! Long time, no hear 😀 Welcome back! And even though he’s out partying, I’m stuck in neutral. Might have to wait until he gets over the hangover tho’ 😀
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September 13, 2017 at 3:54 pm
I like your post 😊.
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September 13, 2017 at 4:35 pm
Thank you! And thank you for stopping by!
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September 13, 2017 at 5:04 pm
Follow me if you like my blog 😀.
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September 13, 2017 at 11:12 pm
A pub crawl, Julie, what a great idea. Unfortunately I don’t think my General Write would agree to go, he prefer to stay at home and make sure that I am on track with my writing.
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September 14, 2017 at 6:25 am
Your General is a wonder, Robbie 😀 Sometimes I wish my Muse would stick around instead of crawl pubs or go to rugby games, especially when I’m actually butt-in-chair-hands-on-keyboard 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
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September 15, 2017 at 11:08 am
This was so so much fun! And I almost missed it because of this wretched deadline. I understand everyone had a blast 🙂
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September 15, 2017 at 11:35 am
We did! And sorry it took Mr. E out of circulation for a bit. I tried to tell my Muse, but he’s not always the best listener 😉
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