When the muse takes a vacation...

So when your muse takes a vacation, and the words just won't come, what do you do? I find myself in this very predicament without a clue how to dig myself out of this hole. My muse didn't leave a number, a forwarding address, a goodbye...nothing. I also can't seem to find a "muse agency" to hire a new one and no one seems to be lending them out either. So what's a frustrated writer to do?

I admit, I may have wallowed in a bit of self-pity for awhile. But then I realized...if my muse won't come to me, maybe I can do a little inspiring of my own. (Imagine my evil grin for just a moment...)

First, I think we can start with a little eye candy...er...I mean "inspiring pictures". You know, something to get the juices flowing...here's what "inspires" me:

 Ah yes...my hunky, hot, emo, hunter-of-all-things-evil, Sam Winchester from my favorite tv show Supernatural. And if that doesn't do it...

Those eyes...just...*sigh*...I mean...THOSE EYES!! A little bit good and a whole lot of bad! Damon Salvator (vampire diaries) is one vampire who could take a bite out of me any day! I mean...no...that's EXACTLY what I mean!!!

Since I like to write paranormal/fantasy I think that next I should set the mood...let's go with something a little spooky:

That should do it.
Now a little inspiration from some kick-ass heroines...

 Since I'm a Lord of the Rings geek...I mean fan...I have to include Eowyn. "I am no man". Wow. It gives me chills every time I see it.
And let's not forget...

Let's face it...who didn't want to be Catwoman?

Next a little hero hunkiness...

I don't know about you, but Wolverine is my all time favorite, misunderstood hero!

A dash of scary...

And just a little bit of humor...

And I think we may have just about covered everything I need to write my paranormal romance!!!!!
I think I may be inspired, how 'bout you?

If a butterfly flapped its wings...

(See original post at beautifultroublepublishing.blogspot.com or click the link: "If a butterfly flapped its wings..." by Shirelle ... )

Have you heard of the butterfly effect? If a butterfly flaps its wings over here, will it cause some weather catastrophe or prevent one somewhere else? Can something so insignificant really have such a profound effect? I think so. At least in my life it’s happened. A little “butterfly” is why I chose to try my hand at writing novels.

I never used to read romance books. GASP! I know, right? But it’s true, I didn’t. My mother read them, and so, by default, they just weren’t cool. (Sorry mom!)

I used to read dark thrillers, or horror. Dean Koontz was my favorite author and I’ve read every vampire book Anne Rice ever wrote. Those were the kind of books I liked. Romance was just pretty, and flowery, and frivolous.

Then one day, my little butterfly said to me: “You like vampires, right?” Duh. Who doesn’t like a good vampire story?

Anyway, she loaned me the first book in The Circle Trilogy, by Nora Roberts. She did NOT tell me it was a romance book, and I did NOT know who Nora Roberts was. (Yes. Apparently I DO live under a rock!) I was halfway through the book before I realized what my sneaky friend had given me, and I was hooked!

After I read those, I read more. I read at least half of that author’s books before I started reading others. Now I can’t live without romance. Who knew my mother was right?

But inevitably it happened. I read two separate books, by two different authors, that disappointed me. OBVIOUSLY the heroine in these novels had chosen the wrong man! The stories may have had a happy ending but I was not happy! If I had written those books, I would have ended them properly. Can you see where I’m going with this?

It took me some time to work up the courage, and even longer to finally finish my little project, but eventually I wrote the story I wanted to read.

My dear friend with the butterfly wings passed away a few years ago. She is sorely missed and this story is for her. I think she would like it.

Find her book here:
https://beautifultroublepublishing.com/xcart/Throne-of-Teresh-EBOOK.html

**Shirelle**