Jan
04
2008
Martini Moments
CBMUSED at 10:40 am Category: Martini Moments, WritingTags: chick lit, ego, inspiration, Martini Moments, muse, Writing
Martini Moments… While Waiting for a Muse
1. Waiting for a Muse is like watching grass grow. Or paint dry. Full of clichés, similes and metaphors which you immediately discard in favour of a blank fluoro screen. Or pale green grass. Or moonlight mist paint.
2. Can a man possess a huge ego and still be utterly likeable?
3. To be a good writer, one must be a good reader. But an avid reader does not necessarily make a good writer. Or a good critic.
4. Is “chick lit” sometimes used as a derogatory term because it sounds as naughty as ordering a Dirty Martini?
5. “Oh, I nearly forgot. The cocktail hour can be longer than an hour.”* So is the wait for a Muse…
January 4th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
In regards to #3: Too damn right! I’ve never met a good writer who wasn’t a good/careful reader, but I have met plenty of readers who try to write and it just doesn’t take. They are a lot like “poets” who have only read Rilke’s _Letters to a Young Poet_, and then proceed to write volumes of their own poems.
January 4th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Being a good listener is a true art form too. I must agree with what GSR said about good writers. I think they also make good observers.
January 5th, 2008 at 4:37 am
Have you ever tried rattling off the names of the Greek muses?
I always start off really well, but then start naming streets in New Orleans; like: “Melphemine, Thalia, Clio, Euterpe, Erato, Saratoga, Rampart, Bourbon…”
January 5th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Martini: shaken/stirred. Who cares… it’s the ALCOHOL that makes the difference
haahaa
;->…
!!
January 5th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
GSR: I draw the line between what you describe as good/careful reader, or an active reader and just a passive reader, if that makes any sense. Each to their forte, let the readers read, and the writers write. And if that isn’t a cliché that sounds like my #1!
Egan: I absolutely agree that keen writers are very good observers. In fact, I spend a lot of my time ‘observing’ others, and making mental notes…
ZW: sure, I start with Greek Erato then move onto Roman Martini and by then I’m rattling Mojito and Caprioska…then Hic!
Gledwood: I’ve never stirred a Martini, the drink, but I’m known to be a bit of a bit stirrer…
January 7th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
#2 - 99% of the time nope. Not unless he also happens to be genuinely caring AND able to laugh at himself and be really charming, all which basically go against having a big ego. Otherwise he’s just a pratt.
#4 - ha, it’s certainly a dirty term, mostly because so called women’s interests are still seen a banal and mindless. Meanwhile I’m still waiting for all those tired Ludlum, cusler, Smith novels to be termed “dick lit” - but no, they’re all apparently ‘novels’. bah!
January 7th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
M:
). Being genuine is key, I agree. Otherwise he’s just a pompous show off who is self-centred.
#2 - I was hoping someone would comment on #2 (notice how the guys totally dismissed it
#4 - Loved the ‘dick lit’ reference. Bah indeed!
January 7th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
5–Happy hour, same deal… it’s as long as you want it to be!
4–For all I know, I might be writing Chick lit.
3–Yes, but a little bit of creative conjecture and discourse goes even farther than a good book. Most literary critics are good at what they do because they are frustrated creative types. They’ve seen much rejection and allowed it fill their soul with hate for those that come up through the ranks. They feel they owe the world some vitriol for what they’ve been through.
2–I don’t know. What they heck do all those girls see in Hugh Hefner?
Oh yeah–his bank account…
1–I hope your muse hasn’t kept you waiting for too long!
And the memoir looks to be a good one. I’ll have to check it out.
January 7th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Eric:
5 - I’ll drink to that!
4 - I doubt it… your poetry requires a lot more thought/
3 - Hmm… interesting note. I often wonder how much they are paid to write certain critiques.
2 - Huge ego + flaunting money => little brain
1 - He’s been difficult of late. But when when he visits, he comes good.
As for the book, I totally enjoyed it. Martini stories intermingled with memoirs. It drove me to drink in a nice way.
January 8th, 2008 at 9:31 am
1. moonlight mist paint
so is that the British Paints or Taubman’s colour chart?
2. What’s not to like?
:P
3. I’m a pretty crap reader as it happens. Hmmm… what does that say about me other than time poverty?? I dunno!
4. Hahahahahhahaahhaaaa!!! You’re BAD!
5. Somewhat like the lunch hour, but unlike the midnight hour, which is, of course, just an hour.
January 8th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
GB:
1. Are you trying to sell me something?
2. Ooohhh… I have to find out more about you!
3. Time poverty is a damn good excuse. I’ll drink to that!
4. Thank you. You’re very kind :).
5. Some midnight hours can go beyond the hour. Mmm… where is that Muse when you need one!
January 9th, 2008 at 6:04 am
#2, I think not. They are life energy vampires.
#1, you can’t wait. If the muse isn’t there, move on to something else. The muse loves experiences. Might as well go grab some, and the muse will follow.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Jason:
#2 - Hmm… yes, they are self-absorbent, sucking energy out of others.
#1 - Good advice. One never knows what a fresh outlook can bring.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
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