This is my collection of writings for the three hundred and sixty five day writing challenge - where one has to write something daily, every day, for one whole year, based on the prompts provided - as part of an exercise to improve creative writing...
The Muses (Ancient Greek: Μοῦσαι, Moũsai) are the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts in Greek mythology. They were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the poetry, lyric songs, and myths that were related orally for centuries in these ancient cultures. They were later adopted by the Romans as a part of their pantheon.
In current English usage, "muse" can refer in general to a person who inspires an artist, musician, or writer.
In Renaissance and Neoclassical art, the dissemination of emblem books such as Cesare Ripa's Iconologia (1593 and many further editions) helped standardize the depiction of the Muses in sculpture and painting, so they could be distinguished by certain props. These props, or emblems, became readily identifiable by the viewer, enabling one immediately to recognize the Muse and the art with which she had become associated.
Calliope (epic poetry) carries a writing tablet;
Clio (history) carries a scroll and books;
Euterpe (song and elegiac poetry) carries a flute, the aulos;
Erato (lyric poetry) is often seen with a lyre and a crown of roses;
Melpomene (tragedy) is often seen with a tragic mask;
Polyhymnia (sacred poetry) is often seen with a pensive expression;
Terpsichore (choral dance and song) is often seen dancing and carrying a lyre;
Thalia (comedy) is often seen with a comic mask; and
Urania (astronomy) carries a pair of compasses and the celestial globe.
For me, as a writer, it has to be the pairing of Swara and Sanskaar of Swaragini fame, I had always written stories, though they stayed in my mind and heart, rarely seeing the light of day. But then my muse is responsible for me dreaming and writing stories, experimenting with various forms and finally able to put them in the public eye.
I do not know how well I write (if I were to judge myself – it is exceptional to abhorrent, depending on my moods, though the truth would be hopefully somewhere in the middle). But irrespective of how my works are judged they are my muse. All that I write, good bad and ugly is because of them.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
They look great, together, right? How can they not inspire me to dream and write?
