The Muse

[Kawaiikneko]

The phone was ringing. Again. I set down my pen and simply stared at it for the next two rings. It was an old phone, shiny black with a real wheel dial on it – very annoying. I had it half in my mind to just unplug the infernal contraption, and then with a rebellious spark lifting the corners of my lips, I did just that.

Almost instantly I could feel a dark presence settling over my shoulders. I couldn’t hear it, but I knew that miles away in Chicago, my editor was muttering dark obscenities and curses in my general direction. A shiver went up my spine, but I was smiling hard enough to split my face in half.

When I picked my pen up, the small joy I had felt at spiting my employer faded away. My laptop sat on the corner of my crowded desk, half-buried under notes and sketches. I had given up typing days ago, but even my tried-and-true method of switching to handwriting had not cured my writer’s block.

It was really rather depressing. They had carted me out to this lovely old house off Lake Michigan, thirty miles from the nearest town, all so I could make some progress on my book in the peace and quiet. It was a charming little cabin with a real wood burning stove, a lovely view of the lake, and only a little cracking paint. I was even blessed with such modern conveniences as a landline phone, plumbing, dialup internet, and electricity. Everything about the lake house screamed “IDEAL WRITING ENVIRONMENTâ€

[Kawaiikneko]

The simplicity of it made me scoff for a moment, and then I realized the brilliance of it. My chair made a strained screech when I sat down in it too quickly, but I ignored it, flailing around on my desk for a spare pen. I snatched up the first piece of scratch paper I could find and began making a slow list of characteristics this new character would need. As I built up steam on my list, Avery built another wall of books.

I had just written down “suspicious, but curiousâ€

[Destroyer2000]

It was certainly interesting. Did Alyssa figure o9ut that Avery Walden was immortal,or at the least extremely long lived? He IS a Greek Muse, after all. Though if IRC, all the Muses were female...?

[Kawaiikneko]

Well, she realized Avery Walden was a muse. If his letter is telling the truth (it may have been the fantasy of a raving lunatic; what do I know?), Avery had recently joined the Calliope and Sister corporation as a Creative Encourager. I was making a play on the Greek Muses (Calliope being the head muse) as a company that sends out workers to inspire authors. Instead of being the only muses, the original females would have been the founders of the company. This story was Avery's first job.

Thanks for the feedback! I was afraid no one would catch on to the muse thing... My entire family didn't know what a muse was. Scared me to death.

[Destroyer2000]

Ah, no problem. It's good to have feedback on your stories; it betters your writing. As for plot, you developed that very well. I got almost spooked by her waking up with eyes staring into her face. Characterization was done very well for such a short story, though we do not know that much about Alyssa. The setting was well done, as well. Good imagery. The theme...well, I can't think of what message you might have been trying to convey, but yeah, the story is good.

[Kawaiikneko]

The theme is where I'm really going to suffer in my grade. It's inspiration, but that's kinda vague.

[Destroyer2000]

Ah. Well, it still seems 'A' worthy.

[Felix]

That's by far the awesomest thing I've ever read. I'm dissapointed that Avery wasn't just some bum in the woods, though, but I guess the whole Muse thing is cool XD Wonderful writing! I loved it.

[Kawaiikneko]

Oh good, you read it! I was hoping to catch you on aim to get your opinion. Glad you liked it, even though Avery wasn't a hobo...

[Felix]

I know~ But you know that I wish he was. Either way, he's still awesome :3

[SorasOathkeeper]

You did a wonderful job on it.^^

[Esoteric]

I also enjoyed the read. Nicely done. Hope you get a good grade on it.