Storytime with Rachel F Hundred

When Muse decides to take a break without any notice

In the middle of December, I had the idea for a Christmas story – a mini-sequel to one of my most popular fanfictions which might have heralded an even longer actual sequel. Not only that but it fitted perfectly with the Big Moxie theme, and I decided straight away that it would replace my previously planned second challenge story. I’d just finished writing The Case of the Alpha Werewolf, and my second story was planned to be over 20k of words and tough to write in the remaining time available in December. The new story I was envisaging was smaller, maybe between 5k and 7k, and would meet the challenge requirement.

I was enthused, inspired, and I sat down to write it with all intent. I started strong with the first two sections flowing beautifully well.

Then, I got the offer of some consultancy work for a charity. It was too good an opportunity not to explore. I planned that I would finish the story at the weekend before starting in with the job the following week, forgetting that my father was home for Christmas and my usual routines were going to be altered, (or really disturbed and thrown into complete disarray).

I did manage to complete another couple of sections that weekend, but I was beginning to realise that the structure would flow better if I included a few other scenes which would also mean that it would be a little longer in word count than I had originally thought. I remember thinking that there was still plenty of time to finish before the end of December.

The next week disappeared in a blur as I focused my ‘working hours’ on the consultancy work and having to flex to accommodate meeting with volunteers who were only available at odd times.  And outside of working hours?

Well, I always forget how much of a challenge it is to write any story in December. There’s social event after social event, time away from home visiting with family over the Christmas days themselves, and just a lot of stopping and starting to any writing.

An hour or so to write a review after watching an episode of something? Not a problem. An hour to write a Writer’s Log reviewing the past or looking to the future. Just about doable even if I’m having to do it late at night. A prolonged writing stint where I could ostensibly ignore my family, housework, and any other commitments? Not going to happen.

After fighting off flu after Christmas, I stared New Year in the face and realised that I was going to fail at getting the fic finished for the challenge. It was a shame, but I was still enthused about the idea and the story. I’d just finish it and get it posted early in January I determined.

But with the holidays ostensibly over and in the wake of fighting off an illness, I was exhausted. I gave myself a couple of days off and decided to post up a poem instead of the story that coming weekend.

Last week, I sat down with the story to finish it and – the Muse was not there. The Muse had clearly decided that a couple of days of rest were not good enough. She’d packed her bags and disappeared off for a longer holiday without notice.  

With the spark of inspiration that had burned so bright that I’d immediately wanted to write the story in favour of another completely absent, I struggled to write a sentence never mind a whole paragraph.

The Muse had abandoned me.

On top of that, time was another issue as I was prioritising pushing to get the business website up and running, having delayed it after getting the pre-Christmas consultancy work (I’ve learned a lot about what not to do when video recording and editing this week). Plus I was juggling that with a lot of networking, mentoring and coaching calls scheduled, kicking things back off for 2025.

By Wednesday, I realised the story was just not going to happen.

I’ve set it aside.

Maybe I’ll come back to it when that particular Muse decides to return.

I’m also behind on my editing of the novel. I never started it over Christmas as planned and I have not prioritised it since the New Year because I need to get the website up and for the business to start earning money to enable me to do the writing. As much as writing is my future, if I’m not earning some money from somewhere, that’s a problem.

It doesn’t feel like the best start to the New Year.

I’m reminding myself that slow starts are fine. The tortoise did win in the end.

And I have started to write again over the weekend, as the Muse has returned at least for the first chapter of Another Dimension, the third story in my Harry Potter fanfic series A Step to the Right. I even managed some words yesterday after my chronic illness flared.

So, I feel more confident about juggling things over the next week. Maybe it’s misplaced confidence, but I’ll take it.  

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