It dawned upon me yesterday while reviewing How to Think Sideways materials that my Muse and I are at about the fifth grade level.  Back in fifth grade, there were lots of schoolyard fights — usually about stupid stuff.  In an earlier lesson, we were to generate three story ideas with our muses.  Three ideas.  No problem.  I’m still struggling to develop those ideas and keep fighting the urge to tell my Muse how dumb those ideas are.

Then I’m struggling with the ongoing sense that my ideas are dumb.  My idea of conflict is so lame.  But that’s not so much true.  I can do these things, but I need a little refinement.  And that’s what I’m trying to learn — refinement.

As with the process of growing up, it can be kind of tough to develop a relationship with our Muse, so I’m working through that process.  I’m amazed at the common sense things Holly is presenting in the Sideways course, and as I learn to apply those things in both my conscious and unconscious writing activities, I believe I’ll make significan process.  I’m looking forward to that time.