Barbara J. Hamby

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Runaway Muse

While I was writing my non-fiction book, my poetry muse ran and hid. Just because the process of creating a book and getting it published put me into a series of bad moods and anti-procrastination arguments with myself, my muse got into a snit. Like many runaways, muse is unlikely to return until she’s sure she’ll receive the welcoming reception and attention she deserves. And so I wait.

Meanwhile, I’m working on stories about my life. Now there are decisions about how much to tell, how totally honest to be, etc. A class I took several years ago titled “Creative Lying,” helped open my mind to the possibility that I needn’t always adhere strictly to the truth as I remember it. Usually the way other people involved remember the same incident varies anyway.

So I am pussyfooting around, leaping from one part of my life to another, and dredging up a sad tale here, a funny one there, and some that are just human interest.