Badonsky's Nine Modern Day Muses Interviews

Interview with Arnold (the Bodyguard)

By Molly J. Anderson-Childers

Jill Baldwin Badonsky’s Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard) are a hip twist on the Nine Muses of Ancient Greece. You can read all about them in her book, The Nine Modern-Day Muses (and a Bodyguard): 10 Guides to Creative Inspiration for Artists, Poets, Lovers, and Other Mortals Wanting to Live a Dazzling Existence. For the next ten months, I’ve made it my business to get to know each of Jill’s creations more intimately, beginning with Arnold, the Bodyguard.

Anyone who’s ever faced a ruthless Inner Critic or the demons of procrastination and self-doubt knows it can be tough to be an artist. Good news for all of us mortals…the Nine Modern-Day Muses have assigned a bodyguard to protect each and every one of us from the evil forces that prevent the expression of creative magnificence. He’s big, he’s bad, and he has the power to demolish creative blocks with a single blow. He can help reframe your thoughts, anchor you to a place of strength, and help you give the Inner Critic the brush-off. Arnold, welcome to Creativity Portal!

Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

A: What mortals need the most protection from are their perceived fears. They don't understand that the voices inside their heads that create fears are not coming from a place of reality, trust or sometimes even sanity. These voices are rarely helpful. Mortals don't question this distorted thinking. If you’re having these thoughts, push the bodyguard button to summon me. I can help you reframe thoughts so that they are empowering. Fears are just perception. One mortal's fear is another mortal's fuel. When they DO find something that protects their creative process, they often forget about it. It's frustrating…but then again, it keeps me employed.

Q: What is your favorite way to relax and spoil yourself a little when you’re off-duty?

A: I watch action-thrillers. My recent favorite is Iron Man…looking forward to the sequel.

Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

A: There are a number of rewarding aspects:

• Seeing mortals conquer their fears and write, paint or otherwise create in a way that brings them joy.

• Watching mortals discover how to protect their creative time and inspire others to do the same.

• Finding a shield that delightfully matches my gauntlet and breast plate.

Q: Are some Muses more difficult to work with than others? Who is the Muse that challenges you the most? Does anyone ever try to give you the slip?

A: The Muses all work together fairly well. There have been occasions when I've had parties in the fortress and Audacity's Tarzan yodel has kept the neighbors up, but they seem to understand. Bea Silly frequently leaves grape juice stains on the white carpet because she shoots it through a straw at Lull when Lull is napping. Other than that, we all are here for a similar cause so we cooperate and give each other group massages.

Q: It’s a well-known fact that many artists, writers, and musicians have a self-destructive bent. How do you protect such tortured souls from the harm they intend upon themselves? Is there anyone you simply can’t help?

A: Good question. It depends on the definition of "tortured." If mortals are channeling their angst into their art, they are actually in a place of healing and universal connection — angst, pain, sorrow, anger, and frustration can stir creative fires. The Shadow Muse helps them with this. Paul Simon said: "My words trickle down from a wound I don't intend on healing," because his pain creates much of his brilliance.

In order to enlist my services, artists need to be willing to protect themselves. The best way to protect those who seem to think self-destruction is a badge of creativity is to hold up examples which defy this belief. Although drugs and alcohol have been associated with the creative process, only a few people have the physical make-up to use them reliably because of their genes. Churchill was one. Edgar Allan Poe, Ernest Hemingway, and Jackson Pollock used alcohol to their eventual demise.

Researcher Roger Yepsen says, "It might seem that if a little nip of alcohol helps, then a few more drinks would really open the floodgates of creative energy. But in fact, these effects are temporary, and more does not mean better. After an initial period of stimulation, the brain's cells become less active, and the brief alcohol/sugar energy boost is followed by the inevitable onset of fatigue."

For most mortals their talent is a gift that thrives on clarity most of the time. There is a connection between vibrant health and prolific creativity. More and more artists are discovering this, making the tortured souls look a little outdated.

Q: Even a tough guy has weaknesses — what are yours, and how do you combat them? How do you guard against your own weaknesses and failings and demons?

A: I am an archetype of strength. Weakness, failings, and demons are not in my nature. However, I do like to drive monster trucks on Sundays, and I also get a hankering for beef jerky when the doctor says I should be eating celery.

Q: Procrastination is one of my demons…any advice for those of us who love to put things off until the last minute?

A: Absolutely: Call on Marge for small steps, Bea Silly to make it fun, Albert to approach it differently, Aha-phrodite to ask questions that spur motivation, Muse Song to make it easier to get to, or Lull, when you need to refuel. I'll intervene with added determination and passion when you need to protect your confidence, your time, and your intentions

Q: What are your creative dreams, or current projects?

A: I'm tearing down walls in my neighborhood and putting up bridges. I'm also inventing an electrified barrier for those who interrupt creative people when they're in their creative process, and a quick little shock mechanism for people who say discouraging remarks.

My creative dream is to invent software for mortal brains so that the fears that stop them from engaging in their creative brilliance are replaced with strengths, confidence, and the ability to whistle in flute music.

Q: Who/what is your nemesis, your greatest enemy?

A: Rigid disbelievers so stuck in their story that they are not open to alternative ways of existing.

Q: Who among the other Muses inspires you most? Who’s your biggest cheerleader?

A: I like it when they create a group cheer. There are nine of them so when they get in a line it's a perfect number to spell out BODYGUARD.

Q. Any last words for the mortals reading this?

A: Yes, enlist the bodyguard in whatever way it works for you. It might be a quote, a statement, a song, an image of strength, or a movement. Protect your time, your ideas, and your will to engage. It's important to be true to your creative call. The most important riches of the world will be yours if you do.

Stay tuned, readers! Next month, I will have the pleasure of interviewing Aha-phrodite, Muse of Paying Attention and Possibilities. For more inspiration and updates on Muse Happenings, workshops, and events, please visit Jill, Arnold, and the Nine Modern-Day Muses online at: www.themuseisin.com.

© 2009 Molly Anderson-Childers and Jill Badonsky. All rights reserved.

About the Author | More by Molly Anderson-Childers
Molly Anderson-Childers is a writer, artist, and creativity consultant living in Durango, Colorado. She's published work locally, nationally, and online and welcomes inquiries about freelance writing assignments. Learn more about Molly at her blogs: stealingplums.blogspot.com and addictivefiction.blogspot.com.

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9/27/09