The novel I’m working on—The Raven Singularity—has a plot connection to the composer Olivier Messiaen. So to help inspire me during my writing sessions, I am now frequently listening to his music.
It’s quite odd, really. Years ago, when I first heard Messiaen, I didn’t really like his works. For me, they felt too confused and too disjointed. My musical range was too limited, and my judgement unrefined.
But now that I have read about him and need him—now that I have a whisper of a creative connection to him—I am enjoying him greatly.
I think it’s a good lesson for me to learn. When engaging with my creative superiors, I need to recognize my limitations and then earn the right to enjoy them.