Cede – definition: to give in, yield or formally surrender to another

As writers should we surrender to our muse?

I have found, in my experience, that surrendering to my muse has enabled me to accomplish large quantities of narrative. Whole chapters have formed with details previously unknown to me. In some circles this is known as channeling but more on a spiritual plane. May be my muse has more control over me than I care to admit. Although, saying that, once a story starts to flow, I yield to the process completely. I enjoy the journey as much as my characters. I am immersed in their lives, wondering which paths we will tread. Writing uninterrupted  by aspects of editing is a freeing experience.

Have you surrendered to find unexpected plot lines or do you need to control every aspect?

Some famous authors and their perceived muses’:

F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda

Charles Dodgson (Lewis Caroll)—Alice Liddell

Shakespeare-The Dark Lady/The handsome youth/Henry Wriothesley

J.D. Salinger/Joyce Maynard

A couple of links concerning the muse:

http://www.juliamccutchen.com/blog/?p=837

http://chloegetsaclue.com/writing-tip-the-care-and-feeding-of-your-muse/