I don’t like normal muses. I’m not inspired by flawless beauty or a record heavy with wild successes. Convention is a hindrance. I look to the obscure, the weird, the disenfranchised for daily sustenance. I love passion, prickliness, commitment, awkwardness, individuality. A willingness to fall hard on a big stage or the refusal to walk on to it at all, to not shut up when it’s convenient, to live close to the bone and heart and brain. Dead Writers, mostly, but also artists, photographers, performers, activists, life-livers, non-conformists, survivors. The majority are women but, being a feminist, men are definitely not excluded. It’s a personal list-and very, very long-but inclusive. My magpie tastes couldn’t have it any other way.

My muses don’t affect my writing voice (although this peculiar personal passion has resulted in a happy professional sideline)-it is the fact of their existence that I find so comforting. Their circumstances, their struggles, their triumphs keep me doing what I do even when I don’t think I can continue. I’m acutely aware that if it wasn’t for the women (and men) who went before me, I wouldn’t have the privilege of doing the only thing I have ever wanted to do, be artistic: especially to play with words in all of their crazy variety. I’m absurdly lucky to be able to do that every day. So, when I write about muses this is what I mean.

I’ve decided to throw a monthly party to celebrate one of these strange, talented and inspiring creatures. Some you’ll have heard of, others may leave you scratching your head. Either way, I hope you’ll enjoy this new feature. We will post at least half a dozen pieces per Muse, per month, starting in May. First up? Check back in a few days for the reveal. Feeling lucky?* Then enter our impromptu Mini Contest/Giveaway. If you can guess the identity of the first official Alternative Muse, we will send you a handmade *reclaimed* leather or fabric bookmark. Leave your guess in the comments. It’s that easy. The contest closes at NOON on Wednesday, 2 May 2012. Hint: The person in question was featured in one of the Project 366 entries posted between 15th and 30th April. Happy guessing!