Ha--I'm kind of fascinated by the concept of the Muse, too, and I was also kind of afraid of someone asking me this one, because I really don't think of it that way ... and I'm kind of glad, since if it's a person, she can ditch you (and often does, from what I hear)! There are definitely times when I don't have a concept that's complete enough to get started writing, and other times when I'm just not feeling it, but for me it's simply about concepts and people and personal fascinations that inspire me and where they are in terms of coming together into a story concept.

I'd like to shoot that question right back at you, and anyone else who might read this ....