I definitely experience the Muse as some kind of outside force or inspiration. When my writing's not coming together, I tend to go out in the woods, clear my mind, and kind of ask for the inspiration to come... Not right that minute necessarily, but soon.

Another notion I have about these mystical processes has to do with film and TV because it's a freakin' miracle when the perfect story and cast and crew come together to make something sublime. I felt that way about The Lord of the Rings films, and I feel that way about Supernatural - just in awe that it can be SO GOOD.