Thomas Fuller interview, Part 3

In which Mr. Fuller talks about the muse, among other things...

Q: You said somewhere that writing for you is a kind of listening.

A: Absolument! Oui Oui! Writing poetry is 90% listening, writing prose perhaps 75% I can't demonstrate this scientifically but I know it to be true. When nothing's happening for instance if I stop doing what I'm doing and consciously listen something will always happen, something new that can be translated into words.

Q: So you believe in the concept of the muse?

A: I believe in the muse in the same way the astrophysicist believes in time--that it exists but can't be proved scientifically.

Q: Does the muse have a human shape?

A: The muse for The Classical World is Monica Vitti, an Italian actress, who said in one of her films, "I can't stare at the sea for fear I'll lose interest in the earth." 

Q: I'd have thought the idea of a muse would be more conceptual; that's a very specific muse

A: I keep a snapshot of Monica Vitti in my wallet. Would you like to see it?

Monica Vitti in L'Aventurra", a film by Michelangelo Antonioni, 1960.