The quote from Erica Jong's "Seducing the Demon: Writing for My Life" addresses the elusive nature of inspiration, often referred to as the muse. Jong emphasizes that the muse is not something that can be summoned on command; instead, she arrives unpredictably and can choose to favor one artist over another. This highlights the inherent frustration many creatives face when seeking inspiration, suggesting that it is often out of their control.
The personification of the muse as a capricious entity captures the complex relationship between artists and their creativity. The sentiment that she can fall in love with one artist and then abandon them for another underscores the fickleness of artistic inspiration. Jong's playful yet exasperated tone reveals the emotional highs and lows that artists experience while trying to connect with their muse, whom they often view as a demanding and unreliable companion.