Scientific Support for the HEAs?

I am a hoarder. I buy magazines and just can't seem to get rid of them. I just might need one of the articles to add depth to a character or fact to a plot! Recently. I got around to filing them in boxes. Of course, as I did I browsed through them. And an issue of Phychology Today caught my eye. There were several interesting articles in it, Reinvent Yourself: You Can Change Your Personality; Get Over It: How to Let Go of a Grudge; and The Caveman Diet And Other Natural Cures.

However what caught my interest most was a very short article titled Muse Clues. It was about the findings to an Arizona State University study on what inspired people to be creative.

Was it money? No. Higher status? No. Fame? No. It seems that throughout history all species become more creative when trying to attract a Mate. And Humans are no different. Men became more creative when faced with obtaining a hot date. Why else do you think the early civilizations all portrayed their muses as beautiful women?

And what about women? They, too, became more creative when a mate was the inspiration. But not the one time hot date. Women became more creative when the prize would be a man suitable for a long-term relationship. Someone that would invest in raising a family, being a partner in life.

It also turned out that a real prospective mate need not be the goal. Just the thought of the ideal mate inspired the creativity in the perspective sexes. Therefore it seems Romance with Happily-ever-afters would be more inspirational to women. In romances we can read about the pursuit and achievement of a long term relationship. A Happily Ever After, Yes? At the very least, it's nice for those of us in the business of writing Romance to know that relationships and the pursuit of them continue to be what inspires both writers and readers alike.

May your muse inspire you to pursue creative endeavors *g*
Mari