What Inspires ?

What inspires us?
Or - From where does creativity come?
Earlier cultures have given the rights of creativity to the Muses.
But who are these Muses?
If these Muses are wrong - are they really Demons?

Artists are known to go through spells of madness.
But it is during these spells when they are most creative.
(John Nash and his mental disorders being an example.)
Or;
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/features/print/2687/do-you-have-be-nuts-be-a-genius
Some creative people need drugs, alcohol or bouts of depression to reach a level of being to be able to communicate with these Muses.
(Although a lack of sleep - or maybe a lack of dreams - also gets one to this point)


Is creation (or creativity) a natural reaction to an altered state?
Or a higher level of consciousness (or unconsciousness)?