I come from both a D&D background and a writing background. I tend to personify my muse because its the only explanation for some things that happens during the writing process. Plus I'm a bit of a mystic. To me there has to be some separation as my imagination will have a whole scenario worked out and think its great but then I start writing and the characters start breathing and things go off the tracks I set down. I write things I had no intention of writing. I find it separate from what inspiration and imagination.<br/><br/>From talking with others this experience is fairly common so that may be why the personification of the muse is so prevalent.