Reading this, Jan, allows me to know you in a way I never knew you when I knew you. The directness of your writing and the courageous candour let us readers into your life in a most generous and embracing way. I'm so glad I've been on this journey with you.
Thanks Bill, that's so lovely to hear. I guess it's not surprising that we only knew each other in a certain manner back then. Although we did share the dramatic essence of our personalities through all that theatre making — something which i am forever grateful for.
Oof. I can’t fathom what it must be like for a daughter to hear her mother’s refusal of life. Probably too much to even allow oneself to feel? The shadow, for me, is where all that grief lives and is actually fertile, honest ground for creativity and connection. With time I’ve actually learned to trust her even more than my persona!
ooh yes, you hit the nail on the head Kimberly! I put it in the too hard basket for many years and remained detached from the feelings until writing my novel in 2006. (Am I talking in Aussie slang or are those terms you use in the US too?) That's so interesting what you say about the shadow. That certainly comes through in your writing. Heading over to your memoir now. I do so love this exchange, so happy to have found you on SS!
I’ll look up your friend AD Scott’s murder mysteries set in Scotland -- they sound appealing.
Loved this chapter with more personal admissions and reflections on MD and MC.
I like the - perhaps unintentional - black humour of Marj’s admission : “to fail suicide twice would be just too embarrassing.”
I thought about the persona presented and the shadow persona. I also think I present a strong, positive, caring persona ... and my hidden shadow is stressed, depressed and directionless. I think we need the duality of these and can’t imagine existing only as one or the other. I guess it’s finding the right balance.
Your future writing trips and plans don’t reflect your languishing persona 🥰
Re your persona, yes, I would say that's def how you present and til now have never really glimpsed your shadow side, esp 'directionless'. We all do such a good job at keeping it hidden. And yes, I agree we need both sides for that grit in the oyster shell to create the pearl! One feeds the other — I get so sick of my languishing self that I leap into action. and then I'm so tired afterwards I need to languish for a bit! I do so enjoy your comments and these chats Maureen, have a great day!
Hi Jan, I gave AD Scott’s first book a try, but couldn’t stay with it, despite wanting to enjoy it. Might go back for another try, or try one later in the series. TOO many characters and too busy ... l’d enjoy it more paired back. Instead I’ve started Maria Coffey’s book, Instead: Navigating the Adventures of a Childfree Life - A Memoir, which has captured me from the start.
Hi Maureen, Oh yes, maybe one of the later books would suit you better. It's a while since I read them but I did love the backdrop which is straight from her early years growing up there. The new one sounds good. So many books out there to read!
And are Autumn fires and misty mountains melancholia inducing? Not to me I love (and miss) both, since they occur but rarely in the tropics. Trying to think what my shadow self might be, perhaps self doubt in a Therese fairly confident… hmmm, have to think about that. I feel we’re losing a bit of focus on Md, perhaps the tourist is starting to dominate. Cheers
Thanks Richard. Oh yes, deliciously melancholic! Hehe maybe your shadow self is called Therese! I thought there was a fair bit of MD in this chapter...that was my worry re the previous couple... will be looking at all that...
Reading this, Jan, allows me to know you in a way I never knew you when I knew you. The directness of your writing and the courageous candour let us readers into your life in a most generous and embracing way. I'm so glad I've been on this journey with you.
Thanks Bill, that's so lovely to hear. I guess it's not surprising that we only knew each other in a certain manner back then. Although we did share the dramatic essence of our personalities through all that theatre making — something which i am forever grateful for.
Oof. I can’t fathom what it must be like for a daughter to hear her mother’s refusal of life. Probably too much to even allow oneself to feel? The shadow, for me, is where all that grief lives and is actually fertile, honest ground for creativity and connection. With time I’ve actually learned to trust her even more than my persona!
ooh yes, you hit the nail on the head Kimberly! I put it in the too hard basket for many years and remained detached from the feelings until writing my novel in 2006. (Am I talking in Aussie slang or are those terms you use in the US too?) That's so interesting what you say about the shadow. That certainly comes through in your writing. Heading over to your memoir now. I do so love this exchange, so happy to have found you on SS!
I’ll look up your friend AD Scott’s murder mysteries set in Scotland -- they sound appealing.
Loved this chapter with more personal admissions and reflections on MD and MC.
I like the - perhaps unintentional - black humour of Marj’s admission : “to fail suicide twice would be just too embarrassing.”
I thought about the persona presented and the shadow persona. I also think I present a strong, positive, caring persona ... and my hidden shadow is stressed, depressed and directionless. I think we need the duality of these and can’t imagine existing only as one or the other. I guess it’s finding the right balance.
Your future writing trips and plans don’t reflect your languishing persona 🥰
Thanks Maureen, yes, I think you'll like AD Scott's books, I love them and was mentor/advisor on a couple. You can find them all here and its great to read them in order.. https://www.amazon.com/stores/A.%20D.%20Scott/author/B0041VAA7M
Re your persona, yes, I would say that's def how you present and til now have never really glimpsed your shadow side, esp 'directionless'. We all do such a good job at keeping it hidden. And yes, I agree we need both sides for that grit in the oyster shell to create the pearl! One feeds the other — I get so sick of my languishing self that I leap into action. and then I'm so tired afterwards I need to languish for a bit! I do so enjoy your comments and these chats Maureen, have a great day!
Hi Jan, I gave AD Scott’s first book a try, but couldn’t stay with it, despite wanting to enjoy it. Might go back for another try, or try one later in the series. TOO many characters and too busy ... l’d enjoy it more paired back. Instead I’ve started Maria Coffey’s book, Instead: Navigating the Adventures of a Childfree Life - A Memoir, which has captured me from the start.
Hi Maureen, Oh yes, maybe one of the later books would suit you better. It's a while since I read them but I did love the backdrop which is straight from her early years growing up there. The new one sounds good. So many books out there to read!
Autocorrect.. refer to note to self!
In an otherwise (not Therese… bloody aurtocirrect, but note to self..read before posting
Last paragraph cannot not allow…
And are Autumn fires and misty mountains melancholia inducing? Not to me I love (and miss) both, since they occur but rarely in the tropics. Trying to think what my shadow self might be, perhaps self doubt in a Therese fairly confident… hmmm, have to think about that. I feel we’re losing a bit of focus on Md, perhaps the tourist is starting to dominate. Cheers
Thanks Richard. Oh yes, deliciously melancholic! Hehe maybe your shadow self is called Therese! I thought there was a fair bit of MD in this chapter...that was my worry re the previous couple... will be looking at all that...