I literally just put your essay collection on hold from the library last night. How serendipitous to see this lovely interview with you and Jane today!
Jane, as always, I value so much the way you conduct these interviews. They always feel so intimate to me, like I'm sitting in the room with both of you, listening raptly to the conversations. They never feel rushed, always slow and intentional, just the way I try to live each day. Thank you.
Yes, and I just started reading it last night. I read prolifically, and I want to tell you that after reading the first essay, I can already tell it is a work of literary magnificence. Truly. You are an extraordinary writer.
I really enjoyed this interview and smiled at her experience with ‘Forever’ by Judy Blume as it was similar for me (a furtive reading in my early teens) but I made sure to give a copy to my older daughter then 14 who when I asked her if she had any questions for me, was not prepared for the one she asked; ‘Mamma, how old were you when you had sex for the first time.’ Ah! I was 15 (I had learned I was too young to handle it at that age) but I didn’t want to confess this at that moment so I told the white lie of ‘18’ like the girl in ‘Forever.’ I know my fudging didn’t do her or us any harm, but it makes me think of how quick we can be to rewrite our histories.😀
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Amy! And those moments are so hard! I don't have children of my own but I did co-raise two beautiful girls with my friend who was a single mom, working and in school. I remember when the eight year old asked me if I'd ever done drugs! Not necessarily the time to tell the truth!
Amy, I relate to this story so much! You've made me realize how I've become a little more honest with my children over time, according to their age. At first it was, "No, I've never smokes a cigarette" when they were very small, to "I tried it a few times," and onward!
Just as I finished writing à comment on your previous post about how poetry is inspiring my life/ writing, this pops up on my screen! Loved reading Nicole’s essay on memoir writing which has given me so much courage and inspiration to complete the memoir that I thought was going to be auto-fiction. Thank you!
Nicole,
I literally just put your essay collection on hold from the library last night. How serendipitous to see this lovely interview with you and Jane today!
Jane, as always, I value so much the way you conduct these interviews. They always feel so intimate to me, like I'm sitting in the room with both of you, listening raptly to the conversations. They never feel rushed, always slow and intentional, just the way I try to live each day. Thank you.
Oh, thank you, Jeannine. That's beautiful! I'm so happy you feel that way. Thank you for letting me know! xx
You’re welcome, Jane!
Jeannie--This is so wonderful to hear! I love when life delivers us synchronicities like this. I so hope you enjoy the book!
Yes, and I just started reading it last night. I read prolifically, and I want to tell you that after reading the first essay, I can already tell it is a work of literary magnificence. Truly. You are an extraordinary writer.
Beautiful interview.
I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Heather!
I really enjoyed this interview and smiled at her experience with ‘Forever’ by Judy Blume as it was similar for me (a furtive reading in my early teens) but I made sure to give a copy to my older daughter then 14 who when I asked her if she had any questions for me, was not prepared for the one she asked; ‘Mamma, how old were you when you had sex for the first time.’ Ah! I was 15 (I had learned I was too young to handle it at that age) but I didn’t want to confess this at that moment so I told the white lie of ‘18’ like the girl in ‘Forever.’ I know my fudging didn’t do her or us any harm, but it makes me think of how quick we can be to rewrite our histories.😀
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Amy! And those moments are so hard! I don't have children of my own but I did co-raise two beautiful girls with my friend who was a single mom, working and in school. I remember when the eight year old asked me if I'd ever done drugs! Not necessarily the time to tell the truth!
Yes, sometimes we simply have to edit ourselves!
Amy, I relate to this story so much! You've made me realize how I've become a little more honest with my children over time, according to their age. At first it was, "No, I've never smokes a cigarette" when they were very small, to "I tried it a few times," and onward!
Yes as they mature (and we do) more honesty follows 😀
Just as I finished writing à comment on your previous post about how poetry is inspiring my life/ writing, this pops up on my screen! Loved reading Nicole’s essay on memoir writing which has given me so much courage and inspiration to complete the memoir that I thought was going to be auto-fiction. Thank you!
Oh, I'm so glad, Imola!! ❤️
This is so wonderful to hear, Imola. Wishing you so much luck with your memoir project!
Thank you for the positive encouragement Nicole!
❤️
I feel the same!