It might be interesting to also consider the pandemic specifically and its impact on women writers (ie with home schooling). Zadie Smith wrote some beautiful essays on this time (I am looking forward to her new book that just came out). It might not be specific to women, as I imagine most of the writers - men or women - would have been responsible for the children at that time? Not sure. It was a kind of 'war' like other time periods you discuss.
Thanks, Kate! The pandemic is a great idea to consider, and I hadn't really thought of it in terms of the extra work or pressures on parents as writers with home-schooling, etc. Zadie Smith's writing and thoughts on current issues are always so inspiring on the ways we live and work. Thanks for sharing your thoughts (both on the original essay and this follow-up!)
Fantastic post, I love this idea of delving a little deeper in a second newsletter. It’s fascinating to see what people thought of Tillie Olsen. We expect a lot of our icons, but we have to accept that they are still people with flaws - so it’s interesting to learn that Olsen made up a lot of her life experiences. This is a great discussion :)
Thanks! I'm glad you like it; I just thought it was a nice way of also responding to some of the great comments I receive from subscribers around the themes or their personal experience of a book or writer. Thanks for adding to the discussion! :)
Love these ideas and this direction, Kate.
It might be interesting to also consider the pandemic specifically and its impact on women writers (ie with home schooling). Zadie Smith wrote some beautiful essays on this time (I am looking forward to her new book that just came out). It might not be specific to women, as I imagine most of the writers - men or women - would have been responsible for the children at that time? Not sure. It was a kind of 'war' like other time periods you discuss.
Thanks, Kate! The pandemic is a great idea to consider, and I hadn't really thought of it in terms of the extra work or pressures on parents as writers with home-schooling, etc. Zadie Smith's writing and thoughts on current issues are always so inspiring on the ways we live and work. Thanks for sharing your thoughts (both on the original essay and this follow-up!)
Fantastic post, I love this idea of delving a little deeper in a second newsletter. It’s fascinating to see what people thought of Tillie Olsen. We expect a lot of our icons, but we have to accept that they are still people with flaws - so it’s interesting to learn that Olsen made up a lot of her life experiences. This is a great discussion :)
Thanks! I'm glad you like it; I just thought it was a nice way of also responding to some of the great comments I receive from subscribers around the themes or their personal experience of a book or writer. Thanks for adding to the discussion! :)
I love the idea of ‘afterthoughts’, Kate. What a great way to nurture the ANOTO community!
Thanks, Victoria! I thought so too; the discussions in the comments are often what make this such a great place to write and share ideas :)
This is a great nudge in what you have written about what I should be reading to expand myself.
Thanks! Glad to have "nudged" you :)