I'm always struck by the power and wisdom of Woolf's prescription of money and a room of one's own. These two elements enable a person to create a BOUNDARY against the intrusion of other beings into one's sphere of autonomy and imagination. Without such a secure line of differentiation, it is difficult to thrive and develop.
Thanks, Baird! Absolutely; I have to say, I have never had an actual, physical “room” of my own in which to write, but even carving out some space (both literal and figurative) for our creative selves is so important.
I loved how you wove Woolf and Levy together. This felt both timely and timeless. A thoughtful, beautifully crafted reminder of why women’s stories and spaces still matter.
Really enjoyed reading this piece! Thank you for sharing it, Kate.
Each female voice—even if expressed through a single essay, poem, or thought piece—returns voice to those silenced for centuries and denied the right to simply… write.
One detail I remembered about A Room of Her Own was that she was not allowed in the university library without a male escort. But she felt safe walking home alone at night. Such a strange world.
Love this! I’d always rather read something about real domestic life than something about a “big” topic like war or politics. How can the everyday, human things that make up our lives be considered less important? They’re central to everything! Thank you for sharing your research on these authors, and how they all connect. Fascinating essay :)
Beautiful discussion on Woolf and Deborah Levy. Much to think about here. Thank you for all you do. 💮🌷
Ah, thank you! I’m glad you got something from it. It’s an endlessly fascinating topic for me! :)
Substack is great for all of our endlessly fascinating topics! 💮
It is! It makes me wonder what we did with all this stuff before Substack came about…
Thanks for another excellent essay, Kate!
I'm always struck by the power and wisdom of Woolf's prescription of money and a room of one's own. These two elements enable a person to create a BOUNDARY against the intrusion of other beings into one's sphere of autonomy and imagination. Without such a secure line of differentiation, it is difficult to thrive and develop.
Thanks, Baird! Absolutely; I have to say, I have never had an actual, physical “room” of my own in which to write, but even carving out some space (both literal and figurative) for our creative selves is so important.
I loved how you wove Woolf and Levy together. This felt both timely and timeless. A thoughtful, beautifully crafted reminder of why women’s stories and spaces still matter.
Thank you 💕 I think so too 😊
Love this! I've been wanting to write a similar essay for over a year, it's still simmering somewhere – and full of rage, I'm afraid...
Oh dear!! I shall look forward to reading your thoughts, when you’re ready…thank you for reading!
Really enjoyed reading this piece! Thank you for sharing it, Kate.
Each female voice—even if expressed through a single essay, poem, or thought piece—returns voice to those silenced for centuries and denied the right to simply… write.
Thank you so much! Yes, it is SO important to amplify the voices of women, past and present, as I attempt to do here ❤️
Beautiful investigation. “Room” is an essay that just keeps giving in so many ways. Love where you went with it.
Thanks, Kate! :)
One detail I remembered about A Room of Her Own was that she was not allowed in the university library without a male escort. But she felt safe walking home alone at night. Such a strange world.
Absolutely! So odd to think of now.
Love this! I’d always rather read something about real domestic life than something about a “big” topic like war or politics. How can the everyday, human things that make up our lives be considered less important? They’re central to everything! Thank you for sharing your research on these authors, and how they all connect. Fascinating essay :)
Exactly!! What is more important than how people live and interact with one another?!
A super essay, Kate, I appreciate the research you've done to produce it.
I can never get enough of Virginia Woolf!
Thank you, Yasmin! I know, I think she still resonates with so many of us.