Betsy, this is so moving. I know that it's a particularly writerly dilemma and experience, but to me, your courage and vulnerability with regard to this are exceptional. I have also lost notebooks and it's not a small thing. And it's also kind of miraculous how creativity can almost immediately set to work spinning out new threads and re-weaving the old. Your presence of mind, your willingness to grow and keep going, and your courage to share this with all of us is the best "guide to writing" that I've seen in a long time.
And I can't help thinking about the story in Hemingway's A Moveable Feast about how his suitcase/manuscript was stolen. What a writerly rite of passage. Sending love! What comes next will be exciting, so keep the faith. --xoxoxo
What nice words, Courtney. Thank you. Both you and Andy Merton recalled Hemingway's loss. I suppose if he could survive it, so can I. I like the idea of viewing this as a "writerly rite of passage." Thank you again.
I want that map back for you so much. Somewhere in one of my moves, I lost the notebook I kept of my mystery novels. I learned from M.K. Wren we should draw maps, plans of buildings, write backstories for each character, and keep them in a notebook for handy reference. Nowadays I use Scrivener for all that, but I'd still love to have my notebooks from those first two mysteries. Right now I'm searching for the guest book from my 40th birthday party. I want to invite all those same people to my 80th. My brain is having to work awfully hard to recreate that loss...
There is something about writing on paper that produces a visceral sense of order and, for me, calm. It has also to do with the visual keys that comes from it. I am a devoted user of Scrivener and have stashed SO MUCH stuff there but I my journals and diagrams are psychologically important. I hope you find that guest book!
Perhaps the most famous lost manuscripts were Hemingway's, packed in a suitcase which his wife Hadley lost on a train trip from Paris to join him in Lausanne, France, in 1922. (Hemingway was 23 at the time.) Here's a link to the story: https://fs.blog/hemingway-suitcase/. I'm sorry, Betsy, that you are going through this miserable experience. Hang in there.
All I can think is: poor Hadley. I am now wondering if this is what happens when it takes too long to write a book but I suspect it has more to do with carting around too many thoughts in my head to keep track of what is in my hands. I will hang in there. What choice is there?
Thanks for these recommendations, Carol! I've read Lisa See before and appreciate the windows she opens into the lives of woman I'd never know otherwise.
“Too many possibilities can immobilize me.” This resonates. My post this week is on the blank canvas of summer and on what that blank canvas brings up in me. I loved this post. It inspired me to write a poem about the things I cling to and what happens when I can’t find them. I love hearing how you structure your novel. I’m working through my memoir now and finding it hard and slow and boring and losing confidence a bit.
Your writing is poignant, and I know you’ll find your way with or without the map.
Thanks for the continuing story of the lost backpack, Betsy. Your experience connects with so many of us...what human being living on this earth hasn't lost something. Me: here I am at Dorland Arts Colony retreating...and I left my journal at home! It's not lost, but I am without it. Making do as you are. As we all do.
What I also want to say is Thank You! for featuring my soon-to-be-released memoir in Spark. Here I was scrolling along, always enjoying what you write when suddenly there was that familiar bright red/reddish color that has been coloring my daily life for several months now. I so appreciate your sharing the news. (Here come some virtual hugs)
Feeling your loss so deeply. I break out in cold sweat at the thought of losing one of my notebooks out in the world, let alone something like your map, which I know takes so much time and effort to put together. Still hoping the universe brings it back to you or something better in its place.
Thank you so much for sharing about FAIR GAME. You are a lovely and amazingly generous gift of a person.
Betsy, this is so moving. I know that it's a particularly writerly dilemma and experience, but to me, your courage and vulnerability with regard to this are exceptional. I have also lost notebooks and it's not a small thing. And it's also kind of miraculous how creativity can almost immediately set to work spinning out new threads and re-weaving the old. Your presence of mind, your willingness to grow and keep going, and your courage to share this with all of us is the best "guide to writing" that I've seen in a long time.
And I can't help thinking about the story in Hemingway's A Moveable Feast about how his suitcase/manuscript was stolen. What a writerly rite of passage. Sending love! What comes next will be exciting, so keep the faith. --xoxoxo
What nice words, Courtney. Thank you. Both you and Andy Merton recalled Hemingway's loss. I suppose if he could survive it, so can I. I like the idea of viewing this as a "writerly rite of passage." Thank you again.
I want that map back for you so much. Somewhere in one of my moves, I lost the notebook I kept of my mystery novels. I learned from M.K. Wren we should draw maps, plans of buildings, write backstories for each character, and keep them in a notebook for handy reference. Nowadays I use Scrivener for all that, but I'd still love to have my notebooks from those first two mysteries. Right now I'm searching for the guest book from my 40th birthday party. I want to invite all those same people to my 80th. My brain is having to work awfully hard to recreate that loss...
There is something about writing on paper that produces a visceral sense of order and, for me, calm. It has also to do with the visual keys that comes from it. I am a devoted user of Scrivener and have stashed SO MUCH stuff there but I my journals and diagrams are psychologically important. I hope you find that guest book!
Perhaps the most famous lost manuscripts were Hemingway's, packed in a suitcase which his wife Hadley lost on a train trip from Paris to join him in Lausanne, France, in 1922. (Hemingway was 23 at the time.) Here's a link to the story: https://fs.blog/hemingway-suitcase/. I'm sorry, Betsy, that you are going through this miserable experience. Hang in there.
All I can think is: poor Hadley. I am now wondering if this is what happens when it takes too long to write a book but I suspect it has more to do with carting around too many thoughts in my head to keep track of what is in my hands. I will hang in there. What choice is there?
Just finished Lady Tan and the Circle of Women by Lisa See. A wonderful read, thoroughly researched and beautifully written.
Thanks for these recommendations, Carol! I've read Lisa See before and appreciate the windows she opens into the lives of woman I'd never know otherwise.
“Too many possibilities can immobilize me.” This resonates. My post this week is on the blank canvas of summer and on what that blank canvas brings up in me. I loved this post. It inspired me to write a poem about the things I cling to and what happens when I can’t find them. I love hearing how you structure your novel. I’m working through my memoir now and finding it hard and slow and boring and losing confidence a bit.
Your writing is poignant, and I know you’ll find your way with or without the map.
How nice to hear that your thoughts led you to a poem! And thank you for your encouragement and confidence in me.
Thanks for the continuing story of the lost backpack, Betsy. Your experience connects with so many of us...what human being living on this earth hasn't lost something. Me: here I am at Dorland Arts Colony retreating...and I left my journal at home! It's not lost, but I am without it. Making do as you are. As we all do.
What I also want to say is Thank You! for featuring my soon-to-be-released memoir in Spark. Here I was scrolling along, always enjoying what you write when suddenly there was that familiar bright red/reddish color that has been coloring my daily life for several months now. I so appreciate your sharing the news. (Here come some virtual hugs)
Yes, making do. As we all do. I will just keep that as my new mantra.
I hope the backback magically reappears
With magic, anything can happen, right?
Hugs.
Thanks, PJ
Feeling your loss so deeply. I break out in cold sweat at the thought of losing one of my notebooks out in the world, let alone something like your map, which I know takes so much time and effort to put together. Still hoping the universe brings it back to you or something better in its place.
Thank you so much for sharing about FAIR GAME. You are a lovely and amazingly generous gift of a person.
I'm about to start FG this week and can't wait!
Yay!