I’ve been agonizing about this for couple of months. I hate to do it but I have to take a break, like a long one. I’ve been trying to work on fiction and do SStack and for right now it’s not working. I realize that might sound precious but it’s a real thing for me.
What Sam Kahn said. I've been amazed at how much work and time must have gone into Out of It. Not only the posts, but your long, generous replies to the comments. Good luck with the fiction. Your break will give me a chance to catch up on your novels and stories!
“It’s not about social thinking even when the work involves—as it usually does—depiction of society or elements of it. Okay that sounds silly even to me.”
Not to me. The number of novels I’ve killed by successfully pitching them to acquaintances at parties...
Good luck with the break and the fiction. Your posts are so detialed and have so much extra to them, I can see they take a huge amount of time and thought. I look forward to reading the updates as and when you can.
Dear Mary, It doesn't sound precious only necessary. To abide in a state of equanimity without over attachment and without being required, or needing, to repel is the hardest of all human living tasks. Harder when the brain is the centre of all. Great good luck in your writing. Look forward to reading
No worries. I was actually wondering how long you could do this without a break, and of course, we really want you to be doing your fiction work. That's #1. And we'll be glad to see you when you swing back by. Enjoy the break! (P.S. For similar reasons I've had to give up a writing column I was doing.)
It’s been a gift that you’ve been able to Substack as much as you have. Good luck with the fiction piece!
I love this.
I love what you have said, how you have put it.
Good luck.
I met Doris Lessing when I was a teenager.
A few times at Christmas parties.
She often seemed to sit alone.
To be somewhere else.
Since then that memory of her has been what I think of as the quintessential author.
What Sam Kahn said. I've been amazed at how much work and time must have gone into Out of It. Not only the posts, but your long, generous replies to the comments. Good luck with the fiction. Your break will give me a chance to catch up on your novels and stories!
Your fiction has to be a priority! You’re such a master of the form. Veronica is a perfect novel, btw. I keep returning to it again and again.
I FEEEEEL this so much Mary. (And you're inspiring me... 🤔) It's extremely hard to do both. Work on that fiction! We'll be here.
Thank you for the song! They are new to me.
I think this is a common feeling for fiction writers. Do what you have to do to make the art your soul is wanting to make!
“It’s not about social thinking even when the work involves—as it usually does—depiction of society or elements of it. Okay that sounds silly even to me.”
Not to me. The number of novels I’ve killed by successfully pitching them to acquaintances at parties...
Also:
Teeth and toenails 👌
Good luck with the break and the fiction. Your posts are so detialed and have so much extra to them, I can see they take a huge amount of time and thought. I look forward to reading the updates as and when you can.
this makes total sense. while i'll miss your posts i'm psyched to know it's in the service of a new novel. worth the wait! good luck to you, mary.
Good luck! May the muses blow a mauve breeze your way
Thank you for being a strong example of good boundaries! Enjoy the fiction and we‘ll be here when you‘re ready to return. 🩷🩷🩷
Dear Mary, It doesn't sound precious only necessary. To abide in a state of equanimity without over attachment and without being required, or needing, to repel is the hardest of all human living tasks. Harder when the brain is the centre of all. Great good luck in your writing. Look forward to reading
Happy fictionizing! - sometimes stepping away is the only way . . .
No worries. I was actually wondering how long you could do this without a break, and of course, we really want you to be doing your fiction work. That's #1. And we'll be glad to see you when you swing back by. Enjoy the break! (P.S. For similar reasons I've had to give up a writing column I was doing.)
Please take care of yourself and your writing! We all look forward to your next work!