Love this! Joan Didion's "fragments" remind me of the lists I keep on the Notes app in my phone: Overheard, Things I believe, Big list of things to write about, and Walks.
I find the unknown aspect of creativity so fascinating. I think that's what keeps me coming back again and again--to see what shapes my fragments will combine into.
Funnily enough, I recently read "Some Dreamers of the Golden Dream", taken from "Sloching Towards Bethlehem", and the writing was so alive, so vibrant, that I could almost feel the oppressive heat. These notes help to explain why: what a great observer and chronicler she was.
On a creative witing course I taught recently I was encouraging the students to keep a record of observations and overheard snippets of conversation that they could use/draw on in their writing. Reading this I feel vindicated!
So interesting. I have so many ideas saved as draft files in Substack. Short essays I can do. A book is unlikely. Thanks for sharing Didion’s notes and thought process.
I often wonder what beauties are lurking in the heap of other writers' "draft files." I say this as a teacher who has seen students' writing "before it's ready to be submitted" and, often, it is totally ready.
I also write ideas in notebooks. And I also have horrible handwriting that I often can't read. So... I'm like Joan! (Said mainly in jest of course, but I can 'strive' to be like Joan...)
Interesting stuff there. The collecting of fragments is something I’ve done most of my life—-phrases I like, overhead conversations. Ideas for song titles. Interesting things seen on signs and on the sides of buses. Stuff I notice other people doing that I record in pictures. Words. Or sketches. And it goes on
Fascinating reading more about Didion process. I really resonated with her "writing fragments". I often write bits of thoughts, almost anywhere when they pop into my head, as I know the exact wording can slip away quickly. Thanks so much for sharing Jillian! 🩷🙌
Love this! Joan Didion's "fragments" remind me of the lists I keep on the Notes app in my phone: Overheard, Things I believe, Big list of things to write about, and Walks.
I hear you! I have so many fragments in various formats and still never sure shape they will eventually take.
I find the unknown aspect of creativity so fascinating. I think that's what keeps me coming back again and again--to see what shapes my fragments will combine into.
I would love to have been able to look in Didion's phone!
Fascinating to hear how Didion edited own book AFTER publication. Magical Thinking and Blue Nights two of my favourites of hers.
They're my favorites too!
Funnily enough, I recently read "Some Dreamers of the Golden Dream", taken from "Sloching Towards Bethlehem", and the writing was so alive, so vibrant, that I could almost feel the oppressive heat. These notes help to explain why: what a great observer and chronicler she was.
On a creative witing course I taught recently I was encouraging the students to keep a record of observations and overheard snippets of conversation that they could use/draw on in their writing. Reading this I feel vindicated!
Thanks for a fascinating insight.
Oh yes, you should definitely feel vindicated :)
😀
This is great! I love reading about artists' creative processes.
Same!
wow, thank you so much for sharing this with us! What a privilege to be able to read this small glimpse into Didion's life. Truly, thank you!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Livia!
So interesting. I have so many ideas saved as draft files in Substack. Short essays I can do. A book is unlikely. Thanks for sharing Didion’s notes and thought process.
I often wonder what beauties are lurking in the heap of other writers' "draft files." I say this as a teacher who has seen students' writing "before it's ready to be submitted" and, often, it is totally ready.
I get that. My drafts are just beginnings and ideas I need to flesh out.
I also write ideas in notebooks. And I also have horrible handwriting that I often can't read. So... I'm like Joan! (Said mainly in jest of course, but I can 'strive' to be like Joan...)
You're part-way there! 😉
I love to see a great author’s writing process. Thank you for this!
Interesting stuff there. The collecting of fragments is something I’ve done most of my life—-phrases I like, overhead conversations. Ideas for song titles. Interesting things seen on signs and on the sides of buses. Stuff I notice other people doing that I record in pictures. Words. Or sketches. And it goes on
Yes! I loved your overheard quotes in our CBC!
Super interesting to see all the details Didion wrote down like the signs and things overheard or noticed.
Thanks, Keith!
Oh wow, this is so fascinating and interesting, Jillian, and the pictures are like gold dust.
Now I have this image in my head of just labelling all the pictures I include my posts "gold dust." For some reason, I'm finding this very funny.
I think I should just become your assistant as it would be my dream job.
I agree. You and me both. She needs us ha ha
Dream team!
Fascinating reading more about Didion process. I really resonated with her "writing fragments". I often write bits of thoughts, almost anywhere when they pop into my head, as I know the exact wording can slip away quickly. Thanks so much for sharing Jillian! 🩷🙌
This post was in my Google news feed this morning 🤩
The work is never perfect- ain't that the truth!
Its fascinating to me how she was able to remember and document conversations in such a detailed way.
Loved this look inside one of my favorites.
I'm so glad, Adam!