You do the hard work of showing us the hard work of writing. Every time your work and the work on whose shoulders we all stand lifts me up, AND reminds me whose shoulders I stand on. Thank you!
I think for me, what stands out the most is how she created such beautiful and enduring works with the simplest of tools. There seems to be a push these days toward having to have a specific app or program before you can get the work done, but she created powerful work with what looks like ball point pens, scraps of paper and notepads. I think there is a lot of insight to gain from that.
Just wanted to thank you for your delightful and empathic work, pulling back the curtain on the processes of such brilliant minds-at-work... it is deeply humanising and encouraging. A true treat!
Thank you for sharing this with us, Jillian. To her memory, I share one of my favourite quotes ever: “This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.” - Maya Angelou
These notes are incredible, magical! As also is the fact that someone decided to archive them, and Jillian, you and others like you choose to read them and you chose to analyse them and share them freely! Thank you for uplifting my spirits with these :)
Wonderful post. There is something about doing everything by hand that creates the sense of flow, such that the formal writing session may later flow to a poem on the back of an envelope. Here's to all the women writers who choose pinning their stories together either alongside or over pinning up the hems of skirts. Straight pins are still a great writing tool.
I've copied this down in my notebook, I love it so much: "Here's to all the women writers who choose pinning their stories together either alongside or over pinning up the hems of skirts. Straight pins are still a great writing tool." Thanks, Alice!
Words, such powerful things … her words in her mouth, knowing her history and the times she lived through, incredible.
I always save your posts for a moment when I can focus on them wholly, knowing that I will learn, reflect and grow through your work. I picked a good moment today and this piece really struck a chord. Thank you.
You do the hard work of showing us the hard work of writing. Every time your work and the work on whose shoulders we all stand lifts me up, AND reminds me whose shoulders I stand on. Thank you!
Oh, thank you, Felicia. Your comment means a lot to me!
I think for me, what stands out the most is how she created such beautiful and enduring works with the simplest of tools. There seems to be a push these days toward having to have a specific app or program before you can get the work done, but she created powerful work with what looks like ball point pens, scraps of paper and notepads. I think there is a lot of insight to gain from that.
Yes, yes, yes!
offline and old school: longhand legacies
We REALLY need people such as her NOW MORE than ever.....
Agreed!!
Just wanted to thank you for your delightful and empathic work, pulling back the curtain on the processes of such brilliant minds-at-work... it is deeply humanising and encouraging. A true treat!
Thank you, Alexandra. Your words mean a lot to me!
Yes, ma'am.
"So if writing feels difficult for you too, then join the club! It’s filled with some very illustrious people."
It's a large club!
Thank you for sharing this with us, Jillian. To her memory, I share one of my favourite quotes ever: “This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.” - Maya Angelou
That's just perfect, Denis! Thanks for sharing.
These notes are incredible, magical! As also is the fact that someone decided to archive them, and Jillian, you and others like you choose to read them and you chose to analyse them and share them freely! Thank you for uplifting my spirits with these :)
Magical is the perfect word! And thank you for your beautiful comment!
How we need Maya's words and energy right now. What a gorgeous post. Thank you, Jillian.💜
I agree. I'm so grateful she left us with so much.
What a treat to see Maya’s notes and handwriting. Thank you for sharing!
You're welcome, Stella!
Thanks for sharing. So inspiring…
You're welcome, Raymond!
Love her. Thanks for this - I esp like the printing out and cutting up like a jigsaw puzzle. I don't do that enough working on a computer!
Same! I've been trying it a bit more since researching Angelou and it's surprisingly
fun!
I’m doing somersaults over here thinking about getting to see these notes. Why don’t I live in New York. It’s not fair 😫
I wish you lived in NY too, Simon!
I enjoyed learning about the relationship between Maya and Oprah. They were a gift to each other.
And, in turn, a gift to us!
This is so great
Thanks, Marie!
Wonderful post. There is something about doing everything by hand that creates the sense of flow, such that the formal writing session may later flow to a poem on the back of an envelope. Here's to all the women writers who choose pinning their stories together either alongside or over pinning up the hems of skirts. Straight pins are still a great writing tool.
I've copied this down in my notebook, I love it so much: "Here's to all the women writers who choose pinning their stories together either alongside or over pinning up the hems of skirts. Straight pins are still a great writing tool." Thanks, Alice!
Words, such powerful things … her words in her mouth, knowing her history and the times she lived through, incredible.
I always save your posts for a moment when I can focus on them wholly, knowing that I will learn, reflect and grow through your work. I picked a good moment today and this piece really struck a chord. Thank you.
Oh, thank you! That means a lot to me!
💛📝💛