17 Comments
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Fokkina McDonnell's avatar

Fascinating, especially the post-publication edits. Thank you.

Jillian Hess's avatar

I found that fascinating too!

Leonora Ross's avatar

Yes, I must say; those were really interesting.

Nancy Sherman's avatar

Fascinating to see up close a writer’s method. Thanks

Jillian Hess's avatar

It's my favorite thing!

Kimberly Cook's avatar

Very interesting read! I've got Joan's book as my next read. Thanks.

Jillian Hess's avatar

I hope you enjoy it!

Marika Páez Wiesen's avatar

Okay, she retypes her work every day from page one? Then she makes notes on it, then she retypes it the next day? I've got to try this and see how it works. If anything I'd probably get sick of my words, which might push me to find different, better words? As I was reading I was thinking of how often I write to "pin down" an idea or an image. That "grammar" she spoke of, I suppose. But what if I'm pinning it down too soon? What might my writing be if I stuck around to "rearrange" it more...?

Jillian Hess's avatar

Such interesting questions, Marika!

Gallagher Hayes's avatar

I enjoyed the Joan Didion artikle.

I've honestly not heard, of her.

You've really raised my interests, however,

in 'the coat-clerk journals'!

....i expect an article, in an up-coming segment.

Honestly,

I enjoy your writings.

Thanks!

Jillian Hess's avatar

Thanks, Gallagher!

Mena I's avatar

🩵🩵

Ellen Kornmehl MD's avatar

Great to see the originals...and Didion's wry sense

Jane Ratcliffe's avatar

That’s so fascinating that she edited her published book!

Christine Sparacino's avatar

This was fascinating and thought-provoking! Thank you for sharing as it makes me think about my own process

The Unhurried Reader's avatar

I recognize the exhaustive (and exhausting) editing process. I'd be same, I know.

Jennifer Lauck's avatar

The idea that archival work is a form of devotion, and then finding Didion's actual notebooks, her handwriting moving across the page, that's not research as much as a visitation. She kept nodding terms with herself in those pages. A great post. TY 🐦‍⬛