Great post. As kids, my friends and I would often tell each other stories we'd just made up or give each other writing or drawing prompts. I can recall one camping trip where in the evening we wrote radio plays and then recorded them on cassette. But even in those days - late 1980s/early 1990s - this was a very unusual activity among kids.
We're contemporaries, Kate! I grew up around that time too. I'm so grateful that I got to grow up without too much digital encroachment on my imagination.
What a great post, thank you, Jillian. It's full of life, somehow
(writing is a lonely business. now. but I do remember the times that we had fun, me and friends, composing funny poems together, etc. And of course in childhood- oh, so many stories! I don't know whether I'll ever have this state of mind again...the people around me, with the same energy.
After this post though- I really remember, out of a sudden, and I wish I would)
My thoughts exactly. But I feel it’s less a question of age and more about compatible characters, being at a similar stage in the life of mind, or simply balancing each other. That said, I once participated in a workshop held in an old castle, which was really cool. It was winter, and there were even long icicles hanging from the roof. I didn’t like it at the time, being forced to come up with an original story with so many people around, and I decided not to return, but I might reconsider after reading this :)
That makes sense to me--that it's the group rather than age. I suppose it's just that those creative, energetic groupings tend to happen in youth. College and graduate school still feel like the most intellectual electric times--just because there are so many new ideas floating about. I also suspect there's an intellectual and creative flexibility that is harder to sustain as we get older.
Maybe it’s all the neuroscience podcasts I’ve listened to, but I truly believe we give up too easily if we decide that the time for something like this has passed.
I read Frankenstein for the first time last month, and then saw the movie at our favorite theater last week. Such a contrast! And of course reading this again is the icing on the cake. I didn't know there were multiple revisions. Now I need to figure out which one I read.
Percy and Byron make me so mad every time I think about them. But I take comfort in the fact that Mary is now more famous than either of them will ever be. And I think she would have loved del Toro’s new film!
"Whether or not it’s true, Mary claimed to have come upon her marvelous story through a waking dream—a vision that came to her in bed."
She's not the only author for whom this has happened. Robert Louis Stevenson claimed that his "fine bogey tale" of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was also derived from his subconscious.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has spawn so many Frankensteins. I attended a few film study classes at VIFF discussing the making of the movie —including Shelley’s profound effect on him. Watching del Toro’s Frankenstein on the big screen was stupendous. His poetic sensibilities create a special form of magic.
always gives me hope to know that young people once cavorted with mischievous bliss in Switzerland an image almost impossible to imagine after enduring Hans Castorp's excruciatingly long-winded observations in Mann's "The Magic Mountain" lol
It’s so fascinating how much Percy Shelley shapes the physical appearance of the creature - it’s almost like him and Mary are both its parents! I also considered who is responsible for the creature’s creation in del Toro’s adaptation in a recent post of mine - would absolutely love to hear your thoughts on it!
What a great job, retelling my favourite stories on the planet. Thank you Jillian for caring so much. Mary Shelley and the Creature are very close to my heart. Wonderful post. P
I wonder if, based on her own experience, she tried to describe (or experiment with) the complexities of human nature. As if when we (human beings) try to create ourselves without divine intervention, we end up with hideous and corrupt creatures instead of purposeful and kind people.
I'm sure her own experiences influenced the novel. So many images of the creature in popular culture render him evil and monstrous, but in the original novel, he's actually quite purposeful and kind (to use your words) until the carelessness of other people turns him evil.
I've always longed for a group of writer friends like this - but minus at least 70% of the drama. We need some of the drama - there must be fuel for a good story after all. But I like some semblance of predictability in a social circle these days - Byron was too much of a man-baby.
In all seriousness, Frankenstein is such a comfort - strange to say, maybe. I am in awe of Mary Shelley. How is it possible to write such beautiful things so full of awareness of human nature, tenderness and terror - hope and despair - creation and destruction all seem so much closer than ever through her eyes. And she was so young - such a wonder.
I know I shouldn't say this, but I would totally keep Byron in my friend-circle. He must have been so much fun to hang out with! But then, I imagine rolling my eyes with the rest of our friend group when Byron inevitably acts like Byron. Haha!
Great post. As kids, my friends and I would often tell each other stories we'd just made up or give each other writing or drawing prompts. I can recall one camping trip where in the evening we wrote radio plays and then recorded them on cassette. But even in those days - late 1980s/early 1990s - this was a very unusual activity among kids.
We're contemporaries, Kate! I grew up around that time too. I'm so grateful that I got to grow up without too much digital encroachment on my imagination.
What a great post, thank you, Jillian. It's full of life, somehow
(writing is a lonely business. now. but I do remember the times that we had fun, me and friends, composing funny poems together, etc. And of course in childhood- oh, so many stories! I don't know whether I'll ever have this state of mind again...the people around me, with the same energy.
After this post though- I really remember, out of a sudden, and I wish I would)
Reading your comment makes me wonder if this kind of kinetic creative energy is reserved only for the young. I hope that’s not completely true.
My thoughts exactly. But I feel it’s less a question of age and more about compatible characters, being at a similar stage in the life of mind, or simply balancing each other. That said, I once participated in a workshop held in an old castle, which was really cool. It was winter, and there were even long icicles hanging from the roof. I didn’t like it at the time, being forced to come up with an original story with so many people around, and I decided not to return, but I might reconsider after reading this :)
That makes sense to me--that it's the group rather than age. I suppose it's just that those creative, energetic groupings tend to happen in youth. College and graduate school still feel like the most intellectual electric times--just because there are so many new ideas floating about. I also suspect there's an intellectual and creative flexibility that is harder to sustain as we get older.
Maybe it’s all the neuroscience podcasts I’ve listened to, but I truly believe we give up too easily if we decide that the time for something like this has passed.
I love that!
This is brilliant. So enjoyed reading this Jillian. I am so tempted to host a group writing session with a bunch of friends.
I hope you do! Pick a dark and stormy night to do it:)
do it with candles and a wind machine!!! Start rumours like they did at Villa Diodati!!
Sounds like a (spooky) plan!
I read Frankenstein for the first time last month, and then saw the movie at our favorite theater last week. Such a contrast! And of course reading this again is the icing on the cake. I didn't know there were multiple revisions. Now I need to figure out which one I read.
It's the sign of a great novel that it's still so generative--and that the metaphors still feel so alive!
What an informative story!
Thanks Lisa!
This is so helpful! I’m currently reading it (for the first time) for class, for a graduate certificate in creative writing.
Percy and Byron make me so mad every time I think about them. But I take comfort in the fact that Mary is now more famous than either of them will ever be. And I think she would have loved del Toro’s new film!
Three cheers for that!
"Whether or not it’s true, Mary claimed to have come upon her marvelous story through a waking dream—a vision that came to her in bed."
She's not the only author for whom this has happened. Robert Louis Stevenson claimed that his "fine bogey tale" of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was also derived from his subconscious.
Dreams are such creative hot houses. And thanks for reminding me of RLS. His notes would make for a great post next Halloween.
Dreams have worked wonders for me, so the idea of them as a source is still relevant.
Ooh, I can’t wait.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has spawn so many Frankensteins. I attended a few film study classes at VIFF discussing the making of the movie —including Shelley’s profound effect on him. Watching del Toro’s Frankenstein on the big screen was stupendous. His poetic sensibilities create a special form of magic.
I can't wait to watch it!
always gives me hope to know that young people once cavorted with mischievous bliss in Switzerland an image almost impossible to imagine after enduring Hans Castorp's excruciatingly long-winded observations in Mann's "The Magic Mountain" lol
cant WAIT for the follow up later in week!!!
Ha! Well, I suppose Switzerland is many things after all.
Thanks for sharing! I’m sharing a draft of a story that came to me in a dream. It’s cool to read about how others have done that, too. 😁
This was a great post ✍🏻
It’s so fascinating how much Percy Shelley shapes the physical appearance of the creature - it’s almost like him and Mary are both its parents! I also considered who is responsible for the creature’s creation in del Toro’s adaptation in a recent post of mine - would absolutely love to hear your thoughts on it!
Oh, exciting. I'm going to watch del Toro's adaptation and then read your post.
That’s very kind - enjoy the film!
What a great job, retelling my favourite stories on the planet. Thank you Jillian for caring so much. Mary Shelley and the Creature are very close to my heart. Wonderful post. P
Thanks, Patti!
I wonder if, based on her own experience, she tried to describe (or experiment with) the complexities of human nature. As if when we (human beings) try to create ourselves without divine intervention, we end up with hideous and corrupt creatures instead of purposeful and kind people.
I'm sure her own experiences influenced the novel. So many images of the creature in popular culture render him evil and monstrous, but in the original novel, he's actually quite purposeful and kind (to use your words) until the carelessness of other people turns him evil.
I've always longed for a group of writer friends like this - but minus at least 70% of the drama. We need some of the drama - there must be fuel for a good story after all. But I like some semblance of predictability in a social circle these days - Byron was too much of a man-baby.
In all seriousness, Frankenstein is such a comfort - strange to say, maybe. I am in awe of Mary Shelley. How is it possible to write such beautiful things so full of awareness of human nature, tenderness and terror - hope and despair - creation and destruction all seem so much closer than ever through her eyes. And she was so young - such a wonder.
I know I shouldn't say this, but I would totally keep Byron in my friend-circle. He must have been so much fun to hang out with! But then, I imagine rolling my eyes with the rest of our friend group when Byron inevitably acts like Byron. Haha!
I like that about you. :-)