"What if I trust that we’re telling the story we’re meant to tell, the way we’re meant to tell it?"
This is such a great question, Aimee, really resonating with me as someone who, like you, "... long(s) to go about my work as an artist, mother ... without getting paralyzed by fear." Paralysis in my creative life is something I've battled for as long as I can remember, to this day, though I sense some shifting as I approach my older years and am beginning to care a wee bit less about what other people think.
Love what you shared from Niall Williams, as well as the interview with him that you linked to. I'm currently in the middle of Time of the Child, which is just as beautifully written as This is Happiness. And wow, are you lucky to live near Parnassus! Patchett interviewing Williams? Dream interview to attend! Glad you shared your experience so I could get a taste of it!
Thanks Lauren, I'm glad you're sensing a shift in your own creative life. I have the feeling I will always wrestle with fear so learning how to not let it stop me is what I'm trying to lean into! It's a roller coaster ride if I'm honest. Exhilarating, tiring, repeat.
Yes, I feel pretty spoiled by these author events!
Oh Aimee, I am so jealous! I love Niall Williams! I’ve only read the two books you have pictured but they were so, so good. I listened to the audio books (the Irish accent was great!), but have said I want to go back and read the actual books so I can savor those sentences.
I also love Ann Patchett and have yet to visit Parnassus. So yeah. That would have been a dream night. Thanks for giving me a glimpse into the evening and into Williams’ writing process. So interesting! What you say about finding and trusting our voice is so true. Thanks!
Yes I think you would have loved the evening. We've gotten to see some great authors because of Parnassus but often times they host them in a school auditorium to allow for a larger audience. This one felt extra special because it was a smaller event hosted in the store.
Niall Williams said that any time he mentioned to someone that he was going to American on his book tour, they would ask "Are you going to Parnassus?" My friends and I (who are all locals) didn't realize it was a special store to the wider world, I'm sure because of Ann Patchett...
"What if I trust that we’re telling the story we’re meant to tell, the way we’re meant to tell it?"
This is such a great question, Aimee, really resonating with me as someone who, like you, "... long(s) to go about my work as an artist, mother ... without getting paralyzed by fear." Paralysis in my creative life is something I've battled for as long as I can remember, to this day, though I sense some shifting as I approach my older years and am beginning to care a wee bit less about what other people think.
Love what you shared from Niall Williams, as well as the interview with him that you linked to. I'm currently in the middle of Time of the Child, which is just as beautifully written as This is Happiness. And wow, are you lucky to live near Parnassus! Patchett interviewing Williams? Dream interview to attend! Glad you shared your experience so I could get a taste of it!
Thanks Lauren, I'm glad you're sensing a shift in your own creative life. I have the feeling I will always wrestle with fear so learning how to not let it stop me is what I'm trying to lean into! It's a roller coaster ride if I'm honest. Exhilarating, tiring, repeat.
Yes, I feel pretty spoiled by these author events!
Oh Aimee, I am so jealous! I love Niall Williams! I’ve only read the two books you have pictured but they were so, so good. I listened to the audio books (the Irish accent was great!), but have said I want to go back and read the actual books so I can savor those sentences.
I also love Ann Patchett and have yet to visit Parnassus. So yeah. That would have been a dream night. Thanks for giving me a glimpse into the evening and into Williams’ writing process. So interesting! What you say about finding and trusting our voice is so true. Thanks!
Yes I think you would have loved the evening. We've gotten to see some great authors because of Parnassus but often times they host them in a school auditorium to allow for a larger audience. This one felt extra special because it was a smaller event hosted in the store.
Niall Williams said that any time he mentioned to someone that he was going to American on his book tour, they would ask "Are you going to Parnassus?" My friends and I (who are all locals) didn't realize it was a special store to the wider world, I'm sure because of Ann Patchett...
I love that you wrote about this! I agree that what stuck with me was the urge to write —and live— in my own unique way.
It was a special night. I love that we took away the same thing!
The illustrations are lovely!
Thanks, I'll pass the compliments onto my daughter! And share the rest here when she's finished. It's a joy to collaborate with her on this project.