I loved this piece, and how you move fluidly across photography, memoir, literature, and lived experience, tracing the same underlying questions through each. Your ability to draw connections across disciplines never ceases to amaze me, and neither does how deeply and widely read you are. Reading this reminded me why your work always expands the frame of my own thinking.
Brigitte, this essay has so many insightful gems, including: "Creative work is a form of recovering ourselves. As if driven by some magic impulse, we draw from our obsessions and the myriads of past impressions."
And I'm definitely going to crack open these three books. Thank you for the recommendations!
You are a great role model in how to write from "that“ place. Thank you so much, Larry (also for encouraging me to draw in more personal details into this essay)!
It seems to me that creativity itself is a kind of language that you know you how to speak, and you're to translate what the creative act wants to communicate to us into a language we can grasp. Just another example of the many essays in which you offer this service. I'm always more inspired to trust and give myself over to my own creative process when you write like this. That last paragraph of you riding in the arenas was my favorite part, even above the extraordinary quotes and experts from the other authors.
And this . . .
"Restage what wants to return to us . . ." as a description of the essence of the creative process is fabulous.
And this reflection on the twilight world where memory stirs and its place in our creative life.
"In his devotion to detail, I recognized something about my own creative instinct: that the treasure of memory and what causes joy and pain is ultimately all I have, and writing is an important way to find intuitive access to it."
And oh! - this quote by Annie Dillard.
"You were made and set here to give voice to this, your own astonishment." Hell yes! Love that.
And finally . . . perhaps my favorite of all.
" . . isn’t it curious what we don’t forget?"
Yes! What a wonderful way to pose this sense of wonder, and that I completely share. I've come to think it is no accident, what we don't forget, and in fact, these are the very gifts and tracings of impressions we are meant to use as the building blocks of creative action, to share, to gnaw on the bone of, to wrestle with, even maybe for a lifetime, in service of the Grand Master's plan for our contribution here in this lifetime.
Rick, what can I say…THANK YOU for your reflections, they mean a lot to me. Following your example, you help me become more courageous in leaning into my creative impulses and stories.
"The atmosphere and spooky elation of moments like this. It’s all still there, somewhere. A whole world. Why not write from that place."
Love this, so well said. Rilke in "Letters to a Young Poet" talks about the incredible creative power to be found if you draw upon your childhood. Also I've been meaning to check out Annie Dillard, thanks for the rec
Brigitte, thank you for this. I’m deeply intrigued by these authors and their cut into writing and creating. I think I will start with Dillard book.
Your writing about their writing was lovely Brigitte. I loved how you started the essay and returned to your childhood in the end, anchoring in your memories and moments. It took me there with you, into your past.
Thank you for reading about my reading about their reading/creating. ;) I think you‘ll like this Dillard book. It is small but such a powerful reflection on writing, and how she views it as an extension of one’s reading (and life experience of course).
As a writer, I aspire to one day be able to write something so essential and important that it speaks to all people, since it is true or relevant for everyone, irrespective of gender, class, or culture. These two ideals are diametrically opposed, it would seem that literary quality excludes reader address—why, how?... - Karl Ove Knausgaard, Inadvertent
I loved this piece, and how you move fluidly across photography, memoir, literature, and lived experience, tracing the same underlying questions through each. Your ability to draw connections across disciplines never ceases to amaze me, and neither does how deeply and widely read you are. Reading this reminded me why your work always expands the frame of my own thinking.
Oh Rachel, you are the best, and it‘s an honor if I expand your thinking, as you expand mine 💗
Brigitte, this essay has so many insightful gems, including: "Creative work is a form of recovering ourselves. As if driven by some magic impulse, we draw from our obsessions and the myriads of past impressions."
And I'm definitely going to crack open these three books. Thank you for the recommendations!
You are a great role model in how to write from "that“ place. Thank you so much, Larry (also for encouraging me to draw in more personal details into this essay)!
It seems to me that creativity itself is a kind of language that you know you how to speak, and you're to translate what the creative act wants to communicate to us into a language we can grasp. Just another example of the many essays in which you offer this service. I'm always more inspired to trust and give myself over to my own creative process when you write like this. That last paragraph of you riding in the arenas was my favorite part, even above the extraordinary quotes and experts from the other authors.
And this . . .
"Restage what wants to return to us . . ." as a description of the essence of the creative process is fabulous.
And this reflection on the twilight world where memory stirs and its place in our creative life.
"In his devotion to detail, I recognized something about my own creative instinct: that the treasure of memory and what causes joy and pain is ultimately all I have, and writing is an important way to find intuitive access to it."
And oh! - this quote by Annie Dillard.
"You were made and set here to give voice to this, your own astonishment." Hell yes! Love that.
And finally . . . perhaps my favorite of all.
" . . isn’t it curious what we don’t forget?"
Yes! What a wonderful way to pose this sense of wonder, and that I completely share. I've come to think it is no accident, what we don't forget, and in fact, these are the very gifts and tracings of impressions we are meant to use as the building blocks of creative action, to share, to gnaw on the bone of, to wrestle with, even maybe for a lifetime, in service of the Grand Master's plan for our contribution here in this lifetime.
Just SO good Brigitte.
Rick, what can I say…THANK YOU for your reflections, they mean a lot to me. Following your example, you help me become more courageous in leaning into my creative impulses and stories.
Great list!!! Can’t wait to dive into these - second person I trust who has recommended “my struggle.”
Did you read Twyla Tharp’s the Creative Habit? A fun analog, perhaps
Thank you so much, and wait for one more strike then, Sean (it‘ll soon arrive)!
I’ve not heard of that book but it seems very much in line with what I like 👌🏼
"The atmosphere and spooky elation of moments like this. It’s all still there, somewhere. A whole world. Why not write from that place."
Love this, so well said. Rilke in "Letters to a Young Poet" talks about the incredible creative power to be found if you draw upon your childhood. Also I've been meaning to check out Annie Dillard, thanks for the rec
Oh Will, thank you for reflecting this back to me the way you did. I felt self-conscious about the ending of this piece—perhaps a little less so now 🙏
Lmk if you read "The Writing Life" and how you like it.
I think you nailed it. Yep will do
You might check out “For the Time Being,” too, Will. That book blew my mind.
I have this book at home and should move it up the tbr stack maybe.
Looks really good, thanks for the tip Sean
Are you kidding?? I LOVED the ending of this piece. It was entirely my favorite part because you let yourself go with the memory.
Brigitte, thank you for this. I’m deeply intrigued by these authors and their cut into writing and creating. I think I will start with Dillard book.
Your writing about their writing was lovely Brigitte. I loved how you started the essay and returned to your childhood in the end, anchoring in your memories and moments. It took me there with you, into your past.
Beautiful! ❤️
Thank you for reading about my reading about their reading/creating. ;) I think you‘ll like this Dillard book. It is small but such a powerful reflection on writing, and how she views it as an extension of one’s reading (and life experience of course).
As a writer, I aspire to one day be able to write something so essential and important that it speaks to all people, since it is true or relevant for everyone, irrespective of gender, class, or culture. These two ideals are diametrically opposed, it would seem that literary quality excludes reader address—why, how?... - Karl Ove Knausgaard, Inadvertent
Did you like Inadvertent? I just flew through his book Morning Star over the last three days, and loved it (too).
Loved it. I plan to read ‘My Struggle’ in 2026.
Thank you, Donal. And lmk how you like it…