I love the perspective you brought to this piece of writing, Jill. It's appropriate that you quoted me here because I feel like this theme is one that has been central to my life for as long as I can remember. I always admired/abhorred artists like the celebrated Texas songwriter Townes Van Sandt who left his young family to go out for a pack of cigarettes and never came back. I understood the motivation better than most, but I could not accept prioritizing myself, my art over the lives of my wife and kids.
I think you being the sole provider as a woman is a radical act and I think you're right that you may never be a "great" writer without the luxury of time. But it would be a crime for you to stop trying. The act of doing the work, whether it's in 15 minute increments during a break between meetings or five years isolated in a cabin, transforms us, makes us more whole or maybe less empty. Thanks for the kindness of the mention. Having you and a handful of other writers I truly admire here read my work keeps me going.
Words like that keep me going. I loved your piece Ben. Never knew that about Townes Van Sandt. What a dick. Rather not write another word ever, than walk out on my son. Onwards we go... 🤝
Delighted by this. I will not fight you on the greatest writer in the last 500 years point – I have a letter dispatching in exactly 20 minutes to chime in with you and entreat everyone to read Wolf Hall.
Cromwell was also a lawyer. He compares making law to magic (it only works if you believe in it). But that's another story.
I am fortunate (unfortunate?) that my writing pays (some) of the bills, alongside my partner's job. Although a jobbing writer doesn't always get to write what they want to write – so sometimes I feel in limbo between two worlds.
I should have taken up law.
Enjoy A Place of Greater Safety. It is magnificence itself.
I thought of Cromwell - but he strikes me as a lawyer first... Perhaps I’m wrong, I’ve never read his source material. I’m so tempted by the read along. I’ve read them all already but haven’t done a re-read. I think it’s time, you’ve convinced me.
No you're right, he's a lawyer first and always. As for writing, the really interesting thing is we don't know. When they came to arrest him, his household destroyed his "out tray" and his own writing. All we have is his "in tray" and people conversing with him. It is this lacuna that Mantel uses to such great effect.
Ah yes, remember that bit from Mirror. I think I did once Google the Suppression of Religious Houses Act because I wanted to hear his writer’s voice.... 🤓 excited for a re-read of Wolf Hall, but not going to be able to restrain myself to 50 pages a week. You’re doing the Lord’s work, getting people to read slowly and appreciate the writing. 👏 This is a reverence I can get on with.
One more year at my day job and then I can retire and write full time in the house I bought and paid for myself. It's been 20 years since the novel I got a Phd to write came out, and while there were other extenuating circumstances, what's been missing is immersion. I have not had the time to simply live in my work. I have a lot of pieces. I have a lot of stuff written. I can see 2 full books like cars on blocks all around me. So one more year of essays, and Substack, and then I can dive back in for good.
Shall we burn down the roofing company as an act of rebellion? It is Guy Fawkes night tomorrow…🔥
I’m left feeling awfully pensive after this. Realizing that a) I don’t consider myself ‘a writer’, but maybe I could change that, and b) even if I was able to write full time, I don’t know if I would. I think I’d probably just spend more time reading, walking and existential crisis-ing 🫠
I’ve already left them a pretty fiery 0 star review (digital equivalent of lit match?) but I’m down for more direct action. 🧡❤️🔥 You don’t have to write - or want to write - full time to be one. You’re a writer. If you’re not, I don’t know who is. X
Bless you, Simon. And I do! Since Jill deemed it so, I do. I even practiced introducing myself (only to David!) as a doula AND a writer yesterday and it felt quite exciting. Speaking of excitement, cannot wait for Wolf Hall in the new year.
The biggest mystery here is- why are people not throwing money at you to write a book!
As a fan of your work, I get the sense that being a lawyer is fitting vocation given your strong (like giant burning laser strong) sense of justice. To me, it seems like this sense of justice juxtaposed with your affability gets you into all of the delightfully awkward situations. Ha! I dunno, just a thought.
My wife is an amazing painter, but has essentially been taken out of the workforce and away from much of her time or capacity to make art for the past several years due to you know...having to deal with 3 small kids. This was an easy decision because childcare is so expensive here and you'd have make a decent salary to break even- and I had a job. But, being the sole breadwinner is hard, especially when you need more "bread". It's all difficult because she would rather be painting, but also has to make money and...the kids are still here. It is also clear that people with money, trust funds, nepo babies, etc are the people who are the most "freedom" to create at their will. But also, they don't have as much to say, IMO. Anyways, loved it per usual and God bless America.
You might be the first person to ever describe me as affable ☺️😅 (“prickly” is more standard.) Identify big time with all of this: difficulty of sole bread winning, no time for the art... but most of all, this: “It is also clear that people with money, trust funds, nepo babies, etc are the people who are the most "freedom" to create at their will. But also, they don't have as much to say, IMO.” 🎯
I've been retired for ten years (no bread job for me). I'm surprised that I am busier now than when I worked! What I have learned that you suddenly need to find meaning late in life. If you already know that meaning for you is in writing, you have to do make adjustments. Don't leave it until it is too late.
English teacher here and oh, that hits hard. But I've discovered I'm my most productive as a writer when I have stability and my job gives me stability so I just have to work writing in when I can. But damn, that's hard.
I'm thankful they leave me alone on Saturday mornings 😂 Unless we have sports that day, in which case I'm still struggling to make it all happen. This is why I batch as much as I can when I have the time and schedule everything out. It's the only way it's happening. This past weekend everyone was gone so I spent a lot of time working on a video and then a book proposal, so progress 😊
Nice 💪💪 I’m taking unpaid leave for a solo research trip (needs must, if I don’t do it now, etc). Gotta carve out the time we can.... x yours in Sororité 🤝
Maybe a side point, but doesn’t having real worldly concerns like having a job (letters or agricultural), children, making dinner, taking out the trash - needing to balance all that make you more connected to the real world which provides fodder for you writing? You strike me as someone that needs those inputs as part of your creative process.
Great piece. I was the main wage earner for the whole of our married life and was always 'wifey' to others when it came to spending money. Sigh. A Place of Greater Safety is my favourite Mantel novel. It's worth every single page.
Your writing always makes me want to say something ... mm, at least partially clever, borderline interesting. This is another excellent piece. A dance around some amazing knowledge ... a ‘makes me very angry that companies do that’ bit ... some, ‘wow, I didn’t think of that’ stuff ... and a lot of ‘what can I add’ thinking. I’m still thinking. I’ll reply soon. Also, Wolf Hall, I’m in!
Oh that story about the company needing a man present made me fume! I just went through a similar sexist experience myself moving from London to Hove. I’ve moved into a huge house on my own for selfish reasons (my London flat was a tiny box) and the estate agent (a lady) had the cheek to ask me when my husband will be moving in 😂
Love this post - and Hilary wrote A Place of Greater Safety while working in Lewis’s in Manchester. By coincidence we later discovered that she would write and research in the same library where I learned to read.
This post is such a touchstone for me. I love my day job and curse it for the time it takes from my writing. Especially knowing how much effort goes into writing anything worthy of readers’ time. On the other hand, my relationships and experiences at work feed my creativity and help me grow as a writer. I wouldn’t say my day job directly influences *what* I write, but it affects *who I am* -- and that helps me to be a better writer. Also, health insurance. 🙃
Not to be sneezed at, health insurance. I too am grateful for mine (and the therapy it pays for 😅🙏) Thanks for reading, Julie. And a handshake on the old bread jobs. x
I love the perspective you brought to this piece of writing, Jill. It's appropriate that you quoted me here because I feel like this theme is one that has been central to my life for as long as I can remember. I always admired/abhorred artists like the celebrated Texas songwriter Townes Van Sandt who left his young family to go out for a pack of cigarettes and never came back. I understood the motivation better than most, but I could not accept prioritizing myself, my art over the lives of my wife and kids.
I think you being the sole provider as a woman is a radical act and I think you're right that you may never be a "great" writer without the luxury of time. But it would be a crime for you to stop trying. The act of doing the work, whether it's in 15 minute increments during a break between meetings or five years isolated in a cabin, transforms us, makes us more whole or maybe less empty. Thanks for the kindness of the mention. Having you and a handful of other writers I truly admire here read my work keeps me going.
Words like that keep me going. I loved your piece Ben. Never knew that about Townes Van Sandt. What a dick. Rather not write another word ever, than walk out on my son. Onwards we go... 🤝
That was very Bruce Springsteen of Townes - 'Got a wife and kids in Baltimore, Jack. I went out for a drive and I never went back.'
Yeah, I’m afraid there’s no shortage of examples of musicians who don’t turn out to be model fathers.
LOL - understatement of the year!
Delighted by this. I will not fight you on the greatest writer in the last 500 years point – I have a letter dispatching in exactly 20 minutes to chime in with you and entreat everyone to read Wolf Hall.
Cromwell was also a lawyer. He compares making law to magic (it only works if you believe in it). But that's another story.
I am fortunate (unfortunate?) that my writing pays (some) of the bills, alongside my partner's job. Although a jobbing writer doesn't always get to write what they want to write – so sometimes I feel in limbo between two worlds.
I should have taken up law.
Enjoy A Place of Greater Safety. It is magnificence itself.
I thought of Cromwell - but he strikes me as a lawyer first... Perhaps I’m wrong, I’ve never read his source material. I’m so tempted by the read along. I’ve read them all already but haven’t done a re-read. I think it’s time, you’ve convinced me.
No you're right, he's a lawyer first and always. As for writing, the really interesting thing is we don't know. When they came to arrest him, his household destroyed his "out tray" and his own writing. All we have is his "in tray" and people conversing with him. It is this lacuna that Mantel uses to such great effect.
Delighted to have convinced you!
Ah yes, remember that bit from Mirror. I think I did once Google the Suppression of Religious Houses Act because I wanted to hear his writer’s voice.... 🤓 excited for a re-read of Wolf Hall, but not going to be able to restrain myself to 50 pages a week. You’re doing the Lord’s work, getting people to read slowly and appreciate the writing. 👏 This is a reverence I can get on with.
Love that. 🤓 Yes, I don't know how successful I will be with that. And it doesn't matter – if people race ahead, it's still a win in my book.
Yay! I'm doing the Wolf Hall read along too.
Also on bread jobs: I used to be a baker. Another story.
One more year at my day job and then I can retire and write full time in the house I bought and paid for myself. It's been 20 years since the novel I got a Phd to write came out, and while there were other extenuating circumstances, what's been missing is immersion. I have not had the time to simply live in my work. I have a lot of pieces. I have a lot of stuff written. I can see 2 full books like cars on blocks all around me. So one more year of essays, and Substack, and then I can dive back in for good.
🥂 I’ll drink to that. Good luck to you Charlotte 🤝
Shall we burn down the roofing company as an act of rebellion? It is Guy Fawkes night tomorrow…🔥
I’m left feeling awfully pensive after this. Realizing that a) I don’t consider myself ‘a writer’, but maybe I could change that, and b) even if I was able to write full time, I don’t know if I would. I think I’d probably just spend more time reading, walking and existential crisis-ing 🫠
I’ve already left them a pretty fiery 0 star review (digital equivalent of lit match?) but I’m down for more direct action. 🧡❤️🔥 You don’t have to write - or want to write - full time to be one. You’re a writer. If you’re not, I don’t know who is. X
I’m sure Guy Fawkes would have given parliament a 0 star review had he had the opportunity 😅 And thank you, my love. That was mighty validating 🧡
Please consider yourself a writer Chloe. Otherwise there's no hope for any of us!
Bless you, Simon. And I do! Since Jill deemed it so, I do. I even practiced introducing myself (only to David!) as a doula AND a writer yesterday and it felt quite exciting. Speaking of excitement, cannot wait for Wolf Hall in the new year.
Ah that pleases me on both counts!
The biggest mystery here is- why are people not throwing money at you to write a book!
As a fan of your work, I get the sense that being a lawyer is fitting vocation given your strong (like giant burning laser strong) sense of justice. To me, it seems like this sense of justice juxtaposed with your affability gets you into all of the delightfully awkward situations. Ha! I dunno, just a thought.
My wife is an amazing painter, but has essentially been taken out of the workforce and away from much of her time or capacity to make art for the past several years due to you know...having to deal with 3 small kids. This was an easy decision because childcare is so expensive here and you'd have make a decent salary to break even- and I had a job. But, being the sole breadwinner is hard, especially when you need more "bread". It's all difficult because she would rather be painting, but also has to make money and...the kids are still here. It is also clear that people with money, trust funds, nepo babies, etc are the people who are the most "freedom" to create at their will. But also, they don't have as much to say, IMO. Anyways, loved it per usual and God bless America.
You might be the first person to ever describe me as affable ☺️😅 (“prickly” is more standard.) Identify big time with all of this: difficulty of sole bread winning, no time for the art... but most of all, this: “It is also clear that people with money, trust funds, nepo babies, etc are the people who are the most "freedom" to create at their will. But also, they don't have as much to say, IMO.” 🎯
And if you didn’t have all the other worldly concerns, would you still have as much to say?
I've been retired for ten years (no bread job for me). I'm surprised that I am busier now than when I worked! What I have learned that you suddenly need to find meaning late in life. If you already know that meaning for you is in writing, you have to do make adjustments. Don't leave it until it is too late.
So this.
My thoughts exactly Richard.....
English teacher here and oh, that hits hard. But I've discovered I'm my most productive as a writer when I have stability and my job gives me stability so I just have to work writing in when I can. But damn, that's hard.
Isn’t it?? Add kids to the day job and it’s a wonder we ever manage to put pen to paper (fingertips to keyboard, etc). 🤝
I'm thankful they leave me alone on Saturday mornings 😂 Unless we have sports that day, in which case I'm still struggling to make it all happen. This is why I batch as much as I can when I have the time and schedule everything out. It's the only way it's happening. This past weekend everyone was gone so I spent a lot of time working on a video and then a book proposal, so progress 😊
Nice 💪💪 I’m taking unpaid leave for a solo research trip (needs must, if I don’t do it now, etc). Gotta carve out the time we can.... x yours in Sororité 🤝
Maybe a side point, but doesn’t having real worldly concerns like having a job (letters or agricultural), children, making dinner, taking out the trash - needing to balance all that make you more connected to the real world which provides fodder for you writing? You strike me as someone that needs those inputs as part of your creative process.
It’s a very fair point... maybe part-time is the way forward so I can keep mining the everyday nonsense for silly things to write about 😅
Great piece. I was the main wage earner for the whole of our married life and was always 'wifey' to others when it came to spending money. Sigh. A Place of Greater Safety is my favourite Mantel novel. It's worth every single page.
I am loving it. Cheers to bread-winning 🥂 and to strong women with four-letter names that begin with J and don’t end with “y” 👊👊👊
Yay!
Ah you might have (re)convinced me to start into A Place of Greater Safety asap...
It’s so excellent! Do it
Do it Anne!
Wow, what an epic piece! This has given me so much to think about and is so full of wisdom.
Ah thank you LRT! 🩵
Your writing always makes me want to say something ... mm, at least partially clever, borderline interesting. This is another excellent piece. A dance around some amazing knowledge ... a ‘makes me very angry that companies do that’ bit ... some, ‘wow, I didn’t think of that’ stuff ... and a lot of ‘what can I add’ thinking. I’m still thinking. I’ll reply soon. Also, Wolf Hall, I’m in!
What can I add?? I know how you feel. ❤️ So happy to be in great company for the re-read, let’s do this! X
One of the most exciting things about this is seeing a reading community gather. There's something exhilarating about all being on the same page.
Oh that story about the company needing a man present made me fume! I just went through a similar sexist experience myself moving from London to Hove. I’ve moved into a huge house on my own for selfish reasons (my London flat was a tiny box) and the estate agent (a lady) had the cheek to ask me when my husband will be moving in 😂
The cheek!!! She should know better. Enjoy your massive lush house 💪💪🥰 x
Love this post - and Hilary wrote A Place of Greater Safety while working in Lewis’s in Manchester. By coincidence we later discovered that she would write and research in the same library where I learned to read.
That’s a lovely serendipity. Must be a good library.... glad you enjoyed the words Bea, thanks for reading x
This post is such a touchstone for me. I love my day job and curse it for the time it takes from my writing. Especially knowing how much effort goes into writing anything worthy of readers’ time. On the other hand, my relationships and experiences at work feed my creativity and help me grow as a writer. I wouldn’t say my day job directly influences *what* I write, but it affects *who I am* -- and that helps me to be a better writer. Also, health insurance. 🙃
Not to be sneezed at, health insurance. I too am grateful for mine (and the therapy it pays for 😅🙏) Thanks for reading, Julie. And a handshake on the old bread jobs. x