my toxic relationship with writing
It has been one tumultuous journey
Hey guys,
So I missed last week and I’m late this week, and my only excuse has been…writing.
I’ve been in weird situation whereby I’ve had a lot of writing work due, but very little motivation to actually write, so my time has been spent forcing words out on what they are actually meant for, and trying to make sense of it all.
But I did manage to watch the Joan Didion documentary on Netflix (The Center Will Not Hold) which took me on a whole different path that I didn’t expect. I fell in love with her through her documentary. I mean, I had heard people talking about her writing before but I was never inclined to seek it out until now.
Joan Didion is an American writer who writes articles, essays, plays and screenplays. She was known as the voice of the counter-culture and Hollywood glamour in the 1960s and 1970s. I started her first collection of essays called Slouching Towards Bethlehem and the ways that she knits words together has me both intimidated AF and kinda inspired. It reminded me a lot of Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood.
During lockdown especially I’ve been going through a weird angry relationship with my writing. It often felt like I was pulling teeth having to do it, but I also knew that I had to exercise the muscle, especially after I became unemployed. And now, I’m trying to fall in love with it again, treat it tenderly, maybe be a little more graceful and kind with it. We’ll see how that goes.
“But since I am neither a camera eye nor much given to writing pieces which do not interest me, whatever I do write reflects, sometimes gratuitously, how I feel,” - Joan Didion
It’s been difficult during these times when you feel as if you have a greater calling to write, but nothing that inspires you. Which is why I’ve only been picking projects that I have enjoyed writing about. Surprisingly, a piece of mine that I enjoyed writing this week was my review on the remake of Rebecca. I mean the film wasn’t great but I felt so passionate about what they did wrong, and the potential there was to make a great remake, that the words came so easily. I miss those days. You can read my review for Channel24 here.
other things that are on my mind this week:
Podcast: Noble Blood - I know I’ve been rec-ing a lot of history podcasts, but I’m sorry guys I love them. This one tells the story of monarchs from around the world. Written and narrated by Dana Schwartz, it’s thrilling, addictive and I’m sure will enlighten you about historical figures and stories you had no idea about. It’s honestly better than fiction. You can listen it on Spotify.
Film: I really enjoyed The Trial of the Chicago 7. The Aaron Sorkin written and directed film tells the story of a group of activists who were put on trial in 1969 for allegedly starting a riot which turned violent in Chicago. Sorkin’s writing is always top class, and this kept me glued to my seat the entire run of it. It’s currently available on Netflix.
Series: I recently watched season 2 of The Alienist: Angel of Darkness (currently on Netflix) and I really enjoyed this season’s case. The trio are back, it’s gritty and creepy, and Dakota Fanning has some badass moments. You can read my review for Channel24 here.
what’s ign crushing on:
Last week we were blessed to have digital strategist and creative director Talya Goldberg on the podcast to discuss The Social Dilemma, cults, actors playing twins and much more. Listen to it here.
This week, I was joined by author Mia Arderne, who just published her debut novel, Mermaid Fillet. We spoke out trauma Olympics, mental health, pesky exes and her crush on Michelle Rodriguez. Listen to it here.
