Writing – Page 31

Woolf’s Desk

Duke University has acquired an important collection of women’s history items, including Virginia Woolf’s desk that she designed herself. Read about it here. https://today.duke.edu/2015/04/

I’m overly excited to talk about Lighthouse. It’s such an important novel to me. And yet since my second, about-to-go-on-submission, novel deals quite a bit with this book, I have to be careful. No spoilers! Although here’s one tidbit: I turned the lighthouse into a forest fire lookout tower in my novel. One I knowContinue reading “Time to Go to the Lighthouse!”

Saying Farewell to Mrs. Dalloway

Privileging the inner person, the interior self, Mrs. Dalloway reminds us that what is within is more important and richer than the outer manifestation. What we see is mere set dressing in comparison to our inner life, even from those who, upon first glance, seem the most surface of people. A woman might be mendingContinue reading “Saying Farewell to Mrs. Dalloway”

The Fountain of St. James Court; or, Portrait of the Artist as an Old Woman

Our “Dallodays” are almost over, alas, How’d the month go so fast? I simply cannot let it go by without pointing you to yet another book of my heart whose structure borrows bits beautifully (while also remaining entirely original) from Mrs. Dalloway. The Fountain of St. James Court or, Portrait of the Artist as anContinue reading “The Fountain of St. James Court; or, Portrait of the Artist as an Old Woman”

To Be Continued…

You may or may not have noticed that I’m a wee bit behind on the posts. Important, unexpected extended family business needed tending to and while I meant to post a lovely photo of Woolf earlier today, I couldn’t even manage that without frustration. I knew you’d forgive me. But give me some time (aContinue reading “To Be Continued…”

The Woolf Diaries

While I’m self-isolating more than usual this weekend due to a possible COVID-19 exposure (waiting for the test results of the person who may have it that I was exposed to), I thought I’d write briefly about Woolf’s extensive diaries which I tend to call journals. And don’t pity me too much for having toContinue reading “The Woolf Diaries”

First Second Impressions

Here are my murky first “second” impressions of Mrs. Dalloway. I was taught by a wise professor to read a novel for the story first, and then go back and really read for the nuances, the language, etc. That method changed my reading forever! These thoughts are on my first re-reading. I’m doing this becauseContinue reading “First Second Impressions”

An Outing with Mrs. Dalloway and Company

For those interested in virtually following the characters in Mrs. Dalloway as they go about their day, may I suggest this wonderful website? There are maps and more over there. But be warned — there are also spoilers if you venture beyond the first page.

A Very Good Place to Start

So far I’ve danced around the edges of this novel, Mrs. Dalloway, because I like to warm up and I wanted to give you plenty of time to get started reading. I know even the best of intentions go sideways in the best of conditions, let alone right now. So if you haven’t begun, goContinue reading “A Very Good Place to Start”

The Evocative Original Mrs. Dalloway Cover Art

Vanessa Bell, Virginia Woolf’s artist sister, painted many of Woolf’s book covers, including Mrs. Dalloway. The simple but not simplistic cover uses a white background and, of course, only black and yellow otherwise to entice a would-be reader. Works beautifully for me. The dust jacket reveals a window with, outside it, a balcony. The balconyContinue reading “The Evocative Original Mrs. Dalloway Cover Art”