there's almost too much here that's good, i don't know what to pluck out. look at all you give us! i laughed at "the way men look at women has a built-in kindness of blindness and amazement that sex is about to happen." and i think you're right about what people mean when they say a piece of writing you wrote is brave. keep on churning, laurie-brain, i'm here for it!
Another wonderful essay. As an art historian, I have always been interested in images of the nude body, and wish I had some of myself when younger. Do you know the work of the New York painter Joan Semmel who for decades has painted herself in the nude? As she gets older and older, it is seen as a radical act. I've always wished that the U.S was freer about the naked body, in the way that much of Europe is.
I haven’t finished reading this piece yet but I had to stop and comment because I’m just so excited that for some reason you found me and followed me and now I know you exist. I seriously was reading your essay about the nudes thinking, “Oh, this is the kind of person whose writing makes me want to write.” Because I see a reflection of myself (my interests, proclivities, perceptions, sense of play) that also gives me something to work toward. I’m also delighted that you’re 77 and writing the kinds of things I hope to be writing at that age. In short - thank you.
This the perfect comment because of the way stackland can connect people. I follow women, to be honest, because, well I hardly need to explain. If you are interested in this kind of writing, I talk about the techniques in monthly Zoom conversations. The next one is on March 23 from 3 to 4. I believe there is info about how to RSVP toward the end of this post. You can also email me to be placed on the list: lauriestone@substack.com. This is just in case you are interested. The Zooms are for paid subscribers at either the monthly or annual rate, and right now there is a 25% discount. The thing you said, about a piece making you want to write, means everything to me. What could be better for a writer to hear? xxL
Funny story - last night I was reading through some of your archives and I came across the stack where you mention your memoir collection "Close to the Bone." After immediately googling to confirm it was the same book I thought it was, I was delighted to realize that this book had come to me back in 2008 when my MFA thesis advisor at Mills College, Micheline Marcom, recommended it to me as an example - and inspiration - for the kind of writing I was doing (or wanted to do). What a wonderful affirmation of the recognition and resonance I felt when I read your "Naked Two Ways" essay, and an encouraging throughline. I'm going to reread Close to the Bone and very excited to join your zoom on March 23! :)
'Memory operates in two time frames: a memory of what we think we lived through in the past, including the feelings stirred up then, and memory includes the shading of the past by the feelings we have now, as we look back. In this sense, memory operates the same way that narrative operates in these exact two time frames.' - everytime, so is anything true that we remember? and have always been struck by how siblings remember the same thing but very differently. Which makes me think all history must be a form of fiction.
"I found myself coming back to the fear and not the relief." I'm sure that was part of the draw: The fear of loss of love. "[I]t now starts with the fear I’d felt and the associations the fear stirred up, not while I was living the fear but while I was writing about the fear, right then, in the moment of stringing together sentences. ... One sentence leads to the next sentence." Exactly how to lure the reader.
there's almost too much here that's good, i don't know what to pluck out. look at all you give us! i laughed at "the way men look at women has a built-in kindness of blindness and amazement that sex is about to happen." and i think you're right about what people mean when they say a piece of writing you wrote is brave. keep on churning, laurie-brain, i'm here for it!
I love you.
likewise xx
Another wonderful essay. As an art historian, I have always been interested in images of the nude body, and wish I had some of myself when younger. Do you know the work of the New York painter Joan Semmel who for decades has painted herself in the nude? As she gets older and older, it is seen as a radical act. I've always wished that the U.S was freer about the naked body, in the way that much of Europe is.
Thanks! Yes, I know her work, wonderful. xxL
You beautifully captured the essence of body acceptance.
I haven’t finished reading this piece yet but I had to stop and comment because I’m just so excited that for some reason you found me and followed me and now I know you exist. I seriously was reading your essay about the nudes thinking, “Oh, this is the kind of person whose writing makes me want to write.” Because I see a reflection of myself (my interests, proclivities, perceptions, sense of play) that also gives me something to work toward. I’m also delighted that you’re 77 and writing the kinds of things I hope to be writing at that age. In short - thank you.
This the perfect comment because of the way stackland can connect people. I follow women, to be honest, because, well I hardly need to explain. If you are interested in this kind of writing, I talk about the techniques in monthly Zoom conversations. The next one is on March 23 from 3 to 4. I believe there is info about how to RSVP toward the end of this post. You can also email me to be placed on the list: lauriestone@substack.com. This is just in case you are interested. The Zooms are for paid subscribers at either the monthly or annual rate, and right now there is a 25% discount. The thing you said, about a piece making you want to write, means everything to me. What could be better for a writer to hear? xxL
Funny story - last night I was reading through some of your archives and I came across the stack where you mention your memoir collection "Close to the Bone." After immediately googling to confirm it was the same book I thought it was, I was delighted to realize that this book had come to me back in 2008 when my MFA thesis advisor at Mills College, Micheline Marcom, recommended it to me as an example - and inspiration - for the kind of writing I was doing (or wanted to do). What a wonderful affirmation of the recognition and resonance I felt when I read your "Naked Two Ways" essay, and an encouraging throughline. I'm going to reread Close to the Bone and very excited to join your zoom on March 23! :)
Ah, lovely, looking forward to seeing you on Zoom!
'Memory operates in two time frames: a memory of what we think we lived through in the past, including the feelings stirred up then, and memory includes the shading of the past by the feelings we have now, as we look back. In this sense, memory operates the same way that narrative operates in these exact two time frames.' - everytime, so is anything true that we remember? and have always been struck by how siblings remember the same thing but very differently. Which makes me think all history must be a form of fiction.
"I found myself coming back to the fear and not the relief." I'm sure that was part of the draw: The fear of loss of love. "[I]t now starts with the fear I’d felt and the associations the fear stirred up, not while I was living the fear but while I was writing about the fear, right then, in the moment of stringing together sentences. ... One sentence leads to the next sentence." Exactly how to lure the reader.
I am stumbling about here, clumsily - and I bump
into Laurie Stone who draws life wide open, line by line, and as if taking part in a Brechtian drama ...
There is a Banner - Warning 'Craft'.... don't forget/and you already have - this is a story about a story - called 'Life'
Stumble on, dear Cherry, I'm right beside you. I'm delighted to have you as a reader. xxL
Thank you - I really resonate with the visceral you get down in words.
"the way men look at women has a built-in kindness of blindness and amazement that sex is about to happen" yep, that caught my eye.
Why then do I propose that memory, when it’s spontaneous, is sniffing for consolation?
I believe for myself, when I search to see the continuum backwards it's to understand.
Very thought provoking. I appreciate your bravery.
No bravery! Unless you are trying to be funny.
I believe baring all is valuable and scary. This is what you do.
It’s an illusion. The power of language.
The pretty guy?
Ballet teacher?