I so enjoyed this piece. The way you opened it and then weaved it into the Joan Collins connection, with that thread of death and unknowing and lost self snaking under the piece the whole time. Your writing is not only a delight to read, but so instructive to me in understanding how to enter and occupy and leave an essay.
Glad this essay was revisited and republished as I missed the original posting. The performance of glamour by those designated as celebrities requires others to play our parts for the theatrics to work. Serving as props, rugelach in hand and doing the adoration on cue.
Along with the speculation that many are drawn to 'stand in proximity to where something gory and grisly has taken place, in order to feel the thrill of not yet being dead and also being reminded that every life goes in one direction,' the mention of 'dark tourism' sent me on a weird tangent. I frequently cycle past a park bench on Lake Washington Boulevard (in Seattle) that is an active shrine at which a steady stream of visitors leave piles of stuff: candles, notes, banners, flowers. I knew this site had something to do with Kurt Cobain. I wasn't a fan so needed to check wikipedia to learn that his suicide was in the adjacent house in 1994. The attraction to be proximate persists.
i want to hear more about this: “… and together we’d establish better guidelines for writing in notebooks” !!!!! what are the guidelines? can you share? thank you xo
Hi Brooke, I don't share here but do in the Zoom conversations that happen each month. All paid subscribers are invited, and you can send ahead questions to ask, like this one. The next gathering is on July 26 from 3 to 4 EST, we will have guest artists Margo Jefferson and Elizabeth Kendall as well. Also, Richard and I host workshops on Zoom and breakout sessions after the Zooms. All of this information is in every post, if you scroll down past the literary post and the pitch for subscriptions. You can also book some time for one on one conversations about your practice. Let me know if any of this interests you. Best, Laurie
I so enjoyed this piece. The way you opened it and then weaved it into the Joan Collins connection, with that thread of death and unknowing and lost self snaking under the piece the whole time. Your writing is not only a delight to read, but so instructive to me in understanding how to enter and occupy and leave an essay.
Oh, Janice, I'm so happy to hear this. You get the structure entirely. xxL
"a streak of glamor" every time a piece of Laurie's Substack appears.
Day brightener.
Thanks, Hal, that is truly what I’m hoping for.
I love this story so!
I’m so happy! Huge compliment coming from you. ❤️
Happy birthday, Laurie's Substack! Wonderful!
Thanks so much! You are the reason I am here, and thanks so much for all your brilliant writing. xxL
I absolutely love this.
Wonderful writing. Thank you.
Glad this essay was revisited and republished as I missed the original posting. The performance of glamour by those designated as celebrities requires others to play our parts for the theatrics to work. Serving as props, rugelach in hand and doing the adoration on cue.
Along with the speculation that many are drawn to 'stand in proximity to where something gory and grisly has taken place, in order to feel the thrill of not yet being dead and also being reminded that every life goes in one direction,' the mention of 'dark tourism' sent me on a weird tangent. I frequently cycle past a park bench on Lake Washington Boulevard (in Seattle) that is an active shrine at which a steady stream of visitors leave piles of stuff: candles, notes, banners, flowers. I knew this site had something to do with Kurt Cobain. I wasn't a fan so needed to check wikipedia to learn that his suicide was in the adjacent house in 1994. The attraction to be proximate persists.
I honestly wanted to be a good sport for the owner, nothing coerced in any of us. That’s the spirit I conveyed in the piece.
i want to hear more about this: “… and together we’d establish better guidelines for writing in notebooks” !!!!! what are the guidelines? can you share? thank you xo
Hi Brooke, I don't share here but do in the Zoom conversations that happen each month. All paid subscribers are invited, and you can send ahead questions to ask, like this one. The next gathering is on July 26 from 3 to 4 EST, we will have guest artists Margo Jefferson and Elizabeth Kendall as well. Also, Richard and I host workshops on Zoom and breakout sessions after the Zooms. All of this information is in every post, if you scroll down past the literary post and the pitch for subscriptions. You can also book some time for one on one conversations about your practice. Let me know if any of this interests you. Best, Laurie