"I think finally deciding to write more personally has enriched my writing life more than I could ever have imagined. I was terrified at first." "I had to process a great deal of doubt and fear of hurting people I love to feel OK to publish any of my work."
What a great conversation between two immense talents. I have to admit that what Romana wrote about Hillary's loss resonated. I remember that week felt like a funeral, that something essential had died. I can't imagine compounding a cancer diagnosis on top of that kind of grief.
I also loved the guidelines you wrote about for memoir. Very cool. Very thoughtful. Very generous. One of my favorite quotes by Anne Lamott, and one I hold onto as permission in my darkest reflections is, "You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should've behaved better."
Brilliant conversation! Throughout, i wanted to be seated by the fire with either, or both, of you. Love this format. As an aspiring author, your question, “where are you spending the season,” inspired me to write this response:
It is winter here in southwestern Ontario (Canada), a season typically snow-covered, the city frozen in a blanched bleak beauty. But this year, we are in the throes of an atypical season, the snow has been sparse, the temperature mild (it’s 42F right now and climbing; it’s usually well below 32F). The view from my 12th floor window -- a vast woodland park -- has been painted with heavy strokes of Burnt Siena, from sky to ground, with no Titanium White to relieve the eye as it surveys the canvas. Yet, despite the sombre backdrop, the paths are populated with random hits of colour -- people pushing strollers, jogging, walking dogs -- and, somehow, the dreariness is diminished.
A very interesting and engaging conversation between you two. I had never heard of Romana before this post, so thank you for enlightening me to her work, Holly. Looking forward to part 2 :)
Earlier this week, I had a post where I explored the question of how to go about truth-telling online when it involves others. The only conclusion I have for now is to take it case by case and trying to ensure my intent is pointed in an honorable direction. I really don’t know the humble or tactful way to go about this, though! Hoping to learn more.
I can close my eyes and imagine you ladies together in a cabin, having a warm cup of coffee, and chatting by the fireplace! I loved the pictures that you shared with this to give us a peek into your cabins. I feel inspired after reading this interview that my winter cabin experience in the woods somewhere will happen one day as well! I'm looking forward to reading part 2 ❤️
Well done Holly and Ramona for such an insightful interview. The connection the two of you have is palpable on the page, it's so lovely. Hearing your stories and seeing the pictures is inspiring and powerful.
Holly, your writing set up is very organized and vast! That's the word that came to mind - vast. When I saw the picture my first thought was, 'She means business!'
Ramona, I am inspired by your shift toward more personal writing. It's certainly part of what has drawn me to your work and it's also a nudge for me to work on doing the same in a manner that feels right for me and my reader.
I'm fascinated by the little vignettes on your writing table, Holly, and also wondering how you accomplish that in Ruby, or whether that's a special treat for your winter sojourn?
Winter in Sitges, it seems, is over - we were out for our power walk in shorts the other day, still a bit nippy over night/mornings, but in the sun, on the beach promenade, it's glorious. Unfortunately, our drought, though, our drought continues - we really couldn't have chosen a place with a more similar climate to California...
I love the big windows in your writing space and in Ramona's cabin.
I find it hard to find the right words to write about other people if what I'm saying could be construed as negative. I want to be honest as much as I can without potentially hurting someone's feelings. Writing about my mother-in-law after the death of her husband of 65 years was an example of this. I tried to present the situation as positive as I could from her perspective. I left out all the frustration we had about many things. Oh, and my next Nomad Report I will have to write about the fight. That will be a little tricky to convey objectively.
I admire people who can be so honest in their writing. Have you read Liesbet's memoir yet? It has been described as brutally honest. This post also made me think about another traveling friends blog. She did a whole series about her breadt cancer. She uses a lot of humor but is also very honest. Here is a link to the posts, https://www.callitkismet.com/tag/breast-cancer/ I think you'd like her writing.
It is winter here in North Carolina. We'll, at least it was last week with freezing temperatures. We are house sitting on a farm. It has been quite an experience. Difficult at times but overall really good.
And if you ever write about me, you have permission to use my name. Because you'd never say anything bad about me, right? I hope.
What a great conversation between two immense talents. I have to admit that what Romana wrote about Hillary's loss resonated. I remember that week felt like a funeral, that something essential had died. I can't imagine compounding a cancer diagnosis on top of that kind of grief.
I also loved the guidelines you wrote about for memoir. Very cool. Very thoughtful. Very generous. One of my favorite quotes by Anne Lamott, and one I hold onto as permission in my darkest reflections is, "You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should've behaved better."
Brilliant conversation! Throughout, i wanted to be seated by the fire with either, or both, of you. Love this format. As an aspiring author, your question, “where are you spending the season,” inspired me to write this response:
It is winter here in southwestern Ontario (Canada), a season typically snow-covered, the city frozen in a blanched bleak beauty. But this year, we are in the throes of an atypical season, the snow has been sparse, the temperature mild (it’s 42F right now and climbing; it’s usually well below 32F). The view from my 12th floor window -- a vast woodland park -- has been painted with heavy strokes of Burnt Siena, from sky to ground, with no Titanium White to relieve the eye as it surveys the canvas. Yet, despite the sombre backdrop, the paths are populated with random hits of colour -- people pushing strollers, jogging, walking dogs -- and, somehow, the dreariness is diminished.
A very interesting and engaging conversation between you two. I had never heard of Romana before this post, so thank you for enlightening me to her work, Holly. Looking forward to part 2 :)
This was marvelous. Thank you Holly and Ramona!
Earlier this week, I had a post where I explored the question of how to go about truth-telling online when it involves others. The only conclusion I have for now is to take it case by case and trying to ensure my intent is pointed in an honorable direction. I really don’t know the humble or tactful way to go about this, though! Hoping to learn more.
I can close my eyes and imagine you ladies together in a cabin, having a warm cup of coffee, and chatting by the fireplace! I loved the pictures that you shared with this to give us a peek into your cabins. I feel inspired after reading this interview that my winter cabin experience in the woods somewhere will happen one day as well! I'm looking forward to reading part 2 ❤️
It was a treat to eavesdrop on this conversation. And I loved seeing your cozy places in the woods.
Well done Holly and Ramona for such an insightful interview. The connection the two of you have is palpable on the page, it's so lovely. Hearing your stories and seeing the pictures is inspiring and powerful.
Holly, your writing set up is very organized and vast! That's the word that came to mind - vast. When I saw the picture my first thought was, 'She means business!'
Ramona, I am inspired by your shift toward more personal writing. It's certainly part of what has drawn me to your work and it's also a nudge for me to work on doing the same in a manner that feels right for me and my reader.
I'm fascinated by the little vignettes on your writing table, Holly, and also wondering how you accomplish that in Ruby, or whether that's a special treat for your winter sojourn?
Winter in Sitges, it seems, is over - we were out for our power walk in shorts the other day, still a bit nippy over night/mornings, but in the sun, on the beach promenade, it's glorious. Unfortunately, our drought, though, our drought continues - we really couldn't have chosen a place with a more similar climate to California...
I love the big windows in your writing space and in Ramona's cabin.
I find it hard to find the right words to write about other people if what I'm saying could be construed as negative. I want to be honest as much as I can without potentially hurting someone's feelings. Writing about my mother-in-law after the death of her husband of 65 years was an example of this. I tried to present the situation as positive as I could from her perspective. I left out all the frustration we had about many things. Oh, and my next Nomad Report I will have to write about the fight. That will be a little tricky to convey objectively.
I admire people who can be so honest in their writing. Have you read Liesbet's memoir yet? It has been described as brutally honest. This post also made me think about another traveling friends blog. She did a whole series about her breadt cancer. She uses a lot of humor but is also very honest. Here is a link to the posts, https://www.callitkismet.com/tag/breast-cancer/ I think you'd like her writing.
It is winter here in North Carolina. We'll, at least it was last week with freezing temperatures. We are house sitting on a farm. It has been quite an experience. Difficult at times but overall really good.
And if you ever write about me, you have permission to use my name. Because you'd never say anything bad about me, right? I hope.
Looking forward to part 2,
I feel like I need to copy and paste the comment I put on Ramona's post 😂
This was a truly delightful interview!
Two women on their own, writing in cabins is a gorgeous jumping off point for a conversation. Great idea!