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Lindsay Johnstone's avatar

There is so much in this letter that resonates, Emily. Delighted to have discovered your stack and to come along for the ride. There is a need for this kind of deep enquiry into the 'why create' and the impact on the self of both consuming and making art, whatever that might be.

I've been attuned to the connection between ideas for writing and being at live music events recently, for example. I sense the music somehow is allowing me to access a different part of my creative brain, unlocking something very interesting that sees me rushing to scribble something down. It's a kind of cross-pollination, I suppose.

And YES to the way that fiction reading allows us to try on or simulate life experiences and emotional states that might aid us in our preparedness for actual real life! In my day job for a national literacy charity here in Scotland, we talk so much about this in children's literature. A means to help them develop emotional literacy and empathy. It applies to us adults though, too!

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Faith Ann Raider's avatar

Have you read “Women Who Run With Wolves”? I’m currently reading it and it sounds very similar to “Hagitude” I’ve really enjoyed the explosion of women’s instinct, folktales and archetypes.

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