You got the words in the right order. You did. I agree; it’s hard, always is. Writing might be our profession. We might be good at it. But we’re always starting over, eternally a beginner. That’s both the frustrating and magical parts! Fascinating about Plath. Question: by “he” did you mean the husband who left her for another woman or her publisher?
Omg, you are so right Melinda. Always starting over. Every time. And her husband - left her for another woman and then edited her work after she was gone.
I’m interested to read that you’re on both Substack and Medium… What do you use each platform for and how do they compare? If you don’t mind sharing… 🙏🏻
Thank you for this. For saying something that needed to be said. For breathing life back into someone who has become a model of death. I had never known her life was rewritten to suit someone else's vision.
I never knew this about Sylvia Plath, and I’m so glad you shared this.
The irony of deconstruction is that sometimes we end up with a “which came first the chicken or the egg” impossible scenario. Because if the editor hadn’t rearranged her words and she hadn’t seemingly risen like a Phoenix because of it, you may not have reached your epiphanies through her writing.
Maybe that’s not the best example. But regardless, I’m so glad you shared this.
That's such a beautiful point, Leo. It was her husband who changed her words, but the point is still true. Had he not done that, I wouldn't have been inspired to tell the story and reach the conclusion. Isn't life amazing that way?!
We call this taking lemon 🍋 of life lemons bad situations and make lemonade out of them adding sugar or love or sweet stuff till it tastes just writes.
Make the stories a little softer for the sensitive kiddos.
Thank you for reintroducing me to Sylvia. There is so much that hurts in this world, but there are also moments of grace and people who simply drop us to our knees in awe. For such a pain-filled place, we do seem to try our damnedest to hang around. What a paradox this thing we call life is.
I recently re-read The Bell Jar. First time in high school, now 63. I focused on the hope this time around. Thank you for sharing the backstory about this book and her life.
Yes, you did get the words in the right order, Linda. At least today you did. Someday, after I get it published first (I hope) I'll send you my poem "Contemplating Sylvia Plath." She's one of my heroines.
The he was her husband. Edited and rearranged her writing before submitting it to the publisher that was waiting knowing it was done. I love that caught them by the tail part, too. She's not the only one - me, too! lol
Thanks for this. I love Sylvia and always felt relatable with her poems. Her writing shows the sadness and depressive lifestyle she had as well. Melancholic tone and all. I feel sorry that she took her own life, Lady Lazarus might be gone, but her work is giving us hope 🌷
I have thought of writing like building a construction. You must start the foundation, then build on that, adding a piece at a time on other pieces. That's the "correct order".
But you made me realize here that you can start with the window that someone's looking out of and materialize out from there it, never even needing to put up framing. Like a painter painting a house, there's no need to draw the foundation at all.
I love that Arjun. Yes, exactly. You can start with a window. Or a broken vase on the floor. You can start anywhere. That's a great way to look at it. Glad you enjoyed the Sylvia story, too :)
Ooooh I love this analogy. I always say that a story should have a beginning, a middle and an end but rarely in that order, but your co-created metaphor is so much more evocative. I already want to know how the vase got broken and that’s that marker of a good story — you’ve hooked me in! 🏺🪟🏡
Thank you for letting us know what happened to her work after she died. I had no idea he tampered with it like that. Shows him up. I’m looking forward to reading your tribute to her
My favorite poet of all time, gone way too soon.
Way too soon, for sure
This is so incredibly lovely. As someone who has spent years studying Plath’s life, you hit the nail on the head. I’d love to read your tribute!
Thank you so much, Kat. I will be sure to share it when I finally feel like I got the words right
I’ll be ready!
Thanks for clearing up the rearrangement of her work. I love her poetry, and wasn’t aware of how she struggled to find help.
You are so welcome. I love her poetry, too. Have you read the bee poems? They are beautiful
I keep imagining butterflies, and writing caterpillars. Or stones.
I love that, Bruce. I hope to be a butterfly one day. For now, a caterpillar
You got the words in the right order. You did. I agree; it’s hard, always is. Writing might be our profession. We might be good at it. But we’re always starting over, eternally a beginner. That’s both the frustrating and magical parts! Fascinating about Plath. Question: by “he” did you mean the husband who left her for another woman or her publisher?
Omg, you are so right Melinda. Always starting over. Every time. And her husband - left her for another woman and then edited her work after she was gone.
When and where will your piece about Plath be published?
Probably on Medium, but when is a good question! I can bring it here too, though. Maybe that’s a thought!
Why not? I’m on medium too
I’m interested to read that you’re on both Substack and Medium… What do you use each platform for and how do they compare? If you don’t mind sharing… 🙏🏻
Thank you for this. For saying something that needed to be said. For breathing life back into someone who has become a model of death. I had never known her life was rewritten to suit someone else's vision.
You are so welcome Paula. I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
Yes yes yes
the era of —————- ??????
I never knew this about Sylvia Plath, and I’m so glad you shared this.
The irony of deconstruction is that sometimes we end up with a “which came first the chicken or the egg” impossible scenario. Because if the editor hadn’t rearranged her words and she hadn’t seemingly risen like a Phoenix because of it, you may not have reached your epiphanies through her writing.
Maybe that’s not the best example. But regardless, I’m so glad you shared this.
That's such a beautiful point, Leo. It was her husband who changed her words, but the point is still true. Had he not done that, I wouldn't have been inspired to tell the story and reach the conclusion. Isn't life amazing that way?!
We call this taking lemon 🍋 of life lemons bad situations and make lemonade out of them adding sugar or love or sweet stuff till it tastes just writes.
Make the stories a little softer for the sensitive kiddos.
They’ll appreciate it more
Thank you for reintroducing me to Sylvia. There is so much that hurts in this world, but there are also moments of grace and people who simply drop us to our knees in awe. For such a pain-filled place, we do seem to try our damnedest to hang around. What a paradox this thing we call life is.
Omg, Amaya, a paradox for sure.
I recently re-read The Bell Jar. First time in high school, now 63. I focused on the hope this time around. Thank you for sharing the backstory about this book and her life.
You are so welcome Marjorie. I have not reread it for years. I should, see how it reads through eyes that have been around for over half a century lol
Yes, you did get the words in the right order, Linda. At least today you did. Someday, after I get it published first (I hope) I'll send you my poem "Contemplating Sylvia Plath." She's one of my heroines.
Oh Marianna, I would love that. Please do send me the poem. Crossing fingers you get it published! xo
I'm sorry, who is the "he" that rearranged them?
Also, "she caught them by the tail and has to rearrange them." I love this. It's true.
The he was her husband. Edited and rearranged her writing before submitting it to the publisher that was waiting knowing it was done. I love that caught them by the tail part, too. She's not the only one - me, too! lol
Thanks for this. I love Sylvia and always felt relatable with her poems. Her writing shows the sadness and depressive lifestyle she had as well. Melancholic tone and all. I feel sorry that she took her own life, Lady Lazarus might be gone, but her work is giving us hope 🌷
You are so right. She's inspired so many people and me among them
Linda, you always get the words in the right order. - Jim
What a really nice thing to say, Jim. Thank you :)
The real challenge, yes, just allowing oneself to be the conduit for the message.
Omg Jay, right? I love that because it's so true. I have to get out of my own way to be the conduit.
I have thought of writing like building a construction. You must start the foundation, then build on that, adding a piece at a time on other pieces. That's the "correct order".
But you made me realize here that you can start with the window that someone's looking out of and materialize out from there it, never even needing to put up framing. Like a painter painting a house, there's no need to draw the foundation at all.
And, what a story with Sylvia. Thanks
I love that Arjun. Yes, exactly. You can start with a window. Or a broken vase on the floor. You can start anywhere. That's a great way to look at it. Glad you enjoyed the Sylvia story, too :)
Ooooh I love this analogy. I always say that a story should have a beginning, a middle and an end but rarely in that order, but your co-created metaphor is so much more evocative. I already want to know how the vase got broken and that’s that marker of a good story — you’ve hooked me in! 🏺🪟🏡
Thank you for letting us know what happened to her work after she died. I had no idea he tampered with it like that. Shows him up. I’m looking forward to reading your tribute to her
You're very welcome. And thank you, too. I will share the tribute once I can get the words in the right order lol