The Daily Stoic Meg Mason on Writing, Developing Taste, and Tolerance
In this discussion, Meg Mason, a talented author known for her insightful work featured in The Financial Times and The New Yorker, dives into her acclaimed novel 'Sorrow and Bliss.' She passionately shares her journey of overcoming writing challenges, emphasizing the balance between personal style and publishing trends. The conversation touches on mental health and its societal stigma, exploring the importance of empathy and understanding. Mason also reflects on authenticity in writing and the significance of authentic representation in the literary world.
01:05:20
Egg Roll Inspiration
- Meg Mason's opening scene in Sorrow and Bliss involves a woman shoving an egg roll in her mouth at a party.
- This detail came from observing life, storing it mentally, and retrieving it during writing.
The Importance of Routine
- Writers should "put their ass where their heart wants to be" (Stephen Pressfield) to find inspiration.
- The act of sitting down to write opens a channel for creativity and allows you to receive inspiration.
Writing as Practice
- Treat writing like any other skill, practice consistently to improve.
- Don't expect to write well without putting in the hours.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Exploring Energy Alternatives and Unexpected Literary Discoveries
02:05 • 2min
The Art of Authentic Writing
04:08 • 9min
Embracing Individuality in Writing and Publishing Trends
12:51 • 3min
Trends, Covers, and Connections
15:34 • 14min
The Dilemma of Lending Literature and Supporting Authors
29:55 • 2min
Navigating Therapy and Hiring: Solutions for Modern Challenges
32:08 • 3min
Navigating the Writer's Journey
34:59 • 14min
Stigma Around Mental Illness: Literature and Society's Lens
49:03 • 5min
Understanding Mental Illness Through Compassion
53:58 • 15min
The Power of Literary Recommendations and Community Engagement
01:08:57 • 5min
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Sorrow and Bliss
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Ryan talks to author Meg Mason about her book Sorrow and Bliss, how to develop taste as a writer, the vitality of being tolerant and forgiving of others, and more.
Meg Mason began her career at the Financial Times and The Times of London. Her work has since appeared in The Sunday Times UK, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sunday Telegraph. She has written humor for Sunday STYLE magazine and The New Yorker's Daily Shouts and been a regular columnist for GQ and contributor to ELLE, marie claire and Vogue.
Meg has written three books including the one we dive into today titled Sorrow and Bliss. When Meg first set out to write this book, she found herself stuck with 85,000 of a dreadful, untitled Christmas novel. After her own experiences with mental health, she ended presenting what is now Sorrow and Bliss to her publisher. The book is a reflection on situations that commonly exist beyond mental illness as well as within it, including the way that women are treated by the health system, and the way that families create intractable roles and scripts for one another.
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