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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Brother of the More Famous Jack
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Barbara Hepworth
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The Catastrophe of Success
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Tennessee Williams
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You Be Mother
Meg Mason
Meg Mason's "You Be Mother" is a poignant novel exploring the complexities of motherhood and female friendship.
The story follows Abby, a young woman who unexpectedly becomes a mother and finds solace in an unlikely friendship with an older woman.
Mason's insightful prose and character development create a captivating narrative.
The novel delves into the challenges of raising a child, the complexities of family relationships, and the transformative power of human connection.
The characters' experiences resonate with readers, making it a deeply moving story.
The exploration of motherhood, friendship, and the search for belonging is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
The novel's exploration of human connection and the search for meaning in life is both profound and uplifting.
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The War of Art
Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
Steven Pressfield
In 'The War of Art', Steven Pressfield identifies the internal force of 'Resistance' that hinders creative endeavors.
The book is divided into three sections: 'Resistance: Defining the Enemy', 'Combating Resistance: Turning Pro', and a final section that discusses the role of the muses and the battle between the Self and the Ego. Pressfield provides practical advice on recognizing and overcoming resistance, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, discipline, and continuous work in achieving creative success.
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The great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Published in 1925, 'The Great Gatsby' is a tragic love story, a mystery, and a social commentary on American life during the Jazz Age. The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, who moves to Long Island and becomes entangled in the lives of his wealthy and mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and Gatsby's obsession to win back his first love, Daisy Buchanan.
The story delves into themes of honesty, the temptations of wealth, and the struggle to escape the past, ultimately reflecting on the disintegration of the American Dream.
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The Crack-Up
F Scott Fitzgerald
The Crack-Up is a posthumous collection of essays by F. Scott Fitzgerald, compiled and edited by Edmund Wilson.
It includes three essays originally published in Esquire magazine in 1936, along with letters and notes.
The book provides a candid look at Fitzgerald's life, exploring themes of personal struggle, fame, and the disillusionment of the Jazz Age.
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An unquiet mind
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Kay R. Jamison
In 'An Unquiet Mind', Kay Redfield Jamison shares her journey with bipolar disorder, exploring how it affected her relationships, career, and personal life.
The book offers a candid look at both the challenges and the occasional benefits of living with this condition.
Jamison's narrative blends personal experience with professional insight, providing a unique perspective on mental health.
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Sorrow and Bliss
Meg Mason
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Joe Speedboat
Tommy Wieringa
In 'Joe Speedboat,' Tommy Wieringa tells the story of Frankie Hermans, who wakes up from a coma after a farming accident to find himself paralyzed and mute.
His life is transformed by the arrival of Joe Speedboat, a boy who brings vitality, verve, and a daredevil spirit to their sleepy village.
Joe sees potential in Frankie's handicaps, particularly his strong right arm, which he encourages Frankie to use for arm-wrestling.
This fast-paced and witty novel explores themes of trauma, friendship, and the dash towards adulthood in a rural Dutch setting.
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Working
people talk about what they do all day and how they feel about what they do
Studs Terkel
In 'Working,' Studs Terkel conducts in-depth interviews with people from diverse occupations, ranging from gravediggers to studio heads.
The book provides a snapshot of American working life in the early 1970s, highlighting the emotional and physical aspects of work.
It explores themes of job satisfaction, the search for meaning, and the impact of work on individuals' lives.
The interviews are edited to preserve the voices and stories of the subjects, offering a powerful and original perspective on work and its significance in human experience.
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The Power Broker
Robert Moses and the Fall of New York
Robert Caro
This book is a monumental biography of Robert Moses, who was the single most powerful man in New York City and State during his time.
It explores how Moses accumulated and wielded power, shaping the city through his public works projects, including highways, bridges, and parks.
The book delves into Moses's early life, his idealistic beginnings, and his transformation into a powerful figure who dominated New York's politics without ever being elected.
It also highlights the social and environmental impacts of his projects and his eventual fall from power.
The biography is renowned for its detailed and nuanced portrayal of power dynamics in urban politics.
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The Mirror and the Light
Hilary Mantel
In 'The Mirror & the Light', Hilary Mantel concludes her acclaimed Thomas Cromwell trilogy, which began with 'Wolf Hall' and 'Bring Up the Bodies'.
The novel follows Cromwell from the aftermath of Anne Boleyn’s execution to his own downfall.
It delves deep into Cromwell’s psyche, reflecting on his past and the complexities of his role as chief minister to Henry VIII.
The book is characterized by its rich historical detail, vivid settings, and masterful characterization, making the past feel immediate and visceral.
Despite knowing the historical outcome, Mantel crafts a suspenseful narrative that explores the tensions and power dynamics of the Tudor court, culminating in Cromwell’s tragic fall from favor
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Victoria, the queen
Julia Baird
This biography by Julia Baird delves into the significant chapters of Queen Victoria's life, shedding new light on events and people that have long been shrouded in myth.
The book covers her strict upbringing, her marriage to Prince Albert, her deep grief following his death, and her relationships with various Prime Ministers and her confidant John Brown.
Baird uses extensive research, including previously inaccessible documents and Victoria's journals, to provide a richer and more human view of the queen.
The narrative highlights Victoria's influence on the British Empire, her struggles with autonomy, and her unique position as a powerful woman in a patriarchal society.
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The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
Mark Manson
In this book, Mark Manson argues against the typical self-help advice of constant positivity, instead suggesting that life's struggles give it meaning.
He emphasizes the need to focus on what truly matters and to accept and confront painful truths.
The book is divided into nine chapters and uses blunt honesty and profanity to illustrate its ideas, encouraging readers to find meaning through values they can control and to replace uncontrollable values with more meaningful ones.
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Phosphorescence
On Awe, Wonder and Things That Sustain You When the World Goes Dark
Julia Baird
In 'Phosphorescence', Julia Baird delves into the concept of finding and nurturing an inner light that sustains us through life's darkest moments.
The book is a hybrid of memoir, essays, and personal reflections, drawing from Baird's experiences with cancer, her connections with nature, and her observations of various individuals who embody this 'phosphorescence'.
Baird discusses the importance of awe, wonder, silence, and the healing effects of nature, such as ocean swimming and forest bathing.
She also emphasizes the value of friendships, social connections, and the acceptance of failure and imperfection.
The book is a thought-provoking exploration of how to find meaning and joy in a world filled with challenges.
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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