The Daily Stoic

Meg Mason on Writing, Developing Taste, and Tolerance

Jun 11, 2022

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

Episode guests

Meg Mason

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Quick takeaways

Characters in 'Sorrow and Bliss' undergo surprising personal growth through selfless sacrifices and artistry.

Writers must balance reverence for the craft with practical commitments and acknowledge the complexities of the profession.

Preserving inspirational insights through reading, documentation, and engaging with enlightening quotes fuels personal growth and creativity.

Deep dives

Discovering Characters' Evolution through Sacrifice and Art

Characters like Fergus and Winsome in 'Sorrow and Bliss' undergo surprising personal growth through selfless sacrifices and artistry. Fergus transforms from a perceived weak and selfish individual to a deeply sacrificial and dependable figure, while Winsome, initially seen as controlling, reveals her vital role in maintaining family coherence through silent sacrifices. These characters' evolutions challenge initial perceptions, highlighting the unrecognized contributions of seemingly unassuming individuals.

Is It An Art And A Science?

00:36

I Don't Want To Be Labeled

01:51

Aramis and the Wool Forred

00:22

Is Mental Illness Stigmatized These Days?

00:42

Intro

2min

Exploring Energy Alternatives and Unexpected Literary Discoveries

2min

The Art of Authentic Writing

9min

Embracing Individuality in Writing and Publishing Trends

3min

Trends, Covers, and Connections

14min

The Dilemma of Lending Literature and Supporting Authors

2min

Navigating Therapy and Hiring: Solutions for Modern Challenges

3min

Navigating the Writer's Journey

14min

Stigma Around Mental Illness: Literature and Society's Lens

5min

10.

Understanding Mental Illness Through Compassion

15min

11.

The Power of Literary Recommendations and Community Engagement

5min

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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