I totally agree, I guess I just haven't been thinking about it recently! I do know my brain needs something to focus on and then other ideas get worked out when my focus is diverted.
I loved this, circle-essays, and brooding! Your piece also put me in mind of one of my absolute favorite books read last year, and in all the years, called Brood, which makes exquisite use of all the word’s meanings.
So much to unpack here. My interest is always in the intersection of art and mental health so my immediate thought was “Wharton was known to live with depression so of course she was brooding” ... but your recap of other definitions of the word helped broaden that perspective for me and consider the whole of the conversation you’ve initiated. I don’t have fully formed thoughts as a response yet but I’ll be mulling over this one.
I didn’t know that about Edith Wharton, though it doesn’t surprise me, sadly, and I’m definitely wanting to learn more about her. I’m always here for half formed thoughts!:)
I think writing/art-making is like 90 percent brooding! There seems to be so much that needs to happen that can't happen via conscious effort.
Thank you for the reminder to pick up Monsters, I'm really curious to read the whole thing.
I totally agree, I guess I just haven't been thinking about it recently! I do know my brain needs something to focus on and then other ideas get worked out when my focus is diverted.
I love this issue, Devin. The best essays are circles! I’m going to be brooding about brooding for a while after reading this.
Thanks Hurley! I feel the same way, more thoughts to come:)
I loved this, circle-essays, and brooding! Your piece also put me in mind of one of my absolute favorite books read last year, and in all the years, called Brood, which makes exquisite use of all the word’s meanings.
Oh I haven’t heard of that book, thanks for the rec! And thanks so much for reading!
So much to unpack here. My interest is always in the intersection of art and mental health so my immediate thought was “Wharton was known to live with depression so of course she was brooding” ... but your recap of other definitions of the word helped broaden that perspective for me and consider the whole of the conversation you’ve initiated. I don’t have fully formed thoughts as a response yet but I’ll be mulling over this one.
I didn’t know that about Edith Wharton, though it doesn’t surprise me, sadly, and I’m definitely wanting to learn more about her. I’m always here for half formed thoughts!:)