Greetings Dougald, it is more than an honor to be be mentioned here, in this way, by you. I'm thinking now that I signed up for your Homeward Bound course in part because of the way the Dark Mountain Project had pressed upon my imagination and also because I couldn't stop thinking about the words A School Called HOME. I was considering adopting--or at least trying on for size--the words Peasantry School. You continue to nudge me along in subtle, humble and mysterious ways. Thank you.
Just so! I feel this piece. For myself, I've come to being a writer after two decades of being a visual artist. Writing is one of the art forms I've practised the longest, but it was a private matter until a few years ago. Writing feels so right to me that sometimes I grieve I didn't do it sooner. But actually, I think I couldn't have: I wasn't ready. In my opinion, writing is not a young person's craft.
As for art-buddies: creative camaraderie comes from the people who are aligned with what you're doing, they may not be in anything like the same discipline- one of my best art-friends is a stone-carver, for instance- but the emergent experiences and ideas of practicing any art or craft deeply have commonality. I think of it as cross-pollination- I'll take creative solidarity from any like-minded maker.
Thanks for this, can identify myself in that phase of seemingly endless writing and knowing I need more practice and parts of me to gain experience and get knocked around by life a bit more. Inspiring to hear that it took a long time for you, who makes beautiful and lucid writing seem so natural...
I really enjoyed these insights. As someone with no classic training at all (I have a GCSE English and that’s about it lol) I’ve always felt a bit lesser than to others who have I guess. I haven’t been lucky enough to have feedback on my writings or advise to improve it. But similarly to as you quoted, writing to find myself and figure things out has been the most amazing way to ‘improve’ my writing and explore my voice.
Dougald, I'm honored, thank you so much for what you said and for sharing the Pollen Basket. It's lovely to connect again. And that poem, yes, didn't it just say everything? It's such a desperately sad and frightening time. Thank you also for your brilliant work and thinking and seeing and presence, exciting to have subscribed here. x
Thanks, Sylvia – and yes, I'm glad to reconnect! I found you on here through an amazing piece you wrote about Easter on a Greek island. I think you linked to it in a discussion on one of Graham Pardun's posts?
Oh God, that stultifying academic environment “full of unmarked doors, subtle handshakes, and taps on shoulders” is SO familiar! I’m thrilled that you escaped before it was too late. I’m thrilled that I did too...
Yes, here's to having escaped! :-) The world of Oxford is doubly disorienting, because alongside the academic doors/handshakes/etc, there's a parallel reality with similarly opaque codes, where the doorways and taps on the shoulder lead to the various sub-worlds of the British Establishment.
(With thanks to our mutual friend Eric for digging it out.)
But alright, when those lines get cut free and quoted the way I did here, you can charge those of us doing the quoting with sentimentality, if not the poet. I hope that helps.
Hi Dougald, I'd love to join the 5-week course, however, am away in a different timezone, with friends I'd like to dedicate all my time to in this day and age. Can I join for the last three weeks, and hope to contribute then? I would of course subscribe to the course like everyone else who does five weeks.
I've so been enjoying your writing, both on here as well as offline in book form. The possible directions of travel you unearth seem to be the beginning of a settling in the today. Thank you.
Thanks for asking. Yes, you would be welcome to join on this basis. We share a recording of each session, so you'll have the chance to catch up on the ones that you can't attend live.
Greetings Dougald, it is more than an honor to be be mentioned here, in this way, by you. I'm thinking now that I signed up for your Homeward Bound course in part because of the way the Dark Mountain Project had pressed upon my imagination and also because I couldn't stop thinking about the words A School Called HOME. I was considering adopting--or at least trying on for size--the words Peasantry School. You continue to nudge me along in subtle, humble and mysterious ways. Thank you.
Just so! I feel this piece. For myself, I've come to being a writer after two decades of being a visual artist. Writing is one of the art forms I've practised the longest, but it was a private matter until a few years ago. Writing feels so right to me that sometimes I grieve I didn't do it sooner. But actually, I think I couldn't have: I wasn't ready. In my opinion, writing is not a young person's craft.
As for art-buddies: creative camaraderie comes from the people who are aligned with what you're doing, they may not be in anything like the same discipline- one of my best art-friends is a stone-carver, for instance- but the emergent experiences and ideas of practicing any art or craft deeply have commonality. I think of it as cross-pollination- I'll take creative solidarity from any like-minded maker.
Thanks for this, can identify myself in that phase of seemingly endless writing and knowing I need more practice and parts of me to gain experience and get knocked around by life a bit more. Inspiring to hear that it took a long time for you, who makes beautiful and lucid writing seem so natural...
I really enjoyed these insights. As someone with no classic training at all (I have a GCSE English and that’s about it lol) I’ve always felt a bit lesser than to others who have I guess. I haven’t been lucky enough to have feedback on my writings or advise to improve it. But similarly to as you quoted, writing to find myself and figure things out has been the most amazing way to ‘improve’ my writing and explore my voice.
Dougald, I'm honored, thank you so much for what you said and for sharing the Pollen Basket. It's lovely to connect again. And that poem, yes, didn't it just say everything? It's such a desperately sad and frightening time. Thank you also for your brilliant work and thinking and seeing and presence, exciting to have subscribed here. x
Thanks, Sylvia – and yes, I'm glad to reconnect! I found you on here through an amazing piece you wrote about Easter on a Greek island. I think you linked to it in a discussion on one of Graham Pardun's posts?
Oh God, that stultifying academic environment “full of unmarked doors, subtle handshakes, and taps on shoulders” is SO familiar! I’m thrilled that you escaped before it was too late. I’m thrilled that I did too...
Yes, here's to having escaped! :-) The world of Oxford is doubly disorienting, because alongside the academic doors/handshakes/etc, there's a parallel reality with similarly opaque codes, where the doorways and taps on the shoulder lead to the various sub-worlds of the British Establishment.
Thank you for this insight Dougald, a helpful and timely read.
Glad to hear that, Hannah!
Sentimental poet vs. reality: https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/5/25/why-doesnt-europe-grieve-deaths-in-the-mediterranean
It's worth reading the rest of the poem:
http://www.auroralevinsmorales.com/red-sea.html
(With thanks to our mutual friend Eric for digging it out.)
But alright, when those lines get cut free and quoted the way I did here, you can charge those of us doing the quoting with sentimentality, if not the poet. I hope that helps.
I would like to read a short story about what the Dougald who stayed with PPE ended up doing :)
Hahaha... I really can't imagine! Though I do remember having a fairly intense debate with Rachel Reeves over the formal dinner in freshers week.
It was over tax policy, come to think of it...
I think you mean coming Tuesday October 24 and not November? Third paragraph....
Thanks, Bertus - I'm getting ahead of myself! Will edit.
Hi Dougald, I'd love to join the 5-week course, however, am away in a different timezone, with friends I'd like to dedicate all my time to in this day and age. Can I join for the last three weeks, and hope to contribute then? I would of course subscribe to the course like everyone else who does five weeks.
I've so been enjoying your writing, both on here as well as offline in book form. The possible directions of travel you unearth seem to be the beginning of a settling in the today. Thank you.
Hi Anne!
Thanks for asking. Yes, you would be welcome to join on this basis. We share a recording of each session, so you'll have the chance to catch up on the ones that you can't attend live.
I look forward to having you with us.