In James Baldwin's Paris Review Art of Fiction interview, the interviewer asks him about the difference between being a writer and a preacher (he was a preacher in his teenage years, and his father was a preacher). Baldwin says:
"The two roles [preacher and writer] are completely unattached. When you are standing in the pulpit, you must sound as though you know what you’re talking about. When you’re writing, you’re trying to find out something which you don’t know. The whole language of writing for me is finding out what you don’t want to know, what you don’t want to find out. But something forces you to anyway."
It seems very en vogue these days to be a pseudo-preacher on social media. You must have a point. You must have a take. The take must be short. And easy to digest. And offend no one. So, you must have a depthless, meaningless take that pretends to be deep and meaningful. It's fucking exhausting and -- I think -- mind numbing, which might be the point. Thank God for writers and artists and people resisting. The world needs people who have fewer answers and more questions, and a willingness to explore. You are a gift, Mari!!!
Dear God/U, get ready for a classic E.L. comment-novel, I am so sorry, but I.have.so.much.to.say. First, born in '80 I was absolutely obsessed with PeeWee, both the show and the film. I USE THE SNAKES REFERENCE WEEKLY. And my millennial friends don't understand such a perfect analogy 😭 So thank you for keeping it alive! I was also lucky to experience ALL of the late '70s / early '80s weird at that young of an age, and it absolutely affected me in the best way possible! Sesame Street alone was such a cornucopia of weird!! I will leave my three favorite segments at the end of this comment. When Elmo and Barney came into the picture, something in me died inside (although to be fair, Barney might be pretty weird in hindsight/by comparison to Now Things).
Secondly, thank you for explaining so clearly why I revel in your writing style (such a weird thing to say but it's true). The combination of how "the conclusion finds itself" with the fully authentic (in the true sense of the word, not the modern rebrand) exploration of your interests and ponderings. No putting on airs. No shlock. No backpedaling. Unapologetic but in the kindest and most generous way possible (Because NOT this --> "...I end up doing a lot of thinking FOR the reader..." GACK because how boring is that?!). It's such a refreshing style when so much of what I read is far too careful, calculated, pandering and, yes, patronizing. A canyon of echo chambers. Because "unnecessary explanations and caveats" takes us readers out of the flow of our own budding opinions and wo/anderings. I honestly love to be offended because after the initial shock wears off, the awe picks up the slack. I learn where I need to upgrade my operating system. For real, I wanted to requote pretty much every sentence in this essay right back to you and I'm finally going to not be that obnoxious!
And can I personally thank Marike?! JUST YESTERDAY I was walking through the park unable to name a single tree species and felt so guilty like I was not being a good human. And look at you bringing it full circle to writing. This connection is exactly what I need right now. I experienced something similar to your book inspo thread in my current-yet-fully-paused project (1. melancholy skeleton sketch, 2. George Floyd era meets Africa Brooke, 3. Tarot 4. Dad Issues). It's paused because I got to the point in my outline plotting where I needed an Actual Point and now I'm in paralysis. You're like my pilot light, though. In truth, I haven't shut all the way down because you are proof the magic is out there ready to burn. I need to stop being so worried about everyone else, channel my inner PeeWee, and Follow the Weird. Ok one more quote because it made me weep a little: "...my true dream is the quixotic quest to figure out what wants to be created, what wants to be written, and which thoughts want to be explored." Another tattoo.
And PS: Mr. Mari's favorite poem also made my heart ache.
I'm not a typical commenter (more of a lurker) and I was tempted to comment on your recent essay about AI but the brilliant E.L. Zeitgeist said most of what I wanted to say. However, this essay... damn. This essay... it's exactly what I needed to read this morning of all mornings as I deal with some of the very things you talk about here. I'm so moved and feel so held by your vulnerability and authenticity, I'll be referencing this one in my next essay because damn. It feels good to be seen/heard even when the person behind the writing doesn't know you at all. Thank you, Mari!
Mari, it’s so good to read this today. Also, I was a big Pee-wee Herman fan in college- and I love how you share about the joy of exploring just for the fun of it. I can’t wait to get your book!
Mari, you’re my favorite thing to read on Sunday mornings before I make my matcha. How beautiful to know that you’re someone’s favorite way to start the day! Thank you for including your art (how I first fell in love with you over Instagram!) in your gorgeous writing. Preordering now + please keep going!
Oh Mari, you’re so lovely. At yet another trying season for our family with my dear Sammy in the hospital for weeks (check out my blog), I’ve often asked myself why I write. It was good to hear someone articulate it better than I could :). Thank you.
Thanks for this - it helps me to understand, at least in part, my aversion to the type of content I’m supposed to write in order to position myself as an expert and market my services. It’s not interesting to me to write the kind of SEO friendly stuff that might drive potential clients to me. I, too, like to find things out by writing about them.
“Weird” now means strange or uncommon, but in Old English it meant “that which is destined.”
In other words, according to your essence.
The way it got to it current meaning is due to the “Three Weird Sisters” in MacBeth, who knew what was fated.
Weird: "force that sets events in motion or determines their course; what is destined to befall one;"
from Old English wyrd "fate, chance, fortune; destiny; the Fates."
In James Baldwin's Paris Review Art of Fiction interview, the interviewer asks him about the difference between being a writer and a preacher (he was a preacher in his teenage years, and his father was a preacher). Baldwin says:
"The two roles [preacher and writer] are completely unattached. When you are standing in the pulpit, you must sound as though you know what you’re talking about. When you’re writing, you’re trying to find out something which you don’t know. The whole language of writing for me is finding out what you don’t want to know, what you don’t want to find out. But something forces you to anyway."
It seems very en vogue these days to be a pseudo-preacher on social media. You must have a point. You must have a take. The take must be short. And easy to digest. And offend no one. So, you must have a depthless, meaningless take that pretends to be deep and meaningful. It's fucking exhausting and -- I think -- mind numbing, which might be the point. Thank God for writers and artists and people resisting. The world needs people who have fewer answers and more questions, and a willingness to explore. You are a gift, Mari!!!
Dear God/U, get ready for a classic E.L. comment-novel, I am so sorry, but I.have.so.much.to.say. First, born in '80 I was absolutely obsessed with PeeWee, both the show and the film. I USE THE SNAKES REFERENCE WEEKLY. And my millennial friends don't understand such a perfect analogy 😭 So thank you for keeping it alive! I was also lucky to experience ALL of the late '70s / early '80s weird at that young of an age, and it absolutely affected me in the best way possible! Sesame Street alone was such a cornucopia of weird!! I will leave my three favorite segments at the end of this comment. When Elmo and Barney came into the picture, something in me died inside (although to be fair, Barney might be pretty weird in hindsight/by comparison to Now Things).
Secondly, thank you for explaining so clearly why I revel in your writing style (such a weird thing to say but it's true). The combination of how "the conclusion finds itself" with the fully authentic (in the true sense of the word, not the modern rebrand) exploration of your interests and ponderings. No putting on airs. No shlock. No backpedaling. Unapologetic but in the kindest and most generous way possible (Because NOT this --> "...I end up doing a lot of thinking FOR the reader..." GACK because how boring is that?!). It's such a refreshing style when so much of what I read is far too careful, calculated, pandering and, yes, patronizing. A canyon of echo chambers. Because "unnecessary explanations and caveats" takes us readers out of the flow of our own budding opinions and wo/anderings. I honestly love to be offended because after the initial shock wears off, the awe picks up the slack. I learn where I need to upgrade my operating system. For real, I wanted to requote pretty much every sentence in this essay right back to you and I'm finally going to not be that obnoxious!
And can I personally thank Marike?! JUST YESTERDAY I was walking through the park unable to name a single tree species and felt so guilty like I was not being a good human. And look at you bringing it full circle to writing. This connection is exactly what I need right now. I experienced something similar to your book inspo thread in my current-yet-fully-paused project (1. melancholy skeleton sketch, 2. George Floyd era meets Africa Brooke, 3. Tarot 4. Dad Issues). It's paused because I got to the point in my outline plotting where I needed an Actual Point and now I'm in paralysis. You're like my pilot light, though. In truth, I haven't shut all the way down because you are proof the magic is out there ready to burn. I need to stop being so worried about everyone else, channel my inner PeeWee, and Follow the Weird. Ok one more quote because it made me weep a little: "...my true dream is the quixotic quest to figure out what wants to be created, what wants to be written, and which thoughts want to be explored." Another tattoo.
And PS: Mr. Mari's favorite poem also made my heart ache.
Scrubbing a Capital I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc1RfFYxZ2I
People who should be retired making crayons to one banger of a song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ_MEFVx5jM
Smokey Robinson being assaulted by a U: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws_vnXup7so&list=RDws_vnXup7so&start_radio=1
Wow!!! Yes!! Yes.
I love this, Mari. (And congratulations!!!!)
I'm not a typical commenter (more of a lurker) and I was tempted to comment on your recent essay about AI but the brilliant E.L. Zeitgeist said most of what I wanted to say. However, this essay... damn. This essay... it's exactly what I needed to read this morning of all mornings as I deal with some of the very things you talk about here. I'm so moved and feel so held by your vulnerability and authenticity, I'll be referencing this one in my next essay because damn. It feels good to be seen/heard even when the person behind the writing doesn't know you at all. Thank you, Mari!
Mari, it’s so good to read this today. Also, I was a big Pee-wee Herman fan in college- and I love how you share about the joy of exploring just for the fun of it. I can’t wait to get your book!
Another brilliant thoughtful piece and it's inspiring me to write a sermon on the value of curiosity. Thank you!
Mari, you’re my favorite thing to read on Sunday mornings before I make my matcha. How beautiful to know that you’re someone’s favorite way to start the day! Thank you for including your art (how I first fell in love with you over Instagram!) in your gorgeous writing. Preordering now + please keep going!
Oh Mari, you’re so lovely. At yet another trying season for our family with my dear Sammy in the hospital for weeks (check out my blog), I’ve often asked myself why I write. It was good to hear someone articulate it better than I could :). Thank you.
Thanks for this - it helps me to understand, at least in part, my aversion to the type of content I’m supposed to write in order to position myself as an expert and market my services. It’s not interesting to me to write the kind of SEO friendly stuff that might drive potential clients to me. I, too, like to find things out by writing about them.
How can I order the book to Bulgaria? (I still find it funny that you've been here, hehe.)
It was really easy to do with the previous book, but I don't see the same website among the options now.
Also, having a 6-month-old baby makes it a bit harder to find time to look into the options. :)