The Setback Journal
And a few other items from my Monarch Red notebook
I finished a notebook last week — a Field Notes Vintage edition. I spent more than six weeks carrying it around, so it’s quite beaten up. Here’s what stood out when I reread it. -Adam
My oldest son and I are reading William B. Irvine’s The Stoic Challenge this summer. In the book, Irvine briefly recommends creating a Setback Journal: Record which setbacks you experience, their source, their significance, and how you respond to them.
Learned about the Stationers’ Guild on a recent episode of In Our Time. Formed in 1403, the Guild held a monopoly over the publishing industry and was officially responsible for setting and enforcing copyright regulations until the 1700s. You couldn’t publish anything without going through the guild, effectively allowing them to control the distribution of information and knowledge.
Took out my notebook during the Víkingur Ólafsson recital so I didn’t forget some small delights:
People behind the stage wearing sunglasses because of the light reflecting off the piano.
Watching the piano wires vibrate.
People behind me repeatedly and inaccurately whisper that now he’s playing Schubert.
Ali Smith — not much for giving writing advice (no rules, just write) — is another voice, like K-Ming Chang, who says to start with one word and see what happens. She also quotes Valeria Luisello: “…it is never improvisation that drives you to tell a story, but rather a combination of anger and clarity.”
Story Log
I have been keeping track of every short story I read this year. Here’s June’s list:
“Auntland” by K-Ming Chang
“Chorus of the Dead” by K-Ming Chang
“Mandarin Speakers” by K-Ming Chang
“A Conversation with My Father” by Grace Paley
All good stories. Jon Fosse always seems intimidating but he really captures my attention.