In 1823, German Jewish political satirist Karl Ludwig Börne wrote the essay, “How to Become an Original Writer in Three Days.”
For consecutive three days write, without fabrication or hypocrisy, everything that comes into your head. Write down what you think of yourself, of your wife, of the Turkish War, of Goethe … Upon the passing of three days you will be astonished and amazed at the new, unheard-of thoughts you have had.
Sigmund Freud was a huge fan of journalling. In addition to talking about one’s problems, one of his first prescriptive cures was to write for three days straight.
It’s possible that one of Freud’s colleagues, Dr. Breuer, suggested this exercise to Anna O, the famous first patient of psychoanalysis, treated for “hysteria.” It’s also possible that Anna O (real name Bertha Pappenheim), discovered the writing cure on her own.
In any case, she wrote an impressive number of poems, plays, stories, and articles, and journalled extensively. She translated a number of works, including memoirs of ancestors and religious writings from what was known as “the Women’s Bible.”
Much of what she wrote was published under pseudonyms. Much more has been lost. Yet this remarkable woman who was often hospitalized—sometimes against her will—for “hysteria” (what may actually have been complications from concussion, or epilepsy, or meningitis), wrote not only to cure herself, but to cure society as well.
The vast majority of her writing focused on increasing awareness of society’s mistreatment of Jewish refugees and the horrors of trafficked women. A century ago, in 1924, she published a study on trafficked women and prostitution in both Eastern Europe and Asia titled Sisyphean Labor, a nod to the mythical Sisyphus, doomed to the torture of rolling a boulder up a mountain for eternity.
In keeping with her social outreach and advocacy, she moved to Frankfurt, Germany, and started a home for Orthodox Jewish unwed mothers.
As Mark J. Blechner writes in "The Three Cures of Bertha Pappenheim (Anna O), “She was cured not just by her psychoanalytic treatment, but also by realizing her intellectual gifts via her writing and by changing the society that was making her ill.”
I admit: I adore the ides of realizing one’s intellectual gifts via one’s writing — and using those gifts to positively influence society’s ills. Your intellect is the only one of its kind. Your voice is unique to the universe. How do you intend to use it for good this week?
In Other News
It’s been over a month since we’ve had a decent rain. I’m thrilled that my hay is put in for the winter, but hate seeing my lawn all brown and crispy.
Still, the Corgi brothers are digging running free with Mom when we go for our morning romps back into the woods. Since it’s been so dry, I don’t have to worry about them getting all muddy. Or getting stuck in quicksand. Or drowning in pond water. Whew!
And because the weather has been so accomodating, I’ve been getting some riding time in before hunting season starts.
At the dentist earlier this week for a routine cleaning, the lady in the exam room next to me was dealing with a cracked tooth that was impinging a nerve, necessitating either an extraction or a root canal. ::shudder:: Few things make a person more thankful for a dull, uneventful day than hearing some poor soul facing an unexpected $1700 dental bill. O.o!!
Book News
Publication progress continues on Dear Alderone, my novel about how a journal a 14-year old girl keeps in the mid-1980s helps her granddaughter weather a family crisis 40 years later. Initial layout and design work is done. Full manuscript layout should be finished by Monday, with proofreading done by October 4. Cover design is still in the early stages, but it’s so exciting to know other people are involved in getting the book out there!
Speaking of being involved in getting a book out there — I have it on good authority that We’re All Mad Here, my client
’ book, will be released into the wild on October 24.We’re All Mad Here is a memoir-ish collection of darkly irreverent, raucously funny essays about the reality of life as an outlier in a family felled by mental illness and generational trauma. Throw in some chronic illness, a manipulative, psychotic spouse, roller derby, sexual misadventures, and emotional support poultry, and you’re in for a roller-coaster ride of heartbreak, hilarity, and finally, forgiveness. :) It’s one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. Can’t wait till it’s out in the world!
Recent Reads
I read Terry Pratchett’s presciently satirical Carpe Jugulum, which deals with the horrors of deliberately opening the doors of diplomacy to narcissists intent only on conspicuous consumption, subjugation, and power.
In most of Pratchett’s writing, he demonstrates a real aversion to making sweeping judgments against anyone. But in this, the 23rd Discworld novel, published in 1998, he shows no mercy toward those whose thirst for domination comes at the expense of innocents. It is a real tale for our times. Because Pratchett never disappoints, the book is also screamingly funny.
And I read Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library because a friend likes his work and gave me the book. It took some doing, but I made it all the way through.
Not going to lie: I’m not a fan. I tried and TRIED to like this book. (“International bestseller” the cover screams. SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD LOVE ME. WHY DON’T YOU?!) I never once felt drawn in by the prose or the characters. The set-up was ok, but inconsistent. I know I was supposed to care whether Nora, the main character, lived or died. I mean — the whole premise of the book is Suicide Is A Bad Choice and Life Is Worth Living. But truth be told, I found the entire reading experience as fulfilling as a flat tire.
That’s ok: the book’s not for me. I’m glad others are reading it and liking it. We’re not all cookies cut from the same cutter!
Have you ever read a book that sold well and got tons of great hype that just… didn’t connect with you at all? Tell me in the comments and we’ll commiserate together!
Next on my TBR pile is James, by Percival Everett. I won’t lie: I’ve been looking forward to reading this for awhile. Was going to push it for a few months for a winter read, but I can’t wait. :)
What are you reading? Or writing? What ails you that the written word is currently curing? Drop me a note and let me know!
I just finished David Baldacci-A Calamity of Souls for our book club read. I liked it. Sadly it is about race in the 50s and some of it could be true for today.