The longer I go without sending a newsletter, the more daunting sending a newsletter becomes. Especially in these times, when our democracy is in such peril and I want to listen and learn and reflect before adding to the (understandable and necessary) churn. But I’m so grateful to all of you who’ve read or considered reading
Here are links to some of the ancestor stories I've published. The Southern relations are the ones I'd be following, up until I got to the Massachusetts relations. Those are from another side.
Jul 5, 2022·edited Jul 5, 2022Liked by Maud Newton
I’m continuing to write my “fake memoir/novel” and love the quote "The more you try to dismiss your ghosts, the more aggressively they will seek you out." I think I became the official family historian because I could hear the lies and omissions my family denies, and having been a great software beta tester and a joyful researcher (in medieval studies) it was inevitable that I would be compelled to find the bugs and the hidden truths in their narratives. That ghost is me, or egging me on, perhaps!
Anyway, it seems many of my family records were burned and lost in fires that destroyed Guayaquil around the previous turn of the century so I’m relying on my imagination and instinct. I tend to get pretty close to the truth, as I found out upon finding the first (and my main interest, a) long lost relative, who confirmed having done what I suspected she’d done, just based on family personality, history, and options available.
So, my ancestor troubles are being fictionalized almost as if by tradition, since I think almost everyone I’ve spoken to has either deliberately or unintentionally lied to me or passed down lies long accepted as truths. Maybe this is where South American magical realism comes from.
I’m having fun, on the one hand. But the writing and editing is complex! All new to me. I’m learning as I do it, not just about my family and about writing, but the very act of learning to do both is changing me, too, in good ways. I feel like I’ve been waiting all my life to write this thing.
In other news, I got a little part time job to get me out of my mothers house while she’s still able to be left alone for half a day two days a week. I include this because I’m determined to normalize in-home caregiving of elderly parents in our middle age for the rest of us by mentioning it regularly. I had to move “back home” (quotes because it’s not my home, it’s my mother’s) and give up a lot to do this, including a good deal of freedom to come and go as I please, a loss a 57 year old can sometimes bristle at with a little resentment I refuse to deny: I’m human, and not a saint. But I tell myself I’m taking care of my living ancestor, one of the most troublesome! :) The upside is that her lies and delusions about her family inspired my novel.
And yes, a class by you is something I’d take whatever you teach— your method and approach are inspiring and valuable. But w class by you on this subject, even more so!
I would be interested in that class. Thanks for catching us up. Are you the one who suggested the book "The Foundling" by Paul Fronczak? (https://www.foundlingpaul.com/about-the-book) I just finished it and couldn't put it down. DNA and a mystery childhood, kidnapping and a disappearance--it is not the best written thing I've ever read but the story itself is well plotted (he had a ghostwriter) and the tale was fascinating. It's nonfic--a true story. He has a second book recently out that I want to order.
I have a road trip planned for October, to drive through the Deep South all the way up to Plymouth Rock, following my ancestors backward to the Mayflower. I have a travelogue/memoir planned and have had some stories published already. LMK if you want the links/ :) I'm slowly savoring Ancestor Trouble as a lodestar. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Maud, I am so glad I found your writing. I have been finishing up a book about my secret grandmother’s effect on my life. I could not have written it without opening myself to what came through in dreams and intuitions. And I adored your mugwort post over on Medium! Yes please let me know if you teach that class. I would love to be in conversation with like-minded people about this ancestor work and how it guides our writing in surprising ways.
Jul 5, 2022·edited Jul 5, 2022Liked by Maud Newton
So glad you read A Ghost in the Throat! I’ve been recommending it to so many people! What a gem!
Also, thank you for not being a substack overproducer! just the thought of the unending stream of some these daily newsletters make me anxious! I appreciate a slower, more human and reasonable (and less guilt-ridden!) pace! 😂
Here are links to some of the ancestor stories I've published. The Southern relations are the ones I'd be following, up until I got to the Massachusetts relations. Those are from another side.
http://www.womansday.com/life/inspirational-stories/a53495/i-found-my-orphan-train-grandfather-and-his-long-lost-mother/
https://www.womansday.com/life/a54648/my-family-owned-slaves/
: https://www.yahoo.com/news/familys-105-old-heirloom-seen-145250856.html
I’m continuing to write my “fake memoir/novel” and love the quote "The more you try to dismiss your ghosts, the more aggressively they will seek you out." I think I became the official family historian because I could hear the lies and omissions my family denies, and having been a great software beta tester and a joyful researcher (in medieval studies) it was inevitable that I would be compelled to find the bugs and the hidden truths in their narratives. That ghost is me, or egging me on, perhaps!
Anyway, it seems many of my family records were burned and lost in fires that destroyed Guayaquil around the previous turn of the century so I’m relying on my imagination and instinct. I tend to get pretty close to the truth, as I found out upon finding the first (and my main interest, a) long lost relative, who confirmed having done what I suspected she’d done, just based on family personality, history, and options available.
So, my ancestor troubles are being fictionalized almost as if by tradition, since I think almost everyone I’ve spoken to has either deliberately or unintentionally lied to me or passed down lies long accepted as truths. Maybe this is where South American magical realism comes from.
I’m having fun, on the one hand. But the writing and editing is complex! All new to me. I’m learning as I do it, not just about my family and about writing, but the very act of learning to do both is changing me, too, in good ways. I feel like I’ve been waiting all my life to write this thing.
In other news, I got a little part time job to get me out of my mothers house while she’s still able to be left alone for half a day two days a week. I include this because I’m determined to normalize in-home caregiving of elderly parents in our middle age for the rest of us by mentioning it regularly. I had to move “back home” (quotes because it’s not my home, it’s my mother’s) and give up a lot to do this, including a good deal of freedom to come and go as I please, a loss a 57 year old can sometimes bristle at with a little resentment I refuse to deny: I’m human, and not a saint. But I tell myself I’m taking care of my living ancestor, one of the most troublesome! :) The upside is that her lies and delusions about her family inspired my novel.
And yes, a class by you is something I’d take whatever you teach— your method and approach are inspiring and valuable. But w class by you on this subject, even more so!
I would be interested in that class. Thanks for catching us up. Are you the one who suggested the book "The Foundling" by Paul Fronczak? (https://www.foundlingpaul.com/about-the-book) I just finished it and couldn't put it down. DNA and a mystery childhood, kidnapping and a disappearance--it is not the best written thing I've ever read but the story itself is well plotted (he had a ghostwriter) and the tale was fascinating. It's nonfic--a true story. He has a second book recently out that I want to order.
I have a road trip planned for October, to drive through the Deep South all the way up to Plymouth Rock, following my ancestors backward to the Mayflower. I have a travelogue/memoir planned and have had some stories published already. LMK if you want the links/ :) I'm slowly savoring Ancestor Trouble as a lodestar. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Maud, I am so glad I found your writing. I have been finishing up a book about my secret grandmother’s effect on my life. I could not have written it without opening myself to what came through in dreams and intuitions. And I adored your mugwort post over on Medium! Yes please let me know if you teach that class. I would love to be in conversation with like-minded people about this ancestor work and how it guides our writing in surprising ways.
Maud, your Granny's Grannyisms are outstanding! I am howling! Thank you for sharing!
You had me at shittin' and flyin'!
So glad you read A Ghost in the Throat! I’ve been recommending it to so many people! What a gem!
Also, thank you for not being a substack overproducer! just the thought of the unending stream of some these daily newsletters make me anxious! I appreciate a slower, more human and reasonable (and less guilt-ridden!) pace! 😂