Dear Readers, What is on your mind? Would you like to ask me something? If so, please comment below and I will endeavour to answer as many of your questions as I can. This post is for paid subscribers, so please consider upgrading if you want to ask something.
Hi, Hanif. It’s Joan Bakewell here . I’m on a train to Bristol… snd thought I’d write. I’m several things now: a journalist, old age pensioner , Labour Peer and one of your subscribers. I love trains: I hope one day you’ll be on a train too… loving the views. The weather, the people. I hope it won’t be long…..meanwhile I send love. Joan B
Dear Joan, thank you so much for writing, it’s wonderful to hear from you. I know you are still going strong, and I continue to admire you and your work. With love.
Hi Hanif, I'm writing a memoir about cancer treatment's cognitive and emotional effects (Titled, Where's the Rest of Me?) and working on a chapter on meaning-making after crisis. I've watched your BBC interview numerous times as it brilliantly conveys a moment of shock, despair and rays of hope. Your description of the before and after of tragedy - body parts are "objects on the floor" and later, having to "reconstruct myself out of the broken bits and pieces lying around me" coveys something of what I'm trying to write about - facing reality of limitations and possibilities, recreating meaning. My best writing moments come when I'm off guard, meditating, walking or any mindless task. My question is: have you had to make an adjustment to how you find your voice since your tragic accident? How do you find your way to those times when your creative voice is alive? My best wishes and thanks for being a role model, Carolyn
Hi Hanif. Strange how much a part of my life you are now (and I am grateful). How has poetry influenced your writing? Are there particular poets who move you? Sending continued love--a faithful reader.
Thanks for your generosity in these pages. You are and have always been a hero to me.
Question: You seem such a curious and voracious consumer of culture made by others. How do you make sure to produce your own work in equal or greater measure of time spent? Any tips on ignoring the noise when necessary and picking up the pen? I'm in awe of your productivity.
Sometimes I wish I had a punch clock that only allowed me to read books or watch movies (or skim comment threads) for as long as I have written that day ;-)
While I don’t have a desire to be published, I do enjoy writing as a way of regulating my anxiety by dumping random thoughts on paper.
That said, when I try to write fiction, I cannot turn off my internal editor that says whatever I write is so bad I can’t risk it-this despite not writing for others to see.
I guess my question is have you, as a writer, felt constrained by this type of problem and if so how do you push past it?
Thank you so much for sharing yourself with us as you navigate this new reality since your accident.
Hi Hanif, I just wondered if you picked up my emails re an audible membership I sent you. I put a years subscription and a couple of books I thought might help a little . I sent them to your substack email. I am sure you already have audible, but I set another one up as I thought your readers could use that one to gift you their favourite books . Anyway no worries if you are not interested just thought they might help. Best wishes , georgedepass @mac.com
Dear George, Thank you for your kinds thoughts, you are a very generous and kind man. I turned off my Substack emails for a while, but they are now back. If you wouldn’t mind resending your email, it would mean so much. Thank you so much Hanif.
Dear Hanif, Thank you for all your Chronicles which I have found gripping and so thought-provoking.
You wrote in one of your posts that you no longer have a desire to write fiction. I wondered if you think the 'rules' of writing (if there are such a thing) are different when we write directly about ourselves? all best wishes
Actually my other questions are linked to my first set. I asked why you are afraid to be alone. Now, that is something to write about!
I find I can write about almost anything- an essay long ago to test this theory was about laundry. It was good. But lots of us can write about anything, and do, in fact. What makes you decide to write about something? What inspires you to sit down and do it? There is an essay in the NY Times now by Terry Tempest Williams on living in the desert when the temperatures are frightening and unbearable for a long time- the fears that come to her mind, the way her mind works in such heat. This writing seems to be born from necessity- a gripping tale to tell. Can you tell us how you know you are at the point of needing to write about something? How do you judge the worthiness of your subject matter?
Do you have a 'motto' to get you through challenging days?
One of mine is 'keep calm and drink tea.' This I shared with some American travellers I was showing around Oxford on one of my recent customised guided tours when they treated me to afternoon tea at the Ashmolean Museum.
Also, borrowing from Oscar Wilde here: 'We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars.' Well, I cannot see stars from my apartment surrounded as it is by a sample of London's high buildings but as an analogy for how our imagination could work despite the gutter we are in, then it's not bad! Just wondered if you have any 'sayings' or 'mottos' at all. I probably have others I have temporarily forgotten.
Do you have any spiritual beliefs that help you make peace with your most difficult situation? When terrible things have happened to me, I hated it when well-meaning people assured me that "Everything happens for a reason, " so I don't mean that. But I have found comfort at times in knowing I am such a small part of such a big universe with forces at play that are so much bigger and more powerful than I am.
Dear Hanif, Hello from New Zealand. I look forward to your emails so much. My question is… I have written a diary for 38 years but reading back sometimes I fear what I’ve written is very dull. My life isn’t dull but my writing is. I say things like “had baked beans for lunch”. How can I make my diary more pithy? So much love from Laura
Greetings from the US. I sent you a note when I subscribed. Question: do you think Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play a role in writing? Thank you.
You are a very generous and fantastic teacher when it comes to talking about writing. Thank you. I have especially enjoyed what you’ve written this year about your sons’ development as writers and how they’re making their ways in their careers as well as supporting you to get your words out to us. From the wonderful short stories submitted to your competitions there appears to be many talented, are aspiring writers in your community here. In your opinion how does one go about the getting short stories in front of readers? What do you feel about Substack as a place? Further thoughts and advice?
Hi, Hanif. It’s Joan Bakewell here . I’m on a train to Bristol… snd thought I’d write. I’m several things now: a journalist, old age pensioner , Labour Peer and one of your subscribers. I love trains: I hope one day you’ll be on a train too… loving the views. The weather, the people. I hope it won’t be long…..meanwhile I send love. Joan B
Dear Joan, thank you so much for writing, it’s wonderful to hear from you. I know you are still going strong, and I continue to admire you and your work. With love.
Hanif
Hi Hanif, I'm writing a memoir about cancer treatment's cognitive and emotional effects (Titled, Where's the Rest of Me?) and working on a chapter on meaning-making after crisis. I've watched your BBC interview numerous times as it brilliantly conveys a moment of shock, despair and rays of hope. Your description of the before and after of tragedy - body parts are "objects on the floor" and later, having to "reconstruct myself out of the broken bits and pieces lying around me" coveys something of what I'm trying to write about - facing reality of limitations and possibilities, recreating meaning. My best writing moments come when I'm off guard, meditating, walking or any mindless task. My question is: have you had to make an adjustment to how you find your voice since your tragic accident? How do you find your way to those times when your creative voice is alive? My best wishes and thanks for being a role model, Carolyn
Hi Hanif. Strange how much a part of my life you are now (and I am grateful). How has poetry influenced your writing? Are there particular poets who move you? Sending continued love--a faithful reader.
Hi Hanif,
Thanks for your generosity in these pages. You are and have always been a hero to me.
Question: You seem such a curious and voracious consumer of culture made by others. How do you make sure to produce your own work in equal or greater measure of time spent? Any tips on ignoring the noise when necessary and picking up the pen? I'm in awe of your productivity.
Sometimes I wish I had a punch clock that only allowed me to read books or watch movies (or skim comment threads) for as long as I have written that day ;-)
Hi Hanif - is there any piece of your own writing that particular stands out for you - that you think of as ‘wow that’s bloody good’ and why?
Thanks, Sandy x
While I don’t have a desire to be published, I do enjoy writing as a way of regulating my anxiety by dumping random thoughts on paper.
That said, when I try to write fiction, I cannot turn off my internal editor that says whatever I write is so bad I can’t risk it-this despite not writing for others to see.
I guess my question is have you, as a writer, felt constrained by this type of problem and if so how do you push past it?
Thank you so much for sharing yourself with us as you navigate this new reality since your accident.
Hi Hanif, I just wondered if you picked up my emails re an audible membership I sent you. I put a years subscription and a couple of books I thought might help a little . I sent them to your substack email. I am sure you already have audible, but I set another one up as I thought your readers could use that one to gift you their favourite books . Anyway no worries if you are not interested just thought they might help. Best wishes , georgedepass @mac.com
Dear George, Thank you for your kinds thoughts, you are a very generous and kind man. I turned off my Substack emails for a while, but they are now back. If you wouldn’t mind resending your email, it would mean so much. Thank you so much Hanif.
Dear Hanif, Thank you for all your Chronicles which I have found gripping and so thought-provoking.
You wrote in one of your posts that you no longer have a desire to write fiction. I wondered if you think the 'rules' of writing (if there are such a thing) are different when we write directly about ourselves? all best wishes
Actually my other questions are linked to my first set. I asked why you are afraid to be alone. Now, that is something to write about!
I find I can write about almost anything- an essay long ago to test this theory was about laundry. It was good. But lots of us can write about anything, and do, in fact. What makes you decide to write about something? What inspires you to sit down and do it? There is an essay in the NY Times now by Terry Tempest Williams on living in the desert when the temperatures are frightening and unbearable for a long time- the fears that come to her mind, the way her mind works in such heat. This writing seems to be born from necessity- a gripping tale to tell. Can you tell us how you know you are at the point of needing to write about something? How do you judge the worthiness of your subject matter?
I have a couple of questions, actually.
What is it about being alone that frightens you so much? What are you afraid of when you are alone that being around people helps to negate?
And the other questions- about writing- I will save for later.
Do you have a 'motto' to get you through challenging days?
One of mine is 'keep calm and drink tea.' This I shared with some American travellers I was showing around Oxford on one of my recent customised guided tours when they treated me to afternoon tea at the Ashmolean Museum.
Also, borrowing from Oscar Wilde here: 'We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars.' Well, I cannot see stars from my apartment surrounded as it is by a sample of London's high buildings but as an analogy for how our imagination could work despite the gutter we are in, then it's not bad! Just wondered if you have any 'sayings' or 'mottos' at all. I probably have others I have temporarily forgotten.
Just thinking though, what if I did not have tea? Probably I would just have to stay calm and forget the tea.
Do you have any spiritual beliefs that help you make peace with your most difficult situation? When terrible things have happened to me, I hated it when well-meaning people assured me that "Everything happens for a reason, " so I don't mean that. But I have found comfort at times in knowing I am such a small part of such a big universe with forces at play that are so much bigger and more powerful than I am.
Dear Hanif, Hello from New Zealand. I look forward to your emails so much. My question is… I have written a diary for 38 years but reading back sometimes I fear what I’ve written is very dull. My life isn’t dull but my writing is. I say things like “had baked beans for lunch”. How can I make my diary more pithy? So much love from Laura
Dear Hanif
Would you like to share your recollections of working with David Bowie? Best wishes Shirley W
Greetings from the US. I sent you a note when I subscribed. Question: do you think Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play a role in writing? Thank you.
You are a very generous and fantastic teacher when it comes to talking about writing. Thank you. I have especially enjoyed what you’ve written this year about your sons’ development as writers and how they’re making their ways in their careers as well as supporting you to get your words out to us. From the wonderful short stories submitted to your competitions there appears to be many talented, are aspiring writers in your community here. In your opinion how does one go about the getting short stories in front of readers? What do you feel about Substack as a place? Further thoughts and advice?