In 1974, when I was 16, I thought of myself as a poet. (I enjoyed Kipling and Tennyson.) Anyway, I wrote a long poem "The Migration Of The Indian Of The Pau," which I had my sister write out-she had a beautiful script-and promptly sent to Her Majesty the Queen. I received a letter back that was signed by her lady-in-waiting, none other than Lady Susan Hussey--now disgraced and forced to resign for racist comments. On hearing of her fate, I promptly turned to my wife and said: I wonder if that letter I have stapled to the wall is worth anything now?
My favorite tale, and I am telling no lies, about story telling is that the Anglo-Saxon word “spaelan” meaning to tell a story is the origin of our English word “spell,” the witchy kind. So yes, story tellers definitely have a dark side.
The stories we tell ourselves and those around us are the most important. I often ponder the stories we need to hear to change the world. It won't change on its own, we need to change ourselves first, and maybe in doing so, change the stories we tell. Thank you for your stories, your lies and your beautiful wand!
Loved the story of Storytelling. One of my favourite quotes by Jeanette Winterson is “Trust me, I'm telling you stories. ... I can change the story. I am the story.”
Hello Margaret! Lovely to join you here on Substack! Leslie Hall Pinder was my cousin, and I know a great fan of yours. 🙏 I write a little too -- very little! And non-fiction, but have always wanted to venture into fiction. I love your work! Thanks for being here!
Love it, especially the unholy dancing trio! If truths are nonverbal we are at best telling stories as best we can. I wonder if it was the Protestant Reformation that first spun stories to be believed as literally true if they said they were. Imagine how stories might have been perceived before that.
You are just so beautifully wicked...or is that wickedly beautiful. Your choice.
Both apply.
And would I lie to you?
In 1974, when I was 16, I thought of myself as a poet. (I enjoyed Kipling and Tennyson.) Anyway, I wrote a long poem "The Migration Of The Indian Of The Pau," which I had my sister write out-she had a beautiful script-and promptly sent to Her Majesty the Queen. I received a letter back that was signed by her lady-in-waiting, none other than Lady Susan Hussey--now disgraced and forced to resign for racist comments. On hearing of her fate, I promptly turned to my wife and said: I wonder if that letter I have stapled to the wall is worth anything now?
Again: Would I lie to you?
My favorite tale, and I am telling no lies, about story telling is that the Anglo-Saxon word “spaelan” meaning to tell a story is the origin of our English word “spell,” the witchy kind. So yes, story tellers definitely have a dark side.
A lie is more comfortable than doubt, more useful than love, more lasting than truth.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Keep 'em coming, Margaret. I feel privileged to be sitting at your feet, 'listening' to one of the great storytellers of our time.
Don't blush. The proof is in the pudding.
Whatever that means.
The stories we tell ourselves and those around us are the most important. I often ponder the stories we need to hear to change the world. It won't change on its own, we need to change ourselves first, and maybe in doing so, change the stories we tell. Thank you for your stories, your lies and your beautiful wand!
My partner: Did Margaret Atwood dye her hair green?
Me: No, I think it's just the light...
Margaret Atwood: I stepped off a plane from Chicago, dove into the Tickle Trunk, dyed my hair aqua...
Legend.
Loved the story of Storytelling. One of my favourite quotes by Jeanette Winterson is “Trust me, I'm telling you stories. ... I can change the story. I am the story.”
Enjoying these posts so much.
Love your wit! Thanks for all the stories / lies you tell!
The heart of truth lies in trusting the lies. 🤔 Many thanks for sharing. Brightened my day.
Hello Margaret! Lovely to join you here on Substack! Leslie Hall Pinder was my cousin, and I know a great fan of yours. 🙏 I write a little too -- very little! And non-fiction, but have always wanted to venture into fiction. I love your work! Thanks for being here!
Love it, especially the unholy dancing trio! If truths are nonverbal we are at best telling stories as best we can. I wonder if it was the Protestant Reformation that first spun stories to be believed as literally true if they said they were. Imagine how stories might have been perceived before that.
Tell me beautiful, beautiful lies.
Thank you for your intelligent witty LOLs. If you wanted to make a change from being a writer you would make a BRILLIANT witty stand up comic.
The Truth may, as they say, be stranger than Fiction; but, what can be more entertaining than a story full of juicy Lies..?
I’m loving your posts so far, veracious or not haha!