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Richard's avatar

What a beautifully evocative and heartfull piece of writing and reflection. Thank you, truly, thank you x

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Clare Mulvany's avatar

Why, thank you Richard. I am glad you enjoyed. What might be on your list of 12? (or at least a few of them... It's a hard exercise... but I loved putting it together.

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Richard's avatar

It will take some reflection. As someone who struggles to make any choice in life, this is mildly testing for me!

A few ping into my heart as a first stop:

Curtain Up - I read this novel over and over again as I grew up. It compelled me to act, make music and tell stories.

The hungry caterpillar - the story was entwined with learning to be a good father, admiring my beautiful girl and hearing the free and lively laugh of an uninhibited soul.

The wild edge of sorrow - Frances Weller. A wonderful walk being an apprentice of grief. He is an exquisite writer.

The middle passage - James Hollis. Woah, suddenly my life made more sense. Mind blown!

…..🤔

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Clare Mulvany's avatar

I love all these! Thank you. And a huge yes to Frances Weller. I have been reading the wild edge of sorrow, and attended an online lecture he gave recently with the Centre for Climate Psychology. There is more coming up in March, alongside some training. He is a wise and soulful man, and has so much to offer our times. https://www.climatepsychologyandchange.com/events

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Richard's avatar

Hey Clare. Yeah, me too. I attended that also. I’m going to do his longer course starting in April. 🤞🏻

James H is a legend! I was lucky that he agreed to endorse my book this year. X

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Clare Mulvany's avatar

What book Richard? I am curious.. is it published yet? and well done :)

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Richard's avatar

Yes it published in July

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Richard's avatar

It’s called As a Kite Falls: A voyage through descent x

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Clare Mulvany's avatar

Also, James Hollis is mentioned so much in work I am reading, and in conversations, but I have yet to dive in. It's on my list.

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Sophie Underwood's avatar

Welcome, Clare! I am very happy to find you here, and loved this post, thank you. I feel inspired to select my own twelve books, and will certainly have one author in common with you (the wonderful Mary Oliver).

I have heard a couple of times in recent days that ‘memoir is dead’ (I know you dispute it here) and wonder where this claim has come from?

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Clare Mulvany's avatar

Hi Sophie- only seeing your comment now. Sorry for the delay. Did you think about your 12 books? And is there a particular Mary Oliver book you would choose? (I know that is a HARD one!). In terms of memoir, I have been following a few agents and book coaches, and hear that it is harder and harder to 'sell' memoir. I've had personal experience too, with trying to get a memoir of my own published. 'We love this, but we don't know how to sell it', was the general response from agents and publishers. I have put it on pause at the moment, and hoping to revisit another time. What do you think? Thanks Sophie.

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