Add to List - #45
US Election, Reproductive Rights, and writer meet ups
How many times do people give you a recommendation and you say: “Oh, really? Cool. I’ll add it to the list!” followed by you going away and not adding it to any list, anywhere?
Add to List is the Sunday round-up containing the small things that brought me joy, evoked an emotional reaction or became some short-lived stability in the past 7 days, all documented in one place for you.
Obsession
The RE-PRODUCTION Team.
Last Sunday was a powerful collective effort where art met activism.
We sold all our tickets, raising our target for chosen charities, MSI Reproductive Choices & Fertility Network UK. I saw my words being performed out loud for the first time by one of my best friends. (Highly emotional to say the very least).
From miscarriage to abortion, egg-freezing, surrogacy and infertility, the work explored the spectrum of the reproductive experience and the associated emotions that come with it. With truthful, searching performances, and emotionally fluid and vulnerable writing, we were, as a team, able to build empathy, start important conversations and highlight the conflicting and difficult emotions that come with reproductive health.
I was in AWE at our talented, wonderful, passionate cast, my fellow writers and our brilliant photographer. I feel like we started something really important.
Many people had great feedback. I felt proud to hear audience members feedback on how written and performed word shifted perceptions and opened their eyes and minds.
After US Election Results, we’re definitely considering doing this again at some point. Follow RE-PRODUCTION on socials for future updates.
Confession
I mis-labelled last week’s newsletter.
It was #44 instead of #43.
In my defence, I wrote it on my way to RE-PRODUCTION after a mega hectic day of managing the event. I proofed it in the lobby waiting for the theatre manager and obviously didn’t pick up the title. Thank goodness for my Substack pal,
‘s, beady eyes. This week’s Add to List comes from a big birthday and storming hangover desk…so if there are typos again, I apologise in advance.Shook
US Election results.
Am I shocked at the result? Or am I shocked at how unshocked I am?
Like so many, I am worried about what this means for our future world. As a woman, I am outraged that we feel we’re going backwards; nothing seems to be changing? How are we losing rights?
Doesn’t matter if Kamala wasn’t the right president or what your opinion is on how good someone is or isn’t for a country, Trump is a criminal. We should not allow those who set the laws to break them.
I am fascinated by the algorithmic echo-chambers that seem to perpetuate our biases and leave us feeling blindsided by these events. Yet, last Sunday’s RE-PRODUCTION left me inspired and moved by the power of collective activism. I’ve realised in co-running this event, just how pertinent an era it is to use our voices, spaces and agency to be the change we want to see in the world.
Cook
Lots of pub grub.
It’s been my birthday this weekend. Which has meant at least three too many Bloody Marys and a hell of a lot of pub grub.
This week, I’ll be upping my broccoli consumption.
Book
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney.
Sorry, not sorry but I am still not enjoying this.
People keep saying ‘it gets better in the second half’ and I think that’s a rubbish thing to say about a book. Just because she’s Sally Rooney does not give her permission to delay our gratification for so long. You should never have to wait for half a book for it to get interesting.
I do think Rooney is a voice of our generation. I love her. I respect her. I could watch her interviews for hours on end. Conversations with Friends is a total banger and I could read it multiple times and get something new from it each time. I read her commentary in broadsheets and nod, clap and sometimes almost cry in appreciation. But, I also believe a good writer can write a bad book. Or conceptually explore ideas I love with execution I don’t.
It sort of sounds like the prose has been written by an AI whose first language is not English? My good pal Eleanor, said it was ‘yoda-like prose’ in this her brilliant recent post. I could not agree more.
Can’t Stop Scanning
Still watching A LOT of Girls.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this show.
Also, started Desperate Housewives from the beginning. I am having a female-led series moment, clearly.
Forward Planning
Writer meet ups.
Tomorrow I’m heading to the Kindred event with
. I’ve been joining their online sprints for a while. So, I’m looking forward to taking their good vibes to the IRL format.Plus: **SAVE THE DATE!**
and I are co-hosting the next Substack Writers meet on 4th December. It’ll be a bigger one, but we are expecting places to go fast. All Come All Ye Writers! Joyful and Triumphant! Look out for the sign up link on notes from us both this week. Follow and check the community section of their bulletin for other events updates too.Feel free to share with your networks! We always welcome first timers as well as all our lovely, regular friends :).
Oh the joy of watching Desperate Housewives from the beginning…
Sending belated birthday wishes - hope you had a lovely one! 🎉