Too nice, and submissive. Huh. I’m visualising you in Barbara Cartland pink ruffles. When you say ‘change’ will that include leather and a power pose?! 🤣
Eek, I’m not sure how to reply to this! I’m always a little afraid of sarcasm, it’s so far removed from the way I move through life. Cynicism I get; there are things I’m cynical about too. Why do you say you’re overly sarcastic?
I have to use all my willpower not to answer sarcastically 😉
It's just always been my nature. I very much subscribe to the Oscar Wilde quotation of 'life is far too important to be taken seriously' and I can never give a straight answer. I get it from my Northern Irish granny (on my mother's side) and my American father, which is odd, because it seems to have skipped my mother altogether. It's a weird blend of humour/sarcasm - I'll share a quote on this in reply to Danusia's comment.
I'll just say this: life has presented its fair share of, uh, challenges in the past few years and laughter and not taking things seriously is my best coping mechanism.
Daniel, Brits do sarcasm as a national sport. I’m picturing you nodding sagely while mentally channelling your grandmother’s next line.
Knew we’d get along famously. I’ve got a piece coming out soon called The Art of Being a Glorious Disappointment. Being a bag of faults = being human, at least over at my casa (where mixed metaphors roam free, because owning my flaws is practically a house rule).
Fancy being my guest in the series, by any chance?
I can't remember, Danusia, did we talk about my Northern Irish grandmother? That's where I get most of my [best?] humour and sarcasm from. She was something else, that woman.
One fellow Substacker said ""Daniel Puzzo is my favourite Sarcstacker. There are more, I’m sure, but he’s my favourite. Sorry" and in response another said "Hard agree. Your sarkiness has an appealing, international flavour to it, combining American directness, European disdain and British world-weariness. Also top notes of beard."
I don't think I've ever had two greater compliments in my life 😂
Love it when IBD sistas unite! So glad this one landed with you. And yes that book cover is glorious, and the office view? Honestly, it’s a miracle Cesca gets anything written with that kind of distraction. ❤️🔥
What a fun interview, perfectly timed as I head off to meet Francesca in person. I’m lucky enough to live in Barcelona, so when in Spain, we’re all one big family. Francesca, thanks for sharing so much of yourself here, my new poet friend!
What perfect timing, you’re off to meet the woman herself! Give her a squeeze from me. I love the image of you both basking in the Barcelona sun like a pair of poetry-soaked aunties. So glad you felt the magic here...she’s a force, and clearly, so are you.
What a wonderful interview Cesca! You give all of us older mums a voice and further inspiration to keep going. The fact that your uncle is Ray Connolly is amazing! Your life is rich in beauty and talent -- and of course, another cup of tea! Write anywhere (which I do too or when the mood strikes, jot in Notes on my phone as well!). I think we have found our beautiful addiction for the rest of our lives. Cheers to this! oxox
Isn’t she glorious? I felt exactly the same interviewing her like she was lighting a torch for older mums who are brimming with stories, ideas, and cheeky cups of tea. I love that you write wherever the mood strikes too. Here’s to this beautiful addiction, long may it burn. xoxo
Danusia! Yesss! @Francesca Bossert is lovely! This is the beauty of Substack :) Making friends with fellow writers/artists. We inspire each other to keep going.
Yeah, I did a lot of this truth telling thing with yesterday’s essay. It was a big one. I knew it was going to be controversial. But watching the subscriber numbers drop minute by minute even before anyone had time to have read beyond the headline was tough to take. A blessing too, though. I want to be able to write as myself, and if people don’t like that, then they’re not my readers and that’s ok. Doesn’t make me dread that moment of pressing publish any less, though!! Thanks for this, really interesting article, lots to relate to! X
Oh Louise, I feel this SO deeply...the drop-off before the scroll, the fear in your fingertips as you hit publish. It is tough, and still: what a flex to tell the truth anyway. Those exits are making space for the right ones to walk in. Keep going. You’re not alone in this. Loads of love and admiration x
One can never have enough cups of tea, but deary me, chocolate coffee? I'm a black coffee, no sugar, purist! (I can forgive you though 😉)
No sugar either, but oat milk yes!
Okay, understandable. Occasionally I will get an oat milk flat white, usually when I'm with my sister (she's vegan) and I quite like them.
Me too Daniel, 'pure' black coffee 😉 BUT I forgive Francesca anything...
We all have our faults and foibles, right? 😉
Of course. Mine are alphabetised and occasionally loaned out for dramatic effect. What’s your favourite fault to keep in rotation? 😉
Me, I’m far too nice and submissive for my own good 🤪🤯 but I’m going to change
Too nice, and submissive. Huh. I’m visualising you in Barbara Cartland pink ruffles. When you say ‘change’ will that include leather and a power pose?! 🤣
Nonononono…! I’m far too mischievous for Barbara ruffles! Mon Dieu, Danusia!! No, I’m more of a revenge is a new flowerbed you hadn’t reckoned with😈
It's impossible to pick merely one fault - that's basically all I am, a series of faults 🤣
Is being overly sarcastic and cynical all the time to the point where people never know whether I'm serious or not a fault or a virtue?
Eek, I’m not sure how to reply to this! I’m always a little afraid of sarcasm, it’s so far removed from the way I move through life. Cynicism I get; there are things I’m cynical about too. Why do you say you’re overly sarcastic?
I have to use all my willpower not to answer sarcastically 😉
It's just always been my nature. I very much subscribe to the Oscar Wilde quotation of 'life is far too important to be taken seriously' and I can never give a straight answer. I get it from my Northern Irish granny (on my mother's side) and my American father, which is odd, because it seems to have skipped my mother altogether. It's a weird blend of humour/sarcasm - I'll share a quote on this in reply to Danusia's comment.
I'll just say this: life has presented its fair share of, uh, challenges in the past few years and laughter and not taking things seriously is my best coping mechanism.
Daniel, Brits do sarcasm as a national sport. I’m picturing you nodding sagely while mentally channelling your grandmother’s next line.
Knew we’d get along famously. I’ve got a piece coming out soon called The Art of Being a Glorious Disappointment. Being a bag of faults = being human, at least over at my casa (where mixed metaphors roam free, because owning my flaws is practically a house rule).
Fancy being my guest in the series, by any chance?
I can't remember, Danusia, did we talk about my Northern Irish grandmother? That's where I get most of my [best?] humour and sarcasm from. She was something else, that woman.
One fellow Substacker said ""Daniel Puzzo is my favourite Sarcstacker. There are more, I’m sure, but he’s my favourite. Sorry" and in response another said "Hard agree. Your sarkiness has an appealing, international flavour to it, combining American directness, European disdain and British world-weariness. Also top notes of beard."
I don't think I've ever had two greater compliments in my life 😂
I'd love to be a guest in the series!
I felt this as an IBD sista. What a book cover! What a view from your office!
Love it when IBD sistas unite! So glad this one landed with you. And yes that book cover is glorious, and the office view? Honestly, it’s a miracle Cesca gets anything written with that kind of distraction. ❤️🔥
Hi Julie! I am sorry to hear you’re an IBD sister! Such a bummer, eh😂? Glad you like my book cover! The inside is nice too 🤪😂🤗❤️
What a fun interview, perfectly timed as I head off to meet Francesca in person. I’m lucky enough to live in Barcelona, so when in Spain, we’re all one big family. Francesca, thanks for sharing so much of yourself here, my new poet friend!
What perfect timing, you’re off to meet the woman herself! Give her a squeeze from me. I love the image of you both basking in the Barcelona sun like a pair of poetry-soaked aunties. So glad you felt the magic here...she’s a force, and clearly, so are you.
What a wonderful interview Cesca! You give all of us older mums a voice and further inspiration to keep going. The fact that your uncle is Ray Connolly is amazing! Your life is rich in beauty and talent -- and of course, another cup of tea! Write anywhere (which I do too or when the mood strikes, jot in Notes on my phone as well!). I think we have found our beautiful addiction for the rest of our lives. Cheers to this! oxox
Isn’t she glorious? I felt exactly the same interviewing her like she was lighting a torch for older mums who are brimming with stories, ideas, and cheeky cups of tea. I love that you write wherever the mood strikes too. Here’s to this beautiful addiction, long may it burn. xoxo
Danusia! Yesss! @Francesca Bossert is lovely! This is the beauty of Substack :) Making friends with fellow writers/artists. We inspire each other to keep going.
“We live to create and we create to live.”
Have a beautiful weekend. ox
I hope you're having a lovely weekend too Deborah 🫶🏼
I love Cesca's answers so much - they fizz with energy!!
What a great way to describe Cesca’s interview, love this so much Nicola. You’ve a gorgeous way with words ❤️
"Keep telling the truth, even if it tastes a little dangerous on the way out." 🔥🔥🔥🔥
We tell the truth, because there are too many lies out there, and we don't want to turn into Pinoccochios...
I’d rather risk the heat of truth than grow a nose long enough to trip over. Here’s to staying real, even when it’s uncomfortable. Loads of love xx
Come and visit ! 😂🤗❤️
Some truths should taste a little dangerous. That’s how we know they matter, right?!
A great Q&A! She is such a delightful spirit, and poet! Love Francesca!
Blessings,
~Wendy💜
Awww, Wendy! Love you too!!!
Oh yeah. I wrote and shared Your Pussy Is a Portal last week and still breathing through it 🧘.
Yeah, I did a lot of this truth telling thing with yesterday’s essay. It was a big one. I knew it was going to be controversial. But watching the subscriber numbers drop minute by minute even before anyone had time to have read beyond the headline was tough to take. A blessing too, though. I want to be able to write as myself, and if people don’t like that, then they’re not my readers and that’s ok. Doesn’t make me dread that moment of pressing publish any less, though!! Thanks for this, really interesting article, lots to relate to! X
Oh Louise, I feel this SO deeply...the drop-off before the scroll, the fear in your fingertips as you hit publish. It is tough, and still: what a flex to tell the truth anyway. Those exits are making space for the right ones to walk in. Keep going. You’re not alone in this. Loads of love and admiration x