Preface 👋
For many reasons, this was a quieter week; but the one I will remember for its moments. It witnessed:
a piece of my writing finding its way into a zine,
a thought was outlined,
a project began in secret,
and the dear loss of a family member, who was a well wisher for my writing.
In my Oxford course, a new unit re-introduced me to poetry. I have always leaned more towards prose, but this return is reminding me how a single line of verse can hold more than whole chapters of narrative/prose.
And in the background, while I took some time off work, I began sketching the outlines of my first novel. ♥️
Yes, at last! I have taken that first step toward my debut - it is a story in a world circling the theme of memory and cost to hold on to them.
So dear, yes, this week has been quiet, but it feels like it is preparing me for the ones where thoughts and creation spill over. Somehow, it does not feel finished, but yeah, beginnings rarely do. 🤷♀️
Between Pages 📖
I could not resume my Brave New World series, and it is still waiting on my desk to be tended to. However, I plan to bring it to a close in the coming days, and with it, a flood of notes and reflections. I want to spend a lot of time particularly on the questions it will bring to me.
What did find its way into the world, however, was my short essay published in Firelight Zine (Piece #19) by Planet Ral! 🔥
This is my first ever contribution to a “Zine”. What an extraordinary collection of diverse voices and creative works have been assembled here! ♥️
Relevant Archive 🔗
If you would like to read through my first two pieces in the Manufactured Minds series on Brave New World, this is the collection so far.
Manufactured Minds
Why return to Brave New World nearly a century after its publication? It feels like reading a prophecy in real time!
We, the Manufactured Dolls of the World Factory
Imagine the terror of living in a world that functions as a factory, where you exist as just another manufactured doll. As far as I know, we have always preferred order over freedom. When that order controls the mind, that is horrifying. No one will ever resist, because no one knows how, and no one wants to. We will just become one of the millions of manufactured dolls, ready to be played with.
Thoughts to Hold 💭
An update on the personal curriculum: We are forming a small cohort (online - chat based) who are interested in studying my curriculum on Oxford English Literature with me. If any of you want to join, comment on my post or reply. I will share the details shortly.
These are a few wandering thoughts from this week!
I read this beauty in my course! I was so mesmerised about how a thought is shared and lived on in different forms. In Ozymandias: the sculptor reads the king’s face, the traveler reads the inscription, the narrator listens to the traveler, and finally, we read the poem. All of this in these few lines of words!
Until Next Week 👋
Soon, my notes on Brave New World will spill out, but for now, I just wanted to say hi and catch-up. As the week comes to a close, I am grateful for the time we have spent wandering together through ideas and words. I look forward to sharing more next Sunday.
Until then, my dear, take care of yourself.
Yours in thought,
Yana ♥️
P.S. I pour my heart into every word I write, and it means the world to have you here. Also, please consider sharing it with others who might appreciate this space for intellectual exploration. ♥️