Good day, readers. Today is July 10th, the 192nd day of the year 2024, with 174 days remaining.
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1871, Marcel Proust, the French novelist best known for his monumental work “In Search of Lost Time” (À la recherche du temps perdu), was born. Proust’s exploration of memory, time, and human experience has had a profound influence on modern literature.
Notable Birthdays:
Marcel Proust, born on July 10, 1871, was a French novelist whose seven-part series “In Search of Lost Time” is considered one of the greatest literary achievements of the 20th century.
Today’s Readings:
From “In Search of Lost Time” by Marcel Proust: “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On July 10th, 1925, the Scopes Trial, also known as the “Monkey Trial,” began in Dayton, Tennessee. This trial, which debated the legality of teaching evolution in schools, has inspired numerous literary and dramatic works, most notably the play “Inherit the Wind” by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee.
Advice for Writers:
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote encourages us to forge our own paths. In your writing, don’t be afraid to take risks and explore uncharted territories. Innovation and authenticity often come from venturing beyond the well-trodden paths.
Wishing you a day of bold exploration and creative breakthroughs, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your literary endeavors carve new trails and leave lasting impressions.
I was lucky to meet Jerome Lawrence several years ago when he came to speak at the university I went to. I remember two things about his talk. The first was when he talked about book bans, unfortunately still a current topic, and said, “The most obscene thing is censorship.”
The second thing I remember is that he and Robert E. Lee gave a film script to Samuel Goldwyn who looked at the first page and yelled, “Steve? You can’t call your hero Steve! Every Tom, Dick, and Harry is named Steve!”
Christopher, thank you for sharing your experience meeting Jerome Lawrence. I have had the privilege of encountering numerous notable individuals throughout my life. For instance, I once had a Zoom call with Avril Lavigne to discuss my writing process. During my formative years, I was fortunate to be mentored by Allen Ginsberg, and I knew Charles Kuralt when I was a young girl living in New York City. A particularly memorable encounter was with David Bowie, who once hired me for an afternoon hike in the Catskills. It’s not uncommon for celebrities to employ off-duty rescue personnel for on-location personal safety.
One day, I may divulge the names of all the famous individuals I’ve met or known once the legal and moral obligations of confidentiality have expired. On a related note, my ex-girlfriend and I were once invited to a meet-and-greet with the cast of Harry Potter. However, her jealousy of the attractive female cast members prevented me from attending. In hindsight, I do not regret missing the event, especially given JK Rowling’s subsequent anti-transgender statements.
In my ongoing Muses Companion series, which will run until the end of 2024, I plan to include quotes from some of the distinguished people I have known or worked with. Thank you once again for your comment.