26 Comments
Sep 21, 2023Liked by Lindsey Trout Hughes

From the vantage point of a film actor, I admire you as a stage actor, because you tell your truth over and over again, show after show. And at some point that truth evolves, and you have the strength and courage and understanding of yourself to put that new truth out there. You’ve built this muscle. I haven’t done it, but I imagine that writing and editing memoir takes the same courage, the same strength. Maybe you can draw on that muscle memory from telling your ever evolving truth on stage. Put it out there, this time on the page, and let it take on its own life, as yours keeps evolving.

I am in awe of you. I believe in you. And I can’t wait to read it one day.

Much love.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much, Jo.

Expand full comment

So many relatable insights to ponder. From so many years down the road, I can say love, life, parenting are never resolved, figured out, but I've embraced the elemental lovely chaos of it as the one constant. Your thoughts on memoir hesitancy also resonate. I know resolve to write, keeping in mind that no one cares. It brings an odd freedom to find truth, to tell stories with no further emphasis than that they deserve to exist.

Expand full comment
Sep 21, 2023Liked by Lindsey Trout Hughes

I wish I could have seen you play Ophelia. Are there any recordings from the production(s)? I spent 10 weeks last fall studying Hamlet in a non-degree class at U of Chicago & it was a wonderful experience.

Expand full comment
author

No recordings, sadly. Though I hope to take on Hamlet again someday in a new role. The ephemerality of the theater!

Expand full comment
Sep 23, 2023Liked by Lindsey Trout Hughes

"I’ve also been embarrassed by my fervor—embarrassed to admit how deeply I feel, how much I want."

Maybe we have more in common than I realized, Lindsey:) Thanks for your courage and wisdom, and all the effort and focus it took to share it with us here.

Expand full comment
Sep 20, 2023Liked by Lindsey Trout Hughes

🔥🔥🔥 “Are you dead yet?” Might be another useful quote from that process to drag into the present

Expand full comment
author

Mmmm love to have a crisis that is both existential and literary...

Expand full comment
Sep 20, 2023Liked by Lindsey Trout Hughes

I am so looking forward to reading it when it’s ready 💕

Expand full comment
author

Me too 😅

Expand full comment

Beautiful insights. Memoir is so hard! Especially that difference between what one wants to write and what would benefit a reader.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Rey!

Expand full comment

I feel the struggle, Lindsey! You inspire me with your writing, and your vulnerability. Thank you!

Expand full comment
author

I appreciate this note, Robyn! Thank you.

Expand full comment

Youzer, this hits close to home! xo thank you for sharing!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks for reading, sweet Laurie!

Expand full comment
Sep 20, 2023Liked by Lindsey Trout Hughes

This is awesome. So much to think about. Thank you.

Expand full comment
author

What you've shared about your book was definitely part of this revelation. Thank you!

Expand full comment
Sep 20, 2023Liked by Lindsey Trout Hughes

I love we are supporting each other in this way. Your writing encourages me to keep moving forward.

Expand full comment
Sep 20, 2023Liked by Lindsey Trout Hughes

Write on!!

Expand full comment
author

💗

Expand full comment
Sep 20, 2023Liked by Lindsey Trout Hughes

What revelations! So understandable, so freeing. Thank you for sharing.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Susannah!

Expand full comment

Whoa! I see you ready to slash and reclaim this story! So thrilled to read this.

Expand full comment

❤️❤️❤️ as a fellow lover of the moment before, thank you for articulating this, Lindsey. You know I can’t wait to read the book at the end of the tunnel.

Expand full comment

Love this essay, as always. Beautiful, dreamy and pointed.

Expand full comment