26 Comments
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Jo Bozarth's avatar

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.

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Lindsey Trout Hughes's avatar

Thank you so much, Jo.

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Kathleen Fullerton's avatar

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.

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John I's avatar

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.

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Lindsey Trout Hughes's avatar

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

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Lillian Duggan's avatar

"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.

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Brian Hastert's avatar

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

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Lindsey Trout Hughes's avatar

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

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Abigail Mann's avatar

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

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Lindsey Trout Hughes's avatar

Me too 😅

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Rey Katz (they/them)'s avatar

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

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Lindsey Trout Hughes's avatar

Thank you, Rey!

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Robyn Stratton-Berkessel's avatar

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

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Lindsey Trout Hughes's avatar

I appreciate this note, Robyn! Thank you.

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Laurie Mucha's avatar

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

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Lindsey Trout Hughes's avatar

Thanks for reading, sweet Laurie!

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Cathy's avatar

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

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Lindsey Trout Hughes's avatar

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

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Cathy's avatar

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

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Liz Hilderbrand's avatar

Write on!!

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Lindsey Trout Hughes's avatar

💗

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Susannah Rigg's avatar

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

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Lindsey Trout Hughes's avatar

Thank you, Susannah!

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Kathryn Koromilas's avatar

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

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Chelsey Pippin Mizzi's avatar

❤️❤️❤️ 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.

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Stefanie Leigh's avatar

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

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