black and white photograph of the desk of a woman of letters, with books and notebooks and the requisite technology and table lamp illuminating one section of the desk

On Becoming a Woman of Letters

by katherinein Almanac & Archive, Essayson Posted on

Woman of Letters,
Woman of Learning

I have had an insatiable thirst for learning since childhood. I loved school for the access it provided to new and interesting information. The library became one of my favourite places as a treasury of infinite knowledge, and the notebook my personal repository of reflections and learnings.

There are many muses and mentors who nurtured my love of reading and writing: my mother, whose love of reading I have inherited; my school teachers, who encouraged me, and many creative midwives and writing instructors: from college professors, to library writing groups, to writer retreats – each one passing the baton to the next, ushering me forward along my writing journey.

Working through a recent online course, I am reflecting on how I want to show up as a writer. In trying to describe myself, I have come across many variations – ruthlessly teased by family and friends for my penchant for polysyllabic vocabulary choices and for archaic and often anachronistic terms. Undeterred, I continue my quest, following curiosity and wonder to uncover hidden gems in the English language that resonate with my soul’s purpose: to be a lifelong learner and to express my ideas through writing.

Back in 2013, I discovered Sarah Ban Breathnach’s “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy” and since then, every few years, I find a copy at the second-hand bookshop and read through it again, with fresh eyes, a few more years experience, and a new set of annotations on every page. Last year, as I worked through the 2019 version, titled “Simple Abundance: 365 Days to a Balanced and Joyful Life” (the one with the yellow cover, a change from the iconic pink cover of previous versions), I fell in love with the title for the September 9th entry, “On Becoming a Woman of Letters.” This nomenclature sparked my interest and so, I am trying it on for size. I, Katherine Dimas, am a Woman of Letters, venturing forth once more on the journey from the analog world of journal and diary writing, to publishing online.

I hope you will join me on this journey.

Much love,
Katherine

Dive Deeper: Inspiration & Resources

  • Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach
  • Simple Abundance: 365 Days to a Balanced and Joyful Life by Sarah Ban Breathnach
  • Seasonal writing courses by Beth Kempton
  • Writer’s workshop & retreat with Linda Reif