19 Comments
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Hadas Knox's avatar

I can’t quite express how much joy it brings me to read your words again, fresh from the ever bubbling cauldron of your beautiful mind. My favorite writer is sharing her magic with us again :)

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Selkie Grove's avatar

You have such a beautiful way with words lovely! Thanks as always for your kindness xx

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Katie Morrowick's avatar

It's such a luxury to read your writing again. I stopped walking to sit and read it when the email came through🤣

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Katie Morrowick's avatar

And this resonates with me. I've kept a diary since I was ten and it's such an invaluable practice for me. I was saying to my sister a couple of days ago that I hadn't journalled in a few days, and I could physically feel my mind was more cluttered - writing is a need for me; to spin thoughts and feelings always into sentences.

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Selkie Grove's avatar

I'm so touched that you paused in your day to read my words! Thank you <3 I love how you describe writing a diary as spinning thoughts and feelings into sentences. What a brilliant image!

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Caitlin Gemmell's avatar

It’s lovely to see you sharing writing to Substack again, Kate. Your reflections on writing diaries reminded me of all the past diaries I’ve written in, and in particular this beautiful blue leather one embossed with a fairy design that I wrote in when I was ten years old. I wish I’d kept it. Wonder what 10 year old Cait had to say. I suspect her preoccupation with magic and the natural world were much the same as grown up Cait’s. 😀

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Selkie Grove's avatar

I think the preoccupations we had as children rarely leave us. I got rid of my early teenage diaries, but I wish I'd kept them, that's one of my few regrets in life! Looking forward to writing (and reading) lots on substack :)

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Stephanie Ascough's avatar

Always entranced by your way with words. You really are fey.

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Selkie Grove's avatar

Thank you Stephanie, I feel so grateful that my words resonate with you ❤️

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Kerani Arpaia's avatar

I’ve never thought of being an author of diaries as a thing, but you make me realize that that’s the most consistent form my writing has taken ever since I was 8 years old. Even when I go for long hiatuses from fiction, I always keep a journal. I always use words to record my thoughts.

I love your poetic and raw way of writing Kate, excited to have you back here! May and October are two of my favorite months also—something about that liminal time.

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Selkie Grove's avatar

I'm the same Kerani! My break from writing didn't include my diary, which is like breathing. Liminal is the perfect word for May and October ✨

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MoonZoulMagic's avatar

Your words string together in ways that resonate with my own. I’m glad you’re back. I always find time to read what you offer although I’m sure there’s much more unsaid. ♥️

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Selkie Grove's avatar

Thank you 🤍 Yes, so much that is unsaid but which I am slowly pulling to light, word by word. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read my posts and leaving thoughts of your own

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MoonZoulMagic's avatar

🤍

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Wayne Bromiley's avatar

Kate, I'm an idiot and totally forgot to say Happy Birthday my Friend. Meant to do that first thing this morning and that one random thought distracted my cluttered mind. Totally sucks to get older, Lol. So wishing you a belated wonderful day and sending you only high vibrations, best wishes and love. 🌹

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Selkie Grove's avatar

Aw, thank you for the birthday wishes. That's made my day :) Don't have much choice about getting older so I'm trying to embrace it!

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Wayne Bromiley's avatar

Hi Kate, While reading this a thought popped into my mind. A story or book written just like a diary. A Werewolf or Fey written diary chronicling their life and challenges. Or, maybe not, Lol. I'm totally not responsible for random thoughts.

You probably know some of this about me from pestering you so much. Currently live in Southern California but born in rural Pennsylvania where we lived until age 13. Many of your interests coincide with mine too. A few I'll highlight is collecting and reading books, motorcycle rides and working on antique cars. Married with 6 children and 16 grandchildren. Recently retired which is why I have time to bug people on IG. Biggest wish is that I could write anything at all like wonderful writers like you.

Talk about rants! Currently reading The Silmarillion by Tolkien, Secret Of The Golden Flower and Pensees by Pascal. The latter is extremely difficult to get through!!

Never ever stop writing! Love your way with emotions and feelings through words.

Take care my Friend!

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Selkie Grove's avatar

Please keep sharing your random thoughts, I love the idea of a werewolf's diary! The motorcycle rides has me feeling nostalgic even though I've never ridden one, haha. My uncles love their motorcycles, they always symbolise freedom to me. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and reply Wayne, and good luck with Pascal!

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Wayne Bromiley's avatar

Oh wow, you may regret the part about my sharing random thoughts, Hahaha.

Kate, I'm 65 and have been riding since I was 16 and have always owned a motorcycle. Been all over the western US on trips. Had belonged to a couple clubs when I was younger but those days are past. Riding is the closest you can get to flying!! Totally different than driving a car. Driving to the beach in a car is one thing. Riding there and along the coast is an adventure.

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