Rereading Inspirations
It was around 21 years ago I sat on this Maine beach and read this book above, and decided to write Funny Ladies: The New Yorker’s Women Cartoonists, published in 2005. The second edition, Very Funny Ladies, came out in 2022. Now I am making a documentary based on my books, called Women Laughing. Writing the books was mostly a solo affair, with a wonderful editor and very helpful and supportive husband. Creating a documentary is a team sport. I am really enjoying the process, and we have put together a great team. Shooting has begun and we have more filming planned in October— the documentary should be finished by 2025.
I am rereading Judith Lee’s book because I wanted to refresh my memory on what it was that inspired me, what was the catalyst….even though I kinda know what it was. Knowing these things will help in structuring the film.
There’s another book I am revisiting this weekend: Thomas Kunkle’s Genius In Disguise, the biography of Harold Ross. Ross was the co-founder of The New Yorker in 1925 with Jane Grant. It’s a great read.
My husband, cartoonist and historian Michael Maslin, have read this book a lot, and used it in writing and teaching on The New Yorker.
Anyway, that’s my weekend.
Here is a fun narrative drawing from around 1926 by one of the women cartoonists I profiled in my book, in an essay in The New Yorker, and now in my documentary. Helen Hokinson.
What books do you enjoy rereading?
Have a great Sunday, see you tomorrow!
Ms. Donnelly, I’m grateful to whomever it was that during the DNC convention referenced your drawings in real time, and I took a look. Then I subscribed, and then took the next step to subscribe to support your work… Truly an honor. Your posts are such a bright light every time they show up, fare balanced with servings of levity aside some of the serious stuff of these times. I’m grateful for the connection and sometimes don’t click right away when I see your name in the inbox, because I know it will be a treat to be saved. so I’ll handle a bit more business before coming back for the treat. Probably sounds more like a kitty or a pup, but just want to reinforce what a treat it is to subscribe. Thank you for all you do. The photo of the coast of Maine of course brings to mind HCR and Buddy, the photos she shares often taken by him in the wee hours as he heads out for a day of fishing. Thank you for the book references, and along with your many other fans, we look forward with joyful anticipation to your documentary.
Different from yours, but just as inspiring to me is Robin Wall Kimmerer's "Braiding Sweetgrass"...It's a story I learn so much from in a genre I love. I cannot wait to see your documentary--I know it will be powerful.