My Muse Deborah Levy

A woman who found strength in the chaos of life

Do you ever wake up with the urge to reread a book that you previously devoured. Almost like a calling? I woke up at 6am thinking about the writer Deborah Levy and how much of an impact she made on me this year after I read all three of her living autobiographies Things I Don’t Want To Know; The Cost Of Living and Real Estate.

For me the concept of having a muse is deeply rooted in the creative and artistic process, and can be a powerful source of inspiration.

But why Deborah Levy? Ironically, I read somewhere, that Deborah doesn’t believe in having a muse.

When I read her trilogy earlier this year, I felt something so deep, almost like we were having dialogue, as though I was there in the room with her. I was so mesmerised by her writing. As though she had written the memoirs for me. I felt hugely connected to her. And maybe this is why she has become my muse. Even though she is 64, her birthday is the 6th August 1959 and she was born in Wales. My birthday is on the 20th August, and I was born, bred and still live in Wales. Just saying! To me she only seems like she’s just turned 50. I feel like we are the same age. Living our very different lives simultaneously.

I’d love to invite her over to dinner and discuss why she doesn’t believe in having a muse. I wonder how many other people have her as their muse. I’m sure it would be in the 1000’s. And I wonder what her thoughts would be about the fact she doesn’t believe in a muse but she is a muse to so many.

Deborah Levy is a renowned British author and playwright known for her distinctive writing style, though provoking themes and impactful storytelling. I find her candid and introspective writing deeply relatable. She has the ability to craft evocative narratives and use language as a powerful tool for her storytelling. In the 3rd book of her trilogy Real Estate, she writes about her unreal estate, all the houses she can no longer afford after her divorce. She takes you with her on her daily walks as she peers through the windows of all the expensive houses, describing how she would spend her day if she lived in such a luxurious abode.

I do this. I dream about my unreal estate.

What about you?

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to live in the house of your dreams?

Deborah then goes on to describe that the only real estate she owns are her books, the ones she has written. Oh my goodness, this alone captivated me. What a beautiful way of thinking. She mentions how stuff and possessions even loved ones leave us eventually and how we think we need to own things, like houses but actually we don’t need to own anything. Her books are everything to her; all her stories and memoirs of loved ones will never her leave her, because they are there in black and white, names inked on the pages of her living autobiographies.

This is why Deborah Levy is my muse of 2023. She often explores themes of resilience and empowerment in the face of adversity. Her own personal journey and experiences of growth and transformation serve as a source of inspiration for those of us who admire her work. Deborah has definitely been the catalyst for my own writing and journaling. I just hope she has another trilogy of living autobiographies on the horizon. I encourage you to read at least one of her living autobiographies, if only as a source to inspire, comfort and provoke thought for your writing. Her talent in storytelling is unlimited

Until the next time

Take care & stay safe

You might like to read this article from The Guardian about her experience of starting over again at the age of 50 https://tinyurl.com/5anbju4x