12 Comments
Sep 14Liked by Suzy Vitello

What an amazing vacation, Suzy! You make it easy to imagine being there. My story passion is the same as yours—it somehow boils down to that no matter what my characters are fighting through or for on the page. Thanks for provoking these thoughts and sharing your trip with us. Enjoy!

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I think Tom Spanbauer had a way of describing this phenomenon using a fictional character he called Fraxaleia? Writing one’s obsessions on the body of an imagined vessel.

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Sep 13Liked by Suzy Vitello

You deserve the indulgent trip, Suzy. It looks amazing.

Why is the Empress of Austria giving me Liv Tyler vibes in that painting?

I don't know if this is so much fire/obsession as much as coincidence, but rabbits keep popping up in all kinds of things I've encountered lately. Photos, articles, random social media posts, etc. And since I love folk horror, they might hop into a project somehow.

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Thank you!

Follow that hop.

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You know I am all about women's agency, and writing about women fighting to just *be* without interference. I love that this is your secret passion. Follow the fire. And sink into this bliss. You've earned it! <3

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Spoken like a true sister!

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Identity, agency, who we are as women in this moment in time. Thoughts worth pondering, Suzy. And then the challenge: how to turn all that into a moving narrative! Your trip sounds divine ... been enjoying the photos!

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thank you!

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This trip sounds SO mazing!! Which tour company? I want to look it up for my parents. My mom is Austrian and was named Elizabeth after various royalty, as her parents saw it as a royal name. I love visiting Austria!

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And I’ll share this piece I did a while ago with obsessions and the idea of an “Obsession Catalog” which is kind of like a “Dopamine Menu” as the TikTok kids say, since this is on topic with your request for us to share obsessions.

https://open.substack.com/pub/charlottedune/p/be-honest-with-yourself?r=8gb2e&utm_medium=ios

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Thank you, Charlotte! I, too, was born in Austria. I can't recommend Backroads enough! They are so accommodating, and the planning is painstaking. I've never felt so pampered, well-fed, and adventured. This is the tour we are currently on: https://www.backroads.com/trips/MTDI-Z/italy-dolomites-easy-adventure-tour

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Thank you! So cool!

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