"An entirely original portrait of a young writer shutting out the din in order to find her own voice"-- An exploration of what it means to be a first-generation, creative young woman working today. On April 11, 1931, Virginia Woolf ended her entry in A Writer’s Diary with the words “too much and not the mood” to describe her frustration with placating her readers, what she described as the “cramming in and the cutting out.” She wondered if she had anything at all that was truly worth saying. The attitude of that sentiment inspired Durga Chew-Bose to gather her own writing in this lyrical collection of poetic essays that examine personhood and artistic growth. Drawing inspiration from a diverse group of incisive and inquiring female authors, Chew-Bose captures the inner restlessness that keeps her always on the brink of creative expression. Provided by publisher.

Heart museum --Part of a greater pattern -- Miserable -- Gone! -- The girl -- Idea of marriage -- Moby-Dick -- D as in -- Since living alone -- Tan lines -- Summer pictures -- Some things I cannot unhear -- Upspeak -- At my least and most aware.