![\"Book](\"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/dementiafiction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2023\/10\/41UhBtpxerL.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nA Little Unsteadily into Light<\/a><\/em>\u2026 and out into the world, one year on. <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJust over a year ago, we published an anthology of new writing about dementia<\/a>, commissioned and edited by Jan Carson and Jane Lugea (New Island press, 2022). To mark the anniversary of its publication, this blog post reflects on its origins<\/strong>, compilation<\/strong> and afterlife<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOrigins:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As part of the research project described on this website, \u2018Dementia in the minds of characters and readers\u2019, we explored existing representations of dementia in fiction, finding that it was generally portrayed in white, middle-class ladies. Our project also explored the ways language is used to simulate the symptoms, inviting readers to better understand and empathise with the lived experience. Based on these findings we set out to produce an anthology of new writing about dementia, as socially and culturally diverse as those affected by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jan hit upon the title for our collection, A Little Unsteadily into Light<\/em>, inspired by a stage direction in Samuel Beckett\u2019s Krapp\u2019s Last Tape<\/em>; although his play is not purportedly about dementia, it explores relevant themes<\/a> of memory, ageing and identity. <\/p>\n\n\n\nCompilation:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Jan set to work on bringing together an impressive range of diverse contributors. Keen to support emerging writers, Jan and Jane hosted Creative Writing workshops with an assemblage of new talent, Jan imparting her professional craft and Jane her linguistic research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The workshop [\u2026] made me realise how much I didn\u2019t know. Since then I\u2019ve immersed myself in material, both factual and fictional, about the different forms and experiences of dementia. I\u2019ve come away more convinced than ever of the importance of your project! I\u2019ve also become a dementia friend which is great. It\u2019s been an eye-opening experience for me and one that will definitely shape and inform my writing from now on.”<\/em><\/p>Participant in the Creative Writing workshop, November 2021.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nParticipants were invited to submit work arising from the workshop, and two were selected to be mentored by Jan in developing a contribution to the anthology. These emerging writers were in good company: the anthology also includes contributions from eminent authors, such as Sin\u00e9ad\u00a0Gleeson, Caleb Klaces and Nuala O\u2019Connor. Many of the contributors were motivated to write about dementia based on their own experience of loved ones with the condition. The short stories are bookended with a Foreword from Jan on how to write about dementia ethically, and an Afterword by Jane on how literary language gives a window the condition (free download of Jane’s ‘Afterword’ below and on her QUB webpage<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just over a year ago, we published an anthology of new writing about dementia<\/a>, commissioned and edited by Jan Carson and Jane Lugea (New Island press, 2022). To mark the anniversary of its publication, this blog post reflects on its origins<\/strong>, compilation<\/strong> and afterlife<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of the research project described on this website, \u2018Dementia in the minds of characters and readers\u2019, we explored existing representations of dementia in fiction, finding that it was generally portrayed in white, middle-class ladies. Our project also explored the ways language is used to simulate the symptoms, inviting readers to better understand and empathise with the lived experience. Based on these findings we set out to produce an anthology of new writing about dementia, as socially and culturally diverse as those affected by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jan hit upon the title for our collection, A Little Unsteadily into Light<\/em>, inspired by a stage direction in Samuel Beckett\u2019s Krapp\u2019s Last Tape<\/em>; although his play is not purportedly about dementia, it explores relevant themes<\/a> of memory, ageing and identity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Jan set to work on bringing together an impressive range of diverse contributors. Keen to support emerging writers, Jan and Jane hosted Creative Writing workshops with an assemblage of new talent, Jan imparting her professional craft and Jane her linguistic research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “The workshop [\u2026] made me realise how much I didn\u2019t know. Since then I\u2019ve immersed myself in material, both factual and fictional, about the different forms and experiences of dementia. I\u2019ve come away more convinced than ever of the importance of your project! I\u2019ve also become a dementia friend which is great. It\u2019s been an eye-opening experience for me and one that will definitely shape and inform my writing from now on.”<\/em><\/p>Participant in the Creative Writing workshop, November 2021.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Participants were invited to submit work arising from the workshop, and two were selected to be mentored by Jan in developing a contribution to the anthology. These emerging writers were in good company: the anthology also includes contributions from eminent authors, such as Sin\u00e9ad\u00a0Gleeson, Caleb Klaces and Nuala O\u2019Connor. Many of the contributors were motivated to write about dementia based on their own experience of loved ones with the condition. The short stories are bookended with a Foreword from Jan on how to write about dementia ethically, and an Afterword by Jane on how literary language gives a window the condition (free download of Jane’s ‘Afterword’ below and on her QUB webpage<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\nOrigins:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Compilation:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n