On the Cover
By Ashley, age 24, Massachusetts
Sweet Designs Staff Intern
Editor's Note: In June, Sweet Designs Magazine began an internship program for New England area college students and recent graduates with a serious interest in journalism, creative writing, publishing, marketing, etc. We started with five interns - others will be added as the magazine grows. You can read their bios and August articles in this issue.
My name is Ashley, and I am delighted to grace the cover of this month's issue of Sweet Designs Magazine. I am currently a graduate student and writer living in western Massachusetts. I am thrilled to be helping Stephanie Lynn with the editorial process this summer.
When mulling over ways to introduce my work, it occurred to me to fill out what is referred to as a Proust Questionnaire. For those who are unfamiliar, the Proust Questionnaire is a series of interview questions famously answered on two separate occasions by famous 19th century author Marcel Proust. A version of these questions is used at the end of interviews on the television series Inside the Actors' Studio.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Lingering regret.
Where would you like to live?
New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, or London.
What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Living in the moment and not having to think about the future.
To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
Self-absorption, competitiveness, insecurity, shyness, anxiety, messiness, being easily distracted.
Who are your favorite heroes of fiction?
Hamlet, Ethan Frome, Gene Forrester from A Separate Peace - I find comfort in flawed, self-indulgent antiheroes.
Who are your favorite characters in history?
Oscar Wilde, Truman Capote, Marilyn Monroe, Mae West, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Henry David Thoreau, W.H. Davies, Che Guevara, Diego Rivera, Alfred Kinsey, Langston Hughes, Eugene V. Debs - there are numerous others, but these are the first to come to mind.
Who are your favorite heroines of fiction?
Laura Wingfield from The Glass Menagerie, Mirabelle Buttersfield from Shopgirl - one is tragic, the other is not, but both are held captive by an incessantly chattering internal monologue.
Your favorite painter?
Frida Kahlo.
Your favorite musician?
Elvis Costello.
The quality you most admire in a man?
One who has developed nurturing instincts.
The quality you most admire in a woman?
One who is validated by herself and not men.
Your favorite virtue?
Compassion.
Your favorite occupation?
Writing, dreaming.
Who would you have liked to be?
Someone less self-critical.
