Monday’s Muse: Susan Sontag

“My definition of a writer: someone who is interested in everything.” — Susan Sontag.

Yes, there is no denying that American writer Susan Sontag achieved some incomparable things during her lifetime, but aside from the brilliant essays and visuals she created, it was the influence, the teachings and the musings she gave light to that stand out the most. Her instinctual need to remain open to everything and everyone that came into her life, her desire to communicate change and empowerment, and the motivation to reassess your own truth in the moment of now. These lifelong dedications… no, stubbornness to have it any other way was what made Susan Sontag an iconic and influential female voice during the 60s, 70s and beyond.

Perhaps one of the most photographed writers of her time, my favourite image of her is the one where she is leaning up against a pile of essays and papers in the window sill of a NYC loft (below). It translates a certain sexiness, confidence and ease. Something that comes with being curious enough, comfortable enough, and intelligent enough to hold a room full of people on a topic they dedicated their entire lives to learning. It is the picture of someone who is interested in knowing everything there is to know about life – a picture of a writer.