The Bureau

Was amused to read a story about Naomi Wolf in an interview with feminist blogger Jessica Valenti in today's Guardian.

I'm the same age as Valenti, and, like her, I was a fan of Wolf's writings on feminism as a teenager. Wolf is about as far from the stereotype of a bitter, man-hating, sandal-wearing, hirsute feminist as its possible to be; she's attractive, witty, self-deprecating, and clearly fond of men. I could identify with her work, as it didn't make me feel like a traitor to my brother, my father and my male friends that I agreed with what she said.

When she was 17, Jessica Valenti went to retreat hosted by Wolf, and describes her mortification at being picked on by Wolf to read out a speech about the ten things she was most proud of. Valenti felt that she had nothing to say in comparison to the much older women at the retreat, and began to cry when Wolf insisted she give the speech anyway. Wolf comes out of this anecdote quite badly; Valenti seems to be implying that she picked on her deliberately, and in fact states that the incident 'put her off' feminism for a few years.

A couple of years later, when I was 19, I met Wolf at a book signing in Edinburgh (a city where she lived for a while). I'm not quite sure what prompted her interest but she started quizzing me about what I did. 'Are you an artist?' she asked. Somewhat overawed and bashful I stumbled over my response. To me, 'artist' meant 'painter', so I said something like 'er, no, not really, but I write a little'. Then I realised that to her 'artist' encompasses 'writer' and I started to blush. Ignoring my confusion, she began to encourage me to develop my writing, even suggesting that I send my work to her. I was taken aback, mumbled my thanks and shuffled off into the night.

I never did send anything to her to read, never even considered it. I knew I had a way to go before I could show anyone my writing, and in some way perhaps I sensed that her encouragement was meant to be more motivational than practical. Reading Valenti's story I can't help wondering if Wolf's determination to force her to give a speech she didn't want to give was meant well. I think Naomi Wolf is one of those rare public figures who feels compelled to use her influence to kick start other people in some way. I guess these attempts can backfire in certain cases, but I am glad she tried with me.

I don't write because Naomi Wolf told me I should, but there's no doubt I have thought about her words over the years and that encouragement from someone I admired did me good. Thank you Naomi. I hope you're still out there lighting firecrackers under lazy teenage asses.