The Love Story Project is about the dangers–and pleasures–of love stories. It’s a collage of research, memoir, and family mythology—exploring everything from the neurochemistry of love to the American myth of the cheerleader. It’s about how the stories we inherit shape our lives, and what it means when those stories break down.
For speaking and media inquiries, get in touch at mandylen (at) gmail .com or find me on Twitter @LenMandy
Mandy Len Catron:
Mandy is a writer living and working in Vancouver, BC. Originally from Appalachian Virginia, she sometimes pronounces words like still, fill, and will with two syllables. But only when she’s really tired. Or she’s had too many IPAs.
the love story project 
What a great idea for a project, to give your memoir a theme like that. I’ve started to write down the stories of my family that I grew up with before I forget them all. My grandmother rowing across Lake Michigan to Canada during prohibition to buy beer. My grandfather working a year, going to school a year, until he earned his masters. My mother and father meeting in church when they were both in the Navy. I don’t have a focus yet. Maybe it will come. Meanwhile, I’m writing fairy tales for my kids. None of which should offend my multitudinous relations.
Wow–that sounds like rich material. I’m already intrigued! Even if you don’t know where it’s going, it’s been my experience that just writing it down will take you in some surprising–and surprisingly useful–directions.
While I’m not sure I agree, Susan Shapiro did recently say in the NYT: “the first piece you write that your family hates means you found your voice.” So perhaps offending those relations is a good starting point 😉
Thanks for your encouragement. I plan to keep working on my memoir proeject, a memory at a time. I also plan to get different takes on our family history from different relatives. I’ll look forward to reading more of your memories, too.
Love the project idea. IPA’s? Niiiiice 🙂
Thank you. And yes, I might have a hop problem. 🙂
Love it! Yes, someone else out there that pronounces still like I do. Happy to find your blog as I was looking around the net. I would have loved to do the Sleeping Lady Retreat but found out about too late, next time.
cheers!
Rachelle
🙂
I love your project. That’s wonderful. I’m not sure if God will ever bless me in that direction (with a significant other), but I deeply respect the occurrence of it when it happens and is respected by both parties. All the best Mandy! 🙂
Liked your idea about How to Fall in Love With Anyone from the NYT. Also happy to hear you are living in Vancouver. My wife of 10 years and I tried it. It was fun.
Pingback: 36 Questions to Fall in Love | Stretching beyond aging
Pingback: Vancouver writer overwhelmed by response to column on finding modern love | Canada Times
I am so looking forward to reading this! Any idea when it will be complete?
You are now so popular and all over the news. Read your story today. Awesome!
Pingback: To Fall In Love With Anyone, Try This App — Or This One, Or This One | The Seeker
I recently listened to your “Ted Talk” and I’m impressed. I will follow your journey.
Cool 😉
Pingback: Marriage Monday: 36 Questions | Kris Mares
Hi i would like to share my story with you.
what can say… sound real okay lots of awseome comments thats a scary word ya know born in the late 40s didnt hear that word much sorry for my french…yes LOVE…..
Hi,
I was just wondering, even though you’ve probably gotten this question before, what if you experimented with the 36 questions and it definitely strengthened the relationship between us, but i don’t know if it is necessarily leading us to fall in love. I mean, how do you know if you’re falling in love?
Dear Mandy,
I just want to drop a few words to thank you for sharing your stories and journey with us.
I came upon your TED talk on the first Saturday evening I spent alone after breaking up with my boyfriend for the last 2.5 years – trying hard not to text another guy just to fill the void. I haven’t read all of your works, but I read enough to know that once upon a time, heartbreak is one of the drives on the wheel of the journey you are now embarking on understanding more about love and it gives me a sense of camaraderie to know that something beautiful could come out of the low low that more often than not came with breakups.
I look forward to getting to know you more through all the stories that you’ve shared and will share in the future. All the best for the launch of your book and I can’t wait to get my hands on that whenever it’s released in my part of the world.
Regards,
Rara
Hi Rara: Thank you so much for this! I think about heartbreak a lot–and it’s role in our lives (which often means looking at its role in my life). Despite the title, I sometimes think my book is more about heartbreak–and its associated complications and anxieties–than anything else.
I’m so sorry to hear about your breakup. I know the lows can be really low. And I know I don’t have to tell you that they won’t stay that way. But I’m sending you good thoughts until things start to level out a bit.
Was a fan (and participant) of your first Modern Love piece and your second might be the catalyst for some much needed exploration. Your TED Talk from Jan of 2017 is wonderful…funny, too. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but know you’ve been a bit of a boost to what’s supposed to be.
Hope this message finds you well! I just wanted to say congrats and I hope you keep sharing your words with the world!