by Abena Ntoso
What does it take to live a life made of moments that matter?
This is the question characters wrestle with in Woman Outside the City. It's a question I often ask myself because I don't want to just survive—I want to thrive. I want to live a life in which I insist on each moment in each day—gently insist it must occur exactly as it is, insist for myself upon what's happening right here and what I'm doing right now. I believe this is possible, not just for myself, but for anyone and everyone. But it takes work—individual work, communal work, societal work—and what does work look like these days? Work is changing, as it should—we are progressing out of the industrial age and fully inhabiting the information age, or perhaps an even newer age we have yet to name.
Our world is transforming, and our systems, institutions, and habits need to change in response. How do I want to live my life, if I have a say? That's the kind of freedom and empowerment I want to step into, and in the book I tell a story that hopefully inspires readers to wonder, ponder, and explore this question and many others. Woman Outside the City isn't a story with a prescription for living or a moral lesson. It's a story that hopefully piques curiosity and invites imagination. A story that inspires readers to have authentic and profound conversations with friends, loved ones, and strangers—a story that compels us to discuss topics and ideas that move us in meaningful ways.
I often remind myself to take time to observe carefully—and then I try to spend some quiet time each day in reflection, pondering, wondering, letting my thoughts flow, and building an understanding that feels correct and true—keeping in mind that competing ideas can all be correct at the same time, and truth is incomplete. It reminds me of the fable of the blind men and the elephant—truth may look different in different contexts and from different perspectives.
I also think about the way a conscientious gardener might carefully harvest potatoes, with gentle hands delicately releasing dirt from the roots and spuds. There is so much more I need to learn about growth, about survival, about thriving—What do I know?—and it is time consuming to fully inhabit each moment and reflect. Life often discourages me from pondering and putting my thoughts into words, unless I gently insist on each moment in each day, insist it must occur exactly as it is, insist for myself upon what's happening right here and what I'm doing right now. I must harvest moments if I plan to thrive—how do I do this mindfully and with love?
This is how I invite you to read Woman Outside the City. Take the time to observe carefully, savor each word, question each line. Careful observation and reflection—in literature and life—is part of what makes moments meaningful. Observe carefully, ponder, ask yourself questions.
I invite you to read Woman Outside the City and provide feedback while it is still in development. I would truly appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. If you are able to commit to reading and providing feedback within 4 weeks, please use the form below to join the mailing list and check the "Beta Reader" box.
Thank you for your careful consideration, and I wish you many moments of peace and joy throughout your day!
April 24, 2025