Darwin’s Mistress:
The Story Behind the Name
Dear Friend,
Darwin’s Mistress was born long before I ever built a website or wrote a novel. She emerged when the everyday world turned against me through sensitivity to chemicals in man-made goods, food, medicine, and even the air we breathe. Little by little, my entire world had turned upside down due to chemical sensitivity, and I was forced to change everything inside it.
But it wasn’t just the outside world I had to rebuild. It was the will to embrace my new life—a life that meant giving up many of the things I love . . . and finding new and endearing passions, like writing.
And through writing, Darwin’s Mistress became the symbol of my new world and my new life. Darwin’s Mistress isn’t the name of a character or book. She’s the creative persona and ideal through which my stories speak and take shape.
And in time, Darwin’s Mistress grew into a website where I could share my learnings with others who have similar sensitivities or are seeking gentler ways of living. From the best collections of organic cotton products to the benefits of compounded medicines, I sincerely hope my experiences can benefit others.
My Scarlet S is the novel where all of this comes together. Here you’ll find the themes of sensitivity, survival, and resilience woven through the tale that mirrors my own life.
Darwin’s Mistress is the lens.
My Scarlet S is the expression.
One is the voice.
The other is the story.
In closing, thank you for wanting to know more and for being here.
Warmly,
Julia Woolwine
Darwin’s Mistress