Fuck Everyone
Advice for young writers
I’ve noticed a definite pattern in the questions that come up from my students, my friends, in my tarot advice column, and generally all over the place in writing life.
It sounds something like this:
“I want to write this book, but it’s really weird, and this agent I spoke with once at a cocktail party told me that weird books were over.”
“I want to write this book, but it’s really weird, and I don’t know if anyone is going to buy it.”
“I want to write this book, but it’s really fucking weird and I’m afraid I will be kicked out of the human race if anybody ever reads it.”
“I’m in the middle of writing this weird-ass book, but the randoms on GoodReads seem to frankly hate this kind of thing, should I pivot?”
“I’m writing this book, and I love it, but I’m afraid it’s too candid/personal/political/gruesome/garish/loud/disgusting/unapologetic/quiet/poetic/restrained/plotless/campy/obvious/lyrical, etc.”
Let me state for the record, and forever:
PEOPLE WANT TO READ YOUR FREAKY ASS BOOK.
I get it. It’s a serious risk to write something when you aren’t sure how it’s going to land, or what people will say.
