Thanks for highlighting the James Baldwin passage. I'm going to borrow it for an upcoming piece, with hat tip, of course. Selectively quoting Baldwin has been a tool of the modern antiracism movement. All three heads of Woke Cerberus use the opinions of fiction writers rather than evidence-based reality to sustain their doctrine. Even when creative writers scribble nonfiction, it's not the same as peer-reviewed scientific or historiographic papers, but in an era when opinions and emotions supersede fact... you know the rest. Cheers!
“MFA can’t give you experience. Experience is key for a writer and must be real, existential, and out of your control.”
I’m always baffled by the kids who go straight from school into writing programs. All they’re really doing is repackaging the work of previous writers. Soon, AI will do it better. Bring something authentic to the table!
A great format to share your reflections along with those of others--all of the entries like a bunch of jazz musicians running into each other in a bar and improvising. It's hard for many poets to get past a lot of Bukowksi's attitudes, especially toward women, and sometimes his macho posturing is almost cartoonish, but he was an authentic voice in American poetry. He wrote a lot of weak poems because he wrote so much, but the best of Bukowksi is worth it. Very rarely do people mention how his humor and ability undermine American grand narratives is rare in a literary culture where writers fear being canceled. Also, Bukowski could make fun of himself, which is a necessary if you want to attack others.
I have slept exactly 2 hours. It is 3:31 am and I just finished reading this piece. I find that your writing forces me to pause and absorb. Reread. Absorb some more. Your neurotic mind has a way with words. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for highlighting the James Baldwin passage. I'm going to borrow it for an upcoming piece, with hat tip, of course. Selectively quoting Baldwin has been a tool of the modern antiracism movement. All three heads of Woke Cerberus use the opinions of fiction writers rather than evidence-based reality to sustain their doctrine. Even when creative writers scribble nonfiction, it's not the same as peer-reviewed scientific or historiographic papers, but in an era when opinions and emotions supersede fact... you know the rest. Cheers!
The notes about the French writer you met. A little arrogant? Haha. I'd say more than a little.
I really enjoyed your poem!
Lots of nuggets this week, Michael. Thank you.
I keep similar random notes :-) I liked this:
“MFA can’t give you experience. Experience is key for a writer and must be real, existential, and out of your control.”
I’m always baffled by the kids who go straight from school into writing programs. All they’re really doing is repackaging the work of previous writers. Soon, AI will do it better. Bring something authentic to the table!
What a rich cornucopia of contemplation, and an effective format for sharing the wealth.
A great format to share your reflections along with those of others--all of the entries like a bunch of jazz musicians running into each other in a bar and improvising. It's hard for many poets to get past a lot of Bukowksi's attitudes, especially toward women, and sometimes his macho posturing is almost cartoonish, but he was an authentic voice in American poetry. He wrote a lot of weak poems because he wrote so much, but the best of Bukowksi is worth it. Very rarely do people mention how his humor and ability undermine American grand narratives is rare in a literary culture where writers fear being canceled. Also, Bukowski could make fun of himself, which is a necessary if you want to attack others.
Similar notes to self 🥲 writing always helps
I have slept exactly 2 hours. It is 3:31 am and I just finished reading this piece. I find that your writing forces me to pause and absorb. Reread. Absorb some more. Your neurotic mind has a way with words. Thanks for sharing.