within an hour

of sending out my mailing to my list last night (it included some of the postings below), 3 people had unsubscribed or asked to be taken off the list. That's a new record.

If you want to know what got them riled, you can join my mailing list here.

Last night in bed, I read Erica Jong's Seducing the Demon: Writing for My Life. She says:

Don't expect approval for telling the truth.

Remember that writing is dangerous if it's any good.

What use is a writer if she doesn't rile people up? What use is a teacher if he isn't made to drink hemlock in the end?

Practicing writing is like practicing freedom. You are always on your way, never there.

This morning, I woke with my own advice running through my brain, the advice that I give to new writers:

Tell the truth.
Live the consequences.
Be brave.
Laugh.