I love this so much, friend––I have this feeling about my writing so frequently, but I had to let go of worrying whether I was meeting the expectations for everyone else when it comes to the Black/Asian/fat/queer/overall intersectional rep that I include in my stories. It's simply not possible to please or even attempt to represent everyone, so I focus on staying true to the experiences and characters I'm sharing. Having lived in New Orleans for a few years, which is such a rich cultural melting pot, your book felt very real to me. Keep on keepin' on, friend. Your stories are finding the right ones too. <3
Thank you for your uplifting words! I'm glad I'm not alone in these feelings. I'm getting much better of letting go of this worry of being enough for everyone.
I decided 2025 was going to be the year I serialized my AA memoir on Substack because I realized as you so astutely pointed out, "Traditional publishers prioritize stories of immigrant trauma and racial conflict." But mine is quirky, sometimes funny, modern, and doesn't subscribe to the stereotypes that the "community" sees us as.
As a result, I knew I had to be okay with crickets, with not a lot of appreciation, etc. I hope you keep doing what you're doing -- fighting the stereotypes, tropes, and ideas both within the AA community and without who believe that we have to be pigeonholed into some sort of depressing narrative. Stay strong, f*** the critics, don't be for everyone because a) it's not possible and b) that means you've done something very wrong. Hugs from Cambodia!
I love this so much, friend––I have this feeling about my writing so frequently, but I had to let go of worrying whether I was meeting the expectations for everyone else when it comes to the Black/Asian/fat/queer/overall intersectional rep that I include in my stories. It's simply not possible to please or even attempt to represent everyone, so I focus on staying true to the experiences and characters I'm sharing. Having lived in New Orleans for a few years, which is such a rich cultural melting pot, your book felt very real to me. Keep on keepin' on, friend. Your stories are finding the right ones too. <3
Thank you for your uplifting words! I'm glad I'm not alone in these feelings. I'm getting much better of letting go of this worry of being enough for everyone.
I decided 2025 was going to be the year I serialized my AA memoir on Substack because I realized as you so astutely pointed out, "Traditional publishers prioritize stories of immigrant trauma and racial conflict." But mine is quirky, sometimes funny, modern, and doesn't subscribe to the stereotypes that the "community" sees us as.
As a result, I knew I had to be okay with crickets, with not a lot of appreciation, etc. I hope you keep doing what you're doing -- fighting the stereotypes, tropes, and ideas both within the AA community and without who believe that we have to be pigeonholed into some sort of depressing narrative. Stay strong, f*** the critics, don't be for everyone because a) it's not possible and b) that means you've done something very wrong. Hugs from Cambodia!
Thank you for cheering me on! I hope you'll continue to fight the stereotypes, too.