An Update to Sartre
Over the years I have responded to some lines Sartre wrote about writing to refresh my own ideas. As 2025 looms and without clear direction where I am going with my own writing or possible projects outside of publishing my mother’s book about her missionary service in Brazil, I thought it a good time to revisit these quotes and see where the exercise led me.
Words are loaded pistols.
Where do I want to fire my words? Into what kind of audience? Finding a new random audience by distributing my books and zines through street libraries was a successful tactic that brought wonderful unforeseen results. Do I keep doing that? Yes.
New problems demand new writing styles.
The new problem is that writers that lean left who write for the big left magazines are totally incompetent when it comes to writing something to sway working class and low income seniors. They need new writing styles, something along the line of modern pamphleteering. I must consider a new style in writing about homelessness. I have been thinking about this for a long time.
Writing is a certain way of wanting freedom.
Yes, this remains true for me with my publishing. I don’t have to worry about pleasing anyone but myself. That is the ultimate freedom for a writer.
What do you want to disclose about the world through your writing?
That certain marginalized people are being undeserved or ill served by writers and their writing. This is particularly true of writers who advocate blindly for the homeless.
What change do you want to bring the world with your writing?
That a few people who read my writing will change their minds on a formerly ingrained topic.
What would happen if everyone in the world read your writing?
I might be able to afford that RV I want to buy! More people in the world would know about Oregon.
What will you commit to in your writing?
Ass to chair every day. To never think about the idea of commercial success and just keep writing what emerges from my living.
What will you do to be read?
I’m doing everything I can but I must consider going back on social media if I want to reach more readers. The idea is loathsome to me, but I must consider the reality of American life.
Because there are scenes I observe that I believe must be shared with readers, even a tiny number.