About Getting Along, Man

Post 1112:

It’s important to hang out with people you don’t like until you like them. This may be an obvious statement but it’s not obviously practiced with great frequency.

Figuring out how to relate to those you have nothing in common with will make you a better writer. It almost has to. Instead of being a hack who writes a character who speaks like that character would never speak, you’ll do it right. Mostly, you won’t be thinking about yourself. And that’s always a good thing.

Not thinking about yourself is one of the best ways to be happy. It’s also the methodology for great writing. They say Shakespeare could use the language of tradesmen, poor, rich, nobles, whoever. And he had a modicum of success.

Also, there’s good news. As much as we all hate each other, most people pretty much speak the same. Well…let’s just say that rich people often sound way dumber than normal people. Perhaps the field has shrunk. That’s what I’m trying to say.

And of course there are certain people you’ll never be able to relate to. In those cases, before you give up, blame yourself. Blaming yourself for your problems is also a recipe for good writing. Also booze.

Cheers and see you after.