The New Required Reading if you want to be a Successful Writer
/Many writers fear offending others, honestly, not just on topics of race, but when approaching other countries, languages, and time periods. I’ve talked about this a lot one-on-one, and I used to say, “Well, I don’t think the answer is to avoid all the times and places where bad things have happened. We live on earth. Research. Listen. Try to understand.”
However, over the past two weeks, it took me a long time to stop worrying about whether I was “good or bad” and just listen to conversations about race. Without self-consciousness or white centering. I feel as if I’ve only begun to learn how to listen at the age of 39 years and 48 weeks.
“These conversations make us all better writers,” a trusted mentor wrote to me.
Last week, I didn’t fully understand what she meant. This week, I can hardly remember a world where authors like Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo aren’t famous. The world isn’t going back to how it used to be.
Instead of blogging, I want to share a news article, not only as a resource but as evidence that these books are the new “required reading.” The words in these books are going to become a part of our everyday conversations., either through what we say, or what we don’t realize we’re saying. And the list includes novels, children’s books, and nonfiction. It’s relevant to whatever you’re working on:
Here’s the article by Scottie Andrews for CNN, June 3rd, 2020:
Amazon’s bestseller list is dominated almost entirely by books on race right now.
I welcome your thoughts and feedback.