What can and cannot be joked about often highlights power dynamics within the social structure — Many times in my life, I’ve heard people ask the question I’ve posed in the title of this piece: “Why is it acceptable for Black people to make fun of White people, while White people making fun of Black people is largely off limits?” The premise assumed in the question…

It’s a lot easier to get real book sales if you use these few simple tactics — If you’re a long-term follower, you know that I don’t believe in rushing your writing process or putting anything out just because it’ll be good clickbait and likely to generate sales. I simply respect the craft too much for that. …

Technological trends are driving an evolution in the “product” as we know it, from something physical to something purely informational. — Information has always had enormous value. The human brain is nothing without its inputs. Our ability to create and process language allowed for a transfer of knowledge between generations, which by way of constant accumulation, has created the advanced and complex societies we find ourselves in today. Written word augmented…

Apologies are more complicated than we realize. There’s a lot that goes into an apology, and for the average person, there’s a lot to apologize for. Often, to make an apology feels like a hill to climb. Why is it so difficult to apologize when making mistakes is so common? …

The want of money is usually the want of something else — something we already possess — It is a common cliché that writers make little money. With few exceptions, the stereotype seems to bear out in reality. I have elsewhere written about some of the reasons why that is, but the why doesn’t satisfy the lingering discontent. …

Poverty has the insidious effect of creating a culture that debilitates individuals’ moral and intellectual powers and traps them in a cycle — Aristotle once said, “Poverty is the father of crime and revolution.” It is easy to see how an empty stomach can lead one to steal what they must to fill it. However, the imbruting effects of poverty go far beyond this. It has been said that humanity could have never…

With effective communication from our leaders, the American people could solve the problem of inflation directly — The 32nd President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, came into office in the midst of the worst financial crisis in US history: the Great Depression. 25-33% of people were unemployed. …

Reasonable people are constantly being controlled by those who are unreasonable. — It’s an odd ability of weakness that it often finds a method for domineering over strength. In society at large, as well as in close relationships, there are demands made on the basis of sensitivity. In response to injury and insult, it is not uncommon to cast blame or react…

Career success comes from consistency, but this restricts creative freedom — Many people view an author as a brand. Readers expect a thematic consistency throughout a writer’s works. It is an expectation that is applied by consumers to all creators. It is a natural occurrence: When we have thoroughly enjoyed one work, and we return to the source, looking for more…