It’s September – already – and the first Wednesday in September which means ISWG Day, the day when we come together and talk about writerly stuff.

September 2 (optional) question: If you could choose one author, living or dead, to be your beta partner, who would it be and why?

Haha, okay universe. This is like when people ask What is your favorite book? I want to say – the truth: The Bible (which is actually a collection of books.)

I know people mean other than THAT. My favorite novel. 

Truth is: I can’t choose. Whatever I say will probably change tomorrow. Right now, I’m listening to Neverwhere the dramatized version from BBC because dramatized version of Neil Gaiman’s epic novel?  Yes, please! That’s what’s playing in my car while I’m driving. I would DIE to have Gaiman casually critique even one of my works. Okay maybe not die but … severe embarrassment? Worth it!

I’m also reading Library Wars, which is my favorite manga and not just because it’s about a literal library war against the Dark Forces of Censorship. No, I love this book because it is that gloriously ridiculous AND because (spoiler alert) the MFC and the MMC (main male and female character) get together in the last book.

My most recent non-fiction favorite is a book I’m still wrestling with, and that would be How to Be an Antiracist by antiracist author Ibram X. Kendi. Just thinking of that one has me rushing to not-so-quietly add authors like Octavia Butler and N.K. Jemisin to my “must let them continue to critique me” from afar list. Please!

But, yeah, if I had to pick one author in all of time and space, deep breath. I know his being alive or dead is a subject of significant controversy – but … I would pick Jesus. Here’s why.

If I had a genie, and I had three wishes, but I couldn’t wish for more wishes, I’d think of clever ways around the rule.

Here’s my cheat code. I actually want to engage in creative dialogue with all of you wonderful authors out there. I don’t want to pick just one of you. If I have to, Ima cheat just a little bit and pick one that I’m pretty sure has access to all the best of you. At least, in my crazy brain.

Whatever *you* want to call it, I choose the first reader who is going to say “be nice to each other” – and in case you’re not, I will be watching.

Here’s something my favorite authors have taught me about being a writer: have fun with it. If you are really lucky and “succeed,” then people are going to take your words and do something you never dreamed with it.

For example: one time this misogynist, incel group supported Gaiman’s Hugo bid. He was like – thanks but no thanks guys who look at me and see Another White Male. True story!

Here is what I really think. For what it’s worth.

Life is short. Play – and write – hard. Our lives, our sanity, and our sense of fun may depend upon it.

Or – as yet another favorite author once said: