What’s a piece of writing advice that’s held true for you?
Just say the thing. In a sentence. It could be four words, it can be fifteen. If it sounds awkward, you can fix it later. Or you can cut it. But if you don’t write the difficult thing in one sentence, then you’re distracted by not having written it, and then it’s hard to write the rest of the things.
What’s the thing you read when you want to remember how to write?
I tend to listen to instrumentals. It’s a language that makes me think — they’re talking to me without words. And I have words!
What do you do with all the writing ideas that pop into your head? Where do they go?
Google Docs and Google Slides are probably the most organized parts of my life.
Is there a thing you’ve written and have actually enjoyed going back and reading?
I feel good about what I wrote in 2020 about Sade, and what I wrote last summer about Natalia Bryant. This one about anthems — songs of home — and the career of José Feliciano brings me joy because I know for certain it made him feel seen.
