Continuing our elaboration of Jack Kerouac’s Belief and Technique for Modern Prose.

Jack Kerouac’s Belief and Technique for Modern Prose

Be in love with yr life


Dear Writer,

I think all writers are in love with life. Why else would we spend countless hours dealing with the tedious business of inventing characters and stories?

Life might leave us confused, bewildered, awestruck, angry, sad, or outraged, but we still love it. Even if our experiences have mistreated us and left us bitter, we pay homage to existence by creating stories that illustrate its mystery, its complexity.

So how do you connect with that love for your life, even when it’s shitty?

Think about what makes it unique. Think about the littlest things that make it good. Think of all you learned and how strong it has made you. Take your pain and your happiness and turn it into beauty. That is the magic of art.

—Christa

What about life compels you to write?