I’m trying to publish five books this year. In issue #1 I got my head on straight. In issue #2 I got my process figured out. So what’s next? figuring out what I’m actually working with!

Book idea #1: Book for my son

Don’t tell my son, but I’m writing a book for him to celebrate his birthday. I wrote about it over here. I’ve only just started this one, and it’s the highest priority. That means it’ll get the most attention this year.

Book idea #2: Book for my kids

Over the years, I’ve written a bunch of different bedtime stories and fantasy worlds for my kids. I checked and there are about 60k of words already written there, so I could probably bundle them together and publish a book out of that work. …

An artist who knows how to self-motivate, set deadlines, and execute on a plan will have a much easier time than one who can’t. And if my experience in art school and the creative world is any indication, this is the single most important thing that artists struggle with. As they say, success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. So I’ve been thinking about the best way to make sure I have processes in place that will allow me to do a good job.

(Side note: some people get so excited about process that they focus on it at the exclusion of other projects. I always imagine process like a factory. You want to build a great factory … but the end goal is to make things, not make the world’s greatest factory and nothing else.) …

There’s a silly line in Friends where someone says “Go to China. Eat Chinese food,” and Chandler replies “of course there, they just call it food.”

That’s how I’ve felt about American culture since moving to another country. Growing up, I never considered everything around me “American culture.” To me it was just culture. And now that I’m in another country, I see everything through a different lens. One that can more easily contextualise the American way of doing things against how the rest of the world operates.

And for me, the biggest difference is how lofty our ideals are and how openly they invite criticism when we fall short. And, let’s be clear, every country falls short. But some countries aren’t particularly happy to talk about it. …

So I’ve decided to write five books in 2021, like a crazy person. But before I set off on this grand journey, I need to level-set a few things in my own head.

It’s ok to fail

From crash diets to New Year’s Eve resolutions, I think the easiest way to miss a target is by setting too high of a bar for yourself, getting dispirited, and giving up. So first things first. Publishing one book in a year is nearly impossible, and attempting to write five should probably be illegal.

I will probably not succeed. And that’s ok. …

I really enjoy writing. Some people like to exercise, brew craft beer, play video games, hang out with friends and family, or battle strangers on the internet. But no matter what other hobbies I try — and I like all of the above activities! — I’m just a writer. It’s my favourite thing to do, by a long shot.

Which isn’t to say I think I’m necessarily that good at it. I’ve written things I’m proud of, sure. But I enjoy the process of writing a lot more than imagining my book being sold in a bookstore. Or being a bestseller. Or being famous. I just want to write, not be known for my writing. …

When Donald Trump was banned from Twitter, I heard two different reactions. The left said “finally!” and the right said it was the start of a new era of tech censorship, where Jack Dorsey can dictate the way the world communicates. I think both points of view are leaving out a lot of details.

The nuance that the left is missing

Hold on to your hats, because I’m going to say something explosive: Trump didn’t break Twitter’s policy until he incited an insurrection. It’s that simple.

This isn’t the conventional wisdom, of course. It’s taken as an article of faith that Trump broke Twitter’s policy hundreds of times. Sometimes people point to the time he threatened North Korea with nuclear war, for example. But Twitter’s policy has stated, for years, that comments from heads of state are newsworthy. That’s why Trump was able to go further than most people. …

I love writing, and often package my projects into books. The other day I had a book idea that I’m pretty excited about: giving my 13 year old son a book called around the concept of What Your Dad Believes. I’m planning on giving it to him for his birthday later this year, so I’ve been writing a bunch of essays.

The gap in the market

If I walked into an airport bookstore and I saw a book called “The Way I See It” or “What I Believe” I’d roll my eyes so hard. I bet you would too. The only reason you’d buy a book like that is if you were keenly interested in the person writing it. But even then, the title is a bit much. …

I’ve played chess since I was a little boy, but I almost always lose. I understand the game’s rules but I’ve never been able to think far enough ahead to mount any sort of real strategy. But I do know one little trick called “Fool’s Mate.” It lets you win in two moves. No one falls for it.

One day I went to a new friend’s house. He was showing off, the way kids do. He showed me his Garbage Pail Kids collection, and made sure I knew how rare it was. He showed me his house and pointed out how great it was. Then he started talking about how great he was at chess. So we played a game, and I decided to try Fool’s Mate on him. …