Jacqueline

Jacqueline asked Roxane Gay:

Hi, Roxane. I've come to the realization that in order to sit my ass down and write that work that has long eluded me, I would have to tap into a vulnerable and painful place. How does one do that without letting it consume you or undo any healing that has taken place? That vulnerability sounds scary.

Roxane Gay I would question that the only way to write what you want is to tap into a vulnerable and painful place. Is that true? Or is that what you think you need to do to write something compelling? There is some distance between those two things. Vulnerability is scary which is why you need firm boundaries about how much of yourself you are willing to surrender to the page, to the reader. When you respect your own boundaries, you protect yourself.

More Answered Questions

Van Wolverton

Van Wolverton asked Roxane Gay:

How can I suggest ways my college-bound daughter could reduce her chances of being among the 1-in-5 women students sexually assaulted without absolving the assaulters?

A Goodreads user

A Goodreads user asked Roxane Gay:

With the bravery you've shown—sharing a painful story with audiences, writing it out, trying to change your life and the mental and physical cage you've built—have you felt any healing and change?

Ginny

Ginny asked Roxane Gay:

You you watch YouTube or have any favorite YouTubers? There is a lot of good discussion in the BookTube community. I think you'd like Rosianna Halse Rojas and Mynameismarines.

All answers from Roxane Gay…

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