I have faith in human beings. I struggle with that faith.
The basic rule of storytelling is 'show, don't tell.
The poem has to bear the weight with image, language... the screenplay with dialogue, plot.
Some of the best work done to combat the Republicans has been wit and humor.
The lessons learned in journalism also apply. Writing for NPR has taught me to cut a piece in half and then in half again - without losing the essence. Apply that to the swollen prose of a bulky novel and you might reveal a beautiful work.
Weakness, like not being able to bury the past. Weakness, like not giving up hope when you know you should.