That line, “you can’t hang all your self-worth on other people getting it, getting you” feels like the quiet axis this whole piece turns on.
It reminds me of The Alchemist: the idea that meaning isn’t found in applause or comprehension, but in the act of walking your own life all the way through. Lived forward. Understood backward. Not validated externally, but embodied internally.
So much of real life is passive, murky, unresolved. People don’t arc neatly. Stories don’t always “work.” And yet they’re still true. Still alive. Still sacred in their mess.
Maybe the rebellion isn’t against form or gatekeepers at all,
maybe it’s the refusal to abandon your inner truth just to be legible.
Not everyone will get it.
But the work still counts if you stayed honest inside it.
Wow, man. I’m saving this comment. This one really meant something to me. Thank you for these words. I’m happy that you took the time to read mine. Cheers.
I really appreciate this—both the poem and the reflection. The willingness to keep writing from lived experience, even when it doesn’t fit clean expectations, is something I deeply respect. It feels honest in a way that matters.
It's really interesting...because sometimes I think that I (or not I only) don't really want to be understood...or even seen, for that matter. Or maybe I (or not I only) do, but on my own terms, so to say. Now they see me. Now they don't. I need to think about it some more because there's something...very early childhood in that.
Thank Chen. This is interesting to think about. I feel the same way. I want attention and I want understanding, but on my own terms and when I want it. I don’t want it unsolicited and I don’t want it for things I don’t value. But you’re right. I think whatever negative criticisms we received growing up could impact the things we’d rather not contemplate about ourselves.
I know my favorite writing is something I can personally identify with, but there is room for all kinds of stories. Just because a story doesn't reflect that cookie cutter structure we've been conditioned to like or if it deviates from the norm, does not mean it's bad. Maybe it's ahead of its time. Or it's TOO of its time that people don't want to confront it. I think you make some great points.
You keep going your own way, Franco. I have no doubt that you will.
Yeah, I struggle with the aspiration to conformity that seems such a big part of our fiction writing communities these days. Then you read back, to pre-internet literature, postwar, interwar literature, to literature in languages other than English, and realise these 'rules' are utter BS. The canonical writers mostly didn't write in this technically constrained, poker-up-the-ass way. They were bold, experimental, out there.
And yeah, life is always messy, and things mostly don't turn out, and people often don't change. It ain't a hero's journey, there's no resolution and we never get to write THE END.
I love this comment, Steve. You’re right, most of my favorite writers didn’t didn’t adhere to these pedantic rules. The hero’s journey is kind of BS. You said it perfectly. Thanks so much.
There it is~ the engine noise. This feels like language pacing, swearing, trying to be let in and deciding fine, I’ll live anyway. Messy on purpose, honest to the bone, and very keep writing even when no one claps. The dirty words know where they’re going.
The poem and the notes are brilliant. The moment I realized self-worth didn't have to be wrapped up with pole vaulting over arbitrary publishing standards changed everything. Sometimes I forget, and two fuse back into a horrid siamese blob of woe, but writing like this reminds me.
Do you ever wonder if you stopped sending your stories to places for publish and started just posting them here it may take off for you in an unexpected way? Sometimes change requires active participation, or just taking a new path.
Haha but I think to an extent rejection is needed and necessary and the editorial and peer review process is an important part of quality publishing. And rejection is kind of at its core. Acceptance in many ways doesn’t feel as satisfying without the possibility of rejection.
At the end of the day you either have people that want to read what you wrote or you don’t. The rest is all white noise hierarchy. As long as you keep writing you’ll keep improving. Sending it in is a left over performance from when it was the only way to get in front of readers.
You don’t have to agree, you can of course keep sending, I’m just saying you have people that want to read your stuff already. That’s the whole original point of sending it.
That line, “you can’t hang all your self-worth on other people getting it, getting you” feels like the quiet axis this whole piece turns on.
It reminds me of The Alchemist: the idea that meaning isn’t found in applause or comprehension, but in the act of walking your own life all the way through. Lived forward. Understood backward. Not validated externally, but embodied internally.
So much of real life is passive, murky, unresolved. People don’t arc neatly. Stories don’t always “work.” And yet they’re still true. Still alive. Still sacred in their mess.
Maybe the rebellion isn’t against form or gatekeepers at all,
maybe it’s the refusal to abandon your inner truth just to be legible.
Not everyone will get it.
But the work still counts if you stayed honest inside it.
That’s not failure.
That’s fidelity.
Wow, man. I’m saving this comment. This one really meant something to me. Thank you for these words. I’m happy that you took the time to read mine. Cheers.
I really appreciate this—both the poem and the reflection. The willingness to keep writing from lived experience, even when it doesn’t fit clean expectations, is something I deeply respect. It feels honest in a way that matters.
Thank you so much ♥️ this is quite validating to hear. I appreciate you and this comment.
It's really interesting...because sometimes I think that I (or not I only) don't really want to be understood...or even seen, for that matter. Or maybe I (or not I only) do, but on my own terms, so to say. Now they see me. Now they don't. I need to think about it some more because there's something...very early childhood in that.
Do continue to write, Franco 💫
Thank Chen. This is interesting to think about. I feel the same way. I want attention and I want understanding, but on my own terms and when I want it. I don’t want it unsolicited and I don’t want it for things I don’t value. But you’re right. I think whatever negative criticisms we received growing up could impact the things we’d rather not contemplate about ourselves.
I love this. Something very ethereal and magical about the way this poem begins. Then it hits you with the realness. I like that transition.
Thanks :) I'm glad you liked that aspect.
I know my favorite writing is something I can personally identify with, but there is room for all kinds of stories. Just because a story doesn't reflect that cookie cutter structure we've been conditioned to like or if it deviates from the norm, does not mean it's bad. Maybe it's ahead of its time. Or it's TOO of its time that people don't want to confront it. I think you make some great points.
thank SG, I appreciate your thoughtful follow-up. :)
You keep going your own way, Franco. I have no doubt that you will.
Yeah, I struggle with the aspiration to conformity that seems such a big part of our fiction writing communities these days. Then you read back, to pre-internet literature, postwar, interwar literature, to literature in languages other than English, and realise these 'rules' are utter BS. The canonical writers mostly didn't write in this technically constrained, poker-up-the-ass way. They were bold, experimental, out there.
And yeah, life is always messy, and things mostly don't turn out, and people often don't change. It ain't a hero's journey, there's no resolution and we never get to write THE END.
I love this comment, Steve. You’re right, most of my favorite writers didn’t didn’t adhere to these pedantic rules. The hero’s journey is kind of BS. You said it perfectly. Thanks so much.
Both the poem and the essay touched me. Those editors expressed their opinions. Keep writing and you will find people who will love your work.
Thank you Phyllis ♥️
You are a unique, necessary revelation of truth, Franco.
Thank you Manuel :)
“writhing burning sacred urgency”
There it is~ the engine noise. This feels like language pacing, swearing, trying to be let in and deciding fine, I’ll live anyway. Messy on purpose, honest to the bone, and very keep writing even when no one claps. The dirty words know where they’re going.
Thank you Asuka! :)
I think your words have landed in exactly the place where they belong. Wonderful piece, Franco!
Thank you Nora ❤️
If you want to know what it feels to be alive in the 21st Century, don’t read the philosophers or the economists or the sociologists, read the poets.
Yes. Couldn’t agree more. Read the poets. Thank you, Paul.
You’re welcome, Franco—Thank You!
The poem and the notes are brilliant. The moment I realized self-worth didn't have to be wrapped up with pole vaulting over arbitrary publishing standards changed everything. Sometimes I forget, and two fuse back into a horrid siamese blob of woe, but writing like this reminds me.
I’m glad it resonated with you, Will. Really appreciate your comment.
Do you ever wonder if you stopped sending your stories to places for publish and started just posting them here it may take off for you in an unexpected way? Sometimes change requires active participation, or just taking a new path.
you raise a good point. Maybe. Who knows. Haha. But then where will I get my daily dose of writerly rejection? Lol
Thats just the thing, you wont. 😱
Haha but I think to an extent rejection is needed and necessary and the editorial and peer review process is an important part of quality publishing. And rejection is kind of at its core. Acceptance in many ways doesn’t feel as satisfying without the possibility of rejection.
At the end of the day you either have people that want to read what you wrote or you don’t. The rest is all white noise hierarchy. As long as you keep writing you’ll keep improving. Sending it in is a left over performance from when it was the only way to get in front of readers.
I agree with all of that :)
You don’t have to agree, you can of course keep sending, I’m just saying you have people that want to read your stuff already. That’s the whole original point of sending it.
Good for you, Franco. Keep writing. I love your writing. It’s honest.
Thank you 🙏 ❤️
Go Franco - standing in your truth
Thank you Anne ♥️
Franco, you are being true to thine own self. Nothing else matters. We are primal beings in a mechanical world. Ouch!
Thank you, George! Well said. :)