If my writing vanishes into a nearsighted lake of gender fluidity and pointing out that we, all of us, are the fucking monster of the story, so be it.
The classics teach that all protagonists go through "the trial" and most do so alone, a largely worthless Christ allegory. My protagonists go through what I like to call the obvious reality that they are surrounded by a bunch of selfish, judgmental fuckwits stuck playing a revolving door parlor game of "if it was good enough for me, it's good enough for you."
We would all be living very different and much better lives if we stopped assuming judgment and abuse are natural and build character. That which does not kill you only leaves you shattered, hurt, and hateful.
That lesson has become the bridge of my work now.
