Have you tried to quit writing?
Novelist and poet of the American lowlife, Charles Bukowski, thinks you should. But what the hell does he know?
Bukowski’s poem “So You Want to Be a Writer?” tickles my rebellious streak. And thank goodness my rebellious streak is stronger than my perfectionistic fear of failing. Because nothing gets me writing like Charles Bukowski.
Press play below to hear Tom O’Bedlam from Spoken Verse read Bukowski’s “So You Want to Be a Writer?” in his deep and delicious voice. Then tell me if you feel this too.
This poem gets me writing, not because I’m in love with Bukowski’s work (I can’t always relate to it), but because it reminds me why I love to write.
Maybe he wrote this poem to dispel the myth of the tortured artist.
I say, who cares?
Because what this poem really does is makes me want to prove Bukowski wrong. It makes me want to write.
Who the hell does he think he is, telling me when and how to write? I’ll tell you what, Charles…
I’ll write even if I do have to sit for hours staring at my computer screen.
I’ll write even when it doesn’t come bursting out of me. I’ll write for money. I’ll write for fame. And even if money and fame never come, I’ll write.
I’ll write, searching for words. I’ll write for women in my bed. Even though I prefer men. And I’m married. And I don’t want women in my bed. I’ll write anyway. Because I like it. The writing. Because I want to. Because I’d do it anyway. Because writing is the only thing that doesn’t feel like time wasted.
I’ll write waiting patiently. And I’ll write when it’s hard work just thinking about doing it. Because it is hard work. And only an idiot doesn’t anticipate the stress.
I’ll write and then share it with my husband and my mother. I don’t care if that means I’m not ready.
And if you find me or my work dull and boring and pretentious, Charles, I invite you to eat me.
Even when writing doesn’t fill me with the sun or burn my gut, I’ll be writing.
Because I won’t wait to be chosen. I won’t wait for “it is truly time.” I will dog, and drill, and drag and beat those words into submission.
Because I am a writer. I’m a writer because I write. So stick that in your joint and smoke it, Charles. And, Charles?
Thanks for making me write.
What about you? Will you follow Bukowski’s advice and quit? If you try to quit writing and can’t, then you’re a writer.
It’s the best way—the Charles Bukowski way—to know if you’re a writer.
Great job! Keep writing. BTW, I have most of Bukowski’s writings, poems and rants.
Glad to know you’re a Bukowski fan, Dan. I read the Bukowski short story collection, The Most Beautiful Woman in Town & Other Stories. I can say that they’re memorable. But I’d need some more exposure to decide whether and what I like about his work.
I worried that readers would have to know Bukowski’s work to appreciate the irreverent and more “vulgar” lines here. And after publishing the article, I may have been right. A few subscribers ran screaming for the unsubscribe button over that “eat me” line 🙂
Writers should run screaming from the very hint of a presence of those who wish to censor them. Censorship is the enemy. Be very very careful of it.
“Writers should run screaming from the very hint of a presence of those who wish to censor them. Censorship is the enemy. Be very very careful of it.” THIS!
I write because I will shrivel and wither like a scorched flower. I write instead of physically assaulting others. I do not need anyone to read what I have written. It comes bursting out of me whether I want it to or not. I don’t know if I’m chosen or not, but I write. It can not be any other way. It has always been this way. You still move me. I would love to have known you, Mr. Bukowski.
I couldn’t even listen to the entire thing. It made me angry. You said he could eat you. I think he should eat his pretentious manipulative self. What are egocentric ass he must have been. I’m with you. He just makes me want to try harder. Perhaps that’s why it’s a good poem even if I couldn’t stand listening to the whole thing.
I actually really liked the poem-not heard of the writer or his work. To me it symbolised not settling and being true to yourself. It’s very thought provoking either way. I am at a junction in life and was contemplating a return to a previous career… but on listening to the poem, I’ve decided not to do it!! And will go with my heart.
Now, I want all of Bukowski’s writings… His words… the few that I have read, have hit a nerve, touched my heart and made me think. I have loved this post. I crave truth, it makes me feel alive! Bukowski’s writings have me feeling not so alone, in a world that I often, do not feel a part of… Just thinking of his writings, brings me solace. Thank you to each and every persons post here❤️
To anyone who is thinking about what you just heard. Ask yourself, is there any scrap of paper in your home that is blank, has not got some scribbled sentence or words in its corner – if that’s what you have, never throw a piece of paper away no matter how small, without reading whatever is written on it. Have a special box for those pieces or transfer them onto your computer.
When you stop having those notes written on bits of paper, that is the time to start wondering whether it’s time to stop writing. Hopefully it never does. Good luck everyone.
Alright, so I saw your post on the “Cure The Block” pinterest board and when I saw it, I’ll be honest, I went “Ohhhh, boy. She’s one of those people, huh?”
And I opened it to read it, because I like to know all the facts if something is going to bug me. And I’m happy I did.
Goodness, all I can say to this is: Amen. As I was reading that poem my eyebrow couldn’t have been arched any higher. I love your thoughts on the poem, because they’re exactly mine. It’s not something I would have considered myself, but you’re pretty spot on, it’s great motivation.
Anyway, I guess I just wanted to leave a little, “My little rebellious ENFP spirit loves your rebellious little INTJ spirit.” note.
It’s so nice to meet other writers who “get it,” Caroline. Thanks so much for writing in.
My hope is that every writer will learn that “real writers” aren’t some elite, insider group. They’re just people who love (or hate) to write and decide to do it no matter their circumstance.
It’s a shame when born writers get scared away from their passion just because someone told them they have to dress or think or behave a certain way or have a special degree or something equally stupid. This article’s headline is a nod to that. So I understand your initially inflamed response and agree with you.
You’re welcome! 🙂
I agree. Some of us are published and some of us aren’t. That’s how I see it.
It really is! Anything we do will take work and sweat and the days we just want to give in. Nothing in life comes easily, so the fact that Bukowski would claim that essentially, “Unless you have absolutely no trouble writing your story in one go you aren’t a true writer and should just quit.” is ludicrous to me. Once I finished reading I quite liked the title of the post. It felt very tongue in cheek. 🙂
Thank-you. I came across this on Pinterest, and almost didn’t read it.I am glad I did. I have been told by people including reached to write, since I was 16. Always heard voices of self doubt. Your post is a Godsend,thank you for being you.I will continue,
Good for you, Greg. Keep writing! Anyone who tells a writer they aren’t a “real writer” is an a-hole (and full of shit too). Fear makes us believe stupid things sometimes. So follow your hopes instead <3 Hope to see more of you.
I absolutely enjoy your response to this Bukowski poem. I like his writing but I enjoyed your response more. Rebellion makes great writers. Keep rebelling. Thanks for the inspiration.
Especially when it keeps us writing 🙂
This made me every level of hungry to write more words.
I love the way you put that, Ashley. Happy writing!
I loved your post, Mandy. It got me writing immediately. And I agree completely with your affirmation that when you write you don’t feel like your wasting your time. I feel exactly the same! Thanks!
Wow I can still hear the echoing of the author dissuasion’s”don’t do it don’t do it” and it compels me of just the opposite
100% TRUE!
Oh, I’m so in love with this article. I also opened it up with hesitation, assuming I was going to discover I was not meant to be a writer. I listened to the poem first. My heart grew heavy as I believed my thought “It’s not my time to write. Just wait until you’re ready.” But, as I continued through your words, I was uplifted. There are no rules. I want to finally break free of “rules” and that common creative killer, perfectionism. I’ve only been toying with the idea of becoming a writer for about a year now. Holding myself back, believing the lies I tell myself that I’m not good enough, struggling through both writer’s block and bursts of brilliant inspiration. But this very blog post may be what causes me to go forward, to just do what I want, even if I’m never the best, maybe even if my words are never read. The important thing is I WANT to be a writer.
Good for you, Liz! I’m so glad I could help slay the bullshit myths out there that bar born writers from their true calling. If you want to write, then do it. You don’t need permission. And anyone who tells you there are rules or character qualities has an agenda.
Sure, there are qualities you may have that may make it easier or harder to write, but that’s true of anything.
The rest is just skills building and confidence. Good luck to you! <3
Me pidieron de escribir un libo y me encantaria saber organizarme
While looking up a quote by Raymond Carver & discussing INTJ’s (myself included), I rode in for your INTJ article but saw “Bukowski” and parked here. Please know, the only thing the “laureate of American lowlife” (Time, 1986) did more consistently than drink, sleep around & lose jobs was write. Requiring a minimum of ten pages nightly, regardless of his condition or situation, Bukowski wrote unsuccessfully for decades. Sadly, “The Most Beautiful Woman in Town&Other Stories” is (in my opinion) a horrific intro to Bukowski, but not too out of sync with the bulk of his work (often crude, if not outright terrible, BUT published posthumously by others just to capitalize on his cult-like success), For quality, poetry such as this & “Bluebird” are great (IMO) &really define him, but in reality Buk’s soul& greatest writing is found in his “autobiographical” (Henry Chinaski) novels, specifically “Post Office” & “Ham on Rye”, although “Women”is very good & “Factotum” probably exhibits best how he endlessly toils writing his way& quits job after job every three weeks just after raising enough money for the next submission. However, in real life he quit writing for ten-plus years at times&if this gets you mad&makes you write more then you get/got his point as he spent a lifetime trying to publish the “un-publishable”, common work that most could relate to & in the end his created a genre (check out “dirty realism”). Lastly, if used any terminology other than “Bukowski can eat you out”, it wouldn’t have played nearly as well, or felt as right.Great job, I enjoyed reading it!
I’ll pick up the titles you recommended, Jared. Thanks for taking the time to share your insight on Bukowski’s best works because I was sure I was missing something when I read that short story collection.
This is just the inspiration that I have been in such desparate need of! I have tried to quit…probably five times. But it never works. I always go crawling back to my work, apologizing for abandoning it. And than I pick up right where I left off and I continue, with more drive than before! My mother doesn’t want me to write; nor does my father, really. My older sister thinks I have good ideas and that I would make a good author. My best friend, who also wants to write, feels threatened by my work. She doesn’t want me to write. My younger sister listens to my work and gives me advice and she tells what doesn’t make sense and what she thinks I need to change. This Charles guy and shut up. And you’re right; he does make me want to write. He drives me to work harder! What an amazing post this is!
Good for you for following your passions, Miranda. Surround yourself with writers who support your dreams. You need the cheerleaders in your life, even if you have to seek them out yourself.
I would just like to say thank you for posting this. I am 23 years old and gave up in my dream to become a novelist until recently. I have been tearing myself apart because I’m not the perfect writer but I have always wanted to be a one ever since I was little. I honestly don’t think I could do anything else. When I first listened to the poem it infuriated me and honestly, almost defeated me. Then I read your thoughts and it filled me with so much hope and inspiration that I nearly began to cry. Anyone can be a writer if they truely want to or love it. Thank you for that.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Alexis. I get emails from readers about this article even now that move me to tears. Writers who feel a passion and drive to write but feel bogged down by the elitist attitudes many have about writing as a profession.
Keep writing. And keep building those skills! No one has a right to tell you that you can’t have this when you know in your heart you were born for it.
Hi,
Thank you so much for this article. I had never heard of Charles Bukowski before. I love his voice on the video (if it is his voice).
Most of all I love the message in the poem and the following discussion. I know I am a writer, but I do spend hours staring at a blank screen. I can’t always find the right story to tell or the right words to tell the story. But when I can it feels amazing. I also have tried to quit writing, but I have always and will always come back to it.
One day I will find a way to fit my life around my writing and dedicate my time to it. For now I work in retail and have to workaround those hours.
Thank you for sharing this poem and your thoughts about it.
Good for you for making time to write around an unideal schedule and for facing that blank screen in the first place, Liz. That’s when you know you have what it takes. You write no matter what.
Thanks for stopping by.
I like the poem, and sometimes I do feel what is inside has to go onto my keyboard. So I write it. It may even almost write itself. But those occasions are rare.
Meanwhile I need to practice my skills with disciplined writing even when I don’t want to meet a deadline I have set for myself. Sometimes I write when I would rather do something else because I want to become a more disciplined writer.
Writing sometimes springs from an inner energetic muse, but often it requires energy to find the right words to express thoughts or to proofread and revise a finished work. Is anything so deadly as proofreading and making corrections. Not for me. When I finish writing I want to distance myself and send it to the world. But I proofread because I don’t want to send it on its way with its slip showing.
I write for all the reasons Bukowski finds invalid, but also for the one reason he finds valid. I wonder how many of the world’s most read books would not have been written if their authors had listened to Bukowski .
I hear you on the writer discipline, Barbara. You mentioned you set deadlines for yourself. I’m guessing you’re a tough writer if self-imposed deadlines work for you. I find those aren’t compelling enough for me sometimes. Lately I find more motivation in the blog posting schedule, critique partner obligations, and scheduled butt-in-chair time.
Bukowski was making a point here about the tortured artist (so I’m told). But his words can affect us when we’re sensitive. So I wrote for those of us who feel the urge to write but wonder if we’re writers for whatever elitist reason is the latest in writing circles.
Thank you for sharing your insights.
Imagine the literary masterpieces we would have missed out on if everyone took Bukowski’s poem as gospel!
I love this piece simply because I would love to prove him wrong (well, the him in my head anyway)
It doesn’t always come easy, some days I have been sent into what I can only describe as frustrated hysteria brought on by that blinking cursor while other days a simple sentence or section of dialogue will have me on cloud nine for days.
I will never stop writing.
If I am never published I will never stop writing.
It is at the very core of my being – I am a writer.
We are writers. Hear us ROAR! (or type enthusiastically)
That’s for a fantastic post!
Love this ferocity, Pip! And the humor 🙂
Loved the inspirational words the challenge gets your blood roiling. Did Not care for most of the photography.
What’s wrong with the photography, BG?
I’m thirteen. I started writing when I was eleven. It was bad. I though it was good… when I was eleven. Now, when I look back, I realise how wrong I was. So, I re-wrote it. I made myself laugh, cry. Laugh while I was crying.
My year seven took one look at a short novel I wrote for English and went, ‘Wow… You wrote this? All on your own?’ And proceeded to show it to every other English teacher. When they asked who write it, and she replied, ‘One of my year seven students.’
I don’t consider myself talented. Or gifted.
It started when I had a bad day, and then I screamed at my computer. And what I produced looked good 🙂
My friend counted all the pages of work that I sent her (she’s my rock) and it totalled around 900 (not counting all the other stuff)
So yeah, I will write. I don’t care if both my arms were loped off and I had to supersize my keyboard and bash my head against it to write. No one is taking it away from me.
Good for you, Ellie. Keep it up!
I love writing. I have published two books and working on the third. This is my thing, writing. It’s fun and takes time and patience but it becomes a masterpiece.
I love hearing from writers who don’t let anything stop them. It sounds like you’ve got this writing thing down, Julie.
I want to write. I’ve always wanted to write. I’ve written and not been satisfied with what comes out of me. I’ve written and made myself cry with joy at the perfection that my brain conjures. The first time I had to write was after reading a poem by Charles Bukowski. I had to answer this horrible man using his own words. I was so steamed by this short little poem that I had to let him know that men of his ilk (a word I seldom use) were a scourge on womanhood. I was devastated to find out that he died well before I knew of his existence. His attitude caused a shift in my thinking and I have written ever since. I may never write to be published; I do know I’ll write. Imagine what cynical old Chuck would think of that! It would be interesting to see how many writers got their pants kicked by Charles Bukowski.
Glad you found some motivation in it. Give em hell, Barb!
I’m one of those who have tried not to write but couldn’t. I end up with handwritten notes all over my life when I don’t. I find that music makes me want to write. Today I wrote something just because John Legend sang with so much emotion and played the piano in such a haunting way. Suddenly I had something to say. As long as the song kept playing the words kept coming. And of all the things in the world that keeps me writing even when I don’t want to are the memes on Pinterest. That’s how I found your site. Great post.
Glad to see you here, Netta. Love the idea to listen to music to get into writing. It just works.
This led me to a bit of confusion at first, so I tallied on and finished all comments. I’d always thought Bukowski a bit too much like a ex husband, but with benefits. Did he get on my nerves, absolutely. Do I want to thump him in his nether regions, yes please. I also know to be contrary is a basic necessity. Something kept me going back and reading what others ranted and raved about. At times I’d question my own ability to remain open-minded and still I trudge through. Should it be this much work? Was it inspiring me as a writer? Yes, and yes. Just like the variations of dubious exes, I grew, I learned, and I still write. So like you I say,bite me, nibble or chomp it’s all sanctimonious dodo.
“If you try to quit writing and can’t, then you’re a writer.”
Ah, the truth spoken in such a quick and profound sentence! If only some people I know would realize that, and realize *they are writers* because the path is hard and they’re always learning. The struggle is shaping them.
Brilliant post. A real writer can’t give up, no matter how badly they want to…they just can’t.
Mmmm, yep. That’ll get you fired up for sure. 🙂 Sometimes an opposing view is exactly what we need to kick us into action. Who says we can’t employ a bit of discipline and horck out words that way? Amen, writer!
On one hand, I’m in awe of the almost feral nature of words, and how language and the writing spirit can seem to take on a life of their own, if given the chance. On the other hand, my mind begs for the power and discipline to tame the words. Part of me wants to subdue the beast of writing, and the other part wants me to unleash it, to come and go as it pleases.
Beautifully said, Abigail. I wish you the best in finding that balance, and I hope it’s as fun for you to find it as it was for me to read how you put it.
I love your response! I had the same angry visceral response as you. I’m not familiar with his work, so I wasn’t sure whether he was being sarcastic or if he’s an elitist snot. Either way, it makes me want to write something amazing (after staring at my notebook for an hour) just to spite him.
Yeah, I understand Bukowski wrote this in response to people who feign that tortured artist thing. But I figure, whatever keeps us writing.
I usually do not comment on blog pieces for various reasons. On this I will make the rare exception. I found your site by accident but as it turns out a very nice accident after all. Seeing Mr Bukowskis name and being a huge fan of his i read (and watched) this article. My only real issue is the comments from everyone saying that Bukowski is wrong and you write for fame and you write for woman, and you write after sitting on your butt all day in front of a very non compliant workstation. But here is the thing, the crux. As Jared mentioned Mr Bukowski went and wrote more while on this planet then all of the NaNoWiMO (whatever) writers combined. Bukowski wrote till his fingers bled. he then went to sleep, got up early to write more, went to his crappy job at the post office and returned opened a bottle of red and wrote more.He wrote till he had no words to write but because he “HAD” to write. And when the words failed to come (and they did on occasion) he continued to write, He found the words or he made them up and continued to write. Because what Mr Bukowski is talking about here is not to give up unless you re an accomplished writer to begin with (lord knows Buk wasn’t) what he is telling us to do is not write until you will die if you don’t. this isn’t about money or women or fame its about art and need and desire to get it out onto paper. when writing is ingrained into your cells, your souls the very essence of what makes you up, then and only then are you to sit down and write. because at that point you not filling in the blanks your fulfilling your destiny. That is what Bukoski meant. Dont do it until you have no other choice BUT to write. Then and only then will you be ready to turnout a Tolesty or a Hemmingway instead of a Harlequin Romance (and no offense to those you enjoy or write those books. they have their place but lets admit it they are not Pulitzer contenders). I met Mr Bukoski Way back in the day in San Pedro. After he had become semi famous, he refused to remove his name from the phone book and he would constantly have to entertain the wide eyed fan showing up at his door with a bottle of red wine and a pack of smokes. And Buk would sit there and tell story after story after story until the words slurred and the fans vision turned a nice Merlot color and he had to leave. and as the fan let the screen door close behind him the last thing he heard as he walked down the steps was Buks Typewriter starting back up because he wrote whenever he had a chance to write. And I would like to say I am sorry for taking up your time Mr Bukowski with my cruddy red wine. But it was so sweet hearing that typewriter kicking out a story.
Brilliant, Mandy. I find when I’m not writing I’m about to burst at the seams. Writing is the only thing that scratches the itch. Thank you for sharing this!
I was kind of hesitant while opening this post, but thank god I read it. Thanks for the motivation. No one can really tell anyone what should be doing.
Glad you found it motivating, Ratika 🙂 All the best!
I personally think that Bukowski didn’t mean for it to fuel new writers at all, he hated most of what was being published at the time and he definitely would have hated what is being published now.
I think, however, that for a writer, the process of writing is an itch, and that at the end of the day, no matter what intention one has for the writing or for oneself, it’s something a writer won’t stop doing just because someone else tells them one way or another. Or that’s how it should be, anyway.
He was admonishing against the “tortured artist” persona with this one, Eden. But we can have fun with it. My point with this article is to highlight, hopefully in a fun way that sticks, that being a writer isn’t some magical insider thing, that if you think about writing you’re a writer, that you don’t have to wait for permission like some letter from Hogwarts.
I like your description of the writers calling as an itch. It is that. But, yes, some people do ignore it out of fear, and they’re the worse for it (and so are the people around them who have to deal with the fallout). Hopefully this article with help a few of them <3
Hi Mandy
It’s been a while, since I posted last. I absolutely love reading your blog, comments, etc. I am still writing away. Now into a second book, stalled at the moment as I fix my last editorial critiques to my first book.
I just want to say, thank you.
Greg
Glad to see you again, Greg. Good luck on book two!
See this is tricky because I probably could stop writing. As it is I struggle to find the time every day and I don’t imagine I’d have any problem filling those hours. The problem is that it won’t rocket out of me but neither would it stop. The story (whichever it may be at the time) would just keep running in my head swirling and crashing against the wreckage of half formed concepts, sketched characters and aborted proto-ideas that live there.
The writing at least keeps it orderly and contiguous. Besides the actual act of forming words and sentences seems to tether me and (at least partially) mitigate the impulse to get lost in the imagination part.
We could all stop writing and survive, Adam. But we’re talking about fulfillment here. Can you quit writing and still feel fulfilled? Could you stop writing and never again think of a story idea that you secretly jot down somewhere when no one is looking or figure out what comes next in the story while you wash the dishes? You’re overthinking it. But don’t feel bad about that. I overthink shit too. Just keep writing, yeah? You’re a writer. I can tell. You wouldn’t have put this much thought into it or had this much experience to speak from if you weren’t.
I thought I liked Bukowski, but while I definitely feel that writing needs to be incredibly self-motivated and a bit instinctual, I certainly don’t prescribe to the idea that if writing isn’t easy, or doesn’t come natural to you, you should just quit. Nothing is ever easy! Thanks for your words, Mandy, it’s good to know that for every writer who feels that writing is still a god-given talent, there are people like you who know that the only thing it takes to be a writer is to write!
Glad you know it too, Shailyn! Thanks for weighing in. Don’t be too hard on Bukowski though. He wrote this one out of irritation for the writers who whine about writers block 😉
I enjoyed reading your work. I am huge Bukowski fan myself. May you continue writing too!
Thanks, Khushi! Good to hear from you. Keep writing back at you 😉
Thanks for your blog post. It’s really uplifting. For the first time in years I have finally worked up the courage to put pen to paper and I am at a low point in my writing. His words really discouraged me, but your post really got my confidence back up. So thank you so much.
Don’t let anyone get you down on your writing, Akera. Just keep writing 😉
Great post! Makes me stronger in writing 🙂 Everybody has doubts.
I wonder if he wrote this to prove a point to us?
You might argue that every piece of writing seeks to prove a point. And, in this case, I think you’d be doubly right 🙂
This is great, not only the poem, but your way of writing about it… It’s really hard to find Bukowski’s work here in Brazil, but i fell in love with those i found, and it definitely makes me wanna write even more, so one day i can be like him and make people think about life the way he makes me! By the way, i love the way you write, congratulations!
Thanks, Júlia 🙂 Glad to have you here, and I love your writing goals!
Bravo!!! You keep me going. Thank You
High five, Rene!
That poem and your article only entice me more and make me want to write. When the poem tells me not to do it, I want to do it. And how you reply to Bukowski assures me it is in fact okay to write when I have to stare at my screen for hours or when the words don’t blast out of my brain or when I have to show it to my boyfriend, not because I need confirmation that it’s good, but because I am proud of it. Thank you for this inspiring article!
Yes! Keep it up, Selena!
Mandy,
Listened to the poem, read your yawnful angsty scratchings.
The difference was chasmic.
Take Charles advice.
Please.
Don’t do it.
But thanks for the poem video link!
I guess this means you don’t want one of these Best Frenemies Forever bracelets I braided. What a letdown, Internet Rando #57023.
Great poem!
I guess what he’s saying is that you should write out of your gut (which is nothing new since the Ancient Greeks). He’s right, but he just makes it sound so negative…
Thanks for this link and keep on writing!
O.B.
<3
Great poem, made me want to write and not whine. Thanks so much for the Pinterest post!
Enjoyed your perspective 😉 though I have to say when I first heard the poem I first felt anger and then realized perhaps that is the motive of Charles, to provoke the artist/writer. Good art whether word or paint, music I believe is to provoke or move. If it was his intention then to provoke the writer to anger and then to write has he not then achieved the purpose? The power of reverse psychology !! The films, art, music, and writings that stay with you might not always be the best but they reach your inner self in a way that changes you.
I think you definitely got the point Bukowski was making here 🙂
Haha… I tried to quit December of 2018. Worked real well for me. By mid January, 2019, I was in deeper than I had ever been before.