Author name: Roger Hyttinen

Supernatural Coming Out Stories: Parallels Between Coming Out as Magical and Coming Out as Queer

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young magic worker floating a crystal

I’ve always thought it was kind of hilarious that so many supernatural stories feel like a metaphor for being queer, even when the author swears up and down that they “didn’t mean it that way.” Like—really? You wrote a whole book about a teenager hiding a secret from their family, terrified they’ll be rejected if the truth comes out, and you didn’t see the queer parallels? Uh-huh. Sure.

Whether it’s discovering you’re a vampire, a witch, a shifter, or some kid who can suddenly throw fireballs with their hands, the beats line up almost perfectly with queer coming-out narratives.

The First Time I Noticed It

I still remember when the lightbulb first went off for me. I was watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a teenager, and Buffy had that moment where she confessed to her mom about being the Slayer. Joyce’s response—“Have you tried not_being the Slayer?”—landed like a punch in the gut. I had _heard that exact tone before when a relative asked me if I could just “try harder” to like girls. And suddenly I realized: oh wow, these shows aren’t just about demons and fangs. They’re about us.

That realization stuck with me, and now every time I read or watch a supernatural story, I can’t unsee it.

The Discovery Phase

In queer life: You realize you like boys, or girls, or both, or maybe you don’t like anybody at all in that way—and suddenly you’re sitting with this knowledge like it’s a glowing orb in your chest. It feels huge and heavy, like if anyone notices you’ll be done for.

In magical life: You wake up one morning with glowing eyes or a suspicious bite mark, and suddenly you’re staring at yourself in the mirror whispering, What the hell am I?

Think of Teen Wolf (the MTV one). Scott wakes up with claws and freaky senses, and he doesn’t want anyone to know. His whole early arc is basically one big “don’t find out who I really am” panic. Swap the claws for a rainbow flag, and it’s the same vibe.

The Closet = The Secret Spellbook

Hiding your sexuality and hiding your powers both involve elaborate double lives. Queer kids might date someone they’re not into, hoping to look “normal.” The magical teen? They invent excuses for why they disappear during the full moon, or why the chemistry lab keeps mysteriously catching fire.

In Charmed, the Halliwell sisters spend entire seasons juggling “normal” jobs and relationships while secretly being witches. Closet vibes with sparkles and incantations.

And then there’s Harry Potter. The whole “You’re a wizard, Harry” moment reads almost like a coming-out conversation. You think you’re ordinary, but suddenly someone tells you, “Actually, you’re part of this whole hidden world.”

The Big Reveal

Coming out is terrifying because you don’t know the reaction. Will your family embrace you? Will they throw you out? Will your friends shrug and say “Cool” or quietly drift away?

Same for the supernatural reveal. Buffy nailed this, but X-Men has been the loudest metaphor megaphone for decades. Mutants literally have to “come out” with their abilities, and the whole “cure” storyline is basically conversion therapy in spandex.

Found Family

If your birth family doesn’t accept you, the queer community becomes your safe haven. You find your people. You belong.

Same deal in fantasy. In True Blood, Sookie discovers a whole hidden community of “others.” In The Magicians, Quentin and friends find a weird, wonderful tribe at Brakebills. That sense of “I thought I was alone, but I’m not” is universal—whether you’re queer, a werewolf, or a bisexual vampire with excellent taste in leather jackets (looking at you, Lestat).

Shame vs. Power

Here’s the kicker: what you’re taught to be ashamed of—the thing you hide, the thing you fear—is also your source of strength.

For queer folks, it’s living authentically and discovering joy in chosen love. For supernatural characters, it’s their magic, their fangs, their telepathy. The very thing that made them feel monstrous is what makes them extraordinary.

That’s why queer fans flock to these stories. They’re not just entertainment—they’re survival manuals disguised as fantasy.

Why These Stories Matter

This is why supernatural coming-out tales hit so hard. They let us rehearse our fears in a safe way. They give us metaphors that make sense of our lived experience. And they remind us that even if your story starts with fear, it doesn’t have to end there.

Whether you’re telling your mom you’re dating someone of the same gender, or confessing to your best friend that you’ve been secretly practicing necromancy—there’s always that heart-pounding moment before you speak. That leap into the unknown.

And on the other side of that leap? Sometimes rejection, yes. Sometimes heartbreak. But also—sometimes freedom.

So yeah, every time Storm raises an eyebrow in X-Men or Buffy pulls out her stake, I can’t help but grin and think: this is our story too.

Every kingdom has its enemies. For Tregaron, that enemy is Lord Vadok—a sorcerer with a taste for vengeance and a plan to topple King Jamros. But when the battle turns personal, Prince Norian discovers that the price of survival is far higher than he imagined. Cursed by a werewolf’s bite, he must learn to master the beast within before it destroys everything he loves. Grab your copy HERE

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Weekly Roundup for Sept 27, 2025

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Weekly Roundup 2.

So, quick update from yours truly: I’m still plodding along over here. And I say that with all the enthusiasm of someone knee-deep in formatting hell and cover file purgatory. I really thought I’d have the first book in my Paranormal Detective Noir series locked, loaded, and ready to launch this week—but alas, the universe had other plans. Or maybe just the PDF gods. Either way, I’ve been ping-ponging with some cover issues that are this close to being resolved. Hopefully by the end of the week, I can stop squinting at spine alignment guides and start celebrating like a normal person (well, as normal as I get).

On the brighter side of things, just a little reminder that my web store is officially open! You can now grab all my books—eBooks, paperbacks, and large print editions (those are exclusive to the store!)—right from rogerhyttinenbooks.com. I’ve decided that moving forward, I’ll mostly be linking to my own store instead of the “big guys,” because, well… they kind of eat most of the profits. And I like to keep the lights on over here. Plus, shopping directly supports indie creators like me and lets me keep doing what I love—making up ghost stories and grumpy detectives and throwing them into haunted speakeasies.

That’s all for now—more soon, hopefully with actual launch news. Cross your fingers, toes, and maybe light a candle to the formatting fae if you’ve got one handy.

Some Things I Thought Were Worth Sharing

My author friends may find this of value: From Imagination to Publication: 100+ Novel Ideas to Fuel Your Literary Journey https://thewritepractice.com/best-novel-ideas/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-novel-ideas

A craft article for my author friends: How to describe to immerse readers (complete guide) https://nownovel.com/how-to-describe-place-character/

Zombies attack Drag Queens? Count me in! The ‘Queens of the Dead’ Trailer Turns Brooklyn Nightlife Into a Zombie Battlefield https://gayety.com/trailer-for-queens-of-the-dead

This sounds intriguing: Myth or homoerotic history? Famed author Cervantes is a sexy, gay hero in this controversial new drama https://www.queerty.com/myth-or-homoerotic-history-famed-author-cervantes-is-a-gay-hero-in-this-controversial-new-drama-20250919/

My writer friends may find this of interest: How to Use Conflict to Show Character Development http://blog.janicehardy.com/2022/09/how-to-use-conflict-to-show-character.html

My writer friends may find this helpful: Tips to Turn Sketchy Writing into Robust Prose https://www.livewritethrive.com/2024/12/05/tips-to-turn-sketchy-writing-into-robust-prose/ ✔

My author friends may find this of value: Why Every Plot Needs A Ticking Clock http://blog.janicehardy.com/2015/09/why-every-plot-needs-ticking-clock.html

Huh. I had no idea he was an author: Chris Colfer talks about releasing his 21st book, “Roswell Johnson Saves the Galaxy” https://greginhollywood.com/watch-chris-colfer-talks-about-releasing-his-21st-book-roswell-johnson-saves-the-galaxy-247839

This sounds good! The gay drama ‘Straight Until He Kissed Me’ has everyone thinking the same thing https://www.queerty.com/the-gay-drama-straight-until-he-kissed-me-has-everyone-thinking-the-same-thing-20250916/

Some people may find this of interest: Ben & Jerry’s founder Jerry Greenfield resigns, says he’s ‘been silenced’ over LGBTQ+ rights https://www.advocate.com/news/ben-and-jerrys-founder-resigns

Time to put down the phone: Interesting video on why you need to be bored https://kottke.org/25/09/you-need-to-be-bored-heres-why

This Street Photographer Proves That Timing Is Everything https://www.boredpanda.com/street-photography-everyday-life-serkan-tekin-part-3/

An article for my writer (or aspiring writer) friends: How to Write a Short Story: 5 Major Steps from Start to Finish https://thewritepractice.com/how-to-write-a-short-story/

Some people may find this helpful: Useful Tips From People That Are ‘Street Smart’ https://www.boredpanda.com/street-smart-tips-msn/

Just for fun (and cuteness) ‘Cat.Exe Has Stopped Working’: This IG Account Collects Hilarious Images Of Broken Cats https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-broken-cats-pics-msn/

 

A touch of cedar book cover

When Marek slips into the clothes of the long-dead young man who haunts his house, the line between past and present begins to blur…

A Touch of Cedar – Grab your copy HERE

Weekly Roundup for Sept 27, 2025 Read Post »

39 Things You May Not Know About Me

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Man standing behind a large book with the title "Book of Secrets"

  1. I grew up in a house without hot running water. Yep—luxury was a kettle and a dream.
  2. We had a wood cook stove in the kitchen, and my childhood basically smelled like smoke and boiled potatoes.
  3. I can’t eat any kind of fish or seafood. I’m basically Poseidon’s worst dinner guest.
  4. Ruffles chips own my soul. Other chips don’t even tempt me.
  5. I lived and studied in France in the 80s and bawled like a baby at the airport when I had to come home.
  6. My childhood home was a mile down a dirt road. Picture Little House on the Prairie but with disco music.
  7. My parents spoke Finnish and English but tragically never passed on the Finnish. (So no, I can’t curse at you in three languages—just two.)
  8. My first car was a ’66 Plymouth station wagon I bought at 12 with babysitting money. Yes, I was driving at 11. Don’t tell my future insurance company.
  9. We had an 8-family party line for a phone. Everyone’s business was everyone’s business.
  10. About the time my friends noticed girls, I started noticing my friends. (Plot twist!)
  11. While studying in France, I met a dreamy French boy and we zipped from Paris to Nice on his motorcycle. Best semester break ever.
  12. At 16, I had a mustache and goatee and could buy booze for my friends. Fake ID? Didn’t need one. I had facial hair.
  13. I ran away from home at 16 and never looked back. Independent streak: unlocked.
  14. I once ran a Tarot consulting business. Yes, I’ve read people’s futures (and occasionally their bad boyfriends).
  15. I taught French at a university. Oui oui, baguette.
  16. Then I pivoted and designed databases. From verbs to variables.
  17. My forever favorite book series is Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin. Pure joy.
  18. At 16, I saw Carrie twelve times in the theater. I can probably recite it better than Sissy Spacek.
  19. My first concert was Foreigner, and I smuggled in orange-flavored vodka. Regret that flavor choice to this day.
  20. I used to play the harp until my wrists staged a full rebellion.
  21. I have one sibling—a sister.
  22. We’re both adopted.
  23. My grandparents emigrated from Finland.
  24. My last name in Finnish translates to “sandfly” or “no-see-um.” Basically, a mosquito with a PR problem.
  25. People think I’m extroverted. Truth? I need three business days to recover from one social event.
  26. I’ve been to somewhere between 200–300 weddings.
  27. To be fair, I officiated most of them. (No, I didn’t just crash them all.)
  28. My shortest job ever was as a telemarketer selling storm windows. I lasted two days and still feel itchy about it.
  29. I spend way too much money on stationery and planners. (But my To-Do lists are gorgeous.)
  30. I once met Vincent Price when he stayed at the hotel where I worked. Horror movie squeal.
  31. As a room service waiter at a 4-star hotel, I also met Charles Nelson Riley and Phyllis Diller. Showbiz bingo card: stamped.
  32. My proudest achievement? Earning my Master’s degree in Foreign Language and Literature. Blood, sweat, and a lot of French verbs went into that.
  33. I once brought home a pet rat from my Psychology class. He was smarter than most of my classmates. I named him Socrates.
  34. Spain is my favorite country (so far)—gorgeous, warm, and kind. France is my soulmate country though, so I’m torn.
  35. I’m terrified of tight, enclosed spaces. An MRI is my literal nightmare fuel.
  36. I used to have a recurring childhood nightmare of being buried alive. (No wonder I hate enclosed spaces!)
  37. Summer is my jam because cold weather is evil. Beaches used to be my happy place.
  38. In college, I dressed up as Dr. Frank-N-Furter and lip-synced “Sweet Transvestite.” When I dropped my cape, my teacher panicked and ran up to shut the door. I got an A in the class.
  39. My birth name was John, but my adoptive parents renamed me Roger. Secretly? I like “Jon” better.

Nick Michelson is 16 and he:

Can see ghosts
Reads Tarot cards
Gets visions of the future
May or may not have a crush on his best friend.
And ghosts come to him for help
..and some, for revenge

Read the book that began it all: Nick’s Awakening

39 Things You May Not Know About Me Read Post »

Why I Ditched Scrivener (Gasp!) and Switched to Ulysses for All My Writing

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young man typing on his laptop

By a Slightly Neurotic, Always-Writing Novelist with Too Many Backups

Let’s just rip off the Band-Aid: I switched to Ulysses. Yeah. I know. Believe me, I still feel the tiniest pang of guilt every time I open the app. It’s like cheating on a long-term partner who supported you through all the ugly drafts and caffeine-fueled midnight writing binges.

Because here’s the thing: I love Scrivener. Like, genuinely. It’s brilliant. It’s been the Swiss Army knife of my writing life for years. Outlining, corkboards, character folders, split-screen views, color-coded labels—Scrivener is the Hermione Granger of writing apps. Super smart, packed with features, and maybe a little intimidating when you first meet her.

But (and this is a big, thudding but)… it broke my heart one too many times. Let me explain.

Let’s Talk Dropbox Syncing, Shall We?

So I like to write on my MacBook in the morning, and then pick up the draft later on my iPad when I’m curled up on the couch pretending I don’t have laundry to fold. And that’s where the kludge parade begins.

Syncing Scrivener through Dropbox is like trying to juggle flaming swords while blindfolded on a moving train. Technically possible, but something’s gonna catch fire.

There was that one time—and I’m still not over this—when I opened a file on my iPad and it was completely empty. Blank. Nada. Zip. Like it had been wiped clean by some digital poltergeist. If my neighbors heard a howl of despair that afternoon, yes, that was me.

Thankfully, I had a recent backup because I’m the sort of person who backs up backups of backups (trauma will do that to a person), but that was my “never again” moment. I promised myself I would never trust that syncing setup again with my precious, weird little ghost-detective mystery novels.

Enter Ulysses: The Calm, Organized Sibling

So, I’d heard whispers about Ulysses before—mostly from other minimalist-loving, aesthetically-pleased writers who appreciate clean interfaces and things that just work. But I figured it couldn’t handle something like novel writing. Like full-on, 75k+ words, multiple-point-of-view, murder-in-a-locked-room novels.

I was wrong.

Ulysses is, in a word, buttery. (Yes, I’m using food metaphors now.) It’s smooth. It syncs like magic across my Mac, iPad, and iPhone without any Dropbox nonsense. I can literally start writing a scene while waiting in line at Trader Joe’s and finish it later on my desktop while avoiding emails. It just works. Every. Time.

Why Ulysses Works So Well for Me

  • iCloud Syncing That Doesn’t Betray You
    The syncing is flawless. I mean actually flawless. It uses iCloud, so the whole Dropbox workaround is gone. I no longer live in fear of opening an empty document. That alone was worth the switch.
  • Distraction-Free Interface
    Ulysses feels like a meditation app for your words. It’s clean. Beautiful. You open it and just… write. No clutter. No dozen panels. Just you and the page. (And maybe some lo-fi jazz humming in the background.)
  • Markdown-Based, but Friendly
    Even if Markdown scares you a little (hi, it did me too), Ulysses makes it completely unintimidating. Want italics? Type an asterisk. Done. Formatting is simple and doesn’t get in your way.
  • Folders and Goals and Filters—Oh My
    You can set word count goals, tag scenes, organize chapters, and even mark things as “To Do” or “Needs Revision” without digging through a billion menus. It’s smart, sleek, and ridiculously intuitive.
  • Exporting Is a Dream
    You can export to DOCX, PDF, EPUB, HTML—whatever you want. I use it to spit out perfect manuscript drafts and ebooks for beta readers and newsletter giveaways. Ulysses doesn’t judge my formatting choices. Bless it.
  • It Feels Like a Writing Companion, Not a Project Manager
    Scrivener is like your intense writing professor who needs to know the exact structure of your story before you even write Chapter One. Ulysses is like your chill writer friend who hands you coffee and says, “Just write it. We’ll figure it out together.”

So… Who Is Ulysses Not For?

If you’re the kind of writer who wants to build a 17-layer outline with color-coded plot arcs and character bios that span 40 pages, Ulysses might feel a little too minimalist. It doesn’t have corkboards or nested folders within folders within folders. There’s no “Inspector” panel lovingly judging your scene summaries.

But if you want seamless syncing, a calm interface, and a writing experience that lets your words breathe without interruption… Ulysses is basically your new bestie.

Random True Fact

The name “Ulysses” is a nod to James Joyce’s famously dense novel—which, incidentally, clocks in at over 265,000 words and takes place in a single day. Not saying you have to write that kind of monster… but Ulysses could probably handle it. 

So yeah, that’s the story of why I broke up with Scrivener (with love and gratitude) and ran off into the minimalist sunset with Ulysses. If you’re a Mac/iPad user who writes across multiple devices and has trust issues with syncing, give Ulysses a try. It might just restore your writing sanity.

Stay weird and keep writing,

P.S. Still backing up everything. I may have changed apps, but I’m not reckless.

When Brooklyn librarian David Rosen accidentally brings a clay figure to life, he discovers an ancient family gift: the power to create golems. As he falls for charismatic social worker Jacob, a dark sorcerer threatens the city. With a rare celestial alignment approaching, David must master his abilities before the Shadow’s ritual unleashes chaos—even if using his power might kill him. The Golem’s Guardian

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Why I Reread Books

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young man reading in a chair

Today I wanna talk about rereading books.

I know there’s this unspoken rule in the bookish world where you’re supposed to always be chasing the next thing. That shiny new release. That hyped-up fantasy with a 700-person cast and a glossary. That buzzy memoir everyone’s crying about on TikTok. And don’t get me wrong—I love a good “brand new book smell” moment just as much as the next fiction goblin. But sometimes? Sometimes I want the literary equivalent of crawling into an old hoodie, one that’s seen some stuff with me.

That’s where rereading comes in.

Like Hanging Out with an Old Friend (Who Might Still Surprise You)

Rereading is comfort. It’s nostalgia with ink. It’s whispering “ohhh right, I remember this part!” while grinning like a dork on your couch. But also—and here’s where it gets sneaky—it’s growth. Because I’m not the same person I was when I first read The Secret History. Back then I thought Henry was mysterious and cool. Now? I think he’s a pretentious little cryptid who needs therapy and a slap. And I love that.

That’s the secret sauce of rereading: the book doesn’t change, but you do.

It’s Like a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure in Self-Discovery

You know those passages you totally skipped over the first time because you were speed-reading to get to the murder/romance/big twist? They hit differently the second time. Or the fifth. Suddenly you’re noticing the way a character grips the edge of a teacup, and you’re like, was that always there? Was that a clue? AM I THE CLUE?

Case in point: I reread The Picture of Dorian Gray last year and it sucker-punched me in a completely new way. I used to read it as a cautionary tale about vanity (classic English major stuff). This time around, it screamed repressed queer longing and self-loathing. I had to put the book down and stare into space for like, ten minutes. It felt like I’d read a whole different novel.

I’m not saying Oscar Wilde reached out across time to slap me upside the head with subtext… but I’m not not saying it either.

Sometimes Your Brain Just Needs a Break

Let’s be honest: some days your brain is fried. The idea of diving into a new world with unfamiliar rules, names, and three timelines is not the vibe. That’s when I reach for an old fave like Good Omens or Red, White & Royal Blue (don’t judge me, I’m fragile and they make me happy). No pressure. No mental gymnastics. Just familiar faces and dialogue I could practically recite.

It’s like ordering the same thing at your favorite Thai place. You could try something new. But do you want to? Or do you just want green curry and a good time?

Rereading = Relearning

I remember reading an article years ago that stated rereading enhances comprehension and retention. Your brain fills in gaps, deepens understanding, and even improves empathy because you’re able to focus more on emotional nuance and motivation the second time around. 

Bookish FOMO Is a Lie

There’s a weird guilt in rereading when your TBR pile is 487 books tall and silently judging you from your nightstand. But honestly? Life’s short. If a book brings you joy, revisit it. Revisit it again. Wear that thing out. Scribble in the margins. Cry in the same spots. Laugh harder this time. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve read (and loved) Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin (my beat-up copy is really starting to fall apart now)

There’s no rule that says reading has to be a relentless march forward. Rereading is circular. Gentle. Rebellious, even.

Final Thought Before I Go Reread The Night Circus Again

If it’s been a while since you revisited an old favorite, take this as your sign. Pull it off the shelf. Crack the spine. Let it whisper, “hey, I missed you.”

And if you’ve never reread a book? Pick one. Pick the one that made you feel seen, or wrecked you emotionally, or that you devoured in a single fever-dream afternoon. Reread it and see what happens. You might be surprised. You might feel like you’re coming home.

(I’m probably rereading The Raven Boys as you read this)

A werewolf bite.

The search for a cure.

Discovering a pack

A potential mate named Kalen.

A vengeful sorcerer…

Norian’s Gamble – did he make the right decision?

Why I Reread Books Read Post »

Fear of Screwing Up Is the Real Screw-Up

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embarrassed man hiding face

So the other day I stumbled across this quote that completely stopped me in my tracks—like, mid-sip of my lukewarm coffee, mouth open, full internal monologue kind of stop:

“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make a mistake.”
—Elbert Hubbard

First of all, shoutout to Elbert Hubbard for smacking us across the forehead with truth like that. (Fun fact: Hubbard was an American writer, philosopher, and all-around opinionated guy who also went down with the Lusitania in 1915. Yeah. THAT Lusitania. History is dramatic.)

Anyway, the quote hit me because it’s so painfully relevant to, like, every single anxious thought spiral I’ve had since birth.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve wasted an obscene amount of time fearing imaginary future screw-ups. Like, I’ve held entire fake arguments in my head, rehearsed how I’d apologize for things I hadn’t done, and talked myself out of trying stuff—just in case I wasn’t perfect at it on the first try. (Spoiler: I wouldn’t have been, because that’s how learning works. Duh.)

The Perfection Paralysis Is Real

You know that feeling? That itchy fear that if you say the wrong thing, wear the wrong thing, post the wrong thing, exist the wrong way, you’ll somehow ruin everything?

Yeah, that voice sucks.

It’s that low-grade hum in the back of your brain whispering, “Don’t do it. You’ll mess it up. People will laugh. People will notice. People will REMEMBER THIS FOREVER.” (Spoiler again: they won’t. Everyone’s busy worrying about their own mess-ups.)

I once spent three whole weeks obsessing over whether I used the wrong emoji in an email. Not because it was offensive or anything—just because I was afraid it made me look “unprofessional.” It was a freaking smiley face. A smiley face. I could’ve written a whole novella in that amount of time. With a plot and everything.

What Are We Even So Afraid Of?

Seriously though—what is the actual worst-case scenario?

You launch your website and a link is broken. Okay. You fix it.
You try watercolor painting and your flowers look like wet ghost pancakes. Big whoop.
You go on a date and accidentally spill water on your pants and it looks like you peed. That one’s…embarrassing, sure. But you survive. You laugh. You turn it into a story later. Maybe even a blog post.

Fear makes everything seem huge and final. But in reality? Most mistakes are just little speedbumps. They don’t mean you’re a failure. They mean you’re doing stuff. And that’s so much better than standing on the sidelines in a bubble of self-doubt.

Little Kids Don’t Worry About This Crap

You ever watch a toddler try to walk? They fall, like, a thousand times. They don’t cry about being “bad at walking.” They just face-plant, giggle, and try again. Sometimes with a half-chewed cracker in hand. Iconic behavior, honestly.

But somewhere along the way, we learn shame. We learn to measure ourselves against others. We get report cards, performance reviews, follower counts. Mistakes become something to dread instead of something to learn from.

It’s such a trap.

Here’s What Helps Me

When I catch myself in mistake-fear-mode, I ask: “Okay, but what if it goes right?”

Because weirdly enough, fearing failure is also fearing success. If you never try, you never fail. But you also never win. You never surprise yourself. You never have those weird, scrappy, beautiful moments of figuring it out on the fly.

Also—rumor has it that Thomas Edison reportedly failed over 1,000 times before inventing the lightbulb? Imagine if he gave up because he was afraid to mess up filament number 762. We’d still be bumping into furniture after sunset.

So Yeah….I’m Still Figuring It Out

So here’s my hot take, straight from the caffeine-rattled heart: Let yourself screw up.

Messy is okay. Awkward is normal. Trying and failing and learning loudly is human.

Don’t let the fear of imperfection keep you from living. Make the weird art. Write the bad poem. Tell the dumb joke. Launch the project even if it’s not “ready.” (Nothing’s ever really ready.)

Because honestly? The only real mistake is letting fear boss you around.

P.S. If you made a mistake today? Congrats. You’re alive and doing things. 10 points to you!

If you enjoy time travel stories, you might want to check out A Touch of Cedar. It’s a gay-themed story about ghosts, betrayal and murder.

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