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If a more established writer decided to block me or my work from a space in retaliation for something I did or said that they didn't like, what could I do? What costs would I pay for not kissing the rings I was supposed to kiss?

I would see prizes that FW was up for, look at the panel of judges and wince. We all know that people are...well, people. With all their bias, character, and subjectivity. Being given gate-keeping power doesn't magically change that.

So, then what? People are people, but here's the thing—the work will find its way. For everyone who might shut your work out of a room, someone else is opening a door. You can't control other people's actions. You can, however, make your work and move with your own integrity.

I can't promise everything will be okay, or even that anything is fair. But I do know a few things. The path to your success might not be what you think it is, might not be the accolades that are hyped up, might be something totally different.

In 2018, I was fixated on this year-long residency that I was certain would be the fix to all my problems. I felt destined to get it. I was hella confident in my application. I planned my future around it. When I didn't get it, I was genuinely shocked and gutted.

That same year I thought I was meant to be on the residency was when I moved to NOLA and bought Shiny. A completely different life I hadn't imagined or predicted, but so much better than what I wanted so badly then. I never hesperredit.

There's a quote I jotted down once, can't recall the source, but it basically says to not worry about the outcome because what you have planned for yourself pales in comparison to what God has planned for you. That's what guides me, personally.

The year FW debuted, I lost the support of a prominent writer because of my tweets about them. I'm okay with that because they were being transphobic. Like, by all means, let us not align. Take your ring away. None of this is by force.