Why We Fight: I’m A Pissed Off Faggot
I was angry when I started writing the last At First Sight book.
And I’m angry still.
In my contemporary stories (think the At First Sight Series, the BOATK series), I have the tendency to avoid bigger, real world problems. I try and keep the focus to a single group of people, and the problems they face on a personal level. It’s not that I’m unaware of what goes on on a macrolevel, I just like to focus on the immediacy of a group of characters. But still, even when I’m writing comedy, there’s a bit of an edge to it, an underlying rage to it that while may not be explicit, is still there all the same.
It’s a little different with Why We Fight, and it’s because of Corey/Kori Ellis.
First things first: this book is a comedy. Absurd, ridiculous, over the top. That’s not up for debate. Just because I’m a little full of myself and think I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY doesn’t mean I lost sight of what these books are supposed to be. This is the only post on this book where I’m going to rant a little, but for the book itself, you will laugh until you cry. I promise.
However.
This book is set (more by happenstance than specific planning) in the summer of 2016. Most Americans will know this was a time of great upheaval, where we went from saying that Donald Trump would never get the Republican nomination for presidency to watching him actually win.
For months after, I let my fury get the best of me. How dare people think he was acceptable? How dare people care so little about those of us put in harm’s way because of a man like him. Then, to make matters worse, I saw that I had readers who supported him, something I thought would be so antithetical to people who loved to read about men falling for each other. I was wrong. It turns out that people can still want to read about men falling for each other while supporting someone who named one of the biggest bigots in the United States as his Vice President.
I lashed out. I was a pissed-off faggot. I know for a fact I lost readers over, and I didn’t (and still don’t) care about that. The hypocrisy was astounding to me, especially when people responded with “Just give them a chance! It’s not going to be as bad as you think it is!” Or, my favorite: “You’re overreacting!”
In the end, I just…stopped talking about it at all. It exhausted me. I was yelling into an echo chamber. I wasn’t going to change anyone’s mind, and they weren’t going to change mine. I focused on my books, still watching in horror as a story came out that would have ended any other presidency, but for this one, could just be called Tuesday.
And then this last Friday, Trump’s ban on trans service members in the military went into effect.
So, you know. Here comes that anger again. Fuck you and the horse you rode in on, all of you who support this man. You may not agree with everything he does, but you own all of him.
I gave very brief thought to ignoring all of this when it came to Why We Fight. To ignoring the real world and just letting zany shit be zany.
But I couldn’t. I couldn’t do that as an author writing this book, and Corey/Kori wouldn’t let me do that to them. They’re not real. I know that. But they are real to me, and they were angry like I was.
The current president of the United States is mentioned only a few times in the book. I didn’t want to browbeat my readers with it. So, for those who look to books for escape from the world, have no fear.
That being said, Corey/Kori (which I will refer to using the pronouns “they/them” so don’t get confused) doesn’t take shit from anyone. They, in turn, are also a hypocrite, as I am. In the book, they begin to work for a LGBTQI youth center in Tucson during the summer before their final year of college. The kids in the youth center are of the mind that if you’re not with us, you’re against us, and most heterosexuals are against us. Corey/Kori tries to dissuade them of this, telling the kids that that line of thinking could be somewhat dangerous, as it could burn bridges that can’t be rebuilt.
Later on in the story, Corey/Kori and Jeremy have dinner with some of Jeremy’s…friends (acquaintances?) who all turn out to be white gay Republicans. Corey/Kori demonstrates his hypocrisy here by chalking them all off as a lost cause because since they’re not with us, they’re against us.
Life is hypocrisy. We say one thing, and we do another. It can be very confusing. But in this specific case, Corey/Kori is not confused, even if they are hypocritical. They see a difference between the kids at the youth center and what Jeremy’s frenemies are all about. I don't hold back. Because of this, Corey/Kori doesn’t either. This book is an indictment of all of our hypocrisies. Am I wrong to want to close ranks? I don’t know. It sometimes can feel wrong, but then I see people still feverishly supporting a man who is, at best, an unintelligent bigot and at worst, a wannabe dictator who wants to destroy everything he can touch.
Even now, I know some of you are reading this and rolling your eyes. He’s not that bad, you’re thinking.
This book isn’t for you.
This book can be read by anyone, yes. But this book is written for queer people with queer anger in mind. This book is for those of us who watch as our rights are getting chipped away, piece by piece. This is for those of us who see a rise in hate crimes against queer people (trans included), against people of color, against anyone who can be viewed as “different.”
Trump is not forever. He will be gone sooner rather than later. But we will remember those who were not with us. And a pissed off faggot is not someone who forgives easily. Trust me on that.
Man, do I feel better. For now. This is all I’m going to say on the matter regarding this book. The rest of the posts in the leadup to the release will be happy stuff and behind-the-scenes stuff.
Why We Fight is a celebration of queer life, of a group of queer people who love each other more than anything. Corey/Kori finally gets to tell their story, and in the end, they turn out to be one of the best characters I’ve written. I cannot wait for you to see what they’ve become.
On May 14, I ask you to return with me to Tucson one last time, to visit old friends and meet some new ones. This final book in the At First Sight Series (began six (!!) years ago in Tell Me It’s Real) has been a long time in coming, but I promise the wait will be worth it.
Next week, I’ll be talking more about my due diligence in writing a story about a trans person of color while still keeping in spirit with the series as what basically amount to dumb sex comedies. God, I love my job.
Add on Goodreads!
Pre-Order now!
Comments from old website:
Willa-with-a-Q
Your dumb sex comedies always teach me something that matters. Keep feeling. <3
nuvolachecorre
From a straight one who is equally pissed off by Trump (and Salvini, Bolsonaro, Orban, and above all to all the narrow-minded people who vote them): thank you so much, you may have written this book for queer people, but on May 14 it will belong to me also. Love you
Julia Smith
I may not be gay but I completely understand & support your views & anger against all who want to eliminate those who they class as different. We should all support & encourage each other as our time on earth is such a short & fleeting thing so please continue to be the voice of reason in this mad mad world.
Anonymous
Watching the campaigns and the election was like watching a fucking train wreck. Watching his presidency has been a train running over the train wreck. Unbelievable. I am pissed off at and ashamed of everyone that voted for him. I could go on, but the odds are good that I would get very ranty, so I'll just stop at saying that he is completely unfit for presidential office and I look forward to seeing his dumb ass voted out in the very near future.
Ms Larvik
I hear you and agree, I won't be travelling to America while he is in office.
Lisa
He is definately that bad. Thank you for sharing your anger and your joy with us xxx
Lisa
Yes, YES he is that bad! And worse. sigh
I can't wait to read TJ! <3
Korho
I just love this author so much!
I have not read the book yet (you know I will), but just from what you have described here I think comparing the kids at the LGBTQ center & the gay, white, male republicans is comparing apples and Matza. Not the same; not hypocrasy. I am African American and I keep running into Trump supporters in my own community. I was faced with a similiar question because I was judging African American Trump supporters more harshly than white Trump supporters with the excuse of "well, they are white. So, it's almost expected or acceptable". I still am having an issue with this line between Black Trump supporters and White Trump supporters in my head. Should one group be more acceptable or expected than the other group. I feel completely betrayed by those in my community who support the Bozo and maybe that is the same for Corey/Kori's feelings. They feel more deeply betrayed by one group because they identify with that group more deeply.
I admit that I have not finished reading your article, so for all I know I am just repeating what you said. I just could not hold this comment back and wanted to express it before I forget it.
Korho
For the record, his supporters from any other community, including white republican, is NOT expected nor more acceptable than his supporters in MY community.
Gigi
I took a Facebook break in 2016 so I wouldn’t see my friend’s political stances, if they opposed mine. I’m like you, sick to my stomach over this administration and don’t care to be around or hear from anyone who supports our current administration. And I’m that guy. That guy that un-friended at least 15 people for supporting such a scumbag. I’m glad I know the truth about them now. THEY DON’T CARE, except about their own family. No regard for those they helped hurt. And that’s the saddest part of all.
Hayley
As someone who ended a 21 year marriage over Trump I whole heartedly agree with you! The orange Cheeto was not the only reason but he was the final straw.
gerette
I’m a cis het married white lady and I feel all your anger. Not for me, def not for me, but for all the marginalized communities that thought, hoped, prayed we were moving forward and then have had to deal with the reality of that horrible person in the White House and all of the Republicans propping him up. Be angry. Be truthful. Be who you are. I will be there with you.
Lynnr
Keep up the good work! I hope you know how proud you make us feel by expressing so well what most of us can only feel.
Thank you.
Lynne
