I’m Ryan Douglass and I am a proud, slow writer. “Proud” because nowadays writing skill seems linked to the speed at which you can put words into a document, rather than the quality of the words you’re putting down. "Seems." I’m not interested in shitting on writers who write fast, because I’m inspired by them, … Continue reading It’s okay to be a slow writer.
Author: Ryan Douglass Williams
#AmWritingHonestly: The Power of Writing the Truth
Hey guys! Last week I wrote a piece about YA book twitter, how it works and how I feel it’s not hearing from enough POC in the community. I wrote it mainly to remind everyone that thousands of mediocre books by white authors continue to sneak through the cracks and debut with amazing sales while … Continue reading #AmWritingHonestly: The Power of Writing the Truth
#AmDrafting – How to Write the First Draft of Your Novel
Hello, fellow writer and welcome to #amwriting! I’m your host, Ryan Douglass. I’m represented by Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency. I've written four manuscripts and queried for ten years before I found an agent. The book I finally succeeded with is a contemporary YA thriller with a supernatural twist. I’ve also written fantasy … Continue reading #AmDrafting – How to Write the First Draft of Your Novel
The Difference Between Masculinity and Toxic Masculinity
Google “toxic masculinity” and you’re likely to stumble across Ben Shapiro’s National Review article The ‘Toxic Masculinity’ Smear, where he discusses the Left’s war on masculinity and manhood. If you can power through the part where he blames crime in black communities on absent fathers (and fails to address the poverty cycle enforced by white men), … Continue reading The Difference Between Masculinity and Toxic Masculinity
How Publishing Is Failing LGBT Kids of Color
I solemnly swear to make the world less hellish for gay and bisexual black boys. Boys too sensitive to meet a masculinity standard thrust on them by their own communities. Boys trapped in high schools where their version of puberty is glossed over, crossed out, or rejected by their teachers and peers. I write for teenagers, … Continue reading How Publishing Is Failing LGBT Kids of Color
Being a Good Ally Means Not Expecting a Reward
What does it mean to be a white ally for racial justice? Is it sharing a Jordan Edwards hashtag on twitter? Publicly decrying a lack of justice every time a black man is murdered by the police? Sharing every NowThis or BuzzFeed video about the power of representation? Well, sort of. I won’t denounce social … Continue reading Being a Good Ally Means Not Expecting a Reward
Why Everyone Needs To Read ‘The Hate U Give’ By Angie Thomas
The Hate U Give is Angie Thomas’s highly anticipated debut novel based on the Black Lives Matter movement. It’s now a #1 New York Times Bestseller, with Amandla Stenberg slated to play the lead in its movie adaptation. The book’s big reputation is bound to get even bigger from here. Rare as it is for … Continue reading Why Everyone Needs To Read ‘The Hate U Give’ By Angie Thomas
The Satirical Social Genius of ‘Get Out’ Goes Well Beyond the Obvious
Spoilers ahead! If you haven’t seen Get Out and don’t want to be spoiled, don’t read on. I have a sneaking suspicion that many people who’ve seen Get Out absolutely loved it, but left the theater oblivious to the size and importance of its satire. I’m not talking about the middle portion of Get Out … Continue reading The Satirical Social Genius of ‘Get Out’ Goes Well Beyond the Obvious
Why Moonlight Should Beat La La Land for Best Picture (Oscars 2017)
I made a bet with my friend about which film would take the Academy Award for best picture this year. I said Moonlight; he said La La Land. We made this bet after seeing Moonlight, not having seen La La Land. My friend was sure critics would choose a white film regardless of anything, but … Continue reading Why Moonlight Should Beat La La Land for Best Picture (Oscars 2017)
Protected: You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks: A New Take on the M Word
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Ryan Douglass 