[6stringmerc]

For a more mainstream yet unapologetically artistic intro to Bukowski, check out “Factotum” starring Matt Dillon. It’s not perfect and still rather polished, but the tone and darkness and context of his life and writings basically both being the dregs of humanity, well, that’s art being able to share it like he did. Definitely not my taste - give me surrealist James Tate any day…

Also, handy tip for those who want to write: get a 3x5” or smaller spiral notebook and a pen with a clip that can fit in the spiral. Put it in your pocket and take it everywhere. See something funny or unique standing in line? Scribble it down.

Eventually you’ll get better and better at picking your words on the spot, of translating from your head to the page and then to a reader. It’s harmless practice and sometimes you can surprise yourself. Writers write.

Then people accuse us of being lazy because when we’re working the hardest the most anybody sees is somebody glaring at a screen or piece of paper in a typewriter.