“… while in reality, you stretch thy groin so much that you nearly split yourself in half for the whole world to see.” The author, JVN, whose trademarks are joy and kindness, shares what happened after the first memoir was published. Some readers expected JVN to be their source of strength, while others hurled hate and threats of violence. So why write another memoir? JVN feels required “to constantly connect to empathy, patience, and ultimately a human curiosity that wants to help others find their joy and happiness.” Memoirists, take note. Can you articulate your reasons for taking the risks?
Van Ness, Jonathan. Love That Story: Observations from a Gorgeously Queer Life. Harper One: 2022, pp. 2, 231.