Adam Gnade

1 With this new book I’m writing there are a lot of ideas I’m struggling over. Today’s bookwork told me that when you’re young and you’re writing you shouldn’t try to philosophize and say what everything “is.” If you’re any kind of healthy thinker, your definites today will betray you tomorrow. Instead write how you feel, write those things that you know without fighting to know. Tell your honest, immediate, personal story and don’t fake wisdom. Wisdom will come later, or it won’t, but your own expanding, forward-pushing personal saga, if told clear and well and honest enough, will be the saga of everyone.

2 Somebody please send me a fiddle. I need one for the songs I’m writing right now. I’ll give you all the books and records I release for life…

3 Ruling me right now: 1. Bonnie Prince Billy’s Palace songs. 2. Dr. Pepper. 3. Tomato sandwiches. 4. Tornado weather. Green sky? Fuck! 5. Othar Turner’s great song “Black Woman,” field recorded 80 years ago. My favorite song right now. It’s on African-American Folk Music from Tate and Panola Counties, Mississippi, which is the weirdest and best record I’ve heard in years.

4 Country life is the best life. Sometimes you find turtles crossing your fields all slow and lonesome. Come visit. Bring some booze and good records.

Your friend,

-Adam Gnade