How to Become Immune to Bullshit

Dear Watson,

How do you know when you cross the line between being conscientious and just being bitter?  I’m an educated and analytical person, and I’ve considered myself a feminist since I was sixteen, and I don’t want to stop being one.  But honestly, it’s just getting so damn hard.  I…

Watson, (is that your real name?)

I’m not the advice-column type, but I need some help, and Dan Savage is apparently busy. My best friend is dating the most annoying girl in the world. I know that makes me sound superficial, but I’m really not. I’d be totally capable of overlooking a nasal…

Dear VVM,

As you know, economic times are a bit rough nowadays. Especially in New York City, it’s all about keeping up with the Joneses; but as a broke college student, I can barely keep up with the Joneses’ maids.

I think I may have found a solution to my money problems, but I’m a little…

Dear Veronica,

I’m a 22 year old girl who’s been in a relationship with a 21 year old guy for about four months now.  Things had been going really well until a couple of weeks ago when my bf woke up in the middle of the night while I was doing myself next to him in bed.  It didn’t occur to…

The book I’ve read recently that has affected me most deeply is Khirbet Khizeh by S. Yizhar. This novella-length account of Israeli soldiers evacuating a Palestinian village, whose name happens to be Khirbet Khizeh, is considered a classic of modern Hebrew literature. It was first published in…

Dear Veronica Mittnacht,

I have lately been finding it more and more difficult to just get started on my work. Motivating myself to get to the library takes twice as long as the work would. The longer I wait, the deeper I dive into self-resentment, and the less I want to do work. One minute…

Q: If someone has time to read only one book in the next month, what should it be?

A: Actually, I’ve written three books — so that gives you a choice. But seriously I want to urge you to read a book to which I did write a very brief introduction because I had the privilege of publishing parts…

Dear Nancy:

Sometimes I sit down to write and the words come without too much difficulty. Other times it’s incredibly hard going and painful. How can I make sure I have more good days than sucky ones or, even better, how do I avoid the sucky ones altogether?

Sucking in South Dakota