A Goodreads user

A Goodreads user asked Anne Lamott:

One of the experiences you share in your writing is that of having had an abortion—can you share some advice about discussing this topic compassionately with conservative Christian friends, who seem to prefer spouting talking points to engaging the (woman's) human cost in this topic?

Anne Lamott I don't personally find it useful to talk about abortion, Obamacare, immigration, or the environment with my conservative friends. We will NEVER change each others' thinking, and will ruin the meal or coffee or mood by trying. I ask myself frequently, "Would you rather be right, or would you rather be happy?". That settles for me.
People get to think what they want, and I do, too. But I hate arguments and debate--I always have since I was a little child. I do what I can to advance the causes I so passionately believe in, and I try to tell the truth, and then I have it to let it go at that.

More Answered Questions

Jennifer

Jennifer asked Anne Lamott:

First, thank you - your books on finding faith were the first that helped me believe it was ok to be feminist, pro-choice, pro-equality and still be a believer. I used to think conservatism was a pre-requisite to claiming that faith. So my question, as one liberal Christian to another, is what authors do you read on topics of faith?

Janet

Janet asked Anne Lamott:

I enjoyed your book "Bird by Bird" and found the advice to write about just one bird at a time, very helpful. It was a new idea for me, and very good advice. In today's writing environment, do you have advice for unknown authors to capture the interest of an agent? Building a platform before publishing a book is difficult, yet everyone seems to want a platform before they will even talk to a writer wanna be.

Juliana Sheldon

Juliana Sheldon asked Anne Lamott:

I'm currently battling breast cancer and all of the awful things that go with it. I read your book "Help, Thanks, Wow," over an over, because so many different passages speak to me, especially as someone who had a less than ideal childhood, so thank you so much. However, I seem to be able to relate to "Help" and "Thanks", but somehow can't move to "Wow" yet. Do you have any advice on how to bridge that gap?

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