A couple of observations.
random observations:
1) People often don't apologize. Even when they say 'I'm sorry', it's usually followed by a 'but'. Which means they aren't really apologizing, but explaining. Explaining is not an apology, it's a justification. Justifications are fine, but not to be confused with apologies. We could use more apologies.
2) No matter how well you write, even if you are Earnest Fucking Hemmingway, you should never, ever attempt to write a story that involves any kind of authentic view of New Orleans unless you have lived there. Visits do not count. I can love every word they write, but the minute a person starts writing about New Orleans, I can tell instantly if they've lived there. So, writing rule #3486: If you've never lived in New Orleans, don't write about it (unless you are writing from a tourists point of view).
1) People often don't apologize. Even when they say 'I'm sorry', it's usually followed by a 'but'. Which means they aren't really apologizing, but explaining. Explaining is not an apology, it's a justification. Justifications are fine, but not to be confused with apologies. We could use more apologies.
2) No matter how well you write, even if you are Earnest Fucking Hemmingway, you should never, ever attempt to write a story that involves any kind of authentic view of New Orleans unless you have lived there. Visits do not count. I can love every word they write, but the minute a person starts writing about New Orleans, I can tell instantly if they've lived there. So, writing rule #3486: If you've never lived in New Orleans, don't write about it (unless you are writing from a tourists point of view).