/lit/ - Literature

I have found that the best way to manipulate a woman is to love her and care for her wellbeing.
It doesn't have to be romantic love, in fact some women are so starved for male compassion that dropping a casual sign of affection while making it clear that you're not trying to get in her pants will be enough to send butterflies to her stomach. Women are used to only being valued for sex, both by the chads they sleep with and the virgins they keep in orbit. A man who doesn't need or want sex but still likes her? That's a huge boost to her self-worth. Even if you're awkward or unattractive, if you genuinely value her and don't desire (not just don't ask, but don't desire) anything from her in return, she'll probably go head over heels for you and soon she'll be investing in your relationship more than you will be. Of course, there's still a hurdle to overcome in getting to know her at the beginning, when she may still treat you with the same suspicion she treats all men. You have to be not thirsty and have a strong understanding of what love actually is (it's not lust and it's not affection).
Incidentally, I'm pretty sure this is why gay guys are so popular with the ladies - it's a given that they're not in it for the sex, so all of their friendly overtures ring true.
Recommended reading: The Bible

Lines, etched in notebook paper -
Tight and jangled down the page.
Everything this Gretchen writes
Fills me with a numbing rage!

Poetry is not a rogel,
Baked fresh in the Argentine.
Substituting form for craft
Is not like like using Margarine.

Were she all but half so sweet,
Or were her skin not quite so pale,
Our Instagramming poetess
Would find herself destined to fail.

And would she, we might want to ask,
Not find her task a sight more scary
Without her faithful ghostwriter -
Mr. Dictionary!

I'm trying to become a sci-fi writer on the side (possibly more if I can make a living) and I've been writing up short stories and sending them to magazines like Apex, Clarkesworld, F&SF, etc. No acceptances yet but I remain hopeful.
Does anyone here have experience writing short stories, especially science fiction, and getting them published? Any recommendations or things I should look out for? I've included places like Strange Horizons in my list, but I'm a white guy and I don't think they're too interested in me. Should I just ignore them or keep trying? Also, what is your workflow like?
I can post an example of my writing if anyone wants, but I'm mostly interested in the logistics of it.

Oh, but I am.

Has anyone here read Kite Runner? Pic related is me xD