Zara Barrie
“As a writer, you will face endless rejection, ruthless criticism, and brutal bouts of bullying,” says author and writer Zara Barrie. “It’s a wildly competitive field that requires you to let go of your need for instant gratification and focus on the long game (which isn’t easy in this quick-fix culture!).” Barrie doesn’t let the obstacles get to her, though. A widely-published essayist, her work can be found at a variety of print and digital international publications including Huffington Post, Bustle, Cosmo, and GO Magazine itself, where Barrie serves as “Most Esteemed Senior Writer.” Her highly-anticipated self-help book “Girl, Stop Passing Out In Your Makeup: The Bad Girl’s Guide To Getting Your Sh*t Together” recently debuted as well. And despite the difficult process, Barrie continues to share her stories as a means to connect with others who relate to her words. “Publishing my words, telling my story, and connecting with others has been the greatest honor of my haphazard, little life,” she tells GO. “If I can help a few people on this planet cleanse themselves of poison, I’ve done my job.” Proudly out throughout her career, Barrie has learned to protect her sparkle by doing what she’s passionate about — and she wants to encourage those in the LGBTQ+ community to do the same. “People like us, we were not meant for a life merely biding our time, sitting on the sidelines of life!” she says. “Get in that game and be your fabulous, expressive, wild, creative, authentic self.” Barrie identifies as a mascara lesbian and lives beyond her means in New York. —IL
