Acting as the speaker of the poem, Charles Bukowski is a seasoned, authoritative figure who dispenses severe and uncompromising advice about the literary arts. He views writing not as an enjoyable career path, but as a violent, burdensome destiny that isolates a person from normal society. Drawing from his own turbulent life and late-career perspective, he dictates strict conditions for who truly qualifies as an authentic author.

The Addressee is the unnamed "you" to whom the poem is directed, functioning as the recipient of the letter-like verses. They stand at a crossroads, seeking validation or guidance about entering the literary world. Through repetitive and direct warnings, they are explicitly cautioned to avoid the craft unless it erupts from them involuntarily.

The False Writer represents the multitudes of people who mistakenly claim the title of author without possessing the innate gift. Motivated by vain rewards such as money, fame, or sexual conquest, they force their creative process through endless rewriting. Their artificial efforts result in dull, boring, and pretentious books that merely clog library shelves.

The True Writer is an idealized, tortured archetype who approaches writing as an unavoidable sacrifice rather than a choice. Marked by a burning sensation in the gut and a soul like a rocket, they are passively chosen by a divine, unpredictable force. They do not seek an audience or material reward, but write simply because failing to do so would lead to madness or violence.