I started on Substack after a piece I had written for an online publication got included in one of my favourite newsletter round ups (unbeknown to me until I opened it and scrolled through as normal!) - it gave me the confidence boost to think others might enjoy my work and way with words.
Through the 'pandemic years' when I wasn't working or taking my one walk a day, my main activity was writing - I had always enjoyed it, and dreamed of 'being a writer' so decided to use the spare time to try and take it seriously. I wrote long-form essays and pitched to publications I admired, but without much traction.
Though I am still looking to work on my writing and pitch for different outlets, Substack has removed that barrier for sharing my thoughts in different ways, and has opened up new ideas for what creativity means and how it can be done! I hope others feel the same π
I always find it hard to say why I write. I've been writing since I was very little, just because I had stories in my head and I wanted to tell them. I never thought about an ultimate purpose or ulterior motive, it's just how I make sense of myself and the world around me. I do ultimately want to earn a living as an author, form a community of like-minded people and use my platform for good, but that's not the reason I write. I'll keep writing whether I have all that or not.
Painting is another matter β I started painting during the pandemic as stress relief and haven't been able to put the brush down since! I have no intentions of becoming an artist or earning money from painting, I just find it incredibly therapeutic and soothing.
I've always wanted to write, but kept putting it off. After college, my thinking was I need a job. I got one and had it for seven years. Then, I was laid off and well again I thought I need a job. But I did go back to school, in effort to break into book publishing. Eventually, I got my foot in the door. Had another job for seven years, then left for another one only to get laid off. I never really made time for any kind of creativity until I was laid off the second time. I was tired of moving the needle further and further back, so I started my Substack. I started Substack mainly to get back into writing, and work out the kinks before pursuing writing as a career. I'll get there. π
You will indeed get there. Sometimes starting is all that matters and everything else is just additional bonus to the commitment to oneβs creative talents
I'm glad you're finally putting yourself and your creative practice first. The corporate roller coaster can really take it out of us, and if we shape our life and aspirations around it we'll never find balance.
What a lovely question, thank you! I write to spread love, cultivate unity, and manifest flourishing. Sharing these energies is my passion. For over a decade, I did this via blogs. Last year, though, a dear friend of mine told me Substack is where the writers are, so I made my way over here. While I don't imagine I'll ever stop writing and sharing, I do hope to grow an audience of readers here so I can get my second book, "The Love Effect: Crossing Our Divides Together Into Flourishing" picked up by a publisher. That said, I quite enjoy the writing process--waiting for the right word or phrase to come, letting my mind soften and make space for inspiration, crafting a title that will speak to people, and so on. Although I write for others, each time I find myself blessed and brightened in the process. One of my recent posts is a good example of why I write:
I love this question. I'm not sure I have an answer yet, aside from a voice I heard in the shower over a year ago to "write, you idiot." I've had blogs on and off for years, and it feels like this is the new version of them, paired with a little community. I wanted my substack to be a place where I could write put out my thoughts on, well, whatever I wanted.
Recently I've been thinking and writing about the creative process: what is it and why do some of us feel so driven to create things and share them? Because it's not just a want, it's a burning, devouring need.
SmallStack has a big heart. I am continually awed by the inclusive, supportive vibe here. I'm always inspired by threads, even when I don't have time to add my 2 cents. But today I have a few pennies. Writing on Substack was my way of saying, I exist. It was a way of declaring to others (and mostly myself) that I am a writer. And when I query my children's books (hoping to get bold and get back into that habit), it's nice to say "here's the little house where my writing lives." As a dancer and longtime arts educator, my writing stems from the rhythms of movement. But as my most recent essay reveals, my original writing partner and creativity teacher was my dog, Etta Loretta. My most recent essay is an obit. It does deal with the movement of grief. But just like Etta, it's also playful and wild. https://jennyparrott.substack.com/p/etta-as-an-eddy
I launched my Substack (almost two years ago now) so that I could have more creative control and ownership over my writing. Previously, as a freelance journalist, editors got the final say on creative decisions (which wasn't inherently good or bad); on Substack, it's nice to be that person who has the final say! https://adryancorcione.substack.com/
I started my Substack The Original Baddie as my message to The Universe that Iβm being intentional about revealing my creativity to the world. It was swept under the rug to βclimbβ the corporate ladder and provide per the arbitrary societal rule book of success and I got out of an unhealthy relationship and finally was able to hear myself think and had space to breathe and discover what I wanted for myself and the writer βπΎ within me was like let me out please we have so much to offer even if itβs just for us. I am writing a book π and Substack was a way for me to build community and an audience from scratch (no other social media aside from this and LinkedIn) to see how my words land for others and itβs been this incredible journey ever since. Now, Iβm wondering if I want to finish this book or if I was just looking for something like Substack. Iβm still working that out but man has this been an incredible journey for me. All I know, is I will never stop writing. Since I let The Original Baddie out (the one unsubscribing from restrictive societal constructs) she is never being tucked away and aside again. π Post here if you want to follow along
This is the line: "the writer βπΎ within me was like let me out please ..."
I feel sad that your working life inhibited your creativity. I guess that's true with most of us, but it's sad nonetheless. I'm so glad, though, that you've unleashed your voice in this space where we appreciate good writing and honest thought.
Oh, I meant to add one thought, and I hope you don't mind: I loved hearing your voice and loved reading the piece you linked to, but I'd encourage you to slow down when you do audio, let us appreciate the words and your voice. You were reading a lot slower towards the end, so it's more how you begin.
Hope you don't mind my offering you this suggestion.
Grateful for it!! Thank you so much. Iβll keep this in mind. Itβs something I donβt notice when recording so the outside perspective is always helpful.
I started my newsletter, Sundays with Stella, as a space to bring together my photographs, collages, and writing. With such a diverse set of interests, I wanted a single platform to create and share them. Each week, the topics vary, guided by the intention to inspire and offer meaning. The discipline of publishing weekly has become an integral part of my artistic practice. I warmly invite anyone interested to join me on this creative journey. https://stellakalaw.substack.com/
I'm so glad I came across you here, Stella! I popped over to your spot, read your post following the election, and was quite moved; so I signed up! I really enjoy the way you blend art and words!
Iβve been thinking about this question latelyβ I started blogging and then Substacking because I love storytelling and having a reason to look more closely at the world around me and craft narratives from what I learn. Iβm still figuring out my relationship to audience, whether itβs more about community or validation; I want it to be all the former, and Substack is a great place for that, but sometimes have trouble letting go of the latter (Substack is not a great place to avoid thinking about numbers). I also think that most creative endeavors are at least partly motivated by wanting to touch and change others, which requires reaching them. Iβve been learning about feeling joyful to reach even a small fraction of the people for whom my writing and creations resonate.
Hi Anna! I appreciate your perspective. I tend to not resonate with the number crunching or stats posts/notes.
Itβs definitely not why Iβm here but it is in your face and for me itβs acknowledging that is inevitably part of this experience. But itβs a part of Substack that I have been able to allow to fade in the background.
I lean in to the community building, connecting with people in the comments, writing pieces that are authentic to me and what I feel will aid someone on their journey and that is so satisfying that it ends up consuming most of my energy on here that the numbers fade into the background naturally without my awareness.
Anne, I SO hear you on how difficult it can be to not get caught up in the numbers, as well as the dance/tension between desiring community or validation. If you could see me, you'd see I'm raising both my hands because I'm with you on both of those! What you shared really resonates with me, thank you! I had never made the connection of interplay between desiring community or validation before, so you really helped me there. I'm asking myself: If I uncouple those two, if I validate myself and leave behind the quest to gain it from others, will more community naturally form? I ask that because at the deepest level, I truly do wish to create community ... even if I haven't been terribly successful thus far. Blessings!
I think it's very hard to avoid looking at numbers. I remember when I wrote a piece on Cowbird (sadly, this site ended) that was spotted by someone at Upworthy and then Huffington Post and then, well, some other places and all of a sudden the piece had over 250,000 views. It was by far the most views any story had on the site and I actually felt a little weird about it: There was so much that seemed far more meaningful than my piece, far deeper, far better photographs. Later, in a chance meeting with the founder of the site, I told him I had mixed reactions to it, that I would, forever, be comparing responses to my writing to that experience. He told me that he was contemplating eliminating ALL numericals.
I thought that a good idea. And on a young writers site I had built, I decided to do just that -- so you could love a piece, but you wouldn't know how many others loved it, too.
It took an adjustment, but I think it fostered a different kind of feel to the site and some of the kids said that it actually reduced their anxiety about how their story was received.
So I think it's great you are seeking community and validation. I think this space can provide that.
Forget the numbers. I am deeply satisfied when one person reads one of my pieces and reacts, particularly with a comment. That makes my day and gives me what I need to keep going.
Thanks for your thoughtful reply Geoffrey! Thatβs very interesting about your viral pieceβIβve often thought that the high of going viral would probably wear off very quickly because it isnβt sustainable and like you said doesnβt always seem to reflect what you see as the true substance of your work.
I agree that eliminating numbers would be healthyβgreat to hear that it was helpful for kids on your site. Itβs hard to see how to do that with Substack, though, and telling myself not to care hasnβt quite cut it, haha. But I also agree that one good, insightful comment can totally make my day, so Iβm trying to focus on that. I also get periodic reminders that I have loyal readers who never engage on the platform, which is heart warming in a different way.
Yes, while I had one plan for my substack (publish my novel in serial form, but was persuaded to go conventional route) it has turned into something different -- a place to share the writing process I undertook (developed? stumbled upon?) to write the novel and I'm using Notes to doodle and the comment section to provide folks response -- which I think is important.
So numbers do matter, of course, but I try my very best to NOT pay attention. I do think it's one of the ills of modern interactive websites and social media, that is, that we revere those with large numbers. When, in fact, some of the best writing is done by people who simply toil away in the corner.
i started creating because i wanted to share my writing with my friends easily. there was something terribly unromantic about sending a PDF of whatever i just finished and then waiting for any of their thoughts to slowly trickle back to me. so why not pop it up online? i haven't written in a while, but i like what i've put up on my substack, so i suppose it was all in an effort to make a connection with someone else. and to torment my friends with visions and thoughts <3
For the past four years, I've been a SAHM, and before that, a middle school English teacher for ten. I've devoted a large portion of my life to helping others, and I will likely continue for the rest of my days. But, what motherhood has shown me is that it's okay if I also help myself. Returning to the creative life has been a warm and loving homecoming, and I am enjoying the journey of reconnecting with my creative self, a self that was lost along the way. I'm looking forward to ramping up my Substack publication in the next year, adding new elements to hopefully draw in more readers and to stretch my creative work. I'm so grateful that I've given myself the time and space to take risks, to experiment with words, and to connect with others here on this platform. π
I began to write out of my interest in the creative process. My life had been quite cerebral though emotionally sensitive as a slinical psychologist and university professor. I tried to learn something about music and played with composing. I took up painting in oils. But I received my greatest satisfaction from writing fantasy novels.
I had no intention of others reading my stories. It was purely for my own pleasure in observing my creative process in writing. My characters said or did things that I hadn't intended them to do. They had personalities and motives which overuled my trains of thought.
When I was 75, my younger godson asked what did I want to happen to my various books when I died. This question stopped me in my tracks, stunned. Could I ask that my creationsshould be destroyed? Would anybody enjoy reading them or even take inspiriation from them?
I pondered and toyed with this until finally I decided that I wanted them to be available to readers. If I was prepared to ask my executors to publish them posthumously then why not publish now before I died?
I put some of my books and series onto Amazon. I wasn't interested in payment but I couldn't work out how to make them free. I wasn't interested in marketing them, promoting a readership. They would be out there, for people to discover if they chose. Fame, recognition or fortune held no attraction for me.
I came upon Substack this year and, though wary of the social media potential, I saw it as a supportive group of creators. I could publish my writing without asking for money or even appreciation. So, my stories are out there on Substack for people to discover by happenstance.
I am still writing but who knows whether I will finish my current story or if I will start another one adterwards.
Thank you all for repeatedly opening up this opportunity, what I have to say may be unorthodox, but here goes.
Sometimes it feels as if I'm at the bottom of a lovely valley that I want others to come and see, but they keep sailing by on the super expressway above, never noticing my waving at them to slow down and come visit. I post something saying," Hello stranger, won't you come by and see this place where we create beautiful art together, where we find ways of expressing ourselves while also doing this world a lot of good?"
But, alas, I wave, a few stop by and stay, but most never see my 'Notes' in a bottle on how building an art project whilst conserving precious resources around us is for everyone, certainly more fulfilling than the bluster and strife many are speeding towards. I'm telling the tales of how our tiny art community is a wonderful world of creativity awaiting them. We do this not for financial gain or power, but for the desire to stop filling the world with trash by finding innovative ways for reusing things they already have.
Writing is secondary to the objective of upcycling relics into both static and fully functional and usable art, that is the primary reason I post here. Maybe I don't fit in? I don't know. Would any of you reading this like to stop by and let me know where I could improve, or just come by and let me tell you a story? I would sure love to see you there;
Hi Dave! *waves from Vancouver, WA* I love the focus of your writing, as well as the ethos behind it. I just subscribed. One small piece of feedback: I found the white font on the black background a little hard to read. I think the Sans or Classic Serif font options might be easier to read. Just a thought. I hope you keep writing!
I'm a writer of military political technothrillers working on my third book, though nothing published yet. I'm finalizing my third book, Electromagnetic Assault, and working with an editor before I look for a publisher. I started a weekly Substack newsletter in August named Future Trends where I talk about things happening today or in the news and the science fiction books and movies the topic has inspired. I started with 66 subscribers and am now up to 90 subscribers and 143 followers. Still quite small, though more than I had. My goal is to attract potential readers and get my name out there so when I do publish, hopefully next year or latest in 2026, people will be aware of my work.
Lovely reading everyone's back stories here!
I started on Substack after a piece I had written for an online publication got included in one of my favourite newsletter round ups (unbeknown to me until I opened it and scrolled through as normal!) - it gave me the confidence boost to think others might enjoy my work and way with words.
Through the 'pandemic years' when I wasn't working or taking my one walk a day, my main activity was writing - I had always enjoyed it, and dreamed of 'being a writer' so decided to use the spare time to try and take it seriously. I wrote long-form essays and pitched to publications I admired, but without much traction.
Though I am still looking to work on my writing and pitch for different outlets, Substack has removed that barrier for sharing my thoughts in different ways, and has opened up new ideas for what creativity means and how it can be done! I hope others feel the same π
I always find it hard to say why I write. I've been writing since I was very little, just because I had stories in my head and I wanted to tell them. I never thought about an ultimate purpose or ulterior motive, it's just how I make sense of myself and the world around me. I do ultimately want to earn a living as an author, form a community of like-minded people and use my platform for good, but that's not the reason I write. I'll keep writing whether I have all that or not.
Painting is another matter β I started painting during the pandemic as stress relief and haven't been able to put the brush down since! I have no intentions of becoming an artist or earning money from painting, I just find it incredibly therapeutic and soothing.
I've always wanted to write, but kept putting it off. After college, my thinking was I need a job. I got one and had it for seven years. Then, I was laid off and well again I thought I need a job. But I did go back to school, in effort to break into book publishing. Eventually, I got my foot in the door. Had another job for seven years, then left for another one only to get laid off. I never really made time for any kind of creativity until I was laid off the second time. I was tired of moving the needle further and further back, so I started my Substack. I started Substack mainly to get back into writing, and work out the kinks before pursuing writing as a career. I'll get there. π
https://4buckets.substack.com/p/things-i-would-tell-my-younger-self
You will indeed get there. Sometimes starting is all that matters and everything else is just additional bonus to the commitment to oneβs creative talents
I take my first sentence back - you are already there! I canβt edit a comment or I donβt know how at least π
I'm glad you're finally putting yourself and your creative practice first. The corporate roller coaster can really take it out of us, and if we shape our life and aspirations around it we'll never find balance.
What a lovely question, thank you! I write to spread love, cultivate unity, and manifest flourishing. Sharing these energies is my passion. For over a decade, I did this via blogs. Last year, though, a dear friend of mine told me Substack is where the writers are, so I made my way over here. While I don't imagine I'll ever stop writing and sharing, I do hope to grow an audience of readers here so I can get my second book, "The Love Effect: Crossing Our Divides Together Into Flourishing" picked up by a publisher. That said, I quite enjoy the writing process--waiting for the right word or phrase to come, letting my mind soften and make space for inspiration, crafting a title that will speak to people, and so on. Although I write for others, each time I find myself blessed and brightened in the process. One of my recent posts is a good example of why I write:
https://lightlovelang.substack.com/p/the-way-we-go-forward-is-by-moving
I love this question. I'm not sure I have an answer yet, aside from a voice I heard in the shower over a year ago to "write, you idiot." I've had blogs on and off for years, and it feels like this is the new version of them, paired with a little community. I wanted my substack to be a place where I could write put out my thoughts on, well, whatever I wanted.
Recently I've been thinking and writing about the creative process: what is it and why do some of us feel so driven to create things and share them? Because it's not just a want, it's a burning, devouring need.
That's what Whispering into the Void is about, anyway. https://whisperingvoid.substack.com
SmallStack has a big heart. I am continually awed by the inclusive, supportive vibe here. I'm always inspired by threads, even when I don't have time to add my 2 cents. But today I have a few pennies. Writing on Substack was my way of saying, I exist. It was a way of declaring to others (and mostly myself) that I am a writer. And when I query my children's books (hoping to get bold and get back into that habit), it's nice to say "here's the little house where my writing lives." As a dancer and longtime arts educator, my writing stems from the rhythms of movement. But as my most recent essay reveals, my original writing partner and creativity teacher was my dog, Etta Loretta. My most recent essay is an obit. It does deal with the movement of grief. But just like Etta, it's also playful and wild. https://jennyparrott.substack.com/p/etta-as-an-eddy
"Writing on Substack was my way of saying, I exist." - I love that so much! I might borrow that phrase in the future β€οΈ
Thanks so much, Luna! Yes, absolutely borrow it whenever you wish!
I launched my Substack (almost two years ago now) so that I could have more creative control and ownership over my writing. Previously, as a freelance journalist, editors got the final say on creative decisions (which wasn't inherently good or bad); on Substack, it's nice to be that person who has the final say! https://adryancorcione.substack.com/
I started my Substack The Original Baddie as my message to The Universe that Iβm being intentional about revealing my creativity to the world. It was swept under the rug to βclimbβ the corporate ladder and provide per the arbitrary societal rule book of success and I got out of an unhealthy relationship and finally was able to hear myself think and had space to breathe and discover what I wanted for myself and the writer βπΎ within me was like let me out please we have so much to offer even if itβs just for us. I am writing a book π and Substack was a way for me to build community and an audience from scratch (no other social media aside from this and LinkedIn) to see how my words land for others and itβs been this incredible journey ever since. Now, Iβm wondering if I want to finish this book or if I was just looking for something like Substack. Iβm still working that out but man has this been an incredible journey for me. All I know, is I will never stop writing. Since I let The Original Baddie out (the one unsubscribing from restrictive societal constructs) she is never being tucked away and aside again. π Post here if you want to follow along
https://open.substack.com/pub/badiana/p/embracing-me?r=40jdh5&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
This is the line: "the writer βπΎ within me was like let me out please ..."
I feel sad that your working life inhibited your creativity. I guess that's true with most of us, but it's sad nonetheless. I'm so glad, though, that you've unleashed your voice in this space where we appreciate good writing and honest thought.
Be well,
gg
Oh, I meant to add one thought, and I hope you don't mind: I loved hearing your voice and loved reading the piece you linked to, but I'd encourage you to slow down when you do audio, let us appreciate the words and your voice. You were reading a lot slower towards the end, so it's more how you begin.
Hope you don't mind my offering you this suggestion.
gg
Grateful for it!! Thank you so much. Iβll keep this in mind. Itβs something I donβt notice when recording so the outside perspective is always helpful.
I started my newsletter, Sundays with Stella, as a space to bring together my photographs, collages, and writing. With such a diverse set of interests, I wanted a single platform to create and share them. Each week, the topics vary, guided by the intention to inspire and offer meaning. The discipline of publishing weekly has become an integral part of my artistic practice. I warmly invite anyone interested to join me on this creative journey. https://stellakalaw.substack.com/
I'm so glad I came across you here, Stella! I popped over to your spot, read your post following the election, and was quite moved; so I signed up! I really enjoy the way you blend art and words!
Oh, Iβm so happy to hear that, Dr.Lang. I just replied to your comment on my post. Thank you for subscribing! Much appreciated.
Left you a comment on your "Morning After" post.
I also applaud your effort to pull together your "diverse set of interests" into one space. I look forward to more of your writing.
I saw your comment on my post, Geoffrey. Thanks so much! I'm glad you're coming along with me on this ride. Much appreciated.
Iβve been thinking about this question latelyβ I started blogging and then Substacking because I love storytelling and having a reason to look more closely at the world around me and craft narratives from what I learn. Iβm still figuring out my relationship to audience, whether itβs more about community or validation; I want it to be all the former, and Substack is a great place for that, but sometimes have trouble letting go of the latter (Substack is not a great place to avoid thinking about numbers). I also think that most creative endeavors are at least partly motivated by wanting to touch and change others, which requires reaching them. Iβve been learning about feeling joyful to reach even a small fraction of the people for whom my writing and creations resonate.
Hi Anna! I appreciate your perspective. I tend to not resonate with the number crunching or stats posts/notes.
Itβs definitely not why Iβm here but it is in your face and for me itβs acknowledging that is inevitably part of this experience. But itβs a part of Substack that I have been able to allow to fade in the background.
I lean in to the community building, connecting with people in the comments, writing pieces that are authentic to me and what I feel will aid someone on their journey and that is so satisfying that it ends up consuming most of my energy on here that the numbers fade into the background naturally without my awareness.
Thatβs great! Iβve also had such great experiences with those interactions here so I aspire to let it take center stage too.
Anne, I SO hear you on how difficult it can be to not get caught up in the numbers, as well as the dance/tension between desiring community or validation. If you could see me, you'd see I'm raising both my hands because I'm with you on both of those! What you shared really resonates with me, thank you! I had never made the connection of interplay between desiring community or validation before, so you really helped me there. I'm asking myself: If I uncouple those two, if I validate myself and leave behind the quest to gain it from others, will more community naturally form? I ask that because at the deepest level, I truly do wish to create community ... even if I haven't been terribly successful thus far. Blessings!
Glad to hear Iβm not alone! And thatβs a very good question, good luck in your experimentation :)
I think it's very hard to avoid looking at numbers. I remember when I wrote a piece on Cowbird (sadly, this site ended) that was spotted by someone at Upworthy and then Huffington Post and then, well, some other places and all of a sudden the piece had over 250,000 views. It was by far the most views any story had on the site and I actually felt a little weird about it: There was so much that seemed far more meaningful than my piece, far deeper, far better photographs. Later, in a chance meeting with the founder of the site, I told him I had mixed reactions to it, that I would, forever, be comparing responses to my writing to that experience. He told me that he was contemplating eliminating ALL numericals.
I thought that a good idea. And on a young writers site I had built, I decided to do just that -- so you could love a piece, but you wouldn't know how many others loved it, too.
It took an adjustment, but I think it fostered a different kind of feel to the site and some of the kids said that it actually reduced their anxiety about how their story was received.
So I think it's great you are seeking community and validation. I think this space can provide that.
Forget the numbers. I am deeply satisfied when one person reads one of my pieces and reacts, particularly with a comment. That makes my day and gives me what I need to keep going.
Be well,
gg
Thanks for your thoughtful reply Geoffrey! Thatβs very interesting about your viral pieceβIβve often thought that the high of going viral would probably wear off very quickly because it isnβt sustainable and like you said doesnβt always seem to reflect what you see as the true substance of your work.
I agree that eliminating numbers would be healthyβgreat to hear that it was helpful for kids on your site. Itβs hard to see how to do that with Substack, though, and telling myself not to care hasnβt quite cut it, haha. But I also agree that one good, insightful comment can totally make my day, so Iβm trying to focus on that. I also get periodic reminders that I have loyal readers who never engage on the platform, which is heart warming in a different way.
Thanks for responding, Anne.
Yes, while I had one plan for my substack (publish my novel in serial form, but was persuaded to go conventional route) it has turned into something different -- a place to share the writing process I undertook (developed? stumbled upon?) to write the novel and I'm using Notes to doodle and the comment section to provide folks response -- which I think is important.
So numbers do matter, of course, but I try my very best to NOT pay attention. I do think it's one of the ills of modern interactive websites and social media, that is, that we revere those with large numbers. When, in fact, some of the best writing is done by people who simply toil away in the corner.
gg
i started creating because i wanted to share my writing with my friends easily. there was something terribly unromantic about sending a PDF of whatever i just finished and then waiting for any of their thoughts to slowly trickle back to me. so why not pop it up online? i haven't written in a while, but i like what i've put up on my substack, so i suppose it was all in an effort to make a connection with someone else. and to torment my friends with visions and thoughts <3
For the past four years, I've been a SAHM, and before that, a middle school English teacher for ten. I've devoted a large portion of my life to helping others, and I will likely continue for the rest of my days. But, what motherhood has shown me is that it's okay if I also help myself. Returning to the creative life has been a warm and loving homecoming, and I am enjoying the journey of reconnecting with my creative self, a self that was lost along the way. I'm looking forward to ramping up my Substack publication in the next year, adding new elements to hopefully draw in more readers and to stretch my creative work. I'm so grateful that I've given myself the time and space to take risks, to experiment with words, and to connect with others here on this platform. π
https://katrinadonhamwrites.substack.com/
That's beautiful, Katrina. I'm so glad you're here!
I began to write out of my interest in the creative process. My life had been quite cerebral though emotionally sensitive as a slinical psychologist and university professor. I tried to learn something about music and played with composing. I took up painting in oils. But I received my greatest satisfaction from writing fantasy novels.
I had no intention of others reading my stories. It was purely for my own pleasure in observing my creative process in writing. My characters said or did things that I hadn't intended them to do. They had personalities and motives which overuled my trains of thought.
When I was 75, my younger godson asked what did I want to happen to my various books when I died. This question stopped me in my tracks, stunned. Could I ask that my creationsshould be destroyed? Would anybody enjoy reading them or even take inspiriation from them?
I pondered and toyed with this until finally I decided that I wanted them to be available to readers. If I was prepared to ask my executors to publish them posthumously then why not publish now before I died?
I put some of my books and series onto Amazon. I wasn't interested in payment but I couldn't work out how to make them free. I wasn't interested in marketing them, promoting a readership. They would be out there, for people to discover if they chose. Fame, recognition or fortune held no attraction for me.
I came upon Substack this year and, though wary of the social media potential, I saw it as a supportive group of creators. I could publish my writing without asking for money or even appreciation. So, my stories are out there on Substack for people to discover by happenstance.
I am still writing but who knows whether I will finish my current story or if I will start another one adterwards.
I'm deeply interested in the creative process, too. I'm definitely going to take a look at what you've put out there. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Alli, for your encouragement. Maybe I should have said that some of my characters on the "queer" spectrum.
I hope you keep writing and publishing, Ray!
Thank you. I hope to continue to enjoy writing about my magical characters and metaphysics.
Thank you all for repeatedly opening up this opportunity, what I have to say may be unorthodox, but here goes.
Sometimes it feels as if I'm at the bottom of a lovely valley that I want others to come and see, but they keep sailing by on the super expressway above, never noticing my waving at them to slow down and come visit. I post something saying," Hello stranger, won't you come by and see this place where we create beautiful art together, where we find ways of expressing ourselves while also doing this world a lot of good?"
But, alas, I wave, a few stop by and stay, but most never see my 'Notes' in a bottle on how building an art project whilst conserving precious resources around us is for everyone, certainly more fulfilling than the bluster and strife many are speeding towards. I'm telling the tales of how our tiny art community is a wonderful world of creativity awaiting them. We do this not for financial gain or power, but for the desire to stop filling the world with trash by finding innovative ways for reusing things they already have.
Writing is secondary to the objective of upcycling relics into both static and fully functional and usable art, that is the primary reason I post here. Maybe I don't fit in? I don't know. Would any of you reading this like to stop by and let me know where I could improve, or just come by and let me tell you a story? I would sure love to see you there;
https://davewise.substack.com/
Thank you.
Hi Dave! *waves from Vancouver, WA* I love the focus of your writing, as well as the ethos behind it. I just subscribed. One small piece of feedback: I found the white font on the black background a little hard to read. I think the Sans or Classic Serif font options might be easier to read. Just a thought. I hope you keep writing!
I thank you sincerely for the very kind words. I am especially delighted by your subscription and the heads-up on font legibility, I will make changes with the quickness. Due to my failing eyesight, all font is difficult so it never occurred to me that others were having difficulty as well. My hat is off to you for taking the time to help, the support buoys my spirits and cements my faith in the fine quality of our fellow Substackians. Ω©(ββΏβ)ΫΆ
I'm a writer of military political technothrillers working on my third book, though nothing published yet. I'm finalizing my third book, Electromagnetic Assault, and working with an editor before I look for a publisher. I started a weekly Substack newsletter in August named Future Trends where I talk about things happening today or in the news and the science fiction books and movies the topic has inspired. I started with 66 subscribers and am now up to 90 subscribers and 143 followers. Still quite small, though more than I had. My goal is to attract potential readers and get my name out there so when I do publish, hopefully next year or latest in 2026, people will be aware of my work.
Here's my latest post: https://brucelanday.substack.com/p/time-limits-on-life
I signed up for SmallStack as a way to connect with others and to support others starting off like me.
Thanks to to the group running SmallStack!
90 subscribers is amazing, Bruce! And wow, congrats on finalizing your third book. What an accomplishment!
I just started a new longrun photo essay and tired to explain how it started here: https://open.substack.com/pub/lennarrrt/p/1-tree-south-of-wattern-praefatio?r=23ougo&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web