Hi, Mark. I wouldn't worry about posting material that will become part of a book. In fact, doing so helps to build an audience for your work and demonstrates that there's interest in it. You can also post what I call "adjacent" material. I'm starting to publish my second serialized memoir on Substack and I'm also publishing related material about topics that I plan to explore in more depth. For example, my sister died of polio and although I write about her experiences and my parents experiences dealing with her death, I'm planning an adjacent post about the polio epidemic and what it was like for families living with it. I hope that helps.
Hopefully Sarah Fay will chime in here, since she’s currently serializing her next memoir on Substack! I think it’s fine if your posts later become part of a book. I combined some of my best Medium articles into a “Depression and Anxiety Survival Kit” PDF download and didn’t change much.
And since you’re writing about your deconstruction journey, if you’re not already active in the Evolving Faith online community (co-founded by Sarah Bessey, who has a great Substack called “Field Notes”) I encourage you to check it out. I think the website is evolvingfaith.com.
Ooo love this! Off to read now! I’m very into “productivity” as an autistic woman rn in that I’m unlearning a lot of shit that hasn’t worked for me in order to be “good”
GRIEF- I share poems from a collection titled Bloom: A season of grief and gratitude. They’re poems I wrote after my Dad unexpectedly passed away and I became unexpectedly pregnant in the same year.
So sorry for you loss Mariah. You've crafted such a beautiful and thought provoking poem from that pain. Life has a strange way of taking with one hand and giving with the other.
Beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing with us. I love your poem - especially the delicacy with which you use short lines and line breaks... and it works so well with the photographs. I'm so sorry for your loss of your Dad. Sending you love.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your father. I am also grieving the unexpected loss of a close and beloved family member. I feel sure that art is a powerful tool for healing, and I love your poem, Mariah.
I'm sorry for your loss as well, Debra. No words can truly express the unique way grief affects us all. I hope you are able to find healing in your own way as you honor your loved one. 💗✨
Thanks for sharing, Mariah. That is a powerful and devastating combination. I experienced a different confluence of intersecting losses when two grandparents and a cousin died the same year I was preparing to resign a faculty position. I'm still recovering from that lifequake.
I'm sorry for your losses, Joshua. That's unimaginable. Sometimes it seems like life just piles up on us, doesn't it? Lifequake is a good word for it. Wishing you peace as you navigate your way forward. Thank you for taking the time to read my poem and respond.
Lifequake is Bruce Feiler's word -- from his excellent book "Life Is in the Transitions." I recommend it! I forgot to add divorce to the end of that list. Sometimes grief at that scale changes you forever. When I feel like I'm an outlier, I reread Cheryl Strayed's "The Love of My Life." If you don't know that essay or her memoir "Wild," it might help you through your grief.
Wow. Divorce is another form of death, isn't it? Sometimes I feel like it's a bit harder. I was unfortunately estranged from a few close family members after my Dad's passing and grieving that loss has taken me down a different path than mourning the loss of my Dad.
I'm familiar with Wild but not her essay, thanks for the recommendation! I'll check out yours as well.
"Divorce is another form of death" Oh, Mariah. I do understand what you mean by that. But from those ashes, a phoenix is rising! And I like what I see.
Cheryl Strayed is the tonic we all need to get through heartbreak and everything else, i agree! I have read all her work. Lifequake is a great word. I've experienced that in the past year, which is the theme of my Substack, puzzling it out in community with others.
I'm so sorry for your great losses. So understandable to not be ready to write about it. It takes time and space, if at all, to be ready. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your experience. A teammate lost her brother and Mom on the same day in 2022 (completely unrelated. Natural causes + cancer). Lifequake is a great name! Sounds like a series Joshua
Ah, it's a tough transition to experience, love and loss are so closely connected, aren't they? Thanks for taking the time to read and respond. I'm grateful it resonated with you.
Most definitely subscribing to your newsletter. I've experienced the loss of my dad and sister within a year and a half of one another. I've learned a lot about myself and how a monumental loss impacts life. Thanks for sharing your words to help others.
Thank you, Terry! I'm so sorry to hear about your losses as well. The Grief club isn't one any of us want to be part of but I'm grateful for your presence here.
Thank you, Kristoffer. Sharing the grief makes it somewhat more bearable. He left a legacy of love behind and I'm grateful for the opportunity to walk in his footsteps. ✨
Oh my as a Dad of 2 daughters I only hope I can do the same. Very special guy, clearly. He's gotta be prouda YOU! (forgive my Practical Dad Energy). lol. Great work all around. -kc
Thank you, Annette! It speaks to my fear of the losses piling up and not knowing how to survive/carry the weight of cumulative grief. But I remind myself that joy is also cumulative and we would not have loss without love! I'm lucky that in spite of my worst fears I had a healthy baby boy who's now a thriving toddler! Yet, I know I'm not exempt from future loss and living with that tension is tender.
Thank you, Stephanie! I appreciate you reading and commenting. It brightens my heart to share this poetry and hopefully make something meaningful from missing my Dad.
This is beautiful ❤️ my dad unexpectedly passed away in 2021 as COVID was wrapping up. It's never easy, but this poem is beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
I’m sorry for your loss Jennie! So many of us have lost loved ones or just gone through dramatic life changes in the last four years. I hope sharing these poems is a way to honor what we’ve been through while cultivating enough strength to look ahead. 💗
Nick, though I don't write fantasy, I find the genre of demons and dragons very compelling. Sharing your fiction on Substack is something that many of us aspire to. I'm afraid of overwhelming my readers who already read several Substacks with pieces that are too long. What are your thoughts on that?
Thank you. I respect limits, so I only want readers who welcome what I write. I would rather have a small dedicated community than a large detached community.
Length of each chapter? Yes, that weighed on me. I already cut chapters in half to suit today’s audience. Alas, it is a 300,000 word epic I am writing, so at some point the reader just has to accept that when they get to the end they will wish there was more!
I get that feeling! I'm writing on my first short novel right now and I wish I could already share all the chapters I wrote. But my first draft is a mess, so it's better not to haha.
It’s a high epic fantasy (so not our world). Women, elves, dwarves, dragons, no demons as Stephanie suggested).
It’s full of action, but character driven. It has as a key theme the futility of prejudice, and several sub-themes.
But it’s also fun, and it’s optimistic not dystopian. I just lost half my potential audience, but the rest of you just realized they will feel good when they read this 6-book epic.
Thank you for your delicious skill in writing this story. You give great 'hook.' I love how seemingly random events (books!) ignite our imaginations and inspire a lifetime passion. (I experienced a similar obsession with Japan and Samurai culture after reading Shōgun. I now believe I was a samurai in a past life, but perhaps that's too woo for you?) Thank you!
A charming tale of dreaming and visions. I subscribe to the teachings of Carl Jung who wrote extensively about the power of our dreams messages to our life. Thank you for a very engaging piece.
This is so interesting, because many years ago a school friend was laid up in bed for about two weeks with an illness, and his dad bought him a book called The Observer's Book of Art. That sparked a major passion that inspired him to teach himself. When I accompanied him to an art gallery, he was able to tell me all sorts of facts, and it all stemmed from that little book. I loved the way you told your story: I found it quite exciting. I'm glad you were able to fulfill your dream. I don't think I could ever sell a kitten though: I fall in love too easily!
That's exactly why I don't raise kittens anymore. It was too difficult to say goodbye, and then to wonder if they ended up having a good life. Thanks for chiming in :)
COGNITIVE DISSONANCE - I am sharing about the decades of a journey through cognitive dissonance I felt attending evangelical churches after a life of trauma, abuse, mental illness, and the suicides of family members caused me to begin attending a little church in Los Angeles in the 1970s, and how I managed to reconstruct my faith while letting go of the need to be certain about my belief systems Thanks, Sarah!
I grew up in a Mormon household and culture in northern Utah. I have seen the work of cognitive dissonance. Interested to read, Linda. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for writing and sharing this Linda. Your post was serendipitous to my recent pondering of how I might write about a similar experience in my own life!
Beautiful! A heart-wrenching/heart-warming story, so very relatable in these times where religion and politics are a little too much in bed together. And I had to chuckle at the God as in Ga-wwwd. Who knew it was a two syllable word? You're a lovely, lovely writer and you sound like a gem of a human being! Write on!
So many people are fleeing evangelical churches (and mainline Protestant and Catholic ones) these days. Like you, I’m grateful I found a truly inclusive, welcoming church. Do you know about Evolving Faith, an online community co-founded by Sarah Bessey (who also has a Substack)? It’s free and from what you wrote it sounds like you might enjoy it.
I love footnotes so much!! It's the political scientist in me. I think there's a book that has basically a second story hidden in the footnotes, though I can't remember the title off the top of my head.
And yes, save yourself the research paper but pillage the syllabus for books. That's how I've stayed caught up on what's been going on in poli sci trends and contemporary French lit for the past few years!
Thanks Helen! I’m really excited about it. I studied to be a political scientist in college, so this is the best of both worlds in combining my interests - words and politics!
A great topic, Marissa! I remember how difficult it became to teach certain works near the end of my faculty tenure. You should add Sharon Olds's entire oeuvre to your list of dangerous words!
Thanks Joshua! I’ll have to check our Sharon Olds’s work. I’m building out an entire reference document of *more* articles/novels/books that relate to the Dangerous Words theme, for better or worse there’s just so many! I got lucky that I was allowed the freedom to choose the topic of this class, and I decided to go with something that bridged both my literature and political science interests. As long as I’m teaching the writing bit (it’s a First Year Writing Seminar) I was allowed the leeway to teach on whatever I wanted. Big props to Salve Regina on that.
Olds has won nearly every poetry award on the planet. I think she broke onto the scene with SATAN SAYS. The book that made my students uncomfortable was THE WELLSPRING (such a beautiful book!). See more here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/sharon-olds
Ooh this makes sense why I’m not familiar with her then - I did my MFA in fiction. I was (and still am!) always so intimidated by the poets and their command of language. This is a great suggestion thank you! While I wait for the students to get their actual books, I’ll be doing articles and shorter pieces, so this will fit in perfectly.
I have just finished reading a book called The Book At War, which looks at book bans amongst other topics. I'll be reviewing it soon. It gives a very wide and also long-term historical perspective
Such a necessary topic. I do feel like you take a long time to get to the kernal. Maybe not so much background - which sounded like it belonged more on the About page. Thank you so much for doing this. I'm living in Iowa where banned books is a huge topic!
great post and great selection of titles....I had a 5 year stint at college teaching with my (terminal) MBA degree...teaching business to Native American art students. Had never taught an academic class before.....but teaching was in my blood, I guess...Anyway, this course sounds fabulous....makes me (almost) wish I was back in college again. And so so timely of course. Glad they are allowing you to teach this.
COMPASSION: I just started my meditation series for chronic illness folks and our allies. I’m a former yoga and meditation teacher and I loved getting back to walking people through mediations, although from my bed. This one’s about receiving compassion from the Earth. Here it is: https://madelleine.substack.com/p/chronic-illness-earth-meditation
Your meditation and voice are lovely...and thank you for writing from this perspective. This past year I spent a lot of time horizontal in bed, recovering..it has been quite an initiation. It is such an isolating, difficult journey in our able-ist culture...your messages are needed.
Last week I shared a link to a recent WRITING EXCUSES PODCAST INTERVIEW OF ABRAHAM VERGHESE, the writer of The Covenant of Water. Several weeks ago, I posted my response to his novel and thought my readers would enjoy hearing this excellent interview. This week I'll present another HISTORICAL NOVEL SET IN INDIA.
Gorgeous work. I'm so grateful that our hearts are evolving to share our trauma! We are not alone, even if others in our world can't hold it with us. Especially LOVE this metaphor:
“The earth was scorched, all life extinguished, only a barren, blackness remaining. Scorched land is remarkably fertile....From that fertile ground, I grew a new life. It was slow and laborious but I made myself a new home, a new life.”
I loved that metaphor too! I used to live in Hawaii and once walked on a trail that had hardened black lava that had killed everything in its path on one side, but on the other side new green plants were sprouting up in the cracks of the lava.
What a beautiful essay Clare. I really felt drawn into your writing and felt myself celebrate in the strength you've found inside yourself. I've subscribed to your Substack and look forward to reading more of your essays.
Great post! In some ways I had my life wiped out in an instant a few years ago. Are you familiar with the “Five Year Plan” Substack by Maddie Burton? It’s about what happens when your plans go up in flames, learning to live with uncertainty, etc.
And I’ll add that I think all of us live in the “messy middle” for at least part of our lives (though I don’t mean to minimize the trauma you’ve experienced or claim mine is similar).
Sometimes I miss the illusion of control that I used to have. Occasionally I’m envious of the people who still believe hard work and a positive attitude guarantee success in life. But I’m also grateful to have rediscovered who I am and what kind of life I want as a result of being forced out of my former career.
Hi Wendi, totally agree re: the messy middle. Not all of us will experience serious trauma, but all of us will have a moment in life when our understanding of the world collapses around us. We have so much to learn from eachother, which is a big part of what Beyond Survival is all about. I'm grateful to be connected with you!
Clare, I just subscribed to your substack after reading your introductory piece. Thank you for sharing. My story is different, but I saw myself in your words. We all have our struggles. Looking forward to reading more!
I posted the latest chapter in my serialized novel yesterday! It's a historical fantasy (attention time travel fans!) novel that takes place on a military base in 1918 right before the onset of the Spanish flu. It’s been so much fun reworking this novel and I’m excited to finally let this out into the world. This is Ch. 13 but there is a link to Ch. 1 if you’d like to start from the beginning. Thank you and may all writers find more readers!
TRAVEL - A Colombian island that's native English-speaking, devoid of mass tourism and has the third largest coral reef on earth. I was interested because of its history: the island has belonged to the English, the Dutch, the Spanish and now Colombia. https://thewritinggrove.substack.com/p/colombian-sketches-providencia-ffa
ADDICTION & CHINESE MEDICINE. I write about addiction and sobriety all the time, but feel overexposed when sharing essays like this one—which offers a window into my cocaine and naked dance party days. I’m a whole other person now and feel as though I’m writing about someone else, at a distance. But my parents read everything I write…and they don’t talk about deep, dark secrets anywhere (especially on the internet).
I’m going to check this out! What a deep and dark ride your work must be! I just wrote about going through my daughter’s belongings after she died of fentanyl poisoning in 2022. While she was struggling through her addiction I treated her to many acupuncture sessions. I go too regularly these days.
Oh, sending so much care and tenderness your way, Jennifer. Addiction takes so much from us, and from every single relationship in our lives. Thank you for sharing your story and, in this way, sharing part of hers.
Oh, man, I know that specific kind of discomfort that is having your parents read what you write when they themselves are private and, in my case, when they're undoubtedly disturbed by some of the experiences and feelings I share. Thanks for your openness.
Yeah, it's such a mixed blessing. On the one hand, I'm deeply grateful that they're reading (it has probably helped them actually KNOW me more than anything else in my entire life). On the other, I hate thinking that I'm hurting them or embarrassing them through my writing (even though I'm writing about myself, and make a point of leaving them and my sisters out of my essays). On the other (hand number 3!), writing has been more healing that just about any other practice in my life. Healing for myself...and also healing for my relationships, including that with my parents. Wishing you much serenity and steadiness on your own journey with it all, Holly.
Oh dear. I was probably at that naked dance party 🤪 Making friends with my past selves is a sweet balm for the dreaded embarrassment and shame. You are one badass for sharing this, with your parents reading over your shoulder. (I mentioned my Dad for the first time today in a gender post! Yikes!!!) Carry on, Brave Soul.
I'm so glad you share your story. I know the pain of diving deep and coming back up to write about it, too. And what I have personally found is that I end up feeling so freed - of the pain, the heartache, the stigmas, the shame - all of it. Good work, you! The best thing, to me, is how others with similar stories are inspired to move out of their own pain and self-pity and confusion into the same freedom. If we don't talk, share, speak, how will others know it's not only OK to do but in the long run ultimately freedom-creating?!?
Yes! So much. The process of writing changes the darkness, changes me, and changes every relationship in my life. Softening the shame and blame, carrying me (sometimes us) from fear to forgiveness.
And that's what counts, in the end - the transformation of the constriction of fear into the expansion of freedom. I think they call that 'enlightenment'! Not necessarily the vaunted spiritual state - altho when we are released from the fear it can feel blissful - but the simple lightening of the Load.
That has been true for me, too. I even wrote a Medium article about how writing online is the best thing I’ve done for my mental health. When we share our wounds, we help ourselves and others heal!
That's where it's at! I love it that, altho social media has made us focus on devices, it also connects us in ways we'd never have been able to before. I love having friends and fans from all over the world with whom I can have deep discussions, and play and laugh with! Now our next step is to rise out of the traumas of our early lives, and learn how to create lives that will feel fulfilled and satisfying.
? Ugh...really, C. James? Just because you "don't believe" doesn't mean it hasn't worked for thousands of other people and for thousands of years - myself as well as the literally thousands of patients at world class treatment centers that I've had the honor of helping. And besides, it's just rude to boot.
Grateful to you for sharing vulnerably, Dana! These are my favorite sorts of stories to read, because even when my experiences are different, it feels like an invitation to share my deep, dark parts too.
Thank you so much, Jenna! I appreciate your taking the time to read and to share that. I feel the same when reading other people's tender, vulnerable shares.
My post was inspired by my own experience of naively thinking that words would naturally flow from my pen on command... I was so wrong! I just started writing posts for my Substack this week (thanks to the encouragement of this community!) so I'm experiencing a huge learning curve!
Very thoughtful! I also find that the time of day of when I choose to write matters a lot in the mental "safety" of the space for me. i.e. when I write past 1 PM, it's pulling teeth! My brain just isn't able to be creative.
Love this...thank you. I have actually been blessed with safe spaces to share writing...I could not even begin to share anywhere, without them. And the encouragement of friends and clients on Facebook is how I even dared to begin on Substack. I have had words flow from my pen on command...at times. But mainly when divine inspiration hits...thus, not reliably, or necessarily timely, for publication! I too am new to Substack and it is a huge learning curve....please keep writing and sharing this super useful information.
Thank you so much for your encouragement Ellen and for describing the power of your safe spaces and friends - your experience has really enthused me! I'm very happy our paths have crossed here on Substack and look forward to write alongside you :)
ISRAEL - Not the Israel-Gaza war, but the southern border of biblical Israel, which is at least 30 miles away from modern Israel's border city Eilat on the northern tip of the Red Sea.
Researching and writing this post taught me about Judaism's nuanced relationship with the world and its wisdoms. It's not all battles and conflict, because King Solomon built here an international trading outpost here to exchange goods and ideas with the world. This, I believe, is the message of Solomon's unparalleled wisdom: the Torah doesn't undermine or supersede the "regular" human intellect, but rests upon and interacts with what man understands with his mind.
WRITING POEMS + FEELING OUR FEELINGS - this personal essay was one where the skeleton of the post I wanted to write emerged almost immediately, but fleshing it out and getting it over the finish line felt like wrestling an alligator. 😅 Proud of the result.
I loved this, Michelle! And especially related to: "My body has shown a self-protective propensity for stopping the surge by freezing over. And so I often find myself hardening almost imperceptibly, turning away from all kinds of things that threaten to crack me open . . ." Thank you for sharing 💛
LANGUAGE ACQUISITION: Using the "walking technique" to learn a language. It makes so much sense -- why are we trying to learn language in static classrooms?
Oooh I love this! Especially as someone who loves learning new languages. And to answer your question, I think it may be. I personally wouldn't mind it, but that also depends on the publication, and it could feel invasive to some. <3 Maybe you can send out a lil poll!
I think tagging new subscribers who have a presence here is fine. Perhaps even better, check out their stuff and restack something of theirs you like. :)
I’ll have to read your post! I said this year that I’d learn more Japanese vocab and sentences I could say in my everyday life, if that’s what you’re referring to! Cause I wanna practice more and immerse myself more in my everyday life.
Also I think some people may want to stay in the shadows possibly though I wouldn’t mind a shoutout in that position!
What I’ve done is mention vaguely like a number of new people in our community, or if it’s a paid subbie, a quick shoutout to the newest paid subbie AND how appreciative I am of everyone who spends their time here (aka with the newsletter). And maybe you can send an email back to new subscribers thanking them privately!
Someone mentioned before making a Gmail email for your newsletter to make it easier, I just gotta learn how to do that so I can switch from personal to substack email easier!
I need all the help I can to learn Japanese, thanks for sharing this! I recently started learning Japanese sign language in hopes that it would help me learn and retain the language. What you share in your post confirms that I've made a good move! Thank you!!
Oh fantastic! I studied Japanese for three years when I was a kid and living there. I was conversational at the time, but let it drop. I like how that language feels in my mouth.
When our bodies move forward, so do our brains. I just had a flashback when I was in graduate school and had to spend a summer learning Latin; I used to go for runs with a pile of notecards in my hand so I could memorise declensions while exercising. Talk about multitasking!
MUSIC. I explore how songs about objects tell us things about the role of objects in our lives. Some of those objects are songs themselves, so I think about the role of songs in our lives as part of the process.
What inspired me: have long been interested in the topic and have been working on this as a project mostly out of public sight (i.e. confimed to my hard drive!) for several years, so wanted to test out the material in a public forum. What inspired the last post was the turning of the year and thinking about songs (and objects) that reflected that time.
What troubled me about the last post was that, shortly after posting, I found that someone else on Substack had written about two of the songs I wrote about a few days before and I suppose that got me thinking about how difficult it is to be original with so much being written all the time.
As a reader of your work, I can attest that your writing is original because it comes from your lens. All art recycles topics/themes/stories so don’t worry about that. Just tell your story and it will find its audience!
Thank you. You're right, of course, and this is something I'm always telling writers who I advise. It can sometimes be difficult to heed our own advice, though!
Cool Stack! Excited to check it out. I'm a song-catcher who wants to write songs that could change a life. Today I wrote about gender bending M/F energies for creatives - citing Prince. (I wonder what you'd think of this -- https://heartsquest.substack.com/p/what-if-everyone-is-wethey)
Interesting! I 'catch' songs on the daily, and include rough improv song sketches in my video posts. Looking forward to this post. Including physical objects in a song can help ground my woowoo ideas in the present, real time.
I also write about songs--but only super briefly. (And only once a month, as part of my wider scope of topics.) So I’m really admiring your deep dive! And i totally know that cringey feeling of questioning one’s originality when writing about music. Here my tiny approach, if you’re interested!
Thanks Sue. I really like your posts, both music-based and more general. What you say in the description of your Substack--'how the things we collect—and can’t let go of—express who we are'--really resonates with me. That's a lot of what's driving my project. Tomorrow I'm publishing the first of three projected posts about Mary Chapin Carpenter songs and I think of her as a poet of what we find it difficult to let go of, or 'the things that we are made of' as she says in one of her songs.
JUST the messenger here, but… I interviewed an author who wrote a book for Bloomsbury’s series, “Object Lessons.” Could this topic be a fit? What she loved about getting her book was that you didn’t need a platform because the publisher had a built-in audience. Came to mind when I read your description is all!
Thanks for the suggestion and for seeing the connection between my project and that series. I felt the connection too. Unfortunately, the series editors didn't when I pitched the idea to them a few years ago. One of the reasons I was given was that they had already published a book in the series on whale song and were concerned about duplication. Couldn't see it myself as I have yet to encounter any whales who sing about shirts, bags, buttons and the other things I write about, but there we go. Also, having done a couple of shorter books for other Bloomsbury series (Study of Sound and 33 1/3 Europe), I've got my eyes set on a bigger book now if that is indeed the direction this project takes (which I would like). Thanks again.
FATHERHOOD: I write letters to my newborn son to share the love I never got to experience. My son, Myles, turned seven months this week, and to celebrate, I shared 7 MYLESTONES about how he's growing. I'm hoping to do these monthly, but I wasn't sure if the video I added would take away or add to the experience as a reader. But It turned out really great. I've been trying to use all the tools on the platform to give a glimpse of my experience and the love I have for him. Thank you for creating this space, Sarah.
Beautiful Marc! I will enjoy reading about Myles as he grows, and your writings will be a precious gift for him when he's older. You've inspired me to do something similar for my first grandchild-to-be, due in May, whether as part of my Substack or not.
This is beautiful. I started journaling to my twins when they were born and though I haven't kept up with it as consistently, it's a beautiful gesture and not only for them but for me as the parent. Love reading your love manifesto to your son (and your wife).
Thank you, Darci. This has been a beautiful journey of love, and healing. It’s not easy to keep up with, but it’s so worth it. I’m sure your twins, when they are able to will receive them with so much warmth. ❤️
JOURNALING QUESTIONS FOR YOUR 2024--A companion post to a piece I wrote on how I've already failed my 2024 'resolution' to cut out coffee by having coffee and writing about it. The journal prompts ask readers to chat with their higher self about their intentions of this blossoming new year.
I post every Saturday and Wednesday. On Wednesdays, I share stories--some about my life, some inspirational and others about my spiritual journey. This one was tough because it highlights how vulnerable, naive and blind I was to the deceptive practices of a spiritual group. Lots of necessary growth happened from the experience.
Hi Victoria! I haven't written about it (yet?) because my newsletter is more focused on Venice's food and culture. Also, I'm not sure I'm ready to open up publicly yet. Would certainly love to connect though. Here's my email address sinu.fogarizzu@gmail.com. Have a good weekend!
The concept of a kind goal (something that feels nurturing! not something you punish yourself with!) is so useful…really glad I discovered it through your post 💞
I LOVE this! Notion is the one app I have open 90% of my workday - my whole business lives in it. Such an amazing tool. Cool to find someone else who uses it as a goal setting tool!
So smart to focus on the actions, not the goals! I've been thinking a lot lately about how I can fall in love with those actions too — how can I make them easier? More fun? Something I look forward to? So I can fall in love with the process of getting to my goal, perhaps even more than reaching the goal itself! I loved these tips, Katie — thank you for sharing! 💛
HOLDING ON OR LETTING GO. Thanks for asking, Sarah! I just wrote about my experience sorting through the belongings of my daughter who died in 2022. It was hard to get the courage to do the task, then write about it.
JOHN STEINBECK - I am reading through the complete works of John Steinbeck this year and providing reviews as I go along. Lots of research goes into these posts and it is a real passion project of mine. Hope you will read if you are interested in how literature intersects with life.
I admire what you're doing with this series, Matthew! It's been forever since I read or taught Steinbeck, so I don't have much to add to this week's post. But you make me want to dip back into his work. I think I avoided it for so long because Grapes of Wrath felt like a high school classic, and I imagined other modernists as better stylists. But that presumption was formed more than twenty years ago, so I ought to revisit it.
Thanks Joshua, I really appreciate that. Other than East of Eden and Grapes of Wrath I didn't have much experience with his work. This has been a really informative and fun project so far. Appreciate your support and encouragement.
Thanks Helen! He had a couple of diaries that I know of, one he wrote while working on Grapes of Wrath and the other while writing East of Eden. Are you reading one of those or is this another one?
Yes, I'm reading the companion diary he wrote when working on Grapes of Wrath. I didn't realise there was another - I'll be hunting that out, for sure :)
Pleasure to "meet" another Steinbeck fan. I had to look up Tellico Plains as I wasn't sure where it was! I am on the opposite side of the state in Tipton County.
HUMILITY; LEARNING FROM SETBACKS I wrote this to process some very harsh feedback from a student, which led to insights into my own journey as an educator and human.
Having just left the teaching profession I felt every word of your post. "It’s humbling to be reminded that mentoring is a mirror, a two-way street" - it really is that!
GRIEF / YEARNING/ FICTION - Dee meets a mysterious figure who seems to be able to offer him what he most craves, and a headless ghost tries to stop him from quitting his band. ( https://hiragi.substack.com/p/sometimes-the-world-cracks-open-if ) There's a link to chapter one at the beginning of the post.
What I found most difficult was rewriting the scene where he formally meets the Devil for the first time - I've written it so many times and enjoyed it, but it was always in a different context that just didn't make sense for the novel as a whole. In fact, trying to get a lonely, anxious and avoidant main character out of the house for long enough to meet the Devil was a challenge that I think I finally cracked in a way that was both in character and thematically appropriate.
EVANGELICALS - REPRESSION - SHAME: I'm writing a memoir about my former life as an Evangelical and my struggle to leave that life. My most recent post was Part 4 and my story is most meaningful if read in order from Part 1 - Part 4. l feel vulnerable sharing this material (although l want to), and after l posted this last post I kept finding myself wanting to revise (and did some revision.) These sections are not from a book l have already written - I'm writing them in real time every week or two and letting my subscribers see my process of dealing with this material. Sometimes what my readers say in comments influences the next section I write, so in a way readers are participating in the creation of this memoir with me. Thanks to everybody! Here's the link: :https://constanceford.substack.com/p/evangelical-therapy-part-4?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
"I'm writing them in real time every week or two and letting my subscribers see my process of dealing with this material." What a great idea Constance; also how you're working in tandem with your subscriber comments! I loved reading your post too!
STILLNESS - What inspired me to write it?: Grappling with writer’s block and a stomach flu, while taking in the New Year in El Salvador, led me to an epiphany!
Questions you have about posting: How do I reach readers who are interested in the kinds of posts I write? It doesn’t seem like I’m making any significant traction.
Inspo authors mentioned in my post: @Susan Cain and @Shaun Usher
What a brilliant lesson you took away from your encounter with the surfer - your writing had me feel like I was part of that conversation too! Thank you for sharing this :)
Hi from a fellow book lover! You may have already come across this, but there's the Unhurried Reader on Substack who has just reached 1,000 subscribers from writing about her love of reading: https://theunhurriedreader.substack.com
EJ - first off, welcome. I enjoyed your first post, looks like you are off to a great start. There are a lot of great writers here and many are writing about bookish content. I am sure you will be a welcome addition to the community.
1 - I post weekly which is plenty for me right now. Every other week is probably a good rhythm starting out until you get a good feel for it and your audience
2 - I personally created a Google Sheet to plan out my articles. Some people use content calendars and some people just wing it. I wanted to keep it pretty simple so just used something that was easy and available.
3 - Draw inspiration from the books you read and from your everyday life. I was worried about this at first also but have quickly discovered that I have a lot I could write about. Primarily focus on what you are passionate about.
this is great-- amazing advice, can’t thank you enough for taking the time to reply, it’s a huge help! and thank you for the kind words, i appreciate it!
1. I mostly posted twice a month all last year and gained a lot of subscribers. I think quality over quantity is really what matters!
2. I have sort of a loose content calendar in that I know some posts I want to do that I keep a list of and then I usually jump into whatever one I feel like working on next. I feel like a super rigid content calendar just doesn't work very well for me when I've tried them in other spaces before.
WELL-BEING - “ Unlocking joy: How small daily acts of fun can transform your life
📝 Start a “Things I love to do” list”
I spent hours and hours writing about my ADHD journey yesterday. Then I went to proofread it today and it just didn’t read right or sit right. It needed a major overhaul.
I was faced with two choices:
1. Push through, even though I wasn’t feeling it
2. Pivot
I chose to pivot.
The piece I ended up publishing, just flowed out of me effortless and was a joy to write.
I learned that sometimes it’s ok to walk away from a piece of writing.
I look forward to revisiting the ADHD piece, but in the meantime, this is what I wrote. Enjoy!
LEADERSHIP: Today I shared my first video within my Substack space. I’m embracing being a writer AND speaker, often have felt I had to choose one or the other. In this video I share 3 mainstream leadership concepts that are outdated and are not sustainable for the future of leadership. Something I’ve been sitting with for a while, excited it’s out of me and into the world.
POETRY PROMPTS, CREATIVITY, IMPOSTER SYNDROME, INTERVIEW with a WOMAN POET Whose POETRY LIFE is TAKING OFF at 80! --My indie press had a paid-subscription called The Weekly Muse that sends out poetry prompts, writing exercises, places to submit your work, and more EVERY Sunday morning--plus it comes with free Zoom Poetry Classes for paid subscribers (next up, Pulitzer Prize winning Poet, Diane Seuss on January 14!)
Here's a free issue of the Weekly Muse for you to check out!--
Ooh, I love this, Connie! I just finished my first draft of my first novel, and I look forward to reading more from you as I begin the editing process.
Congratulations on writing your first post! It was really inspiring to read your journey from the ward to the craft store. Enjoy your Artist's Dates :)
Beautiful and brave first post....wow. thank you. I am touched by this and can relate to your turning point...that began here: " Breath by breath, step by step, I began the process of living again." and your moment in the craft store.
MARRIAGE: You don't hear much about long marriages like mine (50-odd, sometimes very odd years). This post for Amazement Seeker shows the power of food and humor to keep a couple in sync. I agonized over the hed and subhed, nearly choosing a more straight-ahead combination that Google would have liked better. But readers told me this drew them in. Thanks for starting this conversation, Sarah. https://ronamaynard.substack.com/p/cheap-dates
Congratulations on your long marriage Rona! I'm only 6 years into mine so have read your post with eager eyes! And yes, your title and subhead had me hooked and smiling from the get-go!
ANGER--Lately I’ve been taking a deep dive into forgiveness. This led to anger because it is anger (along with its cousins resentment and grudge) that gets forgiven. But if forgiveness is the antidote to anger, then anger itself needs to be examined. When is anger constructive vs. destructive? That’s the topic of this post.
What a necessary question ie "When is anger constructive vs destructive?" Anger gets such a bad press but it very often is our nervous system warning us something is just not right. Great topic!
GOD IS A BAD BOYFRIEND, I write about my rocky relationship, or lack thereof, with that elusive heartbreaker. Known as "the poor little girl who doesn't believe in God" finding peace in grief and rage without him.
LIFE THOUGHTS - I shared this personal piece, one that's been in draft for ages waiting until it felt like the right time to share it. I was really heartened by all of the positive responses I had to it and the fact that it resonated with so many other people
BAD HABITS - Inspired by the season of reflection & habit building we're in, I shared some bad habits from my personal collection and some ways to manage/overcome them. I do need to go back and add "cat collecting" to my list. 😉 Also a video drawing quick ducks for paid members, as a prep for our next session!
FEAR - how I get past fear in my writing life, how I learn from my kids how to take risks, and why showing up for my dreams-even when I feel fear-makes me feel alive.
This was a beautiful and encouraging Friday read! Loved this especially:
"At the end of the day, I want to live a life without regrets…I still feel fear—when I’m submitting queries to agents for my memoir, as we begin to enroll our first subjects in the heat therapy clinical trial. The very act of doing something you care deeply about, of doing something—anything—that matters, comes with a dose of fear. You must learn to do it anyway."
Tell us about your latest Substack post!
-For easy reading, give us THE TOPIC IN ALL CAPS, e.g., GRIEF, HILARY MANTEL, CATS.
-Don’t forget the URL.
→And/or ask any questions you have about posting on Substack.
And be sure to respond and check out each other's work! Mingle.
THANK YOU!
thank you so much!
This is inappropriate. You've been banned.
Apologies for the inappropriate reply you received. That user has been banned. Happy to have you!
no problem! so grateful for your work!
Hi, Mark. I wouldn't worry about posting material that will become part of a book. In fact, doing so helps to build an audience for your work and demonstrates that there's interest in it. You can also post what I call "adjacent" material. I'm starting to publish my second serialized memoir on Substack and I'm also publishing related material about topics that I plan to explore in more depth. For example, my sister died of polio and although I write about her experiences and my parents experiences dealing with her death, I'm planning an adjacent post about the polio epidemic and what it was like for families living with it. I hope that helps.
Great. I hope it goes well!
Hopefully Sarah Fay will chime in here, since she’s currently serializing her next memoir on Substack! I think it’s fine if your posts later become part of a book. I combined some of my best Medium articles into a “Depression and Anxiety Survival Kit” PDF download and didn’t change much.
And since you’re writing about your deconstruction journey, if you’re not already active in the Evolving Faith online community (co-founded by Sarah Bessey, who has a great Substack called “Field Notes”) I encourage you to check it out. I think the website is evolvingfaith.com.
Ooo love this! Off to read now! I’m very into “productivity” as an autistic woman rn in that I’m unlearning a lot of shit that hasn’t worked for me in order to be “good”
GRIEF- I share poems from a collection titled Bloom: A season of grief and gratitude. They’re poems I wrote after my Dad unexpectedly passed away and I became unexpectedly pregnant in the same year.
https://open.substack.com/pub/thebarefootbeat/p/dead-houseplants?r=1tmjxe&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
So sorry for you loss Mariah. You've crafted such a beautiful and thought provoking poem from that pain. Life has a strange way of taking with one hand and giving with the other.
It really does! Thank you for reading, Helen and sharing your response. 🙏💗
Beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing with us. I love your poem - especially the delicacy with which you use short lines and line breaks... and it works so well with the photographs. I'm so sorry for your loss of your Dad. Sending you love.
Thank you for your kind words, Sophie! I appreciate you taking the time to read and respond.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your father. I am also grieving the unexpected loss of a close and beloved family member. I feel sure that art is a powerful tool for healing, and I love your poem, Mariah.
I'm sorry for your loss as well, Debra. No words can truly express the unique way grief affects us all. I hope you are able to find healing in your own way as you honor your loved one. 💗✨
"There is no deductible for suffering - " wow. This poem is so lovely.
Thank you, Kara! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, despite it's sad undertones!
Beautiful, Mariah. I particularly loved this stanza: "The teapot boils / for a second, third time
today/ Gratitude shapeshifts / into yet more grief."
So glad you shared. And I'm sorry for your loss.
Thank you, Holly! I appreciate you taking the time to respond and share what resonated with you. 💗
Lovely.
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing, Mariah. That is a powerful and devastating combination. I experienced a different confluence of intersecting losses when two grandparents and a cousin died the same year I was preparing to resign a faculty position. I'm still recovering from that lifequake.
I'm sorry for your losses, Joshua. That's unimaginable. Sometimes it seems like life just piles up on us, doesn't it? Lifequake is a good word for it. Wishing you peace as you navigate your way forward. Thank you for taking the time to read my poem and respond.
Lifequake is Bruce Feiler's word -- from his excellent book "Life Is in the Transitions." I recommend it! I forgot to add divorce to the end of that list. Sometimes grief at that scale changes you forever. When I feel like I'm an outlier, I reread Cheryl Strayed's "The Love of My Life." If you don't know that essay or her memoir "Wild," it might help you through your grief.
Here's one of mine, which may or may not resonate with your circumstances: https://joshuadolezal.substack.com/p/leaving-acadame-is-not-like-sabbatical
Wow. Divorce is another form of death, isn't it? Sometimes I feel like it's a bit harder. I was unfortunately estranged from a few close family members after my Dad's passing and grieving that loss has taken me down a different path than mourning the loss of my Dad.
I'm familiar with Wild but not her essay, thanks for the recommendation! I'll check out yours as well.
"Divorce is another form of death" Oh, Mariah. I do understand what you mean by that. But from those ashes, a phoenix is rising! And I like what I see.
Cheryl Strayed is the tonic we all need to get through heartbreak and everything else, i agree! I have read all her work. Lifequake is a great word. I've experienced that in the past year, which is the theme of my Substack, puzzling it out in community with others.
Have you written about this, Joshua? My sister and mother died within 5 days of each other, and I still don';t feel ready to write about it
I've touched on it a few times, but never on all of the losses at once:
https://joshuadolezal.substack.com/p/learning-to-live-with-silence?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2Fgrief&utm_medium=reader2
https://joshuadolezal.substack.com/p/its-time-to-rethink-evangelical-funerals
https://joshuadolezal.substack.com/p/leaving-acadame-is-not-like-sabbatical
I'm so sorry for your great losses. So understandable to not be ready to write about it. It takes time and space, if at all, to be ready. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your experience. A teammate lost her brother and Mom on the same day in 2022 (completely unrelated. Natural causes + cancer). Lifequake is a great name! Sounds like a series Joshua
Sending you lots and lots of love and bowing deeply to you for the ways you are transmuting your grief into beauty. So beautiful!
Thank you, Patricia! I'm glad you enjoyed the poem. Thank you for reading and being present to the transmutation. 💗
Beautiful poem - love "Gratitude shapeshifts into yet more grief" - felt that shapeshifting over the years, thank you for sharing it.
Ah, it's a tough transition to experience, love and loss are so closely connected, aren't they? Thanks for taking the time to read and respond. I'm grateful it resonated with you.
Most definitely subscribing to your newsletter. I've experienced the loss of my dad and sister within a year and a half of one another. I've learned a lot about myself and how a monumental loss impacts life. Thanks for sharing your words to help others.
I'm so sorry to hear about your experiences of loss. Thank you for being here and sharing your presence.
very beautifully expressed; I love the use of dead houseplants as a vehicle
Thank you, Terry! I'm so sorry to hear about your losses as well. The Grief club isn't one any of us want to be part of but I'm grateful for your presence here.
🙂
What a stunning poem Mariah! Lovely to have found you
Thank you, Nelly! I'm eager to check out your work as well, I think we have a bit in common!
Wow. Powerful and beautiful! So sorry about your Dad.
Thank you, Kristoffer. Sharing the grief makes it somewhat more bearable. He left a legacy of love behind and I'm grateful for the opportunity to walk in his footsteps. ✨
Oh my as a Dad of 2 daughters I only hope I can do the same. Very special guy, clearly. He's gotta be prouda YOU! (forgive my Practical Dad Energy). lol. Great work all around. -kc
Lol, thanks for bringing your Dad energy front and center. It made me smile. Your daughters must be very lucky to have you as well!
Beautiful poem. I love the line "There is no deductible for suffering."
Thank you, Annette! It speaks to my fear of the losses piling up and not knowing how to survive/carry the weight of cumulative grief. But I remind myself that joy is also cumulative and we would not have loss without love! I'm lucky that in spite of my worst fears I had a healthy baby boy who's now a thriving toddler! Yet, I know I'm not exempt from future loss and living with that tension is tender.
I hear you. I've had cumulative losses and it's hard to hold the grief and still make room for joy. I do my best though. Good luck with your toddler!
This is beautiful--the way you get into the juxtaposition of hope and fear.
Thank you, Stephanie! I appreciate you reading and commenting. It brightens my heart to share this poetry and hopefully make something meaningful from missing my Dad.
This is beautiful ❤️ my dad unexpectedly passed away in 2021 as COVID was wrapping up. It's never easy, but this poem is beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
I’m sorry for your loss Jennie! So many of us have lost loved ones or just gone through dramatic life changes in the last four years. I hope sharing these poems is a way to honor what we’ve been through while cultivating enough strength to look ahead. 💗
TRANITH ARGAN 1:THE REVEALING CHAPTER TWO
https://tranithargan.substack.com/p/chapter-two
I am just starting, and the hardest part for me is doing this weekly. I’d love to share my whole book at once!
Nick, though I don't write fantasy, I find the genre of demons and dragons very compelling. Sharing your fiction on Substack is something that many of us aspire to. I'm afraid of overwhelming my readers who already read several Substacks with pieces that are too long. What are your thoughts on that?
Thank you. I respect limits, so I only want readers who welcome what I write. I would rather have a small dedicated community than a large detached community.
Length of each chapter? Yes, that weighed on me. I already cut chapters in half to suit today’s audience. Alas, it is a 300,000 word epic I am writing, so at some point the reader just has to accept that when they get to the end they will wish there was more!
Seems like fantasy is a genre that will support that kind of word count, yes?
Absolutely. When you have a large cast of characters, several lands to explore, advances, reverses, betrayals, new allies, hope, it all adds up.
I get that feeling! I'm writing on my first short novel right now and I wish I could already share all the chapters I wrote. But my first draft is a mess, so it's better not to haha.
Can I ask what your book is about?
It’s a high epic fantasy (so not our world). Women, elves, dwarves, dragons, no demons as Stephanie suggested).
It’s full of action, but character driven. It has as a key theme the futility of prejudice, and several sub-themes.
But it’s also fun, and it’s optimistic not dystopian. I just lost half my potential audience, but the rest of you just realized they will feel good when they read this 6-book epic.
And book one is FREE! Subscribe and all you can do is do it for free.
This sounds interesting! I will definitely keep an eye out.
Keep up good work and you will find your audience🍀
Please subscribe and I hope you enjoy the journey I will take you on.
A fellow fantasy writer? I write serials also, I'll check yours out, I also participate in some fantasy writing events hereon Substack.
Here's the sort of story I write; https://canadianculturecorner.substack.com/p/swift-shadow-murders-chapter-1-the
INSPIRATION FROM MANY YEARS AGO, MANY MILES AWAY--a really weird story about a lifelong dream that came true for me.
https://open.substack.com/pub/gemwriter/p/inspiration-from-many-years-ago-many?r=vyzrf&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true
Intriguing! Saved your post for my reading time. :)
Thank you for your delicious skill in writing this story. You give great 'hook.' I love how seemingly random events (books!) ignite our imaginations and inspire a lifetime passion. (I experienced a similar obsession with Japan and Samurai culture after reading Shōgun. I now believe I was a samurai in a past life, but perhaps that's too woo for you?) Thank you!
Yes, woo woo! I believe I lived in early 15th Century in Belgium. Let the magic flow :)
It helps to explain the intense resonance. I am reading a novel about remembering past lives “again and again” by Jonathan Evison.
Thank you for the recommendation! I will look up that title.
What a great story Frances. I love your subheading too: Live for the moment, but let yesterday fuel your today - I've made a note of that!
A charming tale of dreaming and visions. I subscribe to the teachings of Carl Jung who wrote extensively about the power of our dreams messages to our life. Thank you for a very engaging piece.
This is so interesting, because many years ago a school friend was laid up in bed for about two weeks with an illness, and his dad bought him a book called The Observer's Book of Art. That sparked a major passion that inspired him to teach himself. When I accompanied him to an art gallery, he was able to tell me all sorts of facts, and it all stemmed from that little book. I loved the way you told your story: I found it quite exciting. I'm glad you were able to fulfill your dream. I don't think I could ever sell a kitten though: I fall in love too easily!
That's exactly why I don't raise kittens anymore. It was too difficult to say goodbye, and then to wonder if they ended up having a good life. Thanks for chiming in :)
I'm glad I'm not the only softie around here!
COGNITIVE DISSONANCE - I am sharing about the decades of a journey through cognitive dissonance I felt attending evangelical churches after a life of trauma, abuse, mental illness, and the suicides of family members caused me to begin attending a little church in Los Angeles in the 1970s, and how I managed to reconstruct my faith while letting go of the need to be certain about my belief systems Thanks, Sarah!
.https://lindahoenigsberg.substack.com/p/the-gift-of-cognitive-dissonance
I grew up in a Mormon household and culture in northern Utah. I have seen the work of cognitive dissonance. Interested to read, Linda. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for writing and sharing this Linda. Your post was serendipitous to my recent pondering of how I might write about a similar experience in my own life!
Beautiful! A heart-wrenching/heart-warming story, so very relatable in these times where religion and politics are a little too much in bed together. And I had to chuckle at the God as in Ga-wwwd. Who knew it was a two syllable word? You're a lovely, lovely writer and you sound like a gem of a human being! Write on!
Thanks, Stephanie!!
WOw. I love stories like this. I'm always interested in how people lose and regain their faith! Can't wait to read it!
I'm looking forward to reading this. Saved.
Thank you for writing about this Linda! I'm often curious about this journey of faith.
You're welcome. I added another post today..."A Cage Door Swings." This is free content so feel free to check it out!
So many people are fleeing evangelical churches (and mainline Protestant and Catholic ones) these days. Like you, I’m grateful I found a truly inclusive, welcoming church. Do you know about Evolving Faith, an online community co-founded by Sarah Bessey (who also has a Substack)? It’s free and from what you wrote it sounds like you might enjoy it.
Thanks, Wendi! I’ve been a member from the beginning! It’s great!
I love your story. Thank you for sharing here!
Thanks, Angela!
DANGEROUS WORDS - the books I am teaching as part of my university course on book bans, censorship, and disinformation in a digital world.
https://open.substack.com/pub/marissagallerani/p/dangerous-words-book-bans-censorship?r=52201&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
I love footnotes so much!! It's the political scientist in me. I think there's a book that has basically a second story hidden in the footnotes, though I can't remember the title off the top of my head.
And yes, save yourself the research paper but pillage the syllabus for books. That's how I've stayed caught up on what's been going on in poli sci trends and contemporary French lit for the past few years!
Great post! Have a good semester.
Thank you! I’m excited for class next week.
What a great topic, Marissa. Excited to check this out.
I spent a brief time in Providence years back, by the way, and absolutely loved it. Keep meaning to visit again.
Thank you Holly! Providence is definitely a cool little town, come say hi sometime!
Great topic Marissa!
Thanks Helen! I’m really excited about it. I studied to be a political scientist in college, so this is the best of both worlds in combining my interests - words and politics!
Wow - it sounds perfect for your interests! Wishing you every success and lots of fun as you share your skills with your students :)
Thank you!!
A great topic, Marissa! I remember how difficult it became to teach certain works near the end of my faculty tenure. You should add Sharon Olds's entire oeuvre to your list of dangerous words!
Thanks Joshua! I’ll have to check our Sharon Olds’s work. I’m building out an entire reference document of *more* articles/novels/books that relate to the Dangerous Words theme, for better or worse there’s just so many! I got lucky that I was allowed the freedom to choose the topic of this class, and I decided to go with something that bridged both my literature and political science interests. As long as I’m teaching the writing bit (it’s a First Year Writing Seminar) I was allowed the leeway to teach on whatever I wanted. Big props to Salve Regina on that.
Olds has won nearly every poetry award on the planet. I think she broke onto the scene with SATAN SAYS. The book that made my students uncomfortable was THE WELLSPRING (such a beautiful book!). See more here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/sharon-olds
Ooh this makes sense why I’m not familiar with her then - I did my MFA in fiction. I was (and still am!) always so intimidated by the poets and their command of language. This is a great suggestion thank you! While I wait for the students to get their actual books, I’ll be doing articles and shorter pieces, so this will fit in perfectly.
Love Sharon Olds!
ugh so important to share! book bans are a big part of why i just launched my own substack
no need to be a woman! just my perspective & lived experience :)
Ooh subscribing right now!!
Dangerous Words! How exciting and timely! I'm looking forward to reading your Substack!
Thanks Cherie!
Great topic! Thanks for this window into what it's like to be on the front lines!
I have just finished reading a book called The Book At War, which looks at book bans amongst other topics. I'll be reviewing it soon. It gives a very wide and also long-term historical perspective
Ooh I’ll give it a look! Thanks for the suggestion.
Such a necessary topic. I do feel like you take a long time to get to the kernal. Maybe not so much background - which sounded like it belonged more on the About page. Thank you so much for doing this. I'm living in Iowa where banned books is a huge topic!
Thanks for the feedback Suzan! I appreciate it.
great post and great selection of titles....I had a 5 year stint at college teaching with my (terminal) MBA degree...teaching business to Native American art students. Had never taught an academic class before.....but teaching was in my blood, I guess...Anyway, this course sounds fabulous....makes me (almost) wish I was back in college again. And so so timely of course. Glad they are allowing you to teach this.
Thank you Ellen! Me, too. And I thought a MBA was a terminal degree, too, thank you for confirming it for me!
COMPASSION: I just started my meditation series for chronic illness folks and our allies. I’m a former yoga and meditation teacher and I loved getting back to walking people through mediations, although from my bed. This one’s about receiving compassion from the Earth. Here it is: https://madelleine.substack.com/p/chronic-illness-earth-meditation
i got this in my inbox this morning and look forward to doing the meditation later today!
I’m so happy to hear this 🌸
I love gathering compassion from Mama Earth! Inspiring.
Yay! 🌸
Love this! Beautiful. I speak often in my talks about how the reservoir of compassion is endless if we look to the earth and universe. Thank you.
Wow that sounds like great talks 🌸
Your meditation and voice are lovely...and thank you for writing from this perspective. This past year I spent a lot of time horizontal in bed, recovering..it has been quite an initiation. It is such an isolating, difficult journey in our able-ist culture...your messages are needed.
Thank you so much 🌸🌺
Last week I shared a link to a recent WRITING EXCUSES PODCAST INTERVIEW OF ABRAHAM VERGHESE, the writer of The Covenant of Water. Several weeks ago, I posted my response to his novel and thought my readers would enjoy hearing this excellent interview. This week I'll present another HISTORICAL NOVEL SET IN INDIA.
https://lausanne.substack.com/p/writing-excuses-podcast-interviews
Hi everyone, Happy Friday :) I'm a new subscriber to Writers at Work so I wanted to share an introductory piece. It's called: BEYOND SURVIVAL: A REINTRODUCTION. Here's the link: https://clareegan.substack.com/p/beyond-survival-a-reintroduction
I'm excited to read all your wonderful posts!
I loved your piece. It nearly brought tears. Dare I say we are likeminded. I felt this line particularly ...
“Welcome to the knowledge that your entire life can be wiped out in an instant”, I thought, rather ungenerously.”
And this ...
“Survivors, as a cohort, have developed a skill set that is very useful in a world of chaos.”
Thank you so much for sharing. I look forward to following your writing.
Thank you so much Marychris. I've signed up to follow your writing too.
Gorgeous work. I'm so grateful that our hearts are evolving to share our trauma! We are not alone, even if others in our world can't hold it with us. Especially LOVE this metaphor:
“The earth was scorched, all life extinguished, only a barren, blackness remaining. Scorched land is remarkably fertile....From that fertile ground, I grew a new life. It was slow and laborious but I made myself a new home, a new life.”
Thank you Christine. I laboured over that metaphor so I'm very glad to hear it resonates!
I loved that metaphor too! I used to live in Hawaii and once walked on a trail that had hardened black lava that had killed everything in its path on one side, but on the other side new green plants were sprouting up in the cracks of the lava.
What a beautiful essay Clare. I really felt drawn into your writing and felt myself celebrate in the strength you've found inside yourself. I've subscribed to your Substack and look forward to reading more of your essays.
Thank you Helen! Welcome to Substack. I'm looking forward to diving into your work here.
Hi Clare, after reading just a few sentences of your essay, I've subscribed and I look forward to reading all of your work. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Cherie. That means a lot.
Great post! In some ways I had my life wiped out in an instant a few years ago. Are you familiar with the “Five Year Plan” Substack by Maddie Burton? It’s about what happens when your plans go up in flames, learning to live with uncertainty, etc.
And I’ll add that I think all of us live in the “messy middle” for at least part of our lives (though I don’t mean to minimize the trauma you’ve experienced or claim mine is similar).
Sometimes I miss the illusion of control that I used to have. Occasionally I’m envious of the people who still believe hard work and a positive attitude guarantee success in life. But I’m also grateful to have rediscovered who I am and what kind of life I want as a result of being forced out of my former career.
Hi Wendi, totally agree re: the messy middle. Not all of us will experience serious trauma, but all of us will have a moment in life when our understanding of the world collapses around us. We have so much to learn from eachother, which is a big part of what Beyond Survival is all about. I'm grateful to be connected with you!
ooh and thank you for the tip! Will check out Maddie's work.
Beautiful essay! Claire how glad I am to discover your writing. I've subscribed.
Hi Amy, I'm so glad! I love this line from your description too: "this is not where the story ends". What an empowering sentiment!
LOVED it!
Clare, I just subscribed to your substack after reading your introductory piece. Thank you for sharing. My story is different, but I saw myself in your words. We all have our struggles. Looking forward to reading more!
Thank you Serena. I'm so glad to be connected with you.
I posted the latest chapter in my serialized novel yesterday! It's a historical fantasy (attention time travel fans!) novel that takes place on a military base in 1918 right before the onset of the Spanish flu. It’s been so much fun reworking this novel and I’m excited to finally let this out into the world. This is Ch. 13 but there is a link to Ch. 1 if you’d like to start from the beginning. Thank you and may all writers find more readers!
https://open.substack.com/pub/thedastimemachine/p/murder-in-the-zone-historical-fiction?r=e338n&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Time travel nerd alert! 🙌🏼 I forward to this!
Thank you Christine!
GRIEF - a poem I wrote in the very early days of bereavement, and my reflections on it now, 4 years later
https://jackiedaly.substack.com/p/life-jacket
"and then the matches get damp and it takes half the box to relight the candle." Beautifully put. Grief is exhausting. Thank you for this offering.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I'm so glad my words resonated with you.
thank you for sharing
Thank you 😊
TRAVEL - A Colombian island that's native English-speaking, devoid of mass tourism and has the third largest coral reef on earth. I was interested because of its history: the island has belonged to the English, the Dutch, the Spanish and now Colombia. https://thewritinggrove.substack.com/p/colombian-sketches-providencia-ffa
A beautiful introduction to Providencia - I loved the photos too! It looks like the perfect place for a writer to spend some quality time.
ADDICTION & CHINESE MEDICINE. I write about addiction and sobriety all the time, but feel overexposed when sharing essays like this one—which offers a window into my cocaine and naked dance party days. I’m a whole other person now and feel as though I’m writing about someone else, at a distance. But my parents read everything I write…and they don’t talk about deep, dark secrets anywhere (especially on the internet).
A Scattered Spirit: Joy on Drugs vs. Joy While Sober >> https://danaleighlyons.substack.com/p/scattered-spirit-joy-on-drugs-vs-sober
Thank you for this invitation, Sarah! Looking forward to reading other people’s shares!
I’m going to check this out! What a deep and dark ride your work must be! I just wrote about going through my daughter’s belongings after she died of fentanyl poisoning in 2022. While she was struggling through her addiction I treated her to many acupuncture sessions. I go too regularly these days.
Oh, sending so much care and tenderness your way, Jennifer. Addiction takes so much from us, and from every single relationship in our lives. Thank you for sharing your story and, in this way, sharing part of hers.
Such Soul-burnishing suffering! Deep sigh... You are not alone.
Hearts to you, Christine!
Oh, man, I know that specific kind of discomfort that is having your parents read what you write when they themselves are private and, in my case, when they're undoubtedly disturbed by some of the experiences and feelings I share. Thanks for your openness.
Yeah, it's such a mixed blessing. On the one hand, I'm deeply grateful that they're reading (it has probably helped them actually KNOW me more than anything else in my entire life). On the other, I hate thinking that I'm hurting them or embarrassing them through my writing (even though I'm writing about myself, and make a point of leaving them and my sisters out of my essays). On the other (hand number 3!), writing has been more healing that just about any other practice in my life. Healing for myself...and also healing for my relationships, including that with my parents. Wishing you much serenity and steadiness on your own journey with it all, Holly.
With you on all three hands! Peace and steadiness to you too.
I'd like to shake that third hand one of these days! Brava.
🙏
Oh dear. I was probably at that naked dance party 🤪 Making friends with my past selves is a sweet balm for the dreaded embarrassment and shame. You are one badass for sharing this, with your parents reading over your shoulder. (I mentioned my Dad for the first time today in a gender post! Yikes!!!) Carry on, Brave Soul.
Thank you from my heart, Christine. I'm glad we've found an alternative to that particular sort of dance party! Cheering you on.
🙏🏽 I still dance naked, but in the ocean 🌊 singing...
I'm so glad you share your story. I know the pain of diving deep and coming back up to write about it, too. And what I have personally found is that I end up feeling so freed - of the pain, the heartache, the stigmas, the shame - all of it. Good work, you! The best thing, to me, is how others with similar stories are inspired to move out of their own pain and self-pity and confusion into the same freedom. If we don't talk, share, speak, how will others know it's not only OK to do but in the long run ultimately freedom-creating?!?
Yes! So much. The process of writing changes the darkness, changes me, and changes every relationship in my life. Softening the shame and blame, carrying me (sometimes us) from fear to forgiveness.
And that's what counts, in the end - the transformation of the constriction of fear into the expansion of freedom. I think they call that 'enlightenment'! Not necessarily the vaunted spiritual state - altho when we are released from the fear it can feel blissful - but the simple lightening of the Load.
That has been true for me, too. I even wrote a Medium article about how writing online is the best thing I’ve done for my mental health. When we share our wounds, we help ourselves and others heal!
That's where it's at! I love it that, altho social media has made us focus on devices, it also connects us in ways we'd never have been able to before. I love having friends and fans from all over the world with whom I can have deep discussions, and play and laugh with! Now our next step is to rise out of the traumas of our early lives, and learn how to create lives that will feel fulfilled and satisfying.
Yes! That's my experience too (well, at least with writing—not always online). Hearts to you, Wendi!
Solipsism from a snake oil peddler.
? Ugh...really, C. James? Just because you "don't believe" doesn't mean it hasn't worked for thousands of other people and for thousands of years - myself as well as the literally thousands of patients at world class treatment centers that I've had the honor of helping. And besides, it's just rude to boot.
*whines
more like *truth....keep writing your fictions...
Will do, Randy.
Grateful to you for sharing vulnerably, Dana! These are my favorite sorts of stories to read, because even when my experiences are different, it feels like an invitation to share my deep, dark parts too.
Thank you so much, Jenna! I appreciate your taking the time to read and to share that. I feel the same when reading other people's tender, vulnerable shares.
MINDFUL WRITING - SETTING UP SAFE SPACES FOR WRITING
https://open.substack.com/pub/helenerrington/p/creating-a-safe-space-for-writing?r=10rfv4&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true
My post was inspired by my own experience of naively thinking that words would naturally flow from my pen on command... I was so wrong! I just started writing posts for my Substack this week (thanks to the encouragement of this community!) so I'm experiencing a huge learning curve!
Love the title of your Substack, Helen.
Thank you Sophie!
Great topic!
Thank you Jen!
Very thoughtful! I also find that the time of day of when I choose to write matters a lot in the mental "safety" of the space for me. i.e. when I write past 1 PM, it's pulling teeth! My brain just isn't able to be creative.
Thank you Jennie. Oh, that's a great point re the afternoon brain fog - I'll remember to include that in future :)
Love this...thank you. I have actually been blessed with safe spaces to share writing...I could not even begin to share anywhere, without them. And the encouragement of friends and clients on Facebook is how I even dared to begin on Substack. I have had words flow from my pen on command...at times. But mainly when divine inspiration hits...thus, not reliably, or necessarily timely, for publication! I too am new to Substack and it is a huge learning curve....please keep writing and sharing this super useful information.
Thank you so much for your encouragement Ellen and for describing the power of your safe spaces and friends - your experience has really enthused me! I'm very happy our paths have crossed here on Substack and look forward to write alongside you :)
This was such a thoughtful and actionable read, Helen — thank you for sharing!
Thank you for this generous feedback Jenna; it's really appreciated!
ISRAEL - Not the Israel-Gaza war, but the southern border of biblical Israel, which is at least 30 miles away from modern Israel's border city Eilat on the northern tip of the Red Sea.
Researching and writing this post taught me about Judaism's nuanced relationship with the world and its wisdoms. It's not all battles and conflict, because King Solomon built here an international trading outpost here to exchange goods and ideas with the world. This, I believe, is the message of Solomon's unparalleled wisdom: the Torah doesn't undermine or supersede the "regular" human intellect, but rests upon and interacts with what man understands with his mind.
https://thehealthyjew.substack.com/p/is-eilat-relevant
WRITING POEMS + FEELING OUR FEELINGS - this personal essay was one where the skeleton of the post I wanted to write emerged almost immediately, but fleshing it out and getting it over the finish line felt like wrestling an alligator. 😅 Proud of the result.
(Not technically my latest, but a recent favorite!) — https://michellelacroix.substack.com/p/turning-toward-the-ache
I loved this, Michelle! And especially related to: "My body has shown a self-protective propensity for stopping the surge by freezing over. And so I often find myself hardening almost imperceptibly, turning away from all kinds of things that threaten to crack me open . . ." Thank you for sharing 💛
I really appreciate you reading, Jenna! Thank you.
“Wrestling an alligator” - a great metaphor!
LANGUAGE ACQUISITION: Using the "walking technique" to learn a language. It makes so much sense -- why are we trying to learn language in static classrooms?
https://bilingualbridge.substack.com/p/the-walking-method-for-learning-language
Is it invasive to people's privacy to make a Note tagging new subscribers and giving them a "thank you" for subscribing?
Oooh I love this! Especially as someone who loves learning new languages. And to answer your question, I think it may be. I personally wouldn't mind it, but that also depends on the publication, and it could feel invasive to some. <3 Maybe you can send out a lil poll!
Love this idea! Walking is how I memorize poetry, so why not?
As for tagging new subs, I find them on Substack (not all have a presence here) and tag away! I see no reason not to. (I believe Sarah encourages it.)
This is amazing!
Love this language learning technique!
I think tagging new subscribers who have a presence here is fine. Perhaps even better, check out their stuff and restack something of theirs you like. :)
I’ll have to read your post! I said this year that I’d learn more Japanese vocab and sentences I could say in my everyday life, if that’s what you’re referring to! Cause I wanna practice more and immerse myself more in my everyday life.
Also I think some people may want to stay in the shadows possibly though I wouldn’t mind a shoutout in that position!
What I’ve done is mention vaguely like a number of new people in our community, or if it’s a paid subbie, a quick shoutout to the newest paid subbie AND how appreciative I am of everyone who spends their time here (aka with the newsletter). And maybe you can send an email back to new subscribers thanking them privately!
Someone mentioned before making a Gmail email for your newsletter to make it easier, I just gotta learn how to do that so I can switch from personal to substack email easier!
I need all the help I can to learn Japanese, thanks for sharing this! I recently started learning Japanese sign language in hopes that it would help me learn and retain the language. What you share in your post confirms that I've made a good move! Thank you!!
Oh fantastic! I studied Japanese for three years when I was a kid and living there. I was conversational at the time, but let it drop. I like how that language feels in my mouth.
That's such a cool description!
When our bodies move forward, so do our brains. I just had a flashback when I was in graduate school and had to spend a summer learning Latin; I used to go for runs with a pile of notecards in my hand so I could memorise declensions while exercising. Talk about multitasking!
MUSIC. I explore how songs about objects tell us things about the role of objects in our lives. Some of those objects are songs themselves, so I think about the role of songs in our lives as part of the process.
Latest post: https://songstudies.substack.com/p/a-song-for-every-season
What inspired me: have long been interested in the topic and have been working on this as a project mostly out of public sight (i.e. confimed to my hard drive!) for several years, so wanted to test out the material in a public forum. What inspired the last post was the turning of the year and thinking about songs (and objects) that reflected that time.
What troubled me about the last post was that, shortly after posting, I found that someone else on Substack had written about two of the songs I wrote about a few days before and I suppose that got me thinking about how difficult it is to be original with so much being written all the time.
As a reader of your work, I can attest that your writing is original because it comes from your lens. All art recycles topics/themes/stories so don’t worry about that. Just tell your story and it will find its audience!
Thank you. You're right, of course, and this is something I'm always telling writers who I advise. It can sometimes be difficult to heed our own advice, though!
Cool Stack! Excited to check it out. I'm a song-catcher who wants to write songs that could change a life. Today I wrote about gender bending M/F energies for creatives - citing Prince. (I wonder what you'd think of this -- https://heartsquest.substack.com/p/what-if-everyone-is-wethey)
This is right up my alley! I'll check out your 'stack!
Lovely. But now I'm nervous cause you are the bomb-diggity! (My weirdest improv-ish imperfect looping song featuring a Monkey posted wednesday.)
Interesting! I 'catch' songs on the daily, and include rough improv song sketches in my video posts. Looking forward to this post. Including physical objects in a song can help ground my woowoo ideas in the present, real time.
I also write about songs--but only super briefly. (And only once a month, as part of my wider scope of topics.) So I’m really admiring your deep dive! And i totally know that cringey feeling of questioning one’s originality when writing about music. Here my tiny approach, if you’re interested!
https://suemell.substack.com/p/this-song-as-it-was
Thanks Sue. I really like your posts, both music-based and more general. What you say in the description of your Substack--'how the things we collect—and can’t let go of—express who we are'--really resonates with me. That's a lot of what's driving my project. Tomorrow I'm publishing the first of three projected posts about Mary Chapin Carpenter songs and I think of her as a poet of what we find it difficult to let go of, or 'the things that we are made of' as she says in one of her songs.
Thanks so much Richard! I’ll be looking forward to your Mary Chapin Carpenter posts.
The Four Tops coming up soon for me.
JUST the messenger here, but… I interviewed an author who wrote a book for Bloomsbury’s series, “Object Lessons.” Could this topic be a fit? What she loved about getting her book was that you didn’t need a platform because the publisher had a built-in audience. Came to mind when I read your description is all!
Thanks for the suggestion and for seeing the connection between my project and that series. I felt the connection too. Unfortunately, the series editors didn't when I pitched the idea to them a few years ago. One of the reasons I was given was that they had already published a book in the series on whale song and were concerned about duplication. Couldn't see it myself as I have yet to encounter any whales who sing about shirts, bags, buttons and the other things I write about, but there we go. Also, having done a couple of shorter books for other Bloomsbury series (Study of Sound and 33 1/3 Europe), I've got my eyes set on a bigger book now if that is indeed the direction this project takes (which I would like). Thanks again.
Way to pivot! Fingers and toes crossed for you.
The healing work of play therapy: https://open.substack.com/pub/johnmoyermedlpcncc/p/healing-through-play?r=3p5dh&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
what a wonderful topic! I often remind myself to create more play in my life as an adult. It is easy to be too serious.
FATHERHOOD: I write letters to my newborn son to share the love I never got to experience. My son, Myles, turned seven months this week, and to celebrate, I shared 7 MYLESTONES about how he's growing. I'm hoping to do these monthly, but I wasn't sure if the video I added would take away or add to the experience as a reader. But It turned out really great. I've been trying to use all the tools on the platform to give a glimpse of my experience and the love I have for him. Thank you for creating this space, Sarah.
https://open.substack.com/pub/raisingmyles/p/unusual-humor?r=1vqume&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Oh, my goodness. I love this so much! Thank you. 💜
Thanks Sophie!
Love your Substack! So uplifting!
Thanks Julie!
This is one of my favorite of Marc's letters. And that's saying a lot, as they're all really, really good.
🥹 do we need a counter for how many times I say thank you?
Love this.
Appreciate the community you’ve built Sarah.
Love this, Marc -- I published on fatherhood this week, too.
A gorgeous future gift to your son that he can forever treasure. I loved reading this!
Beautiful Marc! I will enjoy reading about Myles as he grows, and your writings will be a precious gift for him when he's older. You've inspired me to do something similar for my first grandchild-to-be, due in May, whether as part of my Substack or not.
Cherie Lee, this is why I started these, In hopes more parents would do the same. I wish my parents did this for me.
Oh wow, this tugged at my heart! This is such a beautiful concept 💛 Thank you for sharing, Marc!
This is beautiful. I started journaling to my twins when they were born and though I haven't kept up with it as consistently, it's a beautiful gesture and not only for them but for me as the parent. Love reading your love manifesto to your son (and your wife).
Thank you, Darci. This has been a beautiful journey of love, and healing. It’s not easy to keep up with, but it’s so worth it. I’m sure your twins, when they are able to will receive them with so much warmth. ❤️
JOURNALING QUESTIONS FOR YOUR 2024--A companion post to a piece I wrote on how I've already failed my 2024 'resolution' to cut out coffee by having coffee and writing about it. The journal prompts ask readers to chat with their higher self about their intentions of this blossoming new year.
https://bethmorrow.substack.com/p/journal-with-me-your-intentional
We have a lot in common. I can’t wait to read it!
It appears we do! Let me know what you think!
Wonderful idea, Beth. Can't wait to be inspired by your writing!
Thank you, Cherie!
Love the idea of chatting with your higher self!
She has all the insight! ❤️
JOINING A CULT
https://thecosmicyes.substack.com/p/joining-a-cult
I post every Saturday and Wednesday. On Wednesdays, I share stories--some about my life, some inspirational and others about my spiritual journey. This one was tough because it highlights how vulnerable, naive and blind I was to the deceptive practices of a spiritual group. Lots of necessary growth happened from the experience.
Hi Victoria, I look forward to reading your post - saving it for the weekend. I was brought up in a cult. This new substack from a girl in my writing group could be of interest to you. https://jaqs1983.substack.com/?utm_source=edit-profile-visibility
I would love to know more about your experience. Have you written a post about it? If not, we can exchange email addresses.
Hi Victoria! I haven't written about it (yet?) because my newsletter is more focused on Venice's food and culture. Also, I'm not sure I'm ready to open up publicly yet. Would certainly love to connect though. Here's my email address sinu.fogarizzu@gmail.com. Have a good weekend!
Intriguing, Victoria. Interested to check this out.
"I trust my inner voice above all else." I learned this lesson the hard way to Victoria (ie a-faith-gone-wrong). Thank you for sharing this.
A-faith-gone-wrong is a great way to describe it. Love to know more.
I hope to one day get it out from inside my head Victoria - your essay has certainly given me a buzz to try!
So intrigued to read this!
GOAL SETTING I wrote about kind goals, daily actions, and some of the other tools I use to (occasionally) reach my goals https://katiemorwenna.substack.com/p/goal-getting
The concept of a kind goal (something that feels nurturing! not something you punish yourself with!) is so useful…really glad I discovered it through your post 💞
It really reframed the way I thought about them when I heard about it 😍
I really enjoy your Substack Katie - there's always something I take away for my week ahead!
Thank you so much Helen!
I LOVE this! Notion is the one app I have open 90% of my workday - my whole business lives in it. Such an amazing tool. Cool to find someone else who uses it as a goal setting tool!
It’s so useful for basically everything 😂
So smart to focus on the actions, not the goals! I've been thinking a lot lately about how I can fall in love with those actions too — how can I make them easier? More fun? Something I look forward to? So I can fall in love with the process of getting to my goal, perhaps even more than reaching the goal itself! I loved these tips, Katie — thank you for sharing! 💛
Yay so glad you found it useful x
HOLDING ON OR LETTING GO. Thanks for asking, Sarah! I just wrote about my experience sorting through the belongings of my daughter who died in 2022. It was hard to get the courage to do the task, then write about it.
https://open.substack.com/pub/jenniferbochik/p/hold-on-or-let-it-go?r=5nk2i&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
I'm so sorry for your loss! It takes so much courage to do the task you are describing and then write about it as well. Sending love and strength.
So sorry to read of your loss Jennifer. You write with such a compelling and beautiful tenderness x
Sending my condolences... I'm so sorry for your loss...
Thank you Cierra! She shares a name with you, spelled Sierra ❤️
I'm so sorry for your loss, Jennifer 💛 What a beautiful and tender reflection.
TRAVEL - I had a great visit to a place called Pott Shrigley and so I wrote about it. This was my latest free post. https://adrianbleese.substack.com/p/eloping-with-a-gibbon
FLYING - This was my latest post for my paid subscribers about finishing my pilot's licence back when I was 17. https://adrianbleese.substack.com/p/thursday-28th-august-1986
Always intrigued to find a fellow travel writer, Adrian. Saved your post to check out during my reading time. :)
That's great, Holly. I'll be having a look at your posts, too. I've just subscribed, it looks like an adventure.
JOHN STEINBECK - I am reading through the complete works of John Steinbeck this year and providing reviews as I go along. Lots of research goes into these posts and it is a real passion project of mine. Hope you will read if you are interested in how literature intersects with life.
https://matthewmlong.substack.com/p/the-steinbeck-review-2-sorrow-in
I admire what you're doing with this series, Matthew! It's been forever since I read or taught Steinbeck, so I don't have much to add to this week's post. But you make me want to dip back into his work. I think I avoided it for so long because Grapes of Wrath felt like a high school classic, and I imagined other modernists as better stylists. But that presumption was formed more than twenty years ago, so I ought to revisit it.
Thanks Joshua, I really appreciate that. Other than East of Eden and Grapes of Wrath I didn't have much experience with his work. This has been a really informative and fun project so far. Appreciate your support and encouragement.
I loved this! I'm currently reading Steinbeck's "Working Diary" and learning some very valuable writing craft ideas from him as I do!
Thanks Helen! He had a couple of diaries that I know of, one he wrote while working on Grapes of Wrath and the other while writing East of Eden. Are you reading one of those or is this another one?
Yes, I'm reading the companion diary he wrote when working on Grapes of Wrath. I didn't realise there was another - I'll be hunting that out, for sure :)
I believe the title is Journal of a Novel.
Thank you Matthew - I've ordered it!
Greetings from Tellico Plains, Tn! I am a fan of John Steinbeck as well.
Pleasure to "meet" another Steinbeck fan. I had to look up Tellico Plains as I wasn't sure where it was! I am on the opposite side of the state in Tipton County.
HUMILITY; LEARNING FROM SETBACKS I wrote this to process some very harsh feedback from a student, which led to insights into my own journey as an educator and human.
https://buildinghope.substack.com/p/when-the-student-becomes-the-teacher
This sounds so honest and real and I'm interested in reading it!
Having just left the teaching profession I felt every word of your post. "It’s humbling to be reminded that mentoring is a mirror, a two-way street" - it really is that!
Thanks for reading, Helen. ☺️
Looking forward to it! Feeling it will be helpful for me today.
wonderful- keep up the great work!
EXPLORATION - Koel and Ravi play a game daily. Koel found out something quite different about her friend today.
https://storybyisha.substack.com/p/if-i-could-live-anywhere-in-the-world
GRIEF / YEARNING/ FICTION - Dee meets a mysterious figure who seems to be able to offer him what he most craves, and a headless ghost tries to stop him from quitting his band. ( https://hiragi.substack.com/p/sometimes-the-world-cracks-open-if ) There's a link to chapter one at the beginning of the post.
What I found most difficult was rewriting the scene where he formally meets the Devil for the first time - I've written it so many times and enjoyed it, but it was always in a different context that just didn't make sense for the novel as a whole. In fact, trying to get a lonely, anxious and avoidant main character out of the house for long enough to meet the Devil was a challenge that I think I finally cracked in a way that was both in character and thematically appropriate.
EVANGELICALS - REPRESSION - SHAME: I'm writing a memoir about my former life as an Evangelical and my struggle to leave that life. My most recent post was Part 4 and my story is most meaningful if read in order from Part 1 - Part 4. l feel vulnerable sharing this material (although l want to), and after l posted this last post I kept finding myself wanting to revise (and did some revision.) These sections are not from a book l have already written - I'm writing them in real time every week or two and letting my subscribers see my process of dealing with this material. Sometimes what my readers say in comments influences the next section I write, so in a way readers are participating in the creation of this memoir with me. Thanks to everybody! Here's the link: :https://constanceford.substack.com/p/evangelical-therapy-part-4?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
Ooh bookmarking your series of posts to read! I think this will resonate with me- thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Jen!
"I'm writing them in real time every week or two and letting my subscribers see my process of dealing with this material." What a great idea Constance; also how you're working in tandem with your subscriber comments! I loved reading your post too!
Thanks so much, Helen! That's so encouraging!
STILLNESS - What inspired me to write it?: Grappling with writer’s block and a stomach flu, while taking in the New Year in El Salvador, led me to an epiphany!
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/wannabewisdom/p/a-new-years-epiphany-in-el-salvador?r=i9b97&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Questions you have about posting: How do I reach readers who are interested in the kinds of posts I write? It doesn’t seem like I’m making any significant traction.
Inspo authors mentioned in my post: @Susan Cain and @Shaun Usher
What a brilliant lesson you took away from your encounter with the surfer - your writing had me feel like I was part of that conversation too! Thank you for sharing this :)
Thank-you Helen 🙏🏼😊
WELCOME TO POINT OF DEPARTURE - my first substack post! This was really fun and exciting to write, but very curious to see how it goes! Here's the link: https://pointofdeparture.substack.com/p/welcome-to-point-of-departure
A few questions I have as I am starting out:
1. I know consistency is key, but is posting every-other week enough to build an audience? I am doing a totally free substack for now
2. How do you guys organize upcoming content/ideas? Do people use content calendars, write off the top of their head, or something else?
3. I have tons of ideas.... but I'm worried about running out! where do you draw inspiration from when it comes to your posts?
Hi from a fellow book lover! You may have already come across this, but there's the Unhurried Reader on Substack who has just reached 1,000 subscribers from writing about her love of reading: https://theunhurriedreader.substack.com
It's beautiful. I love the painting she's chosen as her icon. Thanks for the recommendation.
EJ - first off, welcome. I enjoyed your first post, looks like you are off to a great start. There are a lot of great writers here and many are writing about bookish content. I am sure you will be a welcome addition to the community.
1 - I post weekly which is plenty for me right now. Every other week is probably a good rhythm starting out until you get a good feel for it and your audience
2 - I personally created a Google Sheet to plan out my articles. Some people use content calendars and some people just wing it. I wanted to keep it pretty simple so just used something that was easy and available.
3 - Draw inspiration from the books you read and from your everyday life. I was worried about this at first also but have quickly discovered that I have a lot I could write about. Primarily focus on what you are passionate about.
All the best in this adventure!
this is great-- amazing advice, can’t thank you enough for taking the time to reply, it’s a huge help! and thank you for the kind words, i appreciate it!
Content calendar--absolutely! Also: congrats on your first post!
1. I mostly posted twice a month all last year and gained a lot of subscribers. I think quality over quantity is really what matters!
2. I have sort of a loose content calendar in that I know some posts I want to do that I keep a list of and then I usually jump into whatever one I feel like working on next. I feel like a super rigid content calendar just doesn't work very well for me when I've tried them in other spaces before.
love this direct feedback- so helpful to hear how different people do it! thanks for taking the time to respond, it means a lot
WELL-BEING - “ Unlocking joy: How small daily acts of fun can transform your life
📝 Start a “Things I love to do” list”
I spent hours and hours writing about my ADHD journey yesterday. Then I went to proofread it today and it just didn’t read right or sit right. It needed a major overhaul.
I was faced with two choices:
1. Push through, even though I wasn’t feeling it
2. Pivot
I chose to pivot.
The piece I ended up publishing, just flowed out of me effortless and was a joy to write.
I learned that sometimes it’s ok to walk away from a piece of writing.
I look forward to revisiting the ADHD piece, but in the meantime, this is what I wrote. Enjoy!
https://musingsbymika.substack.com/p/unlocking-joy-how-small-daily-acts
Wow, Mika! Love that pivot to fun and joy! Reading now...💃🏽💃🏽
Thank you Christine!
I love when something is a joy to write — and I love this post, Mika!
LEADERSHIP: Today I shared my first video within my Substack space. I’m embracing being a writer AND speaker, often have felt I had to choose one or the other. In this video I share 3 mainstream leadership concepts that are outdated and are not sustainable for the future of leadership. Something I’ve been sitting with for a while, excited it’s out of me and into the world.
https://open.substack.com/pub/jennredden/p/3-mainstream-leadership-concepts?r=27w9f9&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Congratulations on sharing your first video! Great topic. (The world need this!)
Thank You Sophie!! 🥰
Great thoughts!
POETRY PROMPTS, CREATIVITY, IMPOSTER SYNDROME, INTERVIEW with a WOMAN POET Whose POETRY LIFE is TAKING OFF at 80! --My indie press had a paid-subscription called The Weekly Muse that sends out poetry prompts, writing exercises, places to submit your work, and more EVERY Sunday morning--plus it comes with free Zoom Poetry Classes for paid subscribers (next up, Pulitzer Prize winning Poet, Diane Seuss on January 14!)
Here's a free issue of the Weekly Muse for you to check out!--
https://twosylviaspress.substack.com/p/two-sylvias-weekly-muse-november-485
Sounds delicious.
My subscription to The Weekly Muse was my gift-to-self in 2023! Thank you for brightening my weekends with such inspiring prompts!
Aww, thank you, Helen! We have so much fun writing the Weekly Muse! I truly enjoy writing poetry prompts! So appreciate your sweet note! xo
TOOLS TO HELP WITH PLOTTING A NOVEL. As a bestselling author, I'm always thinking of ways to help others who dream of writing a novel.
https://conniebriscoe.substack.com/p/plotting-words
Ooh, I love this, Connie! I just finished my first draft of my first novel, and I look forward to reading more from you as I begin the editing process.
Congratulations, Jenna, on the first draft! That's a big deal. And best of luck going forward.
CANCER/ISRAEL - I talk about my shocking diagnosis and a move to Israel, of all places, to find tranquility.
This year ranks as possibly the darkest year of my 66 on this planet.
https://open.substack.com/pub/dranniek/p/shadows-and-light?r=1gy457&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true
JOY FROM MADNESS - my very first post. Describing my journey from the psychiatric ward to a craft store in search of something other than pain.
https://open.substack.com/pub/marychris/p/joy-born-from-madness?r=1xsad6&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Congratulations! And welcome to Substack!
Thank you Julie!
Congrats on your first post! Definitely the hardest.
Thx Sal!
Congratulations on writing your first post! It was really inspiring to read your journey from the ward to the craft store. Enjoy your Artist's Dates :)
Thx you Helen! I look forward to reading your work.
Beautiful and brave first post....wow. thank you. I am touched by this and can relate to your turning point...that began here: " Breath by breath, step by step, I began the process of living again." and your moment in the craft store.
Thank you so much Ellen. I read your about ... it resonates. I adore connecting with like minded people. I look forward to your posts.
BOOK THAT INFLUENCED ME
An awkward teen, an unskillful life’s path, but lots of good books!
“From Hardy Boys to Henry Thoreau: Screwing Up Your Life is Always Better With Books”
https://open.substack.com/pub/donboivin/p/from-hardy-boys-to-henry-thoreau?r=2ywgky&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Thank you for the opportunity to share! ❤️
Well oddly enough my latest post IS about self-promotion! And Imposter Syndrome... https://iangouge.substack.com/p/excuse-me-for-breathing
MARRIAGE: You don't hear much about long marriages like mine (50-odd, sometimes very odd years). This post for Amazement Seeker shows the power of food and humor to keep a couple in sync. I agonized over the hed and subhed, nearly choosing a more straight-ahead combination that Google would have liked better. But readers told me this drew them in. Thanks for starting this conversation, Sarah. https://ronamaynard.substack.com/p/cheap-dates
Congratulations on your long marriage Rona! I'm only 6 years into mine so have read your post with eager eyes! And yes, your title and subhead had me hooked and smiling from the get-go!
Thanks for visiting, Helen. If you can keep laughing, your marriage will do just fine.
HI Rona, I've subscribed and looking forward to reading your posts. I'm almost 40 years into my marriage and I know I'll be able to relate!
Welcome, Cherie. I hope my post inspires some stories of your own
This was so much fun to read, Rona! And it just may have inspired me to pick up some dates the next time I'm at the grocery store.
You need Medjools for the full experience. Hide them if you don’t live alone.
I’m a dates addict!
ANGER--Lately I’ve been taking a deep dive into forgiveness. This led to anger because it is anger (along with its cousins resentment and grudge) that gets forgiven. But if forgiveness is the antidote to anger, then anger itself needs to be examined. When is anger constructive vs. destructive? That’s the topic of this post.
https://danehrenkrantz.substack.com/p/getting-smarter-about-anger
What a necessary question ie "When is anger constructive vs destructive?" Anger gets such a bad press but it very often is our nervous system warning us something is just not right. Great topic!
HOW TO MINDFULLY AVOID DISTRACTIONS - Inspired by my journey into buddhism and mindfulness to work with my ADHD, rather than against it!
https://stevewhiteley.substack.com/p/how-to-mindfully-avoid-distractions
GOD IS A BAD BOYFRIEND, I write about my rocky relationship, or lack thereof, with that elusive heartbreaker. Known as "the poor little girl who doesn't believe in God" finding peace in grief and rage without him.
https://mollymoynahan.substack.com/publish/home?utm_source=menu
This title is amazing--gonna check it out!
ON WRITING - on not knowing how to do it, and letting the process be the guide.
https://childandline.substack.com/p/writing-as-a-journey
And thank you to Sarah - an incredible guide.
LIFE THOUGHTS - I shared this personal piece, one that's been in draft for ages waiting until it felt like the right time to share it. I was really heartened by all of the positive responses I had to it and the fact that it resonated with so many other people
https://open.substack.com/pub/everydayknitter/p/when-your-path-is-different?r=3li7j&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true
BAD HABITS - Inspired by the season of reflection & habit building we're in, I shared some bad habits from my personal collection and some ways to manage/overcome them. I do need to go back and add "cat collecting" to my list. 😉 Also a video drawing quick ducks for paid members, as a prep for our next session!
https://www.introvertdrawingclub.com/p/breaking-bad-habits
FEAR - how I get past fear in my writing life, how I learn from my kids how to take risks, and why showing up for my dreams-even when I feel fear-makes me feel alive.
https://open.substack.com/pub/paigegeiger/p/what-is-it-about-fear?r=echvs&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
This was a beautiful and encouraging Friday read! Loved this especially:
"At the end of the day, I want to live a life without regrets…I still feel fear—when I’m submitting queries to agents for my memoir, as we begin to enroll our first subjects in the heat therapy clinical trial. The very act of doing something you care deeply about, of doing something—anything—that matters, comes with a dose of fear. You must learn to do it anyway."
Thank you for reading Celine!