We interviewed Suleika Jaouad of The Isolation Journals about her unique approach to getting to know her readers, invoking a circle of contribution, and meeting readers where they are
"The second is that, when I am composing my newsletter, I think of it as going to one reader, rather than to a group, and I address the reader that way—“Hi friend.” This changes the way I write the newsletter, because I imagine an actual human receiving it, rather than this undifferentiated mass of people. And I believe it changes how the reader receives it. All in all, it’s more intimate. It’s more personal, more direct, more connected." Thank you so much for this advice, Sukeika. I feel like I used to write this way -- back when I really *was* addressing one person, or like, 15 people -- but have forgotten how useful this is as my number of subscribers has grown. I'm super thankful for that, and have also been feeling lately like I've lost the thread of who I'm speaking to and how, and it's intimidating. This was a great reminder for me.
I know it sounds silly, but I will often put the name of one of my regular readers on a post-it note and stick it to the side of my laptop. It's been an effective way for me to be mindful of who I'm writing to/for.
I’m a subscriber and an avid reader of Suleika’s newsletter. My question for her, as it relates to writing is: After writing publicly for all of these years, what’s one thing you wish you knew or were told back when you started?
I started following The Isolation Journals after reading her memoir Between Two Kingdoms, and soon converted my free subscription to paid because she makes it worthwhile (I love the Dear Susu column). Many thanks to Suleika, as her writing prompts and support helped inspire me to start my own Substack seven months ago.
This is inspiring AND a bit overwhelming. I'm a Substack newbie (although I'm almost 76). I've been writing this and that all my life, but am finally creating something more focused which brings together all the different strands of things and topics dear to me. This interview made me realize that I have no idea who might actually want to READ what I write... Something to ponder...
Hi Jessica, thanks for your comment and stoked to hear about your new Substack! (I recently learned about the term 'opsimath' through Henry Oliver's great publication The Common Reader, which we featured in Substack Reads here https://read.substack.com/p/substack-reads-eve-barlow-3-05072022?s=w, and I'm hooked on the idea of learning new skills later in life!). I agree it can feel daunting to think about your readers, especially when you are starting out, and there might just be a handful. But on the flipside it is almost the BEST time to be thinking about them, and crafting your work with them at the heart. Plus you have a heap of other writers here to cheer you on.
Thanks Suleika. This is lovely, and I agree about readers. Over the years with my books, I've been amazed at their generosity of spirit and willingness to spread-the-word. Hoping same will come through my own newsletter as I begin to tread in this new world. All best, Neal
Amazing to have such a huge community that is so tight knit! I want to create this kind of community, inspiration, and conversation with my own newsletter. Love knowing it can happen here!
I wouldn't have had the courage to start a newsletter without Suleika. In fact, I wouldn't have had the courage to make a newsletter about courage without Suleika.
Her prompts made me feel creative again. Reflective again. And best of all, capable again. Thank you, Suleika, for all you do, and for creating such a lovely community here.
"The second is that, when I am composing my newsletter, I think of it as going to one reader, rather than to a group, and I address the reader that way—“Hi friend.” This changes the way I write the newsletter, because I imagine an actual human receiving it, rather than this undifferentiated mass of people. And I believe it changes how the reader receives it. All in all, it’s more intimate. It’s more personal, more direct, more connected." Thank you so much for this advice, Sukeika. I feel like I used to write this way -- back when I really *was* addressing one person, or like, 15 people -- but have forgotten how useful this is as my number of subscribers has grown. I'm super thankful for that, and have also been feeling lately like I've lost the thread of who I'm speaking to and how, and it's intimidating. This was a great reminder for me.
I know it sounds silly, but I will often put the name of one of my regular readers on a post-it note and stick it to the side of my laptop. It's been an effective way for me to be mindful of who I'm writing to/for.
That's great advice. I want my newsletter to have the warmth of speaking to a friend... and I know just the friend to choose! Thank you.
Kevin, I LOVE this idea. Thank you!
You bet! :)
I’m a subscriber and an avid reader of Suleika’s newsletter. My question for her, as it relates to writing is: After writing publicly for all of these years, what’s one thing you wish you knew or were told back when you started?
I'd like to know that too.
Suleika plagiarized my work. https://www.instagram.com/p/CeTfDuhryL5/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Back in the day---3 or 4,000 years ago, it was the custom to bow seven times to a person in gratitude.
I am bowing.
SULEIKA JAOUAD! Thank you. You have opened up the Queenhell Possibilities!!
I just became a paid subscriber.
All the Love for Suleika ❤️🙌
I started following The Isolation Journals after reading her memoir Between Two Kingdoms, and soon converted my free subscription to paid because she makes it worthwhile (I love the Dear Susu column). Many thanks to Suleika, as her writing prompts and support helped inspire me to start my own Substack seven months ago.
This is inspiring AND a bit overwhelming. I'm a Substack newbie (although I'm almost 76). I've been writing this and that all my life, but am finally creating something more focused which brings together all the different strands of things and topics dear to me. This interview made me realize that I have no idea who might actually want to READ what I write... Something to ponder...
Hi Jessica, thanks for your comment and stoked to hear about your new Substack! (I recently learned about the term 'opsimath' through Henry Oliver's great publication The Common Reader, which we featured in Substack Reads here https://read.substack.com/p/substack-reads-eve-barlow-3-05072022?s=w, and I'm hooked on the idea of learning new skills later in life!). I agree it can feel daunting to think about your readers, especially when you are starting out, and there might just be a handful. But on the flipside it is almost the BEST time to be thinking about them, and crafting your work with them at the heart. Plus you have a heap of other writers here to cheer you on.
Great word! Thank you for the encouragement!
Jessica, don't worry. Your people will find you.
Love this and love Suleika!
She plagiarized my work. https://www.instagram.com/p/CeTfDuhryL5/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
What advice do you have for men about isolation?
Lots of time writing and bumble
And bumble is???
A dating app my dear sir
Thanks Suleika. This is lovely, and I agree about readers. Over the years with my books, I've been amazed at their generosity of spirit and willingness to spread-the-word. Hoping same will come through my own newsletter as I begin to tread in this new world. All best, Neal
Beautiful story. Lucky to have those 100 000 subs.
Lovely. I subscribed!
This is a great advice for every writer. Thanks Suleika for this, it excites me to know this actually :)
This is so inspiring!!
Amazing to have such a huge community that is so tight knit! I want to create this kind of community, inspiration, and conversation with my own newsletter. Love knowing it can happen here!
I wouldn't have had the courage to start a newsletter without Suleika. In fact, I wouldn't have had the courage to make a newsletter about courage without Suleika.
Her prompts made me feel creative again. Reflective again. And best of all, capable again. Thank you, Suleika, for all you do, and for creating such a lovely community here.
Hello I subscribed but don’t know how to jump in to the isolation 100 day art expression