There’s a lot going on in the world. How has it impacted your writing? Are you finding it harder or easier to write? Are there things you’d planned to publish that you’ve now put on hold? Give us the highs, lows, and the banal.
Her impressive CV includes UCLA professor. She argues basically that skimming text online and so many words a day (she has the numbers) ruptures and erodes our ability to:
1) reed deeply, with empathy & practice our will power and cognitive patience (bc we enter the lives of others through deep reading, especially in the novel)
2) critically think
3) develop two reading minds: one that can skim when needed, but the other more human/humane one is returning to a home inside ourselves that’s like a sanctuary of language
4) the last aspect of deep reading is contemplation, reflection (“as much a process as a place that we go to. I worry excessively that our young neither know that place nor have the ability in the first place to get there” because all this research she did arose out of the trauma of having a brilliant
She mentions Obama - that it was the novel who taught him the middle messy untidy way of humanity and developed his own moral compass and never let him forget the complexity of life and others as an empathetic inspiration, not as something to hate or fear
She also mentions M. Robinson novelist - if we don’t read about others and how they live and feel, our stores of empathy are depleted. Science shows how brain responds to empathy - stories with emotions we (embodied cognition) the more we immerse in stories that test our own emotions the more empathic we are to others outside in the world our behaviors in the world.
The alternate is an era of leaders who have no understanding of others = lead us to an era of barbarism. Several years before Trump’s election and pre-cursers. Of those leaders who see others as the enemy. Ominous world view. These people are only reading inside the comfortable silos that confirm their own thoughts and they probably don’t read many novels
(I’m loosely writing up one of the videos you can watch below) ARGH. I keep saying I’m done giving away my labor. I can’t get unemployment bc I haven't made enough $ because I stayed home to raise kids and taught English and later how to read and write part time.)
I’ve seen her compelling lecture in person once - she is a powerhouse. I haven’t watched this specific video, but I’m assuming it will have similar content - about how reading and writing make us human & how tech is distancing us from our humanity - we read differently according to eye pattern research, and we skim as a whole making the whole experience of language and literature less empathetic overall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKcBC5V_9gs
I can’t find her powerpoint that I saw, it had a lot of beautiful images and quotations from the book that really helped drive her points home. She is probably protecting her work. Smart. I figured from what I’ve read about Substack’s founding story, that you all would be interested in her research if you haven’t already read it.
It should be required Substack-onboarding reading in my opinion. About how to slow us all down and be more thoughtful as producers of and consumers of language, even as we refuse to give up the magic of the internet. I’d also (if I were teaching the Substack intro class) assign Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom’s work. Her book Thick and some essays about how the internet replicates class and race patterns and isn’t an open playing field. I’m sure you all are aware of that simply by virtue of living in SF which is essentially as far as I’m concerned, a company town for the owning class. My friends who can stay either scrap and struggle a bit or are very wealthy. I can ask her if she’d have time to put together a short kind of recorded paid TED talk for you all with readings. I’m sure she’s busy, but cash speaks. Let me know. She is, as I’m glad to see you all are too, sheltering at the moment.
I just left my job to work on my newsletter The Profile (theprofile.substack.com) full-time. (Great timing huh?) I actually think the words comes easier now because I find it's really helpful to channel my anxious energy into a column or some sort of long-term project. Pressing the 'publish' button feels like a sigh of relief.
Congratulations, Polina. I was gearing up for some travel abroad to focus on my newsletter... of course that won't be happening now. I tutor part-time, and I'm now trialling virtual (video) tutoring with my students from next week, so that could be something I take with me when I am able to go on my travels. I can relate to the "sigh of relief" that comes from hitting publish!
Same. Happy to have any feedback you have on mine as I transition from a friends and family cancer update blah blah to a more literary multimedia something. I asked them to keep it chill for now, but soon I want to spruce up my abouts etc and see how many followers I can get. It’s perfect to have so many bored & stressed at home, actually. Cassie.substack.com
We need to both take this crisis very seriously and also keep up our work to whatever degree is possible. Both are appropriate and necessary responses. If you write, write and write well. It's a way to help others think and feel their way through this crisis, even if you are not writing about it directly. That's my sense right now.
Noticing in some comments that writers might be struggling due to the stress of the situation. I was advised by a former editor to lean into the tensions in our lives through writing about it and find out what's there and learn from it. Maybe we don't publish all of these reflections. But there is merit to focusing on writing as process right now and let the possibilities reveal themselves.
Also, lives are always in crisis, just us with means don’t have to see it that way. Now we all have a wider and better lens. Just like my daily appointments to the cancer center at the charity hospital in New Orleans. The struggle and joy and pain and lives lived with energy and style despite it all...poor black and brown and queer people have always known these things...I think it’s also important not to over dramatize this moment that we are all as a global community having this crisis. I see a lot of this as really really impossible. Like if I get the beer virus I could die, literally. BUT we should all really live like we could die anyway. Also we should share more and hoard less. This is an epoch of change and not change is without discomfort.
I've always had a guiding mission for my writing to be of value and service, but I find that even more important now.... My writing is focused on offering coping strategies, supporting folks in finding anxiety management that works for them, doing the work to stay healthy and sane. This has always been true but WOW even more true now.
Writing has always been my greatest tool for reflection. Most of my writing is about processing the world around me and now, more than ever, it feels like a great time to use it. I am trying to document the many different ways the covid-19 pandemic is affecting us. I just published an essay about how social isolation is going to take a toll on so many of us but that this sense of social solidarity is hopefully going to bring us together. I hope, at least. I also feel a sense of gloom that makes my writing feel useless. Tough times right now. Love to all here.
I like the term “physical isolation” since those of us with the $ have the internet! See mine for more ideas like yours, processing also trying to keep thoughts at bay w humor: cassie.substack.com
I’m finding it so hard to concentrate on anything - I have not been ~ in flow ~ since this whole thing kicked off. Would love to know how to calm my mind and tune back in!
Would love your thoughts as I transition from friends and family updates to a paid one...I had to quit my job suddenly just after New Years (or was financially able to I should say, many cannot) due to a real as shit cancer diagnosis. I need to make sure I’m not too personal w the details but I think it’s okay. Next I’ll improve and tighten up the basics, the about etc. Text. Everything died on my MacBook Pro last week & week prior so that’s also been...hilarious?
It's weird. The inspiration is clouded by anxiety but the desire to write is higher. I've definitely postponed a couple planned pieces in order to both calm down and focus on the message I think needs to go out at this time.
Net net, no output change. But the process feels different
Things are strange, aren't they? I've got ideas and while I'm now working at home, I haven't had the time to actually write (for publishing -- I still manage to write for personal consumption daily). There's a lot going on and I'm still adjusting to the new normal. But hope to get back into a routine soon.
I write every day (Day 82 today), No matter what happens! It's kinda actually helping me a lot in this situation. I feel I have to share more. I might even write 2-3 times a day:)
Hum, do you get readers posting more than once a day? I guess they can ignore emails. I’m careful now because almost all my readers are close to be and I don’t want to annoy any elderly or not super computer literate people. But they want to know I’m alive and well so maybe they’d love more posts. I’ll have to think. I do want to post more now that we’re all (HOPEFULLY - STAY INSIDE IF YOU DIDNT GET THE MEMO) sheltering. Hunkering. More on that here: Cassie.Substack.com See “Pleasure Boating” post
What I'm sharing pretty much about Life, Psychology, Startup Founder Journey etc. Nothing is too general. Also, those are the notes pretty much i'm writing for myself Short, Sweet and Sexy. Check the aykut.substack.com
Every Substack issue since March 11 has been about COVID-19 -- either essays on life in the shutdown, or my usual White House scenes have a virus theme. I'm actually having trouble focusing on stuff that's NOT about the shutdown. A project for the weekend!
For me not writing about it is very difficult, because everything seems to be about it, or else so trivial in comparison that I can't engage. But it CAN be done -I really enjoyed the Shatner Chatner and Deez Links today... they found a way to do it.
That’s really helpful feedback. My substack I’d venture to say is about how to live or just interesting things to think about or laugh about, NOT THE BEER VIRUS. AND IT COULD LITERALLY KILL ME I’M IN ACTIVE TREATMENT FOR BRAIN CANCER
Cassie.substack.com It’s still a real draft, for friends and family after my sudden medical ongoing emergency nightmare. BUT not dying has a way of making me want to be more creative while I sill can in this life. The COVID crap is crazy. Honestly. We knew this kind of thing was coming...I mean I read Station 11. My darker hilarious friend loved it but thought it was pandemic lite. Ha. Ours is light if that one is. XO
I know you are joking but I literally slept walked the other night and woke up with what looked like blood on me and I have no idea what why...haha thanks for the comic relief :)
I've got two kids under the age of six at home, and working a full time job, having them during the day AND worrying about everything has made it much harder for me to do quality work, especially on a regular basis. I feel like i have plenty TO write about it, but not the energy or the time to do much longer than a tweet
I like post it notes or blank index cards for those times. I write in tiny phrases or single words. Can keep in a box or tape to a wall. Or a pocket or tape in a notebook to pretty to use...tweeting is writing too! Also nice for me to have my hand on a page sometimes.
it's inspired me to write more. i have a very small newsletter to founders / ceos (i'm a venture-backed ceo in SF)... and we're all facing really tough challenges and decisions right now.
I am more sensitive to the fear and anxiety around me. As a retired Pastor I have been hearing from a number of former colleagues who are trying to navigate this illness and to keep a connection with members of their congregations in safe and responsible ways. My reading and my writing have provided a good outlet for me in these days.
Nothing changed. I think that we have a special mission now: entertain people! Unfortunately I don't know how to reach a wider audience. I would be proud to entertain them all. In Italy the situation is extremely difficult and I would like to find the way to be read by people in hospital or the adults taking care of sick people. And fisicians and all that holy kind of people
As a work-from-home mum it has been impossible. I seem to just be hunched over the kitchen sink preparing meals, snacks, washing up and letting the dog out—particularly frustrating with the rain in LA because it then meant wiping paws, drying dog etc.. I have started a diary of the dog's day! Hoping next week will be better.
SAME omg the work and attention the kids require. I stay up late but honestly being tired in the am is a disaster. It’s a hidden gift of undergoing brain cancer treatment (that always feels so GD dramatic, but it’s true) that I need less sleep. CRAZY WORLD
Just followed you on Substack. I am posting my dog's diary on substack today. Why not? Till I can try and write coherent thoughts again. Hang in there with kids and brain cancer! Sounds scary and dramatic indeed but also makes good editorial I bet.
I’d love opinions. I’ve been writing coronavirus stories for a solid week. This Sunday, I was supposed to post s feature on a much-liked chef who has a new TV show (it is still on track to run). Do you think people will want to read a lighter story, or will it get overlooked?
Writing every day for this newsletter has definitely improved my writing. I used to ponder every sentence, and now I just do it, and I think it is actually better. I had a few piece half-reported that now are obsolete because of coronavirus
Just started writing so I'm definitely happier to have an outlet that I hadn't discovered before. Though it's made me realize that I'm lacking a lot of necessities... Like a computer desk and chair. Been indoors for like 4 weeks now so my back is starting to hurt.
I have found writing hard with all the sadness in this world...but journaling and blogging are very therapeutic in times of distress. I am new to Substack and plan to start writing here soon. I had heard of the platform from people on Medium but I could not for the life of me understand what it was. Your article helped me get why I should look at other platforms. Thank you for taking the time to write and share with us newbies!
Is it true that Substack will let you send emails to your followers for free? If so, is there a limit of emails or followers? That was the only thing not detailed in your article.
I made a folder in my writing app called "S.F.D" (Shitty First Drafts). I set a goal for at least 1000 words a day. It's been working. Giving myself permission to just write in that folder, not just because writing is hard but these past month has been hard. Get the drafts written and go from there.
My question for all the wonderful people here are, what's your SFD to editing to publishing workflow look like? Do you consider editing as a part of your writing time?
Like some of the others here, I've had to abandon some previous drafts - not sure if for now or forever. I didn't want to turn my blogging into pandemic-related stuff at first, but now I'm feeling that might be necessary or I'll just not write at all for awhile.
I too have been frozen by the shock of recent events, especially as they came on top of sudden turns in my health, and the loss of my father, buried just a week ago. But today, I am breathing and turning into the work again, and find it reassuring to find I am not alone in this. I am more thankful than ever for the existence of Substack. It gives me hope of reaching those who need to hear my words. Thank you for that. I write on aspects of silence, including mindfulness, awareness, contemplation, and meditation at http://silentium.substack.com. Do read if it may help you to find your keel. Most of my content is currently free and open access. Especially now.
It's made me realize I have more time to do writing, and I've been finding it easier to write. However, I think I can do better. I've had more time to journal and jot down poems, as well as write my newsletter (check it out! https://truecolors.substack.com/ )
The high is I now more time and am planning to take free online writing classes to learn other types of writing I don't have as much experience in, such as fiction. The low is figuring out how to turn my writing into something that's concrete and can be published, as well as figuring out how to balance my time.
I wrote a year's worth of newsletters in advance and I'm giving away the first 1,000 paid subscriptions for free (jamesgarside.substack.com). This was probably just as well as I don't think I'd be able to write a newsletter from scratch right now given what's happening. I write a lot on Medium but have pretty much stopped now. This is in part due to things other than the looming zombie apocalypse. But the biggest stressor is seeing how there's a glut of writing now about that one subject. I've little to say on the subject. Health wise I'm in an at risk category but my heart goes out to people who are in far worse a situation than me. People need to stop stocking up on toilet paper and start caring about each other.
Hi, I mean the biggest stressor when trying to write. Not in comparison to the pandemic. For example the typical content on Medium is usually anodyne productivity and self-help articles. Now it's Coronavirus themed anodyne productivity and self-help articles. It's cynical, disingenuous and off-putting.
What I’m finding is that I’m writing a lot more on Twitter. And then when I get to the end of the week and I’m ready to do my weekly newsletter, I go back and those tweets are like notes for me which I can either incorporate into my newsletter or expand upon. It’s a really interesting dynamic - I mean Twitter being used for something useful :-)
I'm hoping to finish a YA novel. 17 chapters done , 54K words so far. I intend writing the next 3/4 chapters and wind the whole thing up while I'm unable to waste writing time socializing!
its' a dystopian, post 'Nuclear Dawn, set in New Zealand where the population had time to get partially prepared for the radiation and lack of internet, travel, importing and exporting. Population has reverted to natural medicines horse-drawn transport and the re-emergence of many diseases (might have to mention Covid19!!! )
AMAZING. Are you writing this future? I’ve been thinking a lot about all those things. In my future I’d like still internet but one w/o mean commenters and horses are great but so much work, I’d still want the fast trains. Or slow trains fine. As long as a comfortable overnight car and a dining car. Excited to hear more! You’ve heard of that podcast about writing YA...? I’m forgetting the name. I had double brain surgeries in January so still a little foggy w names and numbers.
Yep there's trains, but only steam trains, running on coal. Lots of coal available. Yes I know Elizabeth Knox, well I've heard her speak and read several of her books. I loved Vitner's Luck and Angel cut. I haven't read her Y.A. books. She is a well-known N.Z writer. I belong to a Speculative Fiction group: Spec.fic.NZ, and a local writer's group. I have created this futuristic world that has moved back a century really, with poor health, no modern medicines and a harder slower pace of life - and lots of other problems, but half the population are encapsulated, thinking they are radiation free, which in actual fact they're no better off than those who are 'outside'. Just need to wrap the whole story up as I'm getting thoroughly tired of it.
You should look up EMP: Electromagnetic Pulse, when an atomic bomb is detonated in the air the pulse it creates knocks out all electronic devices in an instant (less than one second) for 100 of miles around. Handy thing to have to get rid of the internet and mobile phones!! And all the electronic keyboards that run factories, car, houshold devices, almost everything in today's world. I've had run with that!
That all sounds wonderful. Phone in the ending for now, maybe it’ll make more sense or change later. Great suggestion! My husband was sketching ideas for that or a solar flare event like a year ago before my work and his got crazy. I’ll remind him. Coal is triggering for me bc I’m from coal country but I imagine that’s the point. We can’t have it all. #leanout. I’ll check out that writer’s group.
As always, writing has showed up as the best way to process nuanced and complex emotions. I took a break for a while from blogging because I was overwhelmed, but I realized that as long as I'm genuine and address privilege I can add to this conversation in a meaningful way.
I write every day on Understandably.com. I'm about to hit daily newsletter #100.
I also just started a second, limited-run one called "Working From Home" ... (workingfromhome.substack.com ... thanks for the idea Walt Hickey!) not daily ... I figured about 1/4 of my readership worked from home, and there's a lot to talk about -- although now, out of the blue, it's close to 100% of course.
My take is that everything is about coronavirus right now, so it makes sense that all our writing is, too. Eventually, other things will also be important and compelling.
I led the other day with Tom Brady announcing he wasn't returning to the Patriots... but it was a very self-conscious way of *not* leading with coronavirus for once. Of course then I went right into it. But I had readers respond very well to it. Even some from overseas who have barely any idea what the NFL even is.
TLDR... I think readers will forgive a lot right now -- we're all trying to find our way!
I am just starting again. I kept thinking it would be a gift of sorts, to have no interruptions and be able to work on my novel but my brain is not at rest and concentration has been challenging. Today went better though. So things are probably evening out.
Im having a hard time. My mom is sick and Im scared. I asked a few of my readers and they look forward to mySaturday morning post so I'm going to push through and write whats right here.
Thinking about you and your mom during this time, Kris. I have an underlying condition and my parents are both 60 so I'm worried about all of us right now. Know that your writing almost certainly improves others' lives in a time when people really need it.
I feel absolutely overwhelmed. It is really hard to articulate anything properly. I have been reading so much and it seems like everything is about the virus. Is there anything else that is worth talking about right now? So much goes through my head and I just can't form coherent ideas, I can't connect the dots and write something that seems worthy. My newsletter is about climate change and there have been so many stories comparing the two crisis everywhere, I can't keep doing that. And other those stories there is not much more being reported, there is no space in the media now to talk about anything else, also because things would be buried down and lose their importance because people just cannot handle these many bad news at the same time. I will probably turn my weekly newsletter into a bi-weekly one for a while, I think I need some peace of mind and I specially need to stop reading so many news articles.
Anyway, see, I couldn't even make a coherent comment!!!!!
thanks for your comment. I have been trying to do just that for my edition that comes out tomorrow. I have always used a personal tone in my writing but I feel like being full personal now and writing a real letter explaining how it feels and probably announcing that I will be sending fewer newsletter for a few weeks at least. I am still having trouble writing it but at least it does feel like the right thing to do.
Because my site is education-focused, I've geared new content toward teaching and learning in online spaces. Also thinking about topics regarding the more affective aspects of education, i.e. student-teacher relationships, redefining our titles when learning from a distance. Writing more for sure, although I am lucky that my kids are older, my spouse is home too (also an educator), and we have occupations that allow us to continue to work and be paid.
Interesting. I’m also a teacher. Have a lot of opinions on English. Early reading instruction. Teacher training. I was a FT reading advocate in Louisiana before my fall...from my normal life. I’ll check yours out. Open to feedback on mine as I keep saying #onhere cassie.substack.com I’m over there wilin’ out. Unlike you, I need some kind of income now. I had to and was lucky to have the finances to quit my job over a real big medical emergency. Drama was never my thing. Humor and fellowship always was. Now...I’m learning. #beingisbecoming
I have found daily writing to be a nice way to be completely present on a singular task. Started Daily Art of War, each morning we send a short email with a lesson from The Art of War, https://dailyartofwar.substack.com/
I have wondered the same...I ended up here through a newsletter on writing and blogging and while it is not one on one coaching I have found a lot use trying to apply different topics to my writing on other platforms. https://bloggingguide.substack.com/ I once tried a coach but they are so expensive!
I started writing a newsletter on a weekly basis on Feb 2 (later imported a few older blog posts into my archive). I still spend too long writing each edition but am getting better at estimating the time/complexity of the content I am about to undertake.
My biggest gripe is the lack of UNDO or versioning in the editor though. Every once in a while I accidentally delete a big chunk of writing and have to redo it. I have taken to trying to periodically send a TEST email out once in a while writing to capture a version but this is a dumb workaround. I also tried writing in a different editor then copying over when done. This is another time-waster for me. I do hope solving this is a priority for substackers. With the new team publishing features it seems like an obvious need unless I am in the minority of leveraging the native editor.
Good luck to others out there on writing and growing a subscriber base!
I'm getting ready to write a lot during my spring break (I'm a high school teacher in Idaho and it's gonna be a very productive week coming up, after pulling off 14 hour days to get my 6 US history classes switched over to an on-line platform. I'm very confident that I'm going to write something substantial - as I have the outline all done.
I'm finding that I have bursts of ideas throughout the day, perhaps as a means of distracting myself from what's happening. It's been hard to sit down and write, but the hope is that all these snippets I've accumulated will result in meaningful output in a couple of weeks.
Even I wrote something the other day, for the first time in an age. Felt like I had to get some words out of my head.
Take a tip from Mo Willems and call it doodling with words. Language, as you well know, is what makes us human. The key to empathy, even. https://www.maryannewolf.com/books-1#/reader-come-home
Her impressive CV includes UCLA professor. She argues basically that skimming text online and so many words a day (she has the numbers) ruptures and erodes our ability to:
1) reed deeply, with empathy & practice our will power and cognitive patience (bc we enter the lives of others through deep reading, especially in the novel)
2) critically think
3) develop two reading minds: one that can skim when needed, but the other more human/humane one is returning to a home inside ourselves that’s like a sanctuary of language
4) the last aspect of deep reading is contemplation, reflection (“as much a process as a place that we go to. I worry excessively that our young neither know that place nor have the ability in the first place to get there” because all this research she did arose out of the trauma of having a brilliant
She mentions Obama - that it was the novel who taught him the middle messy untidy way of humanity and developed his own moral compass and never let him forget the complexity of life and others as an empathetic inspiration, not as something to hate or fear
She also mentions M. Robinson novelist - if we don’t read about others and how they live and feel, our stores of empathy are depleted. Science shows how brain responds to empathy - stories with emotions we (embodied cognition) the more we immerse in stories that test our own emotions the more empathic we are to others outside in the world our behaviors in the world.
The alternate is an era of leaders who have no understanding of others = lead us to an era of barbarism. Several years before Trump’s election and pre-cursers. Of those leaders who see others as the enemy. Ominous world view. These people are only reading inside the comfortable silos that confirm their own thoughts and they probably don’t read many novels
(I’m loosely writing up one of the videos you can watch below) ARGH. I keep saying I’m done giving away my labor. I can’t get unemployment bc I haven't made enough $ because I stayed home to raise kids and taught English and later how to read and write part time.)
I’ve seen her compelling lecture in person once - she is a powerhouse. I haven’t watched this specific video, but I’m assuming it will have similar content - about how reading and writing make us human & how tech is distancing us from our humanity - we read differently according to eye pattern research, and we skim as a whole making the whole experience of language and literature less empathetic overall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKcBC5V_9gs
Here’s another Mary Ann Wolf interview/speaking that I haven’t watched https://www.c-span.org/video/?449318-2/reader-home
I can’t find her powerpoint that I saw, it had a lot of beautiful images and quotations from the book that really helped drive her points home. She is probably protecting her work. Smart. I figured from what I’ve read about Substack’s founding story, that you all would be interested in her research if you haven’t already read it.
It should be required Substack-onboarding reading in my opinion. About how to slow us all down and be more thoughtful as producers of and consumers of language, even as we refuse to give up the magic of the internet. I’d also (if I were teaching the Substack intro class) assign Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom’s work. Her book Thick and some essays about how the internet replicates class and race patterns and isn’t an open playing field. I’m sure you all are aware of that simply by virtue of living in SF which is essentially as far as I’m concerned, a company town for the owning class. My friends who can stay either scrap and struggle a bit or are very wealthy. I can ask her if she’d have time to put together a short kind of recorded paid TED talk for you all with readings. I’m sure she’s busy, but cash speaks. Let me know. She is, as I’m glad to see you all are too, sheltering at the moment.
I just left my job to work on my newsletter The Profile (theprofile.substack.com) full-time. (Great timing huh?) I actually think the words comes easier now because I find it's really helpful to channel my anxious energy into a column or some sort of long-term project. Pressing the 'publish' button feels like a sigh of relief.
Best wishes! Your leap of faith is admirable!!
Congratulations, Polina. I was gearing up for some travel abroad to focus on my newsletter... of course that won't be happening now. I tutor part-time, and I'm now trialling virtual (video) tutoring with my students from next week, so that could be something I take with me when I am able to go on my travels. I can relate to the "sigh of relief" that comes from hitting publish!
Same. Happy to have any feedback you have on mine as I transition from a friends and family cancer update blah blah to a more literary multimedia something. I asked them to keep it chill for now, but soon I want to spruce up my abouts etc and see how many followers I can get. It’s perfect to have so many bored & stressed at home, actually. Cassie.substack.com
We need to both take this crisis very seriously and also keep up our work to whatever degree is possible. Both are appropriate and necessary responses. If you write, write and write well. It's a way to help others think and feel their way through this crisis, even if you are not writing about it directly. That's my sense right now.
Noticing in some comments that writers might be struggling due to the stress of the situation. I was advised by a former editor to lean into the tensions in our lives through writing about it and find out what's there and learn from it. Maybe we don't publish all of these reflections. But there is merit to focusing on writing as process right now and let the possibilities reveal themselves.
I kept finding reasons not to start my Substack newsletter but this week, I jumped in from Monday and it's been a really good anchor for me right now.
I'm just starting mine too, despite having created the account a while back. Happy writing! x
Also, lives are always in crisis, just us with means don’t have to see it that way. Now we all have a wider and better lens. Just like my daily appointments to the cancer center at the charity hospital in New Orleans. The struggle and joy and pain and lives lived with energy and style despite it all...poor black and brown and queer people have always known these things...I think it’s also important not to over dramatize this moment that we are all as a global community having this crisis. I see a lot of this as really really impossible. Like if I get the beer virus I could die, literally. BUT we should all really live like we could die anyway. Also we should share more and hoard less. This is an epoch of change and not change is without discomfort.
I moved back to Mailchimp time ago. Yet im grateful for having this community.
Ive lost motivation and find it really hard to write anything. Reading you makes me feel better.
Thanks for opening the thread
I've always had a guiding mission for my writing to be of value and service, but I find that even more important now.... My writing is focused on offering coping strategies, supporting folks in finding anxiety management that works for them, doing the work to stay healthy and sane. This has always been true but WOW even more true now.
Totaly agree with you.
Writing what I'd imagine I'd want to read if I wasn't writing.
I’m in that loop...
Wooahh meta
Writing has always been my greatest tool for reflection. Most of my writing is about processing the world around me and now, more than ever, it feels like a great time to use it. I am trying to document the many different ways the covid-19 pandemic is affecting us. I just published an essay about how social isolation is going to take a toll on so many of us but that this sense of social solidarity is hopefully going to bring us together. I hope, at least. I also feel a sense of gloom that makes my writing feel useless. Tough times right now. Love to all here.
Making your thinking visible and posting it online will help others process too, so thank you.
Thanks for saying that, Matt. That's really kind and helps me feel better about it all. Good luck to you during this time.
I like the term “physical isolation” since those of us with the $ have the internet! See mine for more ideas like yours, processing also trying to keep thoughts at bay w humor: cassie.substack.com
I’m finding it so hard to concentrate on anything - I have not been ~ in flow ~ since this whole thing kicked off. Would love to know how to calm my mind and tune back in!
I wrote a post about this on Longreads, where I work. (Includes a link to my Substack newsletter, Adventures in Journalism!) https://longreads.com/2020/03/19/why-im-giving-myself-permission-to-keep-writing-at-this-time/
I love Longreads AND poetry! I’ll read. Here’s mine, a new baby coming strong out of the gate with a real earned DGAF attitude: cassie.substack.com
Would love your thoughts as I transition from friends and family updates to a paid one...I had to quit my job suddenly just after New Years (or was financially able to I should say, many cannot) due to a real as shit cancer diagnosis. I need to make sure I’m not too personal w the details but I think it’s okay. Next I’ll improve and tighten up the basics, the about etc. Text. Everything died on my MacBook Pro last week & week prior so that’s also been...hilarious?
It's weird. The inspiration is clouded by anxiety but the desire to write is higher. I've definitely postponed a couple planned pieces in order to both calm down and focus on the message I think needs to go out at this time.
Net net, no output change. But the process feels different
Things are strange, aren't they? I've got ideas and while I'm now working at home, I haven't had the time to actually write (for publishing -- I still manage to write for personal consumption daily). There's a lot going on and I'm still adjusting to the new normal. But hope to get back into a routine soon.
I write every day (Day 82 today), No matter what happens! It's kinda actually helping me a lot in this situation. I feel I have to share more. I might even write 2-3 times a day:)
I agree. Feel like it's been a stabilizing thing to have this newsletter to create - for myself as much for anyone who reads it.
Hum, do you get readers posting more than once a day? I guess they can ignore emails. I’m careful now because almost all my readers are close to be and I don’t want to annoy any elderly or not super computer literate people. But they want to know I’m alive and well so maybe they’d love more posts. I’ll have to think. I do want to post more now that we’re all (HOPEFULLY - STAY INSIDE IF YOU DIDNT GET THE MEMO) sheltering. Hunkering. More on that here: Cassie.Substack.com See “Pleasure Boating” post
What I'm sharing pretty much about Life, Psychology, Startup Founder Journey etc. Nothing is too general. Also, those are the notes pretty much i'm writing for myself Short, Sweet and Sexy. Check the aykut.substack.com
Every Substack issue since March 11 has been about COVID-19 -- either essays on life in the shutdown, or my usual White House scenes have a virus theme. I'm actually having trouble focusing on stuff that's NOT about the shutdown. A project for the weekend!
For me not writing about it is very difficult, because everything seems to be about it, or else so trivial in comparison that I can't engage. But it CAN be done -I really enjoyed the Shatner Chatner and Deez Links today... they found a way to do it.
Saw your post: "Like the monks of yore, we hold ourselves inside for the sake of all others. " Not a bad way to look at it! - R
We need trivial. Let’s all take it down a notch. We are doing all we can by staying at home if we have one. Nothing else we can do.
That’s really helpful feedback. My substack I’d venture to say is about how to live or just interesting things to think about or laugh about, NOT THE BEER VIRUS. AND IT COULD LITERALLY KILL ME I’M IN ACTIVE TREATMENT FOR BRAIN CANCER
Cassie.substack.com It’s still a real draft, for friends and family after my sudden medical ongoing emergency nightmare. BUT not dying has a way of making me want to be more creative while I sill can in this life. The COVID crap is crazy. Honestly. We knew this kind of thing was coming...I mean I read Station 11. My darker hilarious friend loved it but thought it was pandemic lite. Ha. Ours is light if that one is. XO
I keep blacking out and then waking up in the field naked, covered in blood (not my own!!). But besides that the writing's going well.
I know you are joking but I literally slept walked the other night and woke up with what looked like blood on me and I have no idea what why...haha thanks for the comic relief :)
I've got two kids under the age of six at home, and working a full time job, having them during the day AND worrying about everything has made it much harder for me to do quality work, especially on a regular basis. I feel like i have plenty TO write about it, but not the energy or the time to do much longer than a tweet
I like post it notes or blank index cards for those times. I write in tiny phrases or single words. Can keep in a box or tape to a wall. Or a pocket or tape in a notebook to pretty to use...tweeting is writing too! Also nice for me to have my hand on a page sometimes.
it's inspired me to write more. i have a very small newsletter to founders / ceos (i'm a venture-backed ceo in SF)... and we're all facing really tough challenges and decisions right now.
i want to write more.
I am more sensitive to the fear and anxiety around me. As a retired Pastor I have been hearing from a number of former colleagues who are trying to navigate this illness and to keep a connection with members of their congregations in safe and responsible ways. My reading and my writing have provided a good outlet for me in these days.
Nothing changed. I think that we have a special mission now: entertain people! Unfortunately I don't know how to reach a wider audience. I would be proud to entertain them all. In Italy the situation is extremely difficult and I would like to find the way to be read by people in hospital or the adults taking care of sick people. And fisicians and all that holy kind of people
I agree with you, we've a serious responsibility right now.
As a work-from-home mum it has been impossible. I seem to just be hunched over the kitchen sink preparing meals, snacks, washing up and letting the dog out—particularly frustrating with the rain in LA because it then meant wiping paws, drying dog etc.. I have started a diary of the dog's day! Hoping next week will be better.
SAME omg the work and attention the kids require. I stay up late but honestly being tired in the am is a disaster. It’s a hidden gift of undergoing brain cancer treatment (that always feels so GD dramatic, but it’s true) that I need less sleep. CRAZY WORLD
Cassie.substack.com
Just followed you on Substack. I am posting my dog's diary on substack today. Why not? Till I can try and write coherent thoughts again. Hang in there with kids and brain cancer! Sounds scary and dramatic indeed but also makes good editorial I bet.
I’d love opinions. I’ve been writing coronavirus stories for a solid week. This Sunday, I was supposed to post s feature on a much-liked chef who has a new TV show (it is still on track to run). Do you think people will want to read a lighter story, or will it get overlooked?
Lighter fare seems appreciated right now, but I'm only basing this on my two kids' YouTube video consumption the past week.
Yes! As long as it's current and doesn't seem to have been bot-programmed to post on this date oblivious to the situation.
Writing every day for this newsletter has definitely improved my writing. I used to ponder every sentence, and now I just do it, and I think it is actually better. I had a few piece half-reported that now are obsolete because of coronavirus
Just started writing so I'm definitely happier to have an outlet that I hadn't discovered before. Though it's made me realize that I'm lacking a lot of necessities... Like a computer desk and chair. Been indoors for like 4 weeks now so my back is starting to hurt.
I have found writing hard with all the sadness in this world...but journaling and blogging are very therapeutic in times of distress. I am new to Substack and plan to start writing here soon. I had heard of the platform from people on Medium but I could not for the life of me understand what it was. Your article helped me get why I should look at other platforms. Thank you for taking the time to write and share with us newbies!
https://medium.com/substack-writing/substack-vs-medium-dd3761bf3c34
One question though:
Is it true that Substack will let you send emails to your followers for free? If so, is there a limit of emails or followers? That was the only thing not detailed in your article.
I made a folder in my writing app called "S.F.D" (Shitty First Drafts). I set a goal for at least 1000 words a day. It's been working. Giving myself permission to just write in that folder, not just because writing is hard but these past month has been hard. Get the drafts written and go from there.
My question for all the wonderful people here are, what's your SFD to editing to publishing workflow look like? Do you consider editing as a part of your writing time?
Like some of the others here, I've had to abandon some previous drafts - not sure if for now or forever. I didn't want to turn my blogging into pandemic-related stuff at first, but now I'm feeling that might be necessary or I'll just not write at all for awhile.
I have found it hard to write. Weird, I thought having more time would make it easier.
Same
Finally got it down last night and published this morning. It does feel a little pointless, but it keeps me grounded. Keep at it, everyone!
I too have been frozen by the shock of recent events, especially as they came on top of sudden turns in my health, and the loss of my father, buried just a week ago. But today, I am breathing and turning into the work again, and find it reassuring to find I am not alone in this. I am more thankful than ever for the existence of Substack. It gives me hope of reaching those who need to hear my words. Thank you for that. I write on aspects of silence, including mindfulness, awareness, contemplation, and meditation at http://silentium.substack.com. Do read if it may help you to find your keel. Most of my content is currently free and open access. Especially now.
It's made me realize I have more time to do writing, and I've been finding it easier to write. However, I think I can do better. I've had more time to journal and jot down poems, as well as write my newsletter (check it out! https://truecolors.substack.com/ )
The high is I now more time and am planning to take free online writing classes to learn other types of writing I don't have as much experience in, such as fiction. The low is figuring out how to turn my writing into something that's concrete and can be published, as well as figuring out how to balance my time.
I wrote a year's worth of newsletters in advance and I'm giving away the first 1,000 paid subscriptions for free (jamesgarside.substack.com). This was probably just as well as I don't think I'd be able to write a newsletter from scratch right now given what's happening. I write a lot on Medium but have pretty much stopped now. This is in part due to things other than the looming zombie apocalypse. But the biggest stressor is seeing how there's a glut of writing now about that one subject. I've little to say on the subject. Health wise I'm in an at risk category but my heart goes out to people who are in far worse a situation than me. People need to stop stocking up on toilet paper and start caring about each other.
Hard Same
Where are you at in the thousand? Interesting strategy!
Why having a glut of writing about that one subject is the biggest stressor?
Hi, I mean the biggest stressor when trying to write. Not in comparison to the pandemic. For example the typical content on Medium is usually anodyne productivity and self-help articles. Now it's Coronavirus themed anodyne productivity and self-help articles. It's cynical, disingenuous and off-putting.
That’s absolutely true.
What I’m finding is that I’m writing a lot more on Twitter. And then when I get to the end of the week and I’m ready to do my weekly newsletter, I go back and those tweets are like notes for me which I can either incorporate into my newsletter or expand upon. It’s a really interesting dynamic - I mean Twitter being used for something useful :-)
Aren’t there teen and young adult 20’s cultures where they use twitter to draft entire stories and novels? I LOVE A GOOD TWITTER STORY
I'm hoping to finish a YA novel. 17 chapters done , 54K words so far. I intend writing the next 3/4 chapters and wind the whole thing up while I'm unable to waste writing time socializing!
Cool! Can you hint at a teaser or want to keep it close to the vest? Congratulations! That’s no small feat.
its' a dystopian, post 'Nuclear Dawn, set in New Zealand where the population had time to get partially prepared for the radiation and lack of internet, travel, importing and exporting. Population has reverted to natural medicines horse-drawn transport and the re-emergence of many diseases (might have to mention Covid19!!! )
AMAZING. Are you writing this future? I’ve been thinking a lot about all those things. In my future I’d like still internet but one w/o mean commenters and horses are great but so much work, I’d still want the fast trains. Or slow trains fine. As long as a comfortable overnight car and a dining car. Excited to hear more! You’ve heard of that podcast about writing YA...? I’m forgetting the name. I had double brain surgeries in January so still a little foggy w names and numbers.
https://www.firstdraftpod.com/
There’s also an AMAZING NZ or Aus writer of YA. Shoot. I’m forgetting her name too. Hold on I’ll comment again w these details...
Yep there's trains, but only steam trains, running on coal. Lots of coal available. Yes I know Elizabeth Knox, well I've heard her speak and read several of her books. I loved Vitner's Luck and Angel cut. I haven't read her Y.A. books. She is a well-known N.Z writer. I belong to a Speculative Fiction group: Spec.fic.NZ, and a local writer's group. I have created this futuristic world that has moved back a century really, with poor health, no modern medicines and a harder slower pace of life - and lots of other problems, but half the population are encapsulated, thinking they are radiation free, which in actual fact they're no better off than those who are 'outside'. Just need to wrap the whole story up as I'm getting thoroughly tired of it.
You should look up EMP: Electromagnetic Pulse, when an atomic bomb is detonated in the air the pulse it creates knocks out all electronic devices in an instant (less than one second) for 100 of miles around. Handy thing to have to get rid of the internet and mobile phones!! And all the electronic keyboards that run factories, car, houshold devices, almost everything in today's world. I've had run with that!
That all sounds wonderful. Phone in the ending for now, maybe it’ll make more sense or change later. Great suggestion! My husband was sketching ideas for that or a solar flare event like a year ago before my work and his got crazy. I’ll remind him. Coal is triggering for me bc I’m from coal country but I imagine that’s the point. We can’t have it all. #leanout. I’ll check out that writer’s group.
Ha internet to the rescue: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/the-dream-quake-by-elizabeth-knox-436894.html
My writing has been going well.
With the time accumulating, I've been publishing a serial novel here on Substack.
https://matthewdonnellon.substack.com/p/the-stand
As always, writing has showed up as the best way to process nuanced and complex emotions. I took a break for a while from blogging because I was overwhelmed, but I realized that as long as I'm genuine and address privilege I can add to this conversation in a meaningful way.
I write every day on Understandably.com. I'm about to hit daily newsletter #100.
I also just started a second, limited-run one called "Working From Home" ... (workingfromhome.substack.com ... thanks for the idea Walt Hickey!) not daily ... I figured about 1/4 of my readership worked from home, and there's a lot to talk about -- although now, out of the blue, it's close to 100% of course.
My take is that everything is about coronavirus right now, so it makes sense that all our writing is, too. Eventually, other things will also be important and compelling.
I led the other day with Tom Brady announcing he wasn't returning to the Patriots... but it was a very self-conscious way of *not* leading with coronavirus for once. Of course then I went right into it. But I had readers respond very well to it. Even some from overseas who have barely any idea what the NFL even is.
TLDR... I think readers will forgive a lot right now -- we're all trying to find our way!
For me it’s been great since I have a little more time to write and it serves as a great activity to stay focused on something and not worrying.
I think that writing y helping me a lot on not freaking out and I actually feel very calmed and optimistic about this situation.
Yea my first post in a very long time went out yesterday. Felt like there is a lot I needed to say right now.
I am just starting again. I kept thinking it would be a gift of sorts, to have no interruptions and be able to work on my novel but my brain is not at rest and concentration has been challenging. Today went better though. So things are probably evening out.
Im having a hard time. My mom is sick and Im scared. I asked a few of my readers and they look forward to mySaturday morning post so I'm going to push through and write whats right here.
Thinking about you and your mom during this time, Kris. I have an underlying condition and my parents are both 60 so I'm worried about all of us right now. Know that your writing almost certainly improves others' lives in a time when people really need it.
Sending prayers that is indeed scary :(
I feel absolutely overwhelmed. It is really hard to articulate anything properly. I have been reading so much and it seems like everything is about the virus. Is there anything else that is worth talking about right now? So much goes through my head and I just can't form coherent ideas, I can't connect the dots and write something that seems worthy. My newsletter is about climate change and there have been so many stories comparing the two crisis everywhere, I can't keep doing that. And other those stories there is not much more being reported, there is no space in the media now to talk about anything else, also because things would be buried down and lose their importance because people just cannot handle these many bad news at the same time. I will probably turn my weekly newsletter into a bi-weekly one for a while, I think I need some peace of mind and I specially need to stop reading so many news articles.
Anyway, see, I couldn't even make a coherent comment!!!!!
thanks for your comment. I have been trying to do just that for my edition that comes out tomorrow. I have always used a personal tone in my writing but I feel like being full personal now and writing a real letter explaining how it feels and probably announcing that I will be sending fewer newsletter for a few weeks at least. I am still having trouble writing it but at least it does feel like the right thing to do.
Because my site is education-focused, I've geared new content toward teaching and learning in online spaces. Also thinking about topics regarding the more affective aspects of education, i.e. student-teacher relationships, redefining our titles when learning from a distance. Writing more for sure, although I am lucky that my kids are older, my spouse is home too (also an educator), and we have occupations that allow us to continue to work and be paid.
Interesting. I’m also a teacher. Have a lot of opinions on English. Early reading instruction. Teacher training. I was a FT reading advocate in Louisiana before my fall...from my normal life. I’ll check yours out. Open to feedback on mine as I keep saying #onhere cassie.substack.com I’m over there wilin’ out. Unlike you, I need some kind of income now. I had to and was lucky to have the finances to quit my job over a real big medical emergency. Drama was never my thing. Humor and fellowship always was. Now...I’m learning. #beingisbecoming
Thank you Jae!
I have found daily writing to be a nice way to be completely present on a singular task. Started Daily Art of War, each morning we send a short email with a lesson from The Art of War, https://dailyartofwar.substack.com/
Curious, and probably related: how does one find a writing coach – someone who helps maintain writing habits and clarifies the writing style?
I have wondered the same...I ended up here through a newsletter on writing and blogging and while it is not one on one coaching I have found a lot use trying to apply different topics to my writing on other platforms. https://bloggingguide.substack.com/ I once tried a coach but they are so expensive!
I started writing a newsletter on a weekly basis on Feb 2 (later imported a few older blog posts into my archive). I still spend too long writing each edition but am getting better at estimating the time/complexity of the content I am about to undertake.
My biggest gripe is the lack of UNDO or versioning in the editor though. Every once in a while I accidentally delete a big chunk of writing and have to redo it. I have taken to trying to periodically send a TEST email out once in a while writing to capture a version but this is a dumb workaround. I also tried writing in a different editor then copying over when done. This is another time-waster for me. I do hope solving this is a priority for substackers. With the new team publishing features it seems like an obvious need unless I am in the minority of leveraging the native editor.
Good luck to others out there on writing and growing a subscriber base!
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Was writing these for a long time, just completed and published them, https://ranvir.xyz/blog/k-nearest-neighbor-algorithm-using-sklearn-distance-metric/
https://blog.ranvir.xyz/react-blog-using-netlify-cms-and-gatsby/
I'm getting ready to write a lot during my spring break (I'm a high school teacher in Idaho and it's gonna be a very productive week coming up, after pulling off 14 hour days to get my 6 US history classes switched over to an on-line platform. I'm very confident that I'm going to write something substantial - as I have the outline all done.
I'm finding that I have bursts of ideas throughout the day, perhaps as a means of distracting myself from what's happening. It's been hard to sit down and write, but the hope is that all these snippets I've accumulated will result in meaningful output in a couple of weeks.