It’s the paradox of writers not being supposed to write about writing - and only write about it when everything is going well / they have tips to share, not when it doesn’t feel like it’s going well 😔
Yes, it's definitely unsexy to write about your craft when it's taken a hit and it's SUPER vulnerable too, because we're supposed to be the inspirational figures. But...it's also a time when your real supporters come out rooting for you to help keep you going.
Have you noticed Substack is not what it used to be a few years ago? It's almost like there was an influx of Twitter users who came over in 2022 and just saturated this platform with their little quips for notes. They've really drowned out the authentic voices that relied on the Substack algorithm. I am hoping the Substack ecosystem levels out again when a lot of these users move on to the next popular social media and Substack becomes a space for thoughtful voices to become easily found again.
I also wonder if Substack has become the canary in the coal mine in regards to the dismal state of the economy. When money is tight, a Substack subscription will seem like an easily cancelled luxury. It's even easier to cancel when the internet makes things so impersonal. I appreciate how you write and being so frank about topics like this.
Oh my! Your comment made me look up the origin story of canary in a coal mine. Poor birdies…Yes, I agree that whenever the economy is plummeting (or there is general fear) Art and other “luxuries” take a hit.
But at the same time, I think that people will pay for what they value, and it just comes down to what and who is considered valuable and necessary. So, some Artists may not be as impacted as others because how value is ascribed to an individual Artist also depends on other factors.
I also see how a Substack subscription is easily cancellable when you’re disconnected from the Artist, and that links to what I had mentioned earlier about how my growth cycle attracted large numbers of people who sort of treated me like a passing trend/shiny object, but without the deeper resonance and respect that would facilitate sustainable support.
I joined Substack a couple of years ago and I’ve watched it evolve since then, especially as a social media platform. Like, when I got on here I didn’t even know Notes existed, and when I discovered it a few months later—it wasn’t what it is today.
I definitely think Notes is very twitter-like in the sense that now I see people going viral for saying the most basic shit LOL but also, I think there is some opportunity to grow your platform as a writer if everyone is on there. It’s a give and take. As with any other social media platform, you have to adapt, stay grounded in your creative offering, and what you want to get out of these tools.
Thank you for appreciating my frankness! It’s not always easy to share but someone’s gotta say it. 🤎
I'm honestly surprised, confused and disheartened that people unsubscribed to you over that article. I also don't really get the people who will unsubscribe because an author had a small interruption in their posting frequency. When I become a paid subscriber to someone, it's because I value their work and want to do my little part to support them, not because I expect a steady stream of content, or expect to never read a piece from them that in some way isn't 'for me'.
Especially to unsubscribe over that particular piece, feels kinda shameful, ngl.
Everyone knows art is freaking hard to make a living off of. Your determination to make that happen despite difficulty and setbacks with no day job (!), is something I really admire about you, and actually think is kinda heroic. Most anyone will take whatever job they can just to get by, or give up on their dreams because it's hard to follow them and that future is more uncertain. I'm no different - but you are. You are unflinchingly true to yourself and brave (which doesn't mean you're never scared or sad/disheartened, since someone without those feelings doesn't need to be brave). And that to me makes you a modern day hero.
I was sorry already to read about the trouble you've had in attracting anything other than free subscribers, and now even more sorry to read this. In my small forays into fanfic writing and talking with other fanfic writers I've already seen the socially powerful lure of writing what you think an audience wants instead of what you want, and the rejection you feel when the response to something you've written is disinterest. And I know I can't really imagine how much those feelings must be intensified when what you're writing is very personal and you're also trying to make a living with it. You're in a very emotionally vulnerable position and for someone to unsubscribe because of reading about it must feel like a slap in the face. Screw them anyways dude.
Aww, Wow. Thank you so much for your genuine and heartfelt support. I’m honored that you see me as a hero through all of this. 🏆 Yes, it’s been a journey to process why some people may have chosen to withdraw support at this point in my journey.
It’s taken a lot of courage to speak up about it but I’m so glad I did. Transparency and honesty always helps me move through the funk, and it also opens me up to support from my community, from those who truly see and value me and how I show up in the world.
I have received a lot of judgment for my life path lol What I’ve learned is that it’s OK to be weird, different, and devoted to your art as long as you’ve “made it” and you’re wealthy.
If you're not wealthy or you're caught struggling, people look at you sideways, and if I am being honest, I believe it's because struggling artists remind them of parts of themselves which they are too afraid to embrace.
It’s incredibly challenging at times but there is a give and take. The truth is that I am always called back to nurture & share my gifts, and they have always been my little lifeboat in this big world, through thick and thin.
We cannot take money or clout with us when we die but I personally believe our souls take the energy we carried through our lifetime and impact we’ve had on others. We can never outrun the truth of who we are and our heart’s calling. As such, I choose to pursue a life that is my own creative design because that’s what I’m here for.
I am saving your comment in my private folder of beautiful supportive messages to read on a rainy day. ☔️🥰
It’s the paradox of writers not being supposed to write about writing - and only write about it when everything is going well / they have tips to share, not when it doesn’t feel like it’s going well 😔
Yes, it's definitely unsexy to write about your craft when it's taken a hit and it's SUPER vulnerable too, because we're supposed to be the inspirational figures. But...it's also a time when your real supporters come out rooting for you to help keep you going.
Have you noticed Substack is not what it used to be a few years ago? It's almost like there was an influx of Twitter users who came over in 2022 and just saturated this platform with their little quips for notes. They've really drowned out the authentic voices that relied on the Substack algorithm. I am hoping the Substack ecosystem levels out again when a lot of these users move on to the next popular social media and Substack becomes a space for thoughtful voices to become easily found again.
I also wonder if Substack has become the canary in the coal mine in regards to the dismal state of the economy. When money is tight, a Substack subscription will seem like an easily cancelled luxury. It's even easier to cancel when the internet makes things so impersonal. I appreciate how you write and being so frank about topics like this.
Oh my! Your comment made me look up the origin story of canary in a coal mine. Poor birdies…Yes, I agree that whenever the economy is plummeting (or there is general fear) Art and other “luxuries” take a hit.
But at the same time, I think that people will pay for what they value, and it just comes down to what and who is considered valuable and necessary. So, some Artists may not be as impacted as others because how value is ascribed to an individual Artist also depends on other factors.
I also see how a Substack subscription is easily cancellable when you’re disconnected from the Artist, and that links to what I had mentioned earlier about how my growth cycle attracted large numbers of people who sort of treated me like a passing trend/shiny object, but without the deeper resonance and respect that would facilitate sustainable support.
I joined Substack a couple of years ago and I’ve watched it evolve since then, especially as a social media platform. Like, when I got on here I didn’t even know Notes existed, and when I discovered it a few months later—it wasn’t what it is today.
I definitely think Notes is very twitter-like in the sense that now I see people going viral for saying the most basic shit LOL but also, I think there is some opportunity to grow your platform as a writer if everyone is on there. It’s a give and take. As with any other social media platform, you have to adapt, stay grounded in your creative offering, and what you want to get out of these tools.
Thank you for appreciating my frankness! It’s not always easy to share but someone’s gotta say it. 🤎
I'm honestly surprised, confused and disheartened that people unsubscribed to you over that article. I also don't really get the people who will unsubscribe because an author had a small interruption in their posting frequency. When I become a paid subscriber to someone, it's because I value their work and want to do my little part to support them, not because I expect a steady stream of content, or expect to never read a piece from them that in some way isn't 'for me'.
Especially to unsubscribe over that particular piece, feels kinda shameful, ngl.
Everyone knows art is freaking hard to make a living off of. Your determination to make that happen despite difficulty and setbacks with no day job (!), is something I really admire about you, and actually think is kinda heroic. Most anyone will take whatever job they can just to get by, or give up on their dreams because it's hard to follow them and that future is more uncertain. I'm no different - but you are. You are unflinchingly true to yourself and brave (which doesn't mean you're never scared or sad/disheartened, since someone without those feelings doesn't need to be brave). And that to me makes you a modern day hero.
I was sorry already to read about the trouble you've had in attracting anything other than free subscribers, and now even more sorry to read this. In my small forays into fanfic writing and talking with other fanfic writers I've already seen the socially powerful lure of writing what you think an audience wants instead of what you want, and the rejection you feel when the response to something you've written is disinterest. And I know I can't really imagine how much those feelings must be intensified when what you're writing is very personal and you're also trying to make a living with it. You're in a very emotionally vulnerable position and for someone to unsubscribe because of reading about it must feel like a slap in the face. Screw them anyways dude.
I'm always rooting for you.
Aww, Wow. Thank you so much for your genuine and heartfelt support. I’m honored that you see me as a hero through all of this. 🏆 Yes, it’s been a journey to process why some people may have chosen to withdraw support at this point in my journey.
It’s taken a lot of courage to speak up about it but I’m so glad I did. Transparency and honesty always helps me move through the funk, and it also opens me up to support from my community, from those who truly see and value me and how I show up in the world.
I have received a lot of judgment for my life path lol What I’ve learned is that it’s OK to be weird, different, and devoted to your art as long as you’ve “made it” and you’re wealthy.
If you're not wealthy or you're caught struggling, people look at you sideways, and if I am being honest, I believe it's because struggling artists remind them of parts of themselves which they are too afraid to embrace.
It’s incredibly challenging at times but there is a give and take. The truth is that I am always called back to nurture & share my gifts, and they have always been my little lifeboat in this big world, through thick and thin.
We cannot take money or clout with us when we die but I personally believe our souls take the energy we carried through our lifetime and impact we’ve had on others. We can never outrun the truth of who we are and our heart’s calling. As such, I choose to pursue a life that is my own creative design because that’s what I’m here for.
I am saving your comment in my private folder of beautiful supportive messages to read on a rainy day. ☔️🥰
I appreciate you. 💜
Thank you. 👵🏿🌻✨