Great post! Totally agree with the sentiment that you must do creative work that you believe in, even if that's just for the sake of doing it. I think passion comes across in any creative art form, and it is this that will make you stand out and appeal to an "audience". Thank you for sharing these three different creatives and perspectives : )
I like the way you put it! I’ve seen something from Simon Owen on this platform about this connection with AI -- that is, the truly original, passionate work will stand out even more. Hope so :)
"In a way, it’s also allowing yourself to be satisfied with the dissatisfaction—to publish something you know isn’t perfect."
As an amateur/new/bumbling-along-finding-my-way writer, this is something that feels good to read, especially when related to having a Substack. I get fidgety sometimes trying to second guess what I should post and whether it's good enough, but I love this sentiment of being satisfied with dissatisfaction. That there's always something further to reach towards.
It's so hard without an editor...then sometimes it's also nice not to have an editor! I think we all second guess. I think even 'famous' carefully edited authors do it. And I guess it takes courage to just share it anyway.
I really like the wide range of others in this piece and especially the self perception of success that we have. I, like many, tie success and money/recognition/subscribers but really like the intrinsic thoughtfulness of this to highlight what your success is.
Yes, I guess I have really rethought what success is for myself and based it more on how I viewed success for my students in the past. It's very liberating! Although of course we need to make a living, too :) ...I guess in the first podcast I shared (Alex) he talks about how while he felt financial success took longer due to this strategy, it was also better or longer lasting in the end.
“Success is freedom”. Maybe, but I’m bad at compromising even if I make next to nothing from writing. I’ve passed the stage now where I hope for financial freedom from writing. If it comes it comes but I don’t expect it so I might as well crack on with what brings me satisfaction. Now more than ever I write entirely about what piques my interest. That won’t interest everyone, and that’s fine. And every time I post I get loads of unsubscribes here on substack. But I just think that if they aren’t interested that ain’t my problem. I work through and figure out my own positions and thoughts about stuff in my writing, and that’s why I write.
& I wonder if you sacrifice "freedom" to write a certain way (re Tolentino) before "success" (financial?) then you might not get to the right audiences in the end anyway. Or if you are moulded somehow by certain publications you work for, you might gain knowledge but also not be able to learn or think in the process of your writing in the way you describe.
In any case, this comes through in your publication and I think that's why it's so good. I like your attitude about unsubscribes!
Great post! Totally agree with the sentiment that you must do creative work that you believe in, even if that's just for the sake of doing it. I think passion comes across in any creative art form, and it is this that will make you stand out and appeal to an "audience". Thank you for sharing these three different creatives and perspectives : )
I like the way you put it! I’ve seen something from Simon Owen on this platform about this connection with AI -- that is, the truly original, passionate work will stand out even more. Hope so :)
Really good selection 👌
"In a way, it’s also allowing yourself to be satisfied with the dissatisfaction—to publish something you know isn’t perfect."
As an amateur/new/bumbling-along-finding-my-way writer, this is something that feels good to read, especially when related to having a Substack. I get fidgety sometimes trying to second guess what I should post and whether it's good enough, but I love this sentiment of being satisfied with dissatisfaction. That there's always something further to reach towards.
Thanks, Nathan!
It's so hard without an editor...then sometimes it's also nice not to have an editor! I think we all second guess. I think even 'famous' carefully edited authors do it. And I guess it takes courage to just share it anyway.
Apart from being a really interesting article (as always) there is lots of reassurance for writers in it. Lovely read, thank you!
Happy there is reassurance! I find it interesting especially to look outside the writing bubble for some reason.
I really like the wide range of others in this piece and especially the self perception of success that we have. I, like many, tie success and money/recognition/subscribers but really like the intrinsic thoughtfulness of this to highlight what your success is.
Thanks, Jon!
Yes, I guess I have really rethought what success is for myself and based it more on how I viewed success for my students in the past. It's very liberating! Although of course we need to make a living, too :) ...I guess in the first podcast I shared (Alex) he talks about how while he felt financial success took longer due to this strategy, it was also better or longer lasting in the end.
I enjoyed your substack. I particularly liked the line that by writing we discover stuff about ourselves. I restacked that quotation.
Thanks a lot, Joe!
Loved your bit on the meaning of success for Jia Tolentino.
Thanks Tom!
“Success is freedom”. Maybe, but I’m bad at compromising even if I make next to nothing from writing. I’ve passed the stage now where I hope for financial freedom from writing. If it comes it comes but I don’t expect it so I might as well crack on with what brings me satisfaction. Now more than ever I write entirely about what piques my interest. That won’t interest everyone, and that’s fine. And every time I post I get loads of unsubscribes here on substack. But I just think that if they aren’t interested that ain’t my problem. I work through and figure out my own positions and thoughts about stuff in my writing, and that’s why I write.
& I wonder if you sacrifice "freedom" to write a certain way (re Tolentino) before "success" (financial?) then you might not get to the right audiences in the end anyway. Or if you are moulded somehow by certain publications you work for, you might gain knowledge but also not be able to learn or think in the process of your writing in the way you describe.
In any case, this comes through in your publication and I think that's why it's so good. I like your attitude about unsubscribes!
I quite enjoyed reading about these creative people who I probably wouldn’t have known about if I wasn’t subscribed to your newsletter!
Great to hear, Paul! Thank you.