I was just about to add something before you replied. That last bit was about me and my reaction to Substack. I just wanted to say that you have things to say of immense value and it seems you get a great response, which of course I envy, along with your youth and wonderful red hair. ❤️
Hi Kathryn, I wish you all the best. It’s a rum old world. I’m nearly 82, am not well off but certainly don’t need to make money from writing nor build a career. I drifted into writing bits during lockdown and enjoyed it, never occurred to me to think about getting published but the hard sell stuff does get to me. When others get poems accepted I want that too, then I think why not a pamphlet and I know full well a publisher would look at the number of my followers etc etc and I know I just haven’t got the space in my life for all the self publicity required. Who are the endless readers paying up front to make all these people a living? It has surprised me how little interaction there is on Substack. There’s good stuff but it’s all so time consuming. I have given up commenting on the things I started to follow mostly because it becomes a trap, trying to follow the mostly non existent replies. Never mind, I have a few folders of poems that will light a few fires when I’m gone.😂
I feel this. I’m gradually getting some interaction which is nice and good. It feels less lonely that way. I didn’t realise you could make money on substack when I first joined up, not actual real money that could sustain you. I also doubt that I ever will. But that doesn’t matter. Connection does.
Somehow I missed this until just now (always so grateful for Dave Bonta's roundup), but probably because I was taking a mini-break from Substack--partly because I wasn't feeling physically well and partly because of ALL the things you've written here. I've largely let go of writing ambitions I once had, but we all want to feel as if we belong, don't we? And Substack--especially Notes--can make us feel as if we don't. I'm glad to have found you here, and I always appreciate your writing.
You're so right - and I'm with you on the love / hate thing. I love writing and this is the best place to do it but I've had to accept that my algorithm skills suck - plus I just don't want to spend the time needed to build a huge audience. A few small, genuine, connections is enough. Lovely to have met you here Rita.
I bet it's not that your algorithm skills suck. It's that you're not willing to do what it takes to get better traction. What makes me feel weary on Notes is how performative/self-promoting so many of them seem. I know people are just hustling the way they need to in order to achieve the goals they have, so I'm not knocking them as much as it might sound. I get weary that that's what it takes to achieve a more commercial kind of success. I love that Notes has helped me find writers I appreciate--which is why I keep reading them--but sometimes they get to me. Which is when I step away from them. :-) I love the inbox feature, which doesn't show me any Notes at all.
This really strikes a chord with me Kathryn. I’m always thinking I should try and get more subscribers, or make some money, that I’m not really successful etc, but then I always come back to the same place, the one where I tell myself that for me the writing is what counts. And being my true self. I’ve never been good at the ‘big writing,’ that makes the money.
It's an odd feeling isn't it? It would be better for my ego it thinks if I was that kind of writer but I know it's a personality thing as much as anything. It's the same in music - people can have the most amazing talent but that's not necessarily going to get them to the top of the tree. I guess one of the best things about this sort of platform is that some of the power has shifted away from the " man behind the desk" - although I'm not sure the shift to algorithms is necessarily the way we all wanted to go.
It is strange isn't it? I'm so grateful for the community and people I've met through Wendy's courses - I think we're such a variety of ages and outlooks. I've missed being part of it this year - looking forward to the one in May. And I've just realised I still haven't bought your pamphlet! I really do love your poetry - yes they will light some fires !
I was just about to add something before you replied. That last bit was about me and my reaction to Substack. I just wanted to say that you have things to say of immense value and it seems you get a great response, which of course I envy, along with your youth and wonderful red hair. ❤️
I genuinely treasure having got to know you Elaine. You give me hope. Thank you xx
Hi Kathryn, I wish you all the best. It’s a rum old world. I’m nearly 82, am not well off but certainly don’t need to make money from writing nor build a career. I drifted into writing bits during lockdown and enjoyed it, never occurred to me to think about getting published but the hard sell stuff does get to me. When others get poems accepted I want that too, then I think why not a pamphlet and I know full well a publisher would look at the number of my followers etc etc and I know I just haven’t got the space in my life for all the self publicity required. Who are the endless readers paying up front to make all these people a living? It has surprised me how little interaction there is on Substack. There’s good stuff but it’s all so time consuming. I have given up commenting on the things I started to follow mostly because it becomes a trap, trying to follow the mostly non existent replies. Never mind, I have a few folders of poems that will light a few fires when I’m gone.😂
I feel this. I’m gradually getting some interaction which is nice and good. It feels less lonely that way. I didn’t realise you could make money on substack when I first joined up, not actual real money that could sustain you. I also doubt that I ever will. But that doesn’t matter. Connection does.
Somehow I missed this until just now (always so grateful for Dave Bonta's roundup), but probably because I was taking a mini-break from Substack--partly because I wasn't feeling physically well and partly because of ALL the things you've written here. I've largely let go of writing ambitions I once had, but we all want to feel as if we belong, don't we? And Substack--especially Notes--can make us feel as if we don't. I'm glad to have found you here, and I always appreciate your writing.
You're so right - and I'm with you on the love / hate thing. I love writing and this is the best place to do it but I've had to accept that my algorithm skills suck - plus I just don't want to spend the time needed to build a huge audience. A few small, genuine, connections is enough. Lovely to have met you here Rita.
I bet it's not that your algorithm skills suck. It's that you're not willing to do what it takes to get better traction. What makes me feel weary on Notes is how performative/self-promoting so many of them seem. I know people are just hustling the way they need to in order to achieve the goals they have, so I'm not knocking them as much as it might sound. I get weary that that's what it takes to achieve a more commercial kind of success. I love that Notes has helped me find writers I appreciate--which is why I keep reading them--but sometimes they get to me. Which is when I step away from them. :-) I love the inbox feature, which doesn't show me any Notes at all.
Wonderful honest thoughtful reflections. Thank you lovely x
This really strikes a chord with me Kathryn. I’m always thinking I should try and get more subscribers, or make some money, that I’m not really successful etc, but then I always come back to the same place, the one where I tell myself that for me the writing is what counts. And being my true self. I’ve never been good at the ‘big writing,’ that makes the money.
It's an odd feeling isn't it? It would be better for my ego it thinks if I was that kind of writer but I know it's a personality thing as much as anything. It's the same in music - people can have the most amazing talent but that's not necessarily going to get them to the top of the tree. I guess one of the best things about this sort of platform is that some of the power has shifted away from the " man behind the desk" - although I'm not sure the shift to algorithms is necessarily the way we all wanted to go.
It is strange isn't it? I'm so grateful for the community and people I've met through Wendy's courses - I think we're such a variety of ages and outlooks. I've missed being part of it this year - looking forward to the one in May. And I've just realised I still haven't bought your pamphlet! I really do love your poetry - yes they will light some fires !