Great post, very reflective. I accidentally clicked "Yes" on the poll when I meant to click "No" - but I think you could also start your own blog/website when you need a break from Substack. You can always cross-post your blog essays back onto Substack too.
All true, but practical balances theoretical. To write "for a living" cannot beglect the tradeoffs of being fed. If only the idle rich can dabble in thought, then the world is skewed.
I believe you are ahead of the pack on this, Anu. I almost have too much Substack material to read every day and although the few writers I follow are brilliant (yes, you are), I find myself needing to take a break from it all to read Dostoyevsky or Tolstoy, to kind of reset my brain. I support your long-term goal and look forward to your future book.
Hi Mitchell! So glad to hear you found it, and I’m leading some discussions upcoming. The 1984 is full at the moment but going to do one on Brave New World next month. Hope you can join. And yes hope to meet!
I've enjoyed your essays and perspective, and would love to see where you go next. If you choose to go to another platform I will miss you, but you need to do what's best for you. I agree on your assessment of Substack's flaws; I would point out, not as a contrary opinion but just an observation on human nature, that for most people having to publish something on a schedule is what gets them to sit down and write. They wouldn't do it otherwise.
I'm kind of that way; I scribble poems down all the time but when I start running out of scheduled posts is when I sit and edit and type them up. Deadlines are a motivator!
However, as you say long-form expository writing is a different ball game from creative writing.
As someone who's had their own viral moment, and the pile on it engendered, you have my sympathy and my sword. Real recognizes real. Glad you and @Rohan Ghostwind are out here saying stuff that needs to be said, regardless of who likes it. Glad to join the little fraternity too!
Great post, very reflective. I accidentally clicked "Yes" on the poll when I meant to click "No" - but I think you could also start your own blog/website when you need a break from Substack. You can always cross-post your blog essays back onto Substack too.
You’re right, probably leave it as a repository
All true, but practical balances theoretical. To write "for a living" cannot beglect the tradeoffs of being fed. If only the idle rich can dabble in thought, then the world is skewed.
Agreed, I just think the tradeoffs are perhaps too significant to justify the effort
Agreed. Great writing and subtle insights.
I believe you are ahead of the pack on this, Anu. I almost have too much Substack material to read every day and although the few writers I follow are brilliant (yes, you are), I find myself needing to take a break from it all to read Dostoyevsky or Tolstoy, to kind of reset my brain. I support your long-term goal and look forward to your future book.
Great writing and subtle insights.
Hey Anuradha! So well written. I just recently joined the ATX writing club, looking forward to connecting more hopefully in the near future.
Hi Mitchell! So glad to hear you found it, and I’m leading some discussions upcoming. The 1984 is full at the moment but going to do one on Brave New World next month. Hope you can join. And yes hope to meet!
I've enjoyed your essays and perspective, and would love to see where you go next. If you choose to go to another platform I will miss you, but you need to do what's best for you. I agree on your assessment of Substack's flaws; I would point out, not as a contrary opinion but just an observation on human nature, that for most people having to publish something on a schedule is what gets them to sit down and write. They wouldn't do it otherwise.
I'm kind of that way; I scribble poems down all the time but when I start running out of scheduled posts is when I sit and edit and type them up. Deadlines are a motivator!
However, as you say long-form expository writing is a different ball game from creative writing.
Best of luck to you, and gods bless!
As someone who's had their own viral moment, and the pile on it engendered, you have my sympathy and my sword. Real recognizes real. Glad you and @Rohan Ghostwind are out here saying stuff that needs to be said, regardless of who likes it. Glad to join the little fraternity too!