I hear you about the need to focus more. You're right, Substack is not the best place to be for a serious writer unless you can ignore the engagement stats and simply write from the heart, when you truly have something to say. i've been thinking about this too; esp as I don't expect to be writing this newsletter forever, when I retire I will probably return to novel writing. Including the Magnum Opus that's been on my mind for thirty years.
I've been thinking about where i want to take my writing, too, because as much as I love Substack, well, I'm tired of the need to chase engagement, which I've done in a half-assed manner anyway because I have a lot of other things to do. Been wondering if maybe I should focus on my website which is mostly my Substack articles copied there, rather than Substack itself.
Thank you for writing this. As someone who has recently started writing on here about similar topics (gender, culture, etc.) I also feel a bit disheartened that it seems the best way to get noticed is to take the influencer approach - videos, constant notes and essays, and the like. The worry is that my writing will become shallow, like you said - but how do you get visibility if you're not writing enough for the algorithm?? Definitely a conundrum, and something that would be so much easier if I didn't have a regular job to worry about!
But please never feel that you have 'failed' as a writer. As a woman, your writing on gender has made me feel brave enough to also write on those topics.
Hi Tatiana, this meant a lot to me. Fwiw I have gotten this far without watering it down, but I can feel myself on the verge of succumbing to it because the type of writing I do and you’re trying to do requires sustained attention that phone-based reading simply is incompatible with. So therein lies the conundrum of why one should bother. But then I read comments like yours and think it’s worth doing it even if a handful of people are inspired to either write or operationalize the knowledge.
Anu, I've not commented before, and am new here. You are what I've been looking for, and wish there was more of: clarity, courage and honest truth seeking that doesn't bow. I look forward to more. Oh, and Im a female who can relate to almost everything you say about our gender. XO
"Clarity in our culture is read as aggressive and wrong simply because sentences don’t apologize for themselves."
Yes, indeed. Full stop.
PS: I am not a fan of the graphic novel medium (in general). However, I have found the graphic novel version of Orwell's "1984" disturbing in exactly the same way that Orwell's written form intended. It amplified the horror. I recommend it.
I was once working on a manuscript, and the lead author wrote, "In the future, technology X may have a role to play in the treatment of disease Y." I said that this sentence was literally unfalsifiable, because phrases like "In the future" and "a role to play" are totally open-ended. In fact, even if technology X can be definitively shown to have absolutely no role to play in the treatment of disease Y, that doesn't mean the sentence is wrong, because the author threw in the weaselly disclaimer that technology X "MAY" have a role to play. When I pointed this out to the author, that what she had written was utterly vacuous and could never be falsified, she felt this was a good thing, because she couldn't be "dinged" by a reviewer.
I respect your continued commitment to self-honesty. It’s very easy to be complacent about such a thing.
I voted yes on the poll because I think your instincts about the effects of substack’s business model on your writing and thought processes are probably sound. I would support you either way though
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.
When I was a child, I remember wondering why so many writers and poets before the 20th century were nobles. It took me longer than I would like to admit to realise that only they had the means and the time. Historically, artists have been employed by the religious authorities or by some rich guy to sing his praises. We are in a new age, but things don't seem to be advancing so much as drifting sideways.
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!
Hi Quinn, I appreciate this note, and you are welcome in it. Please keep up what you’re doing, and I wish you Godspeed. Just remember Orwell’s rules ;)
I hear you about the need to focus more. You're right, Substack is not the best place to be for a serious writer unless you can ignore the engagement stats and simply write from the heart, when you truly have something to say. i've been thinking about this too; esp as I don't expect to be writing this newsletter forever, when I retire I will probably return to novel writing. Including the Magnum Opus that's been on my mind for thirty years.
I've been thinking about where i want to take my writing, too, because as much as I love Substack, well, I'm tired of the need to chase engagement, which I've done in a half-assed manner anyway because I have a lot of other things to do. Been wondering if maybe I should focus on my website which is mostly my Substack articles copied there, rather than Substack itself.
Thank you for writing this. As someone who has recently started writing on here about similar topics (gender, culture, etc.) I also feel a bit disheartened that it seems the best way to get noticed is to take the influencer approach - videos, constant notes and essays, and the like. The worry is that my writing will become shallow, like you said - but how do you get visibility if you're not writing enough for the algorithm?? Definitely a conundrum, and something that would be so much easier if I didn't have a regular job to worry about!
But please never feel that you have 'failed' as a writer. As a woman, your writing on gender has made me feel brave enough to also write on those topics.
Hi Tatiana, this meant a lot to me. Fwiw I have gotten this far without watering it down, but I can feel myself on the verge of succumbing to it because the type of writing I do and you’re trying to do requires sustained attention that phone-based reading simply is incompatible with. So therein lies the conundrum of why one should bother. But then I read comments like yours and think it’s worth doing it even if a handful of people are inspired to either write or operationalize the knowledge.
Anu, I've not commented before, and am new here. You are what I've been looking for, and wish there was more of: clarity, courage and honest truth seeking that doesn't bow. I look forward to more. Oh, and Im a female who can relate to almost everything you say about our gender. XO
Bless you, I’m glad you’re here, and I appreciate this.
Absolutely love this. Great writing. May your break prove to be refreshing.
"Clarity in our culture is read as aggressive and wrong simply because sentences don’t apologize for themselves."
Yes, indeed. Full stop.
PS: I am not a fan of the graphic novel medium (in general). However, I have found the graphic novel version of Orwell's "1984" disturbing in exactly the same way that Orwell's written form intended. It amplified the horror. I recommend it.
https://www.amazon.com/George-Orwells-1984-Graphic-Novel/dp/1786750570/ref=monarch_sidesheet_title
Preach, Anuradha!!
I was once working on a manuscript, and the lead author wrote, "In the future, technology X may have a role to play in the treatment of disease Y." I said that this sentence was literally unfalsifiable, because phrases like "In the future" and "a role to play" are totally open-ended. In fact, even if technology X can be definitively shown to have absolutely no role to play in the treatment of disease Y, that doesn't mean the sentence is wrong, because the author threw in the weaselly disclaimer that technology X "MAY" have a role to play. When I pointed this out to the author, that what she had written was utterly vacuous and could never be falsified, she felt this was a good thing, because she couldn't be "dinged" by a reviewer.
Indeed, it’s a feature because they’re most afraid of social sanction
I respect your continued commitment to self-honesty. It’s very easy to be complacent about such a thing.
I voted yes on the poll because I think your instincts about the effects of substack’s business model on your writing and thought processes are probably sound. I would support you either way though
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.
When I was a child, I remember wondering why so many writers and poets before the 20th century were nobles. It took me longer than I would like to admit to realise that only they had the means and the time. Historically, artists have been employed by the religious authorities or by some rich guy to sing his praises. We are in a new age, but things don't seem to be advancing so much as drifting sideways.
Agreed, I just think the tradeoffs are perhaps too significant to justify the effort
So you're gonna get a real job?
lol what? I’ve always had one
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!
Hi Quinn, I appreciate this note, and you are welcome in it. Please keep up what you’re doing, and I wish you Godspeed. Just remember Orwell’s rules ;)