I may do that eventually. I am writing the story for a competition, and it cannot have been previously published to be entered. If it does well in the contest, I will publish the link. If it doesn't, I will publish it in a couple of installments on Substack.
Chris, loved this essay, especially this: “A flowing creak is me, and if it was blocked, I would explode.”
As a dad of twins, a devoted spouse and business owner, I don’t write as often as I would like. Your shiny sentence captures what it feels like inside!
Also super cool that you’ve connected with your devoted readers. 👏
Substack is great! I am loving the experience despite the haters (unavoidable).
I started writing once a week which was an interesting way to dive in considering this project was all on a whim. I thought about it only on the day I started it.
I have respect for those with discipline for once weekly. I know how much work it takes. I enjoyed it at the time as I was in the flow and had a rhythm. I started to worry that content would suffer and become less authentic if I pressure myself with weekly deadlines. I wanted the space in between to process my thoughts. Maybe when I am unemployed soon I will return to once weekly. Maybe not. Does it even matter? I have no clue.
I think its different than video games because the research for writing and the writing is a self-reflection ritual and therefore generative and mindful.
Thank you, Chris. Just what I need to hear to keep on going. I'm writing a short story now (not for Substack), but I think that I may take a break and post again. Your essay provided just what I needed to hear.
Great to hear that you're enjoying the process of finding new people to connect with, and that you're meeting them in the flesh, too.
Also, thanks for sharing that bit about culling your subscribers list. I didn't know you could do that, and I didn't know there were bots on Substack either.
You make a good point about how the more you write, the easier it becomes to write more often. Writing is thinking. If you get into the habit of thinking, you'll generally have more thoughts. Not all of those thoughts are awesome - as I've discovered with my own thoughts - but you write them out and sort them and sharpen them until they're good enough to share.
Really enjoyed this Chris. I'm glad I found you on here month ago or so. I think it was via Notes. It's awesome that you put your Calendly thing on there as well. I set something up, hope it works out.
One thing that has helped me is to do two types of writing. The first kind is just for myself, privately in a journal. The second kind is stuff I like that I think other people may enjoy. I post those.
I also sometimes see writing an infinite game. I know I can't be perfect at it, but can I get a little better at it every day? Can I gain sovereignty over the work and the craft? That perspective can be helpful.
I may do that eventually. I am writing the story for a competition, and it cannot have been previously published to be entered. If it does well in the contest, I will publish the link. If it doesn't, I will publish it in a couple of installments on Substack.
Thank you for the encouragement!
Chris, loved this essay, especially this: “A flowing creak is me, and if it was blocked, I would explode.”
As a dad of twins, a devoted spouse and business owner, I don’t write as often as I would like. Your shiny sentence captures what it feels like inside!
Also super cool that you’ve connected with your devoted readers. 👏
Thanks James. Max respect that you’re doing all that, and writing a bit too.
It’s important to hear from the good fathers of the world
Substack is great! I am loving the experience despite the haters (unavoidable).
I started writing once a week which was an interesting way to dive in considering this project was all on a whim. I thought about it only on the day I started it.
I have respect for those with discipline for once weekly. I know how much work it takes. I enjoyed it at the time as I was in the flow and had a rhythm. I started to worry that content would suffer and become less authentic if I pressure myself with weekly deadlines. I wanted the space in between to process my thoughts. Maybe when I am unemployed soon I will return to once weekly. Maybe not. Does it even matter? I have no clue.
Yeah there’s no right answer. If I skip a week I doubt anyone would notice.
I often tell myself, I’m not going to post this week, then I get wave of inspiration and it happens of its own accord.
It’s funny that at night instead of videogames or YouTube or Netflix I often just do Google docs and/or Substack. I suppose that’s a kind of videogame
Yes i only write with inspirations.
I think its different than video games because the research for writing and the writing is a self-reflection ritual and therefore generative and mindful.
Great points in this piece!
Thanks, Sandra.
Thank you, this was fabulous.
Thank you, Chris. Just what I need to hear to keep on going. I'm writing a short story now (not for Substack), but I think that I may take a break and post again. Your essay provided just what I needed to hear.
Glad to hear it. Perhaps you could post part of the short story on Substack
Loved this, thanks for writing
Thank you Dan, glad we could connect in the writing circle. Will see you again, I’m sure
Great to hear that you're enjoying the process of finding new people to connect with, and that you're meeting them in the flesh, too.
Also, thanks for sharing that bit about culling your subscribers list. I didn't know you could do that, and I didn't know there were bots on Substack either.
You make a good point about how the more you write, the easier it becomes to write more often. Writing is thinking. If you get into the habit of thinking, you'll generally have more thoughts. Not all of those thoughts are awesome - as I've discovered with my own thoughts - but you write them out and sort them and sharpen them until they're good enough to share.
Cheers!
🎯
Prose here was crisp
Thanks. Crisp prose is my favorite
Really enjoyed this Chris. I'm glad I found you on here month ago or so. I think it was via Notes. It's awesome that you put your Calendly thing on there as well. I set something up, hope it works out.
Hell yeah, looking forward to it
Happy Friday Chris! Cheers to the weekend
Honored that you made the trip all the way to Barcelona to visit <3
Dude I’m editing my Barcelona writing. Stoked to share it
You’re welcome
Thanks for sharing this, James.
One thing that has helped me is to do two types of writing. The first kind is just for myself, privately in a journal. The second kind is stuff I like that I think other people may enjoy. I post those.
I also sometimes see writing an infinite game. I know I can't be perfect at it, but can I get a little better at it every day? Can I gain sovereignty over the work and the craft? That perspective can be helpful.