Not pandering - I will continue to write on a whim but I can also write strongly in any of these areas - so interested in what people want. If I’m tossing up between any number of things to write about I may as well give subscribers what they are more interested in .
Or you could incorporate elements of one or other category in varying amounts. It is up to you. Understanding the readership is helpful. Without feedback you'd be like an actor performing before a silent audience that is seated in darkness. That can be intimidating.
Would love to know your process. How you prepare your pieces. A writer's technique can be revealing.
The randomness is the problem (at least for me)...at a certain stage we owe it to ourselves to reflect on the mechanics of it all. This is especially true of people for whom writing comes easily.
The more that I understand my own varied experiences of writing, the more I improved my understanding of how to do it better.
To be vitalist in a lazy way: do not neglect to include consideration of food, light, sleep and physical activity. Sleep hygiene is central to creativity and imagination (oxygenation of blood resets the chemistry of the body at rest, including the brain and the state of one's hormones and neurotransmitters in deep has a connection to the formation of memory and the maintenance of good mental health) appears t have a connection with).
Once you start considering how and when you operate at your peak, you can direct things. The Zen of auto-cybernetics.
As you say, "The world is going insane". I believe that there is enough going on in the world of real importance for you to cover. Disclosing the hypocrisy of our leaders and manipulation of the people is surely world-changing news. Good to know who is attempting to hoodwink and shaft us next.
I expected that, though. My experience on my own stack, and from looking at engagement on others, is that fiction doesn't do nearly as well as non-fiction.
I love your fiction, but you know that😊 I read and listen to a broad range of the other subjects, to the point where a little respite is much required.
I find the fiction, hands down, the easiest to pump out - I would love to be a fiction writer but have doubts that I could make it work financially. I get why non-fiction is more popular, especially today as people grapple with what is upon us and are looking for clarity and answers.
Indeed. I recall reading once that as the Goths and Vandals flooded into the empire, the Roman aristocracy shut themselves up in their villas and wrote poetry of better days. I think about that a lot.
Fiction is not a bad thing. As I told Winston, I don't link much fiction as I am primarily a news site. But damn it, a good read is a good read; so write it if you want. Besides it all depends if you are writing for integrity or just click-bait!!
Thank you for asking. I really like your fiction, especially when you employ satire. Your "Screwtape Letters" theme piece was delightful. Next in order of preference is News, History, Psych, Political.
But, truly, I'll read anything you write. Your opinions and ability to express them are very much worthwhile.
I placed a vote for fiction, but I really appreciate all of your work.
The "Letters to O'Brien" are what got me hooked (I am always engrossed with variations on the 1984 theme, wishing that story had become a lengthy series). Your insights into Shafarevich are extremely intriguing, partly due to it's importance, but also in light of the unattainability of the hard copy book.
Your writings about the correlations between current events and history are always quite insightful.
Your poll made me discover that much of your recent writing I had started but not finished. Maybe it is the time difference between Australia and the US, maybe it's something else, but the discovery is getting me back to reading your works to the end.
So, I enjoy and appreciate it all, but the vote still says squarely with fiction, today.
Thanks for your kind words John. The letters from O'Brien are the easiest for me - because I don't even write them lol. So I'll get O'Brien to continue his rants! ;-)
Totally. I've been in it long enough now to realize this is a hobby and not a serious way of making a living.
Having said that, even as a hobby, I don't think I'm pandering if I ask readers what they have found most interesting and I do more of that - all the content is authentic, inspired, interesting to me. I don't think it's pandering to be curious about what resonates with my readers and then lean into that. My aim is not to simply churn out content for subscribers - if that were my motivation I'd better stop Substack right now and put that time into my day job which is churning out content for subscribers. In fact every hour spent writing for this platform is costing me a heck of a lot more than what same hour could make me if I spent it elsewhere - which is why I do appreciate the few paying subscribers who offset the commercial insanity of what I'm doing here.
Anyway, all that to say I get your point and I'm not pandering and there's little to no financial motivation to do so.
You do fine at what you do already. I link primarily news and don't link much fiction, but depending on how the fiction is written, and who writes it, it sometimes is close enough that it can be interpreted as news as well.
I guess it all depends on what type of audience you want for your writing. All your categories are really just one in the grand scheme of things or the "Big Picture" as I call it.
Personally Winston I like all that you write about as variety is the spice of life and you are so expressive in your writing that anything you write about is informative interesting and enjoyable, including your satire. You seem to have an imagination that is limitless yet when you write of factual things you express yourself so well and so clearly too. You have become my favourite writer on substack as I so resonate with your thoughts on many subjects and you make things easy to understand and relatable to most everyone which is a gift. For me if it gets too complex and too many words I’m not familiar with I lose interest maybe it’s undiagnosed adhd but this never happens with you, maybe that style of writing requires a brighter mind than mine so it’s me and not the writer. Irregardless please keep writing about whatever you want to as you clearly have a gift and I enjoy all of it!
Sonya that is the absolutely best compliment I could hope for! Clarity in communication is what I aim for but I don’t always achieve it - your comments are so reassuring. Thanks so much!
Question can one only pay using credit card or Apple Pay for a subscription? If credit card could I use a one time use credit card as I don’t own a credit card anymore. Thanks
I think credit card is the option. If that doesn’t work for you just remain a free subscriber, you will still catch everything within the first few weeks of publication.
Don’t pander. Write to your strengths and whims.
Not pandering - I will continue to write on a whim but I can also write strongly in any of these areas - so interested in what people want. If I’m tossing up between any number of things to write about I may as well give subscribers what they are more interested in .
Or you could incorporate elements of one or other category in varying amounts. It is up to you. Understanding the readership is helpful. Without feedback you'd be like an actor performing before a silent audience that is seated in darkness. That can be intimidating.
Would love to know your process. How you prepare your pieces. A writer's technique can be revealing.
If there’s a process I’m that conscious of it - it seems a bit random to me actually - I must write about the creative process! Thanks for the prompt!
There you go, lesson #1 on harvesting ideas 😁
The randomness is the problem (at least for me)...at a certain stage we owe it to ourselves to reflect on the mechanics of it all. This is especially true of people for whom writing comes easily.
The more that I understand my own varied experiences of writing, the more I improved my understanding of how to do it better.
To be vitalist in a lazy way: do not neglect to include consideration of food, light, sleep and physical activity. Sleep hygiene is central to creativity and imagination (oxygenation of blood resets the chemistry of the body at rest, including the brain and the state of one's hormones and neurotransmitters in deep has a connection to the formation of memory and the maintenance of good mental health) appears t have a connection with).
Once you start considering how and when you operate at your peak, you can direct things. The Zen of auto-cybernetics.
As you say, "The world is going insane". I believe that there is enough going on in the world of real importance for you to cover. Disclosing the hypocrisy of our leaders and manipulation of the people is surely world-changing news. Good to know who is attempting to hoodwink and shaft us next.
Man fiction getting hammered.
I expected that, though. My experience on my own stack, and from looking at engagement on others, is that fiction doesn't do nearly as well as non-fiction.
I love your fiction, but you know that😊 I read and listen to a broad range of the other subjects, to the point where a little respite is much required.
Those who like fiction love it, but it didn't t have the broad appeal non-fiction does, sadly.
Don't worry, I won't stop ;)
I find the fiction, hands down, the easiest to pump out - I would love to be a fiction writer but have doubts that I could make it work financially. I get why non-fiction is more popular, especially today as people grapple with what is upon us and are looking for clarity and answers.
Indeed. I recall reading once that as the Goths and Vandals flooded into the empire, the Roman aristocracy shut themselves up in their villas and wrote poetry of better days. I think about that a lot.
Fiction is not a bad thing. As I told Winston, I don't link much fiction as I am primarily a news site. But damn it, a good read is a good read; so write it if you want. Besides it all depends if you are writing for integrity or just click-bait!!
Mix is always welcomed, being educated about different areas is always informative. Thank you for your hard work.
The mix will continue!
Thank you for asking. I really like your fiction, especially when you employ satire. Your "Screwtape Letters" theme piece was delightful. Next in order of preference is News, History, Psych, Political.
But, truly, I'll read anything you write. Your opinions and ability to express them are very much worthwhile.
You do a great job no matter what the content.....one thing, though, is it you that can make 1984 fiction again..... 😉
Interviews with Clif High, John Paul Roberts, BioClandestine, Kanoha The Great,
Correction: Paul Craig Roberts
Sorry, for this stack interviews are not my thing - Harrison is the man for that.
Since I am a new subscriber and not really familiar with your work, how can I choose well?
You might warn your readers they can ONLY choose 1 option ~ and this choice cannot be undone.
I had planned to click 3 items, but only my first choice registered:
> Psych
> News
> Politics (related to pandemic, tyranny, etc.)
Yeah sorry about that - nature of the Substack poll (unless I missed something in the settings)
Understood ~ No problem. Thanks for the feedback.
Comments help to resolve the issue. :-)
I placed a vote for fiction, but I really appreciate all of your work.
The "Letters to O'Brien" are what got me hooked (I am always engrossed with variations on the 1984 theme, wishing that story had become a lengthy series). Your insights into Shafarevich are extremely intriguing, partly due to it's importance, but also in light of the unattainability of the hard copy book.
Your writings about the correlations between current events and history are always quite insightful.
Your poll made me discover that much of your recent writing I had started but not finished. Maybe it is the time difference between Australia and the US, maybe it's something else, but the discovery is getting me back to reading your works to the end.
So, I enjoy and appreciate it all, but the vote still says squarely with fiction, today.
Thanks for your kind words John. The letters from O'Brien are the easiest for me - because I don't even write them lol. So I'll get O'Brien to continue his rants! ;-)
do what you love. we'll read it.
will do.
I don't think anybody is making money from this platform. So as somebody else said 'don't pander to your readers bias'.
Totally. I've been in it long enough now to realize this is a hobby and not a serious way of making a living.
Having said that, even as a hobby, I don't think I'm pandering if I ask readers what they have found most interesting and I do more of that - all the content is authentic, inspired, interesting to me. I don't think it's pandering to be curious about what resonates with my readers and then lean into that. My aim is not to simply churn out content for subscribers - if that were my motivation I'd better stop Substack right now and put that time into my day job which is churning out content for subscribers. In fact every hour spent writing for this platform is costing me a heck of a lot more than what same hour could make me if I spent it elsewhere - which is why I do appreciate the few paying subscribers who offset the commercial insanity of what I'm doing here.
Anyway, all that to say I get your point and I'm not pandering and there's little to no financial motivation to do so.
I put "psych" but if you had put "whatever I find most interesting" I would have voted for that.
the reason is because whatever you find most interesting, will be the most interesting to read.
Trouble is I find it all interesting! But I get your point. Thanks.
You do fine at what you do already. I link primarily news and don't link much fiction, but depending on how the fiction is written, and who writes it, it sometimes is close enough that it can be interpreted as news as well.
I guess it all depends on what type of audience you want for your writing. All your categories are really just one in the grand scheme of things or the "Big Picture" as I call it.
Personally Winston I like all that you write about as variety is the spice of life and you are so expressive in your writing that anything you write about is informative interesting and enjoyable, including your satire. You seem to have an imagination that is limitless yet when you write of factual things you express yourself so well and so clearly too. You have become my favourite writer on substack as I so resonate with your thoughts on many subjects and you make things easy to understand and relatable to most everyone which is a gift. For me if it gets too complex and too many words I’m not familiar with I lose interest maybe it’s undiagnosed adhd but this never happens with you, maybe that style of writing requires a brighter mind than mine so it’s me and not the writer. Irregardless please keep writing about whatever you want to as you clearly have a gift and I enjoy all of it!
Sonya that is the absolutely best compliment I could hope for! Clarity in communication is what I aim for but I don’t always achieve it - your comments are so reassuring. Thanks so much!
Question can one only pay using credit card or Apple Pay for a subscription? If credit card could I use a one time use credit card as I don’t own a credit card anymore. Thanks
I think credit card is the option. If that doesn’t work for you just remain a free subscriber, you will still catch everything within the first few weeks of publication.