I was waiting for someone to say it. So glad it was you. 🤍 And this is exactly why I encourage writers starting out to start here instead of on IG, because here you actually own your field and can take it with you if/when you need to move on.
Oh my goodness Understory was one of the best books I read last year. So well made and wise. About the slow drip of grief when you lose friends, something I felt acutely when I read your book.
I also love the Adirondacks. As a kid went to Word of Life in Schroon Lake, did archeology at Crown Point, canoed in the lakes. Do you know Hickman’s writing? I forget his first initials. He is settling by Massena. If you don’t follow him you should subscribe because as things go you’re not far from each other.
I’ve been doing this ten years and my audience is 350 but I see my readers as a country church. Substack is great because there are no gatekeepers between me and them.
Dang girl, thanks for this. Got me right in the guts in a good way and also feels like confirmation of the work I've just recently started (*ahem* begun) here.
YESSSSSSSSSS. No other eloquent words to say, other than give you an ovation for this. It reminds me of my FAVORITE quote from Karen Prior when she says, "The work IS the platform." That's what we stand on.
Following along since 2010 and no regrets. One day I’ll hit publish, too, but until then I’ll just be grateful for all the long hard work on your end that has turned out to be a real companion to me in my own work of a different sort.
Kitchen cheering over this post. 👏 Thank you. Been reading your words for a long time, and will continue reading them as long as you’re writing them. ❤️
Lore, Since I've been on Substack, you have been saying these things in your notes in so many words. I want to let you know how much I appreciate your voice in this because I have leaned into it, and you have had a hand in me "checking" myself whenever I want to have better metrics or am tempted to do something big or say something hard-hitting to get more views. Writing for me is fun. It's an outlet for emotion but not my vocation. In that way, I can relax into it and grow slowly. And perhaps a hard-hitting newsletter or two will come out, not because I forced it to, but because I wanted to. I appreciate you.
I could stand up and cheer. I will also add this: the bemoaning of when platforms get "popular" drives me nuts. I'm not sure why the Notes algorithm keeps pushing me notes from popular writers talking about how Substack ~~used~~ to be a cool kid's club for SERIOUS WRITERZ and now, boo! It's just like any other social media! A) the internet is the internet, guys and B) when you build up a name for yourself, attract an audience, and then demean the way you did it, it's so off-putting. Like wildly popular authors who got their start on Instagram now claiming that *real life isn't online*!!! I mean, we know that, but let's not pretend that you were just so uniquely skilled you built up an audience without the help of the internet. It's this weird, hipster-esque gatekeeping that gags me. Get off Instagram! Get off Substack! But don't turn around and tsk-tsk the people who are still there doing...the very thing you got popular doing.
Okay you made me cry. This line, "the work it did in you is here to stay," is our anchor in troubled waters. Currently digging in to the theme "there are no shortcuts to long friendships" in my WIP and this post hits that spot on. I've been "making friends" with Substack for several years, slowly growing my readers, delighting in the accountability of deadline. I'm making friends with this platform, we're figuring each other out, and it's taking some time but the work I'm doing, month after month, is here to stay. Thank you.
I was waiting for someone to say it. So glad it was you. 🤍 And this is exactly why I encourage writers starting out to start here instead of on IG, because here you actually own your field and can take it with you if/when you need to move on.
I LOVED reading every single word.
I'm here for the long haul! I only wish I would have found you sooner. It's been sixish years maybe? So grateful.
You’re good people, Lore.
Oh my goodness Understory was one of the best books I read last year. So well made and wise. About the slow drip of grief when you lose friends, something I felt acutely when I read your book.
I also love the Adirondacks. As a kid went to Word of Life in Schroon Lake, did archeology at Crown Point, canoed in the lakes. Do you know Hickman’s writing? I forget his first initials. He is settling by Massena. If you don’t follow him you should subscribe because as things go you’re not far from each other.
I’ve been doing this ten years and my audience is 350 but I see my readers as a country church. Substack is great because there are no gatekeepers between me and them.
Dang girl, thanks for this. Got me right in the guts in a good way and also feels like confirmation of the work I've just recently started (*ahem* begun) here.
YESSSSSSSSSS. No other eloquent words to say, other than give you an ovation for this. It reminds me of my FAVORITE quote from Karen Prior when she says, "The work IS the platform." That's what we stand on.
YES! I love that she's always said that. Such a helpful corrective =)
Following along since 2010 and no regrets. One day I’ll hit publish, too, but until then I’ll just be grateful for all the long hard work on your end that has turned out to be a real companion to me in my own work of a different sort.
Thank you, Rachael =)
Writerly words. this non-writer took them to heart also, and am staying the course that I have chosen.
XOXO
You can’t hear it but I’m standing in my
Kitchen cheering over this post. 👏 Thank you. Been reading your words for a long time, and will continue reading them as long as you’re writing them. ❤️
Thank you friend! Looking forward to seeing you in a few days!
Lore, Since I've been on Substack, you have been saying these things in your notes in so many words. I want to let you know how much I appreciate your voice in this because I have leaned into it, and you have had a hand in me "checking" myself whenever I want to have better metrics or am tempted to do something big or say something hard-hitting to get more views. Writing for me is fun. It's an outlet for emotion but not my vocation. In that way, I can relax into it and grow slowly. And perhaps a hard-hitting newsletter or two will come out, not because I forced it to, but because I wanted to. I appreciate you.
Thank you, Mel. Metrics are only a snapshot in time. The work is the thing that lasts.
Yes x1000.
A-freaking-men. Amen. AMEN.
*standing ovation* I'll be returning to this one, Lore. Thank you for the encouragement!
I could stand up and cheer. I will also add this: the bemoaning of when platforms get "popular" drives me nuts. I'm not sure why the Notes algorithm keeps pushing me notes from popular writers talking about how Substack ~~used~~ to be a cool kid's club for SERIOUS WRITERZ and now, boo! It's just like any other social media! A) the internet is the internet, guys and B) when you build up a name for yourself, attract an audience, and then demean the way you did it, it's so off-putting. Like wildly popular authors who got their start on Instagram now claiming that *real life isn't online*!!! I mean, we know that, but let's not pretend that you were just so uniquely skilled you built up an audience without the help of the internet. It's this weird, hipster-esque gatekeeping that gags me. Get off Instagram! Get off Substack! But don't turn around and tsk-tsk the people who are still there doing...the very thing you got popular doing.
Yep! We all learn to farm in different fields. Don't shame mine. I won't shame yours =)
Okay you made me cry. This line, "the work it did in you is here to stay," is our anchor in troubled waters. Currently digging in to the theme "there are no shortcuts to long friendships" in my WIP and this post hits that spot on. I've been "making friends" with Substack for several years, slowly growing my readers, delighting in the accountability of deadline. I'm making friends with this platform, we're figuring each other out, and it's taking some time but the work I'm doing, month after month, is here to stay. Thank you.
yes! I love that =)