J.E. Peterson is correct. I do feel it is a privilege to be able to respond to a writer. How many times through your reading life had you closed the cover on an incredible novel you had just finished and wished you could just let the author know what you feel at that given moment. The answer is none, because we can’t. For me, it is one of the best parts of Substack.
Especially when I read an exceptional piece. Like this one.
It stirs within me , and I personally feel the need to take the time to tell you so. Because I can. Truthfully, I don’t understand. Some authors, such as yourself, who excel way beyond the collective group of authors on this venue, do not have a large number of readers. You must realize when scrolling around, that those with ‘many’ can sometimes have no talent at all. Well, thats my perspective from a non-writer point of view. Posting a very personal piece is a testament to a great writer.
I know it is safe to say that the quality of work is not at all measured by the quantity of subscribers. Unless you are trying to earn a living, consider Substack a ‘playground’ to continue to do what you love. Write great pieces, for yourself and anyone out there who ‘gets it’. Last, because I know you love music as much as I do, I will leave you with part of an interview from
Pat Metheny. He is at the top of my list of all time favorites.
PM:
“Honestly, I don’t worry too much about peoples perception, because it is something that I have no control over, and truth be told, very little interest in. I really just try to play the music that I love and that I feel strongly about. If I were to start worrying now about what I thought someone else likes, first of all I would be guessing, because I simply don’t know. Also, whatever success I have had has been really built on just following my own musical instincts and by reacting to the things that I found to be true in music itself.”
( Feel free to substitute the word music, with writing). Also feel free to delete this post when you’ve finished. It is just for you after all.
I have envy, second-guessing, and rationalizations about my subscription counts. This is probably pretty typical. My rationalizations for my numbers are so embarrassing I will never share them. On the positive side, I don't begrudge anyone the numbers that they do have. I'm envious, but I'm not mean about it (Not yet, anyway.)
I'm proud of the numbers I do have. I'm relieved that anyone leaves comments on my work. For months there was almost nothing. Comments and support have been here since Day 1, but recently my readership has broadened and there is more engagement. Your own, for example.
I actually brag about my numbers. With people outside of Substack I do mention my subscriber counts, so they must be a point of deep pride for me. My counts are high enough now that they make me feel "legitimate." (None of this is flattering.) I'm not too hard on myself about this because I've written for decades with fewer than 5 readers, embarrassed to ask people to read manuscripts. Ashamed, even. So around the very first subscriber that I didn't know something was happening for the first time in my life. I did not start writing yesterday. This is a big deal. And, honestly, on the positive side, good for me. I've kept writing for a LONG time with virtually no feedback or support.
Here's the big thing. There are a lot of people who read my work that I'm pretty convinced know me better than many people in my non-digital world. Or at least they know the "best" me, a me I'm able to capture in words maybe more than in deeds. If I take comments at face value, I feel understood here. What a blessing that is.
Recently, there have been a number of unsolicited comments about my numbers that they're too low. I'm flattered by that and I do believe they will continue to grow (I like the concave arc of my trend line). But I'm content with the journey. The warm appreciation that my words, images, way of understanding my life connects with people is a spiritual blessing for me.
But with or without readers, I'm doing my thing because when it is going well some mornings I know who I am. As long as I continue to be subscriber #1, everything is okay.
Thank you for your recognition of my work, and, indirectly, of me.
I didn't. Some comments are harder to respond to than others. This one is in that group. I need to find some peaceful moments to answer a bunch of them with the attention they deserve. ❤️
Four years. Four years of forgetting. Of scars over fear over grief over shock and confusion and outrage. I’m stunned by the power of your words to send me right back there, to unlock my own string of memories sweet and terrifying. I was right there in the car, feeling afraid for your wife, for what she was bravely wading into. I can’t even imagine. Four years. It does feel like a dream.
I'm super glad that you shared this. It's timely in a way that will always be timely :) It was lovely, creative, unexpected, poignant. All the things :)
I was already feeling the foreboding chill with the first sentence. This.
The whole piece. Should be in every major newspaper across the country. We all have our own stories. Some, encased in tears.
I could quote all of it, right back to you. Each paragraph carrying an overwhelming amount of weight. The raw beauty of words.
“…I still need my scars to shine. “
“…like a picture where you don't know what you're looking at and then you do and then you can’t unsee it.”
The juxtaposition of your mind’s eye, experiencing the preview, present and fallout ,of your wife’s fall. And then back to the pandemic. Is brilliant.
“Sunday family safari park ride…”
“… rows and rows of white refrigerator tractor trailers…”
I am still burning.
We need the reminding. I do not want to forget any of it.
Thank you, Lor. I needed to know this piece was heard. You've graciously explained why.
(I think you might have missed this . )
J.E. Peterson is correct. I do feel it is a privilege to be able to respond to a writer. How many times through your reading life had you closed the cover on an incredible novel you had just finished and wished you could just let the author know what you feel at that given moment. The answer is none, because we can’t. For me, it is one of the best parts of Substack.
Especially when I read an exceptional piece. Like this one.
It stirs within me , and I personally feel the need to take the time to tell you so. Because I can. Truthfully, I don’t understand. Some authors, such as yourself, who excel way beyond the collective group of authors on this venue, do not have a large number of readers. You must realize when scrolling around, that those with ‘many’ can sometimes have no talent at all. Well, thats my perspective from a non-writer point of view. Posting a very personal piece is a testament to a great writer.
I know it is safe to say that the quality of work is not at all measured by the quantity of subscribers. Unless you are trying to earn a living, consider Substack a ‘playground’ to continue to do what you love. Write great pieces, for yourself and anyone out there who ‘gets it’. Last, because I know you love music as much as I do, I will leave you with part of an interview from
Pat Metheny. He is at the top of my list of all time favorites.
PM:
“Honestly, I don’t worry too much about peoples perception, because it is something that I have no control over, and truth be told, very little interest in. I really just try to play the music that I love and that I feel strongly about. If I were to start worrying now about what I thought someone else likes, first of all I would be guessing, because I simply don’t know. Also, whatever success I have had has been really built on just following my own musical instincts and by reacting to the things that I found to be true in music itself.”
( Feel free to substitute the word music, with writing). Also feel free to delete this post when you’ve finished. It is just for you after all.
I have envy, second-guessing, and rationalizations about my subscription counts. This is probably pretty typical. My rationalizations for my numbers are so embarrassing I will never share them. On the positive side, I don't begrudge anyone the numbers that they do have. I'm envious, but I'm not mean about it (Not yet, anyway.)
I'm proud of the numbers I do have. I'm relieved that anyone leaves comments on my work. For months there was almost nothing. Comments and support have been here since Day 1, but recently my readership has broadened and there is more engagement. Your own, for example.
I actually brag about my numbers. With people outside of Substack I do mention my subscriber counts, so they must be a point of deep pride for me. My counts are high enough now that they make me feel "legitimate." (None of this is flattering.) I'm not too hard on myself about this because I've written for decades with fewer than 5 readers, embarrassed to ask people to read manuscripts. Ashamed, even. So around the very first subscriber that I didn't know something was happening for the first time in my life. I did not start writing yesterday. This is a big deal. And, honestly, on the positive side, good for me. I've kept writing for a LONG time with virtually no feedback or support.
Here's the big thing. There are a lot of people who read my work that I'm pretty convinced know me better than many people in my non-digital world. Or at least they know the "best" me, a me I'm able to capture in words maybe more than in deeds. If I take comments at face value, I feel understood here. What a blessing that is.
Recently, there have been a number of unsolicited comments about my numbers that they're too low. I'm flattered by that and I do believe they will continue to grow (I like the concave arc of my trend line). But I'm content with the journey. The warm appreciation that my words, images, way of understanding my life connects with people is a spiritual blessing for me.
But with or without readers, I'm doing my thing because when it is going well some mornings I know who I am. As long as I continue to be subscriber #1, everything is okay.
Thank you for your recognition of my work, and, indirectly, of me.
I told ya you didn’t no response was necessary.
Thank you for taking the
time. Yes, subscriber#1.
I didn't. Some comments are harder to respond to than others. This one is in that group. I need to find some peaceful moments to answer a bunch of them with the attention they deserve. ❤️
Four years. Four years of forgetting. Of scars over fear over grief over shock and confusion and outrage. I’m stunned by the power of your words to send me right back there, to unlock my own string of memories sweet and terrifying. I was right there in the car, feeling afraid for your wife, for what she was bravely wading into. I can’t even imagine. Four years. It does feel like a dream.
Thank you, Julie.
I know, a long one, and a lot to take in.
No comment is necessary . This one is yours alone.
Look upstairs for response. ^
I'm super glad that you shared this. It's timely in a way that will always be timely :) It was lovely, creative, unexpected, poignant. All the things :)
Thank you, Syndey. 🙏