Thankyou so much for this David! I am both a reader and a writer on substack, and taking the lead and being the first to comment on your post. What you said resonated so deeply with me, a lot of which sounds like my own thoughts! I write about my personal thoughts and experiences both in life and my work in the NHS. I don't have a particular avenue creatively, I jump from topic to topic, I feel this holds me back sometimes, or maybe it doesn't matter?
As a relative newbie to writing I'm just grateful anyone reads anything I post!
Thankyou for your insight again, from a humble stranger at your table! 🙂🙏
Looks like I put this reply in the wrong place Hayley! 🫠😆
I’ll paste it again... 😅
Well howdy humble stranger! 👋🏻 ☺️
Thanks Hayley for your lovely words. 💕 You are a leader...a pioneer blazing the trail for others to follow.
You also sound like one of my people...a nurturer! 🔥
Being grateful for every reader has to be a healthy thing. 🙌
I’m used to it now, but what always use to surprise me is bumping into people at yoga workshops or whatever, and they’d reference something I’d written and I had no idea they were even following me.
When we write deeply or about ‘messy’ aspects of life I think we have to accept that it’ll take people a long time to process or they might feel too self conscious to comment or even hit the like button.
I actually managed a very high engagement rating on instagram in the end, but it takes awhile for folks to build up enough trust to leave a meaningful comment.
And that’s all beautiful and fine isn’t it. 🥰
We just keep the faith and write ‘into the void’.
I can guarantee you have more readers than you imagine so keep going!!
Oh and I don’t think it matters what topics you cover or if you bounce around various stuff. If it feels meaningful enough to you I’m sure it’ll feel meaningful enough to a reader. I do think we have to keep the reader in mind though. Sort of take them by the hand and guide them through the process...like you might do with a patient at work! 💖💖💖
All so very true! 💖 Words of wisdom again✨️ Particularly the last paragraph. 😊 I have another substack brewing to be published later today, there's too much in my head that needs releasing, into the void I go!! 🤞
No I’m not literally the kid in the video...I was born in the seventies 😅...but it’s hair on the back of my neck standing up close! It’s like revisiting that phase of my life. 🙏
Thanks Hayley for your lovely words. 💕 You are a leader...a pioneer blazing the trail for others to follow.
You also sound like one of my people...a nurturer! 🔥
Being grateful for every reader has to be a healthy thing. 🙌
I’m used to it now, but what always use to surprise me is bumping into people at yoga workshops or whatever, and they’d reference something I’d written and I had no idea they were even following me.
When we write deeply or about ‘messy’ aspects of life I think we have to accept that it’ll take people a long time to process or they might feel too self conscious to comment or even hit the like button.
I actually managed a very high engagement rating on instagram in the end, but it takes awhile for folks to build up enough trust to leave a meaningful comment.
And that’s all beautiful and fine isn’t it. 🥰
We just keep the faith and write ‘into the void’.
I can guarantee you have more readers than you imagine so keep going!!
Oh and I don’t think it matters what topics you cover or if you bounce around various stuff. If it feels meaningful enough to you I’m sure it’ll feel meaningful enough to a reader. I do think we have to keep the reader in mind though. Sort of take them by the hand and guide them through the process...like you might do with a patient at work! 💖💖💖
I’m both, reader and writer and photographer. I write about anything and everything as the thought strikes me. Though new on here have been on a different site for a long while, but the lack of interaction made me lose interest. There seems an easier way to interact here, or maybe I’m just different now. It seems fresher and more real here.
I think I might be twinning with you on feeling like this place is more heart-centred in terms of connection and community but also I’m different now too.
OH. That's not the definition I read, which was rather upsettingly cutting. I will be more circumspect anyway though. I am not into oneupmanship at all and certainly not at the expense of anyone else.
(so just to be clear to my autistic, rsd sensitive brain - the fact I mentioned photography was the black catting?)
Oh, I'm a writer but not a substack writer. I'm not original at all. I don't have the energy to be concerned about that. I write my silly little stories, yeet them out of my house, and wait for the next one to come along. That's more than enough work for the likes of me; i defer originality for those energetic youths.
I love both reading and writing on here. Though I’ve subscribed to so many, my inbox is littered and I’m going to have to find a way to reduce them down for the benefit of me as well as the writers. My greatest interest comes from reading the work of those who live with chronic illness - irrespective of what they write about. I’m interested in their journey and musings in general. So that’s how I’ll prioritise. Whenever I get round to the big cull🙃
It comes from the genuine interest I’ve always had in others. Especially from what they’ve learned and how they look at things. Plus I enjoy the connection, the shared stories, the deeper understanding of my own journey through theirs. The fact they give me inspired ideas on what to write about is the cherry on the cake. I don’t look at them as potential clients (I trust people will know themselves when they’re ready to work with me so I don’t have to go looking, I’ll attract them). I’ve caused a few people to have paradigm shifts but then again, I’ve probably triggered a few too😆
P.s. I feel like I have faith in my readers so I feel good about that takeaway! I often connect with there being multiple messages for my readers to take away. There could be a different one everytime they read a piece by me but I always trust they are there and there will be at least one among the many☺️
Thankyou so much for this David! I am both a reader and a writer on substack, and taking the lead and being the first to comment on your post. What you said resonated so deeply with me, a lot of which sounds like my own thoughts! I write about my personal thoughts and experiences both in life and my work in the NHS. I don't have a particular avenue creatively, I jump from topic to topic, I feel this holds me back sometimes, or maybe it doesn't matter?
As a relative newbie to writing I'm just grateful anyone reads anything I post!
Thankyou for your insight again, from a humble stranger at your table! 🙂🙏
Looks like I put this reply in the wrong place Hayley! 🫠😆
I’ll paste it again... 😅
Well howdy humble stranger! 👋🏻 ☺️
Thanks Hayley for your lovely words. 💕 You are a leader...a pioneer blazing the trail for others to follow.
You also sound like one of my people...a nurturer! 🔥
Being grateful for every reader has to be a healthy thing. 🙌
I’m used to it now, but what always use to surprise me is bumping into people at yoga workshops or whatever, and they’d reference something I’d written and I had no idea they were even following me.
When we write deeply or about ‘messy’ aspects of life I think we have to accept that it’ll take people a long time to process or they might feel too self conscious to comment or even hit the like button.
I actually managed a very high engagement rating on instagram in the end, but it takes awhile for folks to build up enough trust to leave a meaningful comment.
And that’s all beautiful and fine isn’t it. 🥰
We just keep the faith and write ‘into the void’.
I can guarantee you have more readers than you imagine so keep going!!
Oh and I don’t think it matters what topics you cover or if you bounce around various stuff. If it feels meaningful enough to you I’m sure it’ll feel meaningful enough to a reader. I do think we have to keep the reader in mind though. Sort of take them by the hand and guide them through the process...like you might do with a patient at work! 💖💖💖
All so very true! 💖 Words of wisdom again✨️ Particularly the last paragraph. 😊 I have another substack brewing to be published later today, there's too much in my head that needs releasing, into the void I go!! 🤞
Haha how lovely! ☺️
I have the ‘into the think of it!’ tune playing in my head as I read your last line! 😆🎶💫
Are you the kid in this video?! I remember watching this years ago and how this video captured such a beautiful relationship!
No I’m not literally the kid in the video...I was born in the seventies 😅...but it’s hair on the back of my neck standing up close! It’s like revisiting that phase of my life. 🙏
Glad to have complimented you! I only go by a small photo and I clearly in my tired state misunderstood your words. 🤣
Hehe I’ll take the compliment! 😆🙌🧡
Do hehe 🤭
Well howdy humble stranger! 👋🏻 ☺️
Thanks Hayley for your lovely words. 💕 You are a leader...a pioneer blazing the trail for others to follow.
You also sound like one of my people...a nurturer! 🔥
Being grateful for every reader has to be a healthy thing. 🙌
I’m used to it now, but what always use to surprise me is bumping into people at yoga workshops or whatever, and they’d reference something I’d written and I had no idea they were even following me.
When we write deeply or about ‘messy’ aspects of life I think we have to accept that it’ll take people a long time to process or they might feel too self conscious to comment or even hit the like button.
I actually managed a very high engagement rating on instagram in the end, but it takes awhile for folks to build up enough trust to leave a meaningful comment.
And that’s all beautiful and fine isn’t it. 🥰
We just keep the faith and write ‘into the void’.
I can guarantee you have more readers than you imagine so keep going!!
Oh and I don’t think it matters what topics you cover or if you bounce around various stuff. If it feels meaningful enough to you I’m sure it’ll feel meaningful enough to a reader. I do think we have to keep the reader in mind though. Sort of take them by the hand and guide them through the process...like you might do with a patient at work! 💖💖💖
I’m both, reader and writer and photographer. I write about anything and everything as the thought strikes me. Though new on here have been on a different site for a long while, but the lack of interaction made me lose interest. There seems an easier way to interact here, or maybe I’m just different now. It seems fresher and more real here.
You’re black catting me Tamsin 😆🙌
I think I might be twinning with you on feeling like this place is more heart-centred in terms of connection and community but also I’m different now too.
“You can’t step in the same river twice” 🐸
Had to look up ‘black catting’, oh! Apologies 🫤.
Hehe no need to apologise. I love a bit of black catting! It’s a celebration. ☺️💫
OH. That's not the definition I read, which was rather upsettingly cutting. I will be more circumspect anyway though. I am not into oneupmanship at all and certainly not at the expense of anyone else.
(so just to be clear to my autistic, rsd sensitive brain - the fact I mentioned photography was the black catting?)
Oh sorry my lovely! 💖💖💖
I don’t think my cheeky-chappy nature translates through text! 😅
It might be specific to my Geordie culture but there’s always some playful teasing among friendships.
Yeah I was saying you’ve gone one better with adding photography to the mix. And isn’t that a lovely thing!
Sorry for any undue stress caused. 🥹
Yay, I gained a friend (I'm reading that into it whether you like it or not).
Oh, I'm a writer but not a substack writer. I'm not original at all. I don't have the energy to be concerned about that. I write my silly little stories, yeet them out of my house, and wait for the next one to come along. That's more than enough work for the likes of me; i defer originality for those energetic youths.
If I held out my hand would you take it dear Sister? 💔
I love both reading and writing on here. Though I’ve subscribed to so many, my inbox is littered and I’m going to have to find a way to reduce them down for the benefit of me as well as the writers. My greatest interest comes from reading the work of those who live with chronic illness - irrespective of what they write about. I’m interested in their journey and musings in general. So that’s how I’ll prioritise. Whenever I get round to the big cull🙃
Would you say your “greatest interest” was born out of a ‘professional interest’ or archetypal ‘healer’ patterns?
It comes from the genuine interest I’ve always had in others. Especially from what they’ve learned and how they look at things. Plus I enjoy the connection, the shared stories, the deeper understanding of my own journey through theirs. The fact they give me inspired ideas on what to write about is the cherry on the cake. I don’t look at them as potential clients (I trust people will know themselves when they’re ready to work with me so I don’t have to go looking, I’ll attract them). I’ve caused a few people to have paradigm shifts but then again, I’ve probably triggered a few too😆
P.s. I feel like I have faith in my readers so I feel good about that takeaway! I often connect with there being multiple messages for my readers to take away. There could be a different one everytime they read a piece by me but I always trust they are there and there will be at least one among the many☺️
Faith is one of your super powers 💫