Great advice! I was saying to someone last night: "I'm just going to put a bunch of words on the page and see what happens." I started with only a vague idea and not much energy. Quickly I got to a half-finished post. (At which point I fell asleep at the computer – but that's another story.)
This is a terrible breach of good manners (by me), but as the author of a website called "I Learned to Write ... and to Love Public Speaking" (ilearnedtowrite.com), I feel compelled to mention it here. There's even a page that uses the "fetch" video above to make a point about language (see ilearnedtowrite.com/how-to-express-myself).
Re footnote 1: I think that extra words aren't necessarily unnecessary. They might add a connotation, humor, or other thing that the writer wishes to get across to readers. I just felt like saying that. (That last sentence was unnecessary.)
Even if it’s a short version, write something. If I’m up against a deadline I’ll still publish a short version with a note from me at the top explaining what’s going on. Just gotta make sure that you’re not always using the same reason!
But seriously, as it turns out, I'll be going past my self-created deadline of today for a post. For short updates I prefer to use Twitter over Substack, though this is imperfect because it won't reach exactly the same audience.
I’ve been surprised that the silliest or what I thought were the most worthless updates in an email elicit the biggest responses from folks. I was hesitant to communicate from me directly to the readers but found them to be very receptive. You’ll never know who only subscribes via email and isn’t looking anywhere else
Write free without worry. This has been great advice when doing first drafts.
Great advice! I was saying to someone last night: "I'm just going to put a bunch of words on the page and see what happens." I started with only a vague idea and not much energy. Quickly I got to a half-finished post. (At which point I fell asleep at the computer – but that's another story.)
This ongoing video series is also chock-a-block with great tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apxY9yKfk5E
This is a terrible breach of good manners (by me), but as the author of a website called "I Learned to Write ... and to Love Public Speaking" (ilearnedtowrite.com), I feel compelled to mention it here. There's even a page that uses the "fetch" video above to make a point about language (see ilearnedtowrite.com/how-to-express-myself).
Re footnote 1: I think that extra words aren't necessarily unnecessary. They might add a connotation, humor, or other thing that the writer wishes to get across to readers. I just felt like saying that. (That last sentence was unnecessary.)
(Note to self: Stop using "that" so often. And ask Substack for an edit feature for comments.)
tacky!
What's tacky (in the post or comments)?
Even if it’s a short version, write something. If I’m up against a deadline I’ll still publish a short version with a note from me at the top explaining what’s going on. Just gotta make sure that you’re not always using the same reason!
The dog ate my computer. 😉
But seriously, as it turns out, I'll be going past my self-created deadline of today for a post. For short updates I prefer to use Twitter over Substack, though this is imperfect because it won't reach exactly the same audience.
https://twitter.com/sub_pub_/status/1467758218394759172
I’ve been surprised that the silliest or what I thought were the most worthless updates in an email elicit the biggest responses from folks. I was hesitant to communicate from me directly to the readers but found them to be very receptive. You’ll never know who only subscribes via email and isn’t looking anywhere else