Thank you for the tag and for this key advice! I also appreciate the reflection that this is a marathon; as a writer who also does numerous other things for my business, it's important to keep perspective. I love seeing those paydays in your screenshot! Clearly your consistency and approach is working. I'll consider how I can allot more time to writer engagement in 2025. I appreciate you!
Thanks Elizabeth! Yes, it's difficult to dedicate time to writing when you have other obligations. I think often people don't appreciate how fatiguing it is to write. At the end of my work week, I'm exhausted! So, we put pressure on ourselves thinking it's easy to "crank out an article" but it really isn't. I'm happy to do what I can to promote anything you write! Your work is always excellent!
Thank you, as is yours!! And YES it is fatiguing. As I've shared with you, most of my writing comes to me when I wake up at 3am and my head is clear and rejuventated from having slept a few hours. On a typical daytime workday, I don't have the creative juice to write anything because it does take a reservoir of energy. Add to that any emotional effort where the topic is personal...it's a JOB!
I'm finding the best thing to do in that situation is to make a voice note on your cell phone. I speak for about 10 minutes, then use the transcribe tool on Substack's podcast feature. From that transcript, I write the article. I have more voice recordings right now than I have time to turn them into articles!
Interesting! I've never been able to speak the way I write. There is some gap in the neural network. But I do jot down story ideas with main points and come back to them later. And then of course, there are the things I'm afraid to publish! Lol. That TMI threshold is real.
It requires a lot of edits, but a voice recording is more efficient for getting your ideas down quickly. Most often the stuff you’re afraid to publish is the stuff that most needs to be said :)
I'd be happy to work on an article with you as well Luc! I'm sure you have some great stories to tell! Will is a natural, he barely needs my input, but I'm happy to offer it!
This is terrific encouragement, Walter. I've found that one of the pleasures of being a writer and an engaged reader is the ability to support other writers.
I love that you mentioned engaging with the post. That definitely helps creators reach a large audience. If you can't support them financially (I tell my peeps, don't do it if it takes food off your plate)--liking, commenting and sharing helps them grow too! :)
Thanks Robin! The "don't take food off your plate line" is perfect and I agree 100%. So many of the big publications seem to feel a sense of entitlement over taking thousands of dollars from readers and offering nothing in return... We should all be growing together!
Thanks for the shout out! I really appreciate it. I will say you are one of the easiest editors I have worked with. I have had some interesting differences of opinions with other publications I submitted my articles to. In some case, I chose just to publish them on my own. There is definitely a learning curve on this writing thing. I still have so much to learn. Thanks for the assistance!
I’m really glad to get that feedback. Sometimes writers are uncomfortable telling editors how their comments are hurtful. I prefer to hear it if I make a misstep so I can do better. The editing process can be uncomfortable. I think your work is great!
Thanks Walter. I know it is hard sometimes to receive criticism, but it's also hard to give it if you are a conscientious person. It's all about the approach. I understand the importance of constructive criticism, but the delivery is where some people forget to show understanding. It takes the sting out when you know the person giving the critique has your best interest at heart. And I know you do.
Doing justice to your expansive piece in a comment would require far more time than I possess for such a task, so I shall content myself with thanking with heartfelt gratitude for investing your valuable time as a writer to share so many useful insights on this important topic. As a fellow writer, your well-considered words resonate with me on many levels.
Walter, I appreciate your efforts to help other writers. I’m a dilettante and don’t have need of the income, but I like to put my thoughts out there occasionally. If I was more serious about this, I’d ask for your help. But I’d rather that you spend your time with people who are dedicated.
Feel free to ask a question any time something pops into your head. Half the time it’s the kind of thing other people are wondering too, and it helps me to hear!
Thank you for the tag and for this key advice! I also appreciate the reflection that this is a marathon; as a writer who also does numerous other things for my business, it's important to keep perspective. I love seeing those paydays in your screenshot! Clearly your consistency and approach is working. I'll consider how I can allot more time to writer engagement in 2025. I appreciate you!
Thanks Elizabeth! Yes, it's difficult to dedicate time to writing when you have other obligations. I think often people don't appreciate how fatiguing it is to write. At the end of my work week, I'm exhausted! So, we put pressure on ourselves thinking it's easy to "crank out an article" but it really isn't. I'm happy to do what I can to promote anything you write! Your work is always excellent!
Thank you, as is yours!! And YES it is fatiguing. As I've shared with you, most of my writing comes to me when I wake up at 3am and my head is clear and rejuventated from having slept a few hours. On a typical daytime workday, I don't have the creative juice to write anything because it does take a reservoir of energy. Add to that any emotional effort where the topic is personal...it's a JOB!
I'm finding the best thing to do in that situation is to make a voice note on your cell phone. I speak for about 10 minutes, then use the transcribe tool on Substack's podcast feature. From that transcript, I write the article. I have more voice recordings right now than I have time to turn them into articles!
Interesting! I've never been able to speak the way I write. There is some gap in the neural network. But I do jot down story ideas with main points and come back to them later. And then of course, there are the things I'm afraid to publish! Lol. That TMI threshold is real.
It requires a lot of edits, but a voice recording is more efficient for getting your ideas down quickly. Most often the stuff you’re afraid to publish is the stuff that most needs to be said :)
This is an inspiring article, full of positivity. Love that! I hope I write more.
May this help you with the almighty algorithm
Your humanity, compassion, and thought always shine through and Reaches! Thank you for all you bring to the community, Walter!
Thank you so much Alison!
"...you can always repurpose your writing when you move to a new platform...."
Such a wonderful thing, that. It cuts down on the labor of having to start from scratch on each one.
Love your work, Walter, and thank you for supporting Will's work as well as believing in him :-) we appreciate that very much!
I'd be happy to work on an article with you as well Luc! I'm sure you have some great stories to tell! Will is a natural, he barely needs my input, but I'm happy to offer it!
This is terrific encouragement, Walter. I've found that one of the pleasures of being a writer and an engaged reader is the ability to support other writers.
Thanks Jan!
I love that you mentioned engaging with the post. That definitely helps creators reach a large audience. If you can't support them financially (I tell my peeps, don't do it if it takes food off your plate)--liking, commenting and sharing helps them grow too! :)
Thanks for the mention Walter.
Thanks Robin! The "don't take food off your plate line" is perfect and I agree 100%. So many of the big publications seem to feel a sense of entitlement over taking thousands of dollars from readers and offering nothing in return... We should all be growing together!
Thanks for the article! I've wondered how people get noticed. Cheers!
It takes a long time, but it happens eventually :)
Hi Walter,
Thanks for the shout out! I really appreciate it. I will say you are one of the easiest editors I have worked with. I have had some interesting differences of opinions with other publications I submitted my articles to. In some case, I chose just to publish them on my own. There is definitely a learning curve on this writing thing. I still have so much to learn. Thanks for the assistance!
I’m really glad to get that feedback. Sometimes writers are uncomfortable telling editors how their comments are hurtful. I prefer to hear it if I make a misstep so I can do better. The editing process can be uncomfortable. I think your work is great!
Thanks Walter. I know it is hard sometimes to receive criticism, but it's also hard to give it if you are a conscientious person. It's all about the approach. I understand the importance of constructive criticism, but the delivery is where some people forget to show understanding. It takes the sting out when you know the person giving the critique has your best interest at heart. And I know you do.
Thank you Sarah!
Doing justice to your expansive piece in a comment would require far more time than I possess for such a task, so I shall content myself with thanking with heartfelt gratitude for investing your valuable time as a writer to share so many useful insights on this important topic. As a fellow writer, your well-considered words resonate with me on many levels.
Thank you!
Some excellent point, Walter. Thank you.
Thanks Peter!
Walter, I appreciate your efforts to help other writers. I’m a dilettante and don’t have need of the income, but I like to put my thoughts out there occasionally. If I was more serious about this, I’d ask for your help. But I’d rather that you spend your time with people who are dedicated.
Feel free to ask a question any time something pops into your head. Half the time it’s the kind of thing other people are wondering too, and it helps me to hear!