I love this as a writer who is just starting out. I think sometimes the pressure to send out a newsletter every week lingers on my shoulder, but I am learning to pace myself in different seasons of life. I write when I feel inspired. There’s something really thoughtful you wrote that resonated with me: “Write from the scar, not the wound. “
I love that. I am gonna write that down in my journal.
Yes! that point about the piece needing more time or research if it simply won't cooperate is golden. I have a few ideas that have been sitting in the back of my head for years at this point, waiting to be worked out enough to write about them. And I also agree so much with the personal writing -- that you want to be at the point where the very personal thing is actually able to be universal. Michelle Cushatt gave a talk on writing about hard things -- and she had this checklist for evaluating if you were ready to write about something. I've returned to the questions often, because they're so good, but one is, "Do you NEED to write about this?" In other words, are you writing about it because you need your reader's response, or are you writing about it so that they can connect to a common experience and know how to apply something in their own life. I think this is the very tricky distinction in memoir as well. If it's too raw, it feels like trauma porn, and I always wonder if the person writing it is really okay, or if it traumatized them again to tell the story.
I don’t have a link — I took notes from a Hopewriter’s class :) But here’s the copy/paste from my Notes app! (From a talk 9/25/21 by Michele Cushatt)
Am I emotionally volatile?
Are you reactive, hostile, defensive?
Test your desperation. Do you *have* to write about this (for other people).
Desperation is not a good driver for audience focused writing
Confusion is usually a sign that there’s still processing that needs to happen
If we are desperate then we need the reader to make us feel better
It’s ALWAYS time to write, it’s not always time to publish
When you have a clear way about how you want to SERVE your reader then the self promotion makes more sense because you’re trying to serve the reader.
True vulnerability needs to be undergirded by confidence because otherwise you will struggle to deal with the criticism
How do you pick and choose what to share?
(If you can’t tell what you’re trying to say then no one else will be able to hear it)
Meaning does not come from publishing, it comes from the work you do in PRIVATE
1. What is my objective? (What do I *really* want to accomplish)
2. Who is my audience (create an avatar, what do they need, who are they, who is your story going to help?) Going through a hard story makes us very self-consumed. Pain demands attention, so be aware of the tendency to self-serve.
3. How much time do I have? (Just because it happened, doesn’t mean you need to share it all). We don’t want to re-traumatize the people we are trying to help/serve. Understand your limits (containment/safety)
4. What parts of my story are absolutely necessary for my objective?
All of the points you share here resonate, but number one is something that I have come to recognise for myself too (before I read your post, but you articulate this much better than me!).
I need to let my writing sit and breathe, both here on Substack and with some academic work that I am currently focused on. It’s taken a few years for me to realise this!
I got into a rut of writing a lot each week so had to produce it pretty quickly. It meant I was always writing and publishing the same day and it felt awful. I've committed to letting my writing sit and breathe by reducing my number of posts each week... Here's hoping we both manage to do it!
Writing and publishing on the same day is a big commitment, and it sounds like by reducing the number of posts it will give you and your writing some space. I found that I was obsessively reading over my posts here, even after publication. I think some of that comes down to a perfectionist streak, and it 's hard to tame!
Oh my, the perfectionist streak can be so great (making sure our writing is good quality, etc.) but can also be so constricting (only publishing when it seems perfect and then obsessing over it and others' responses). It's hard to leave it to one side but I'm trying my best to find a good balance!
This is a great list. To me, the Rubin book really explains the creative process clearly. And the librarian gossip is indeed alluring...
I loved this bit, as the default position seems to be you need to specialize in something specific:
"There is a sense on Substack that tight, branded niches are an essential component of success, but I’m not sure I buy that. Of course, having a clear focus or niche can be helpful, but tidy packaging us usually not why we love the writers we do. We love them because of the worldview and tone of voice they’ve developed. If you like a writer’s worldview, you’ll read their work matter if they’re writing about cake or war or sex. I’m convinced that distinctiveness comes from focusing on the process, not the outcome."
Okay, I'll be that person. When I saw that this was going to be about writing advice I was <this close> to just clicking out and deleting. Not because I can't benefit from advice. Not because there is anything lacking the the delivery. Just - blerg. Sometimes I'm not ready to face my own demons. But I kept reading, and of course it was all so relevant (except the leaving the house part) and accessible, and necessary. Keep your butt in the chair. Write from the scar, not the wounds. Don't write for outcomes. Yes, please, and thank you!
Several timely reminders in here, especially (for me), that "if it’s not coming together, it’s not a writing problem – it’s a research/reporting problem", which I've called the story's not ready to be told. I'm in that place again right now! Thanks, Rosie, for the patience boost.
#3 always has a habit of hitting me when I’m in bed almost asleep or driving. Catch me diving under the covers (so the phone light doesn’t wake the baby!) or, in the car, opening notes and hitting that speech-to-text button. Game changer, that.
It was a great read, and all your points are very well thought out and constructed. As a newbie here on the platform, I primarily practice numbers 1 and 8 and agree with integrating and digesting info more rather than forcing a piece. Thanks so much for sharing.
I love this as a writer who is just starting out. I think sometimes the pressure to send out a newsletter every week lingers on my shoulder, but I am learning to pace myself in different seasons of life. I write when I feel inspired. There’s something really thoughtful you wrote that resonated with me: “Write from the scar, not the wound. “
I love that. I am gonna write that down in my journal.
Yes! that point about the piece needing more time or research if it simply won't cooperate is golden. I have a few ideas that have been sitting in the back of my head for years at this point, waiting to be worked out enough to write about them. And I also agree so much with the personal writing -- that you want to be at the point where the very personal thing is actually able to be universal. Michelle Cushatt gave a talk on writing about hard things -- and she had this checklist for evaluating if you were ready to write about something. I've returned to the questions often, because they're so good, but one is, "Do you NEED to write about this?" In other words, are you writing about it because you need your reader's response, or are you writing about it so that they can connect to a common experience and know how to apply something in their own life. I think this is the very tricky distinction in memoir as well. If it's too raw, it feels like trauma porn, and I always wonder if the person writing it is really okay, or if it traumatized them again to tell the story.
Ohh I’d love to see that checklist if you have a link!
I don’t have a link — I took notes from a Hopewriter’s class :) But here’s the copy/paste from my Notes app! (From a talk 9/25/21 by Michele Cushatt)
Am I emotionally volatile?
Are you reactive, hostile, defensive?
Test your desperation. Do you *have* to write about this (for other people).
Desperation is not a good driver for audience focused writing
Confusion is usually a sign that there’s still processing that needs to happen
If we are desperate then we need the reader to make us feel better
It’s ALWAYS time to write, it’s not always time to publish
When you have a clear way about how you want to SERVE your reader then the self promotion makes more sense because you’re trying to serve the reader.
True vulnerability needs to be undergirded by confidence because otherwise you will struggle to deal with the criticism
How do you pick and choose what to share?
(If you can’t tell what you’re trying to say then no one else will be able to hear it)
Meaning does not come from publishing, it comes from the work you do in PRIVATE
1. What is my objective? (What do I *really* want to accomplish)
2. Who is my audience (create an avatar, what do they need, who are they, who is your story going to help?) Going through a hard story makes us very self-consumed. Pain demands attention, so be aware of the tendency to self-serve.
3. How much time do I have? (Just because it happened, doesn’t mean you need to share it all). We don’t want to re-traumatize the people we are trying to help/serve. Understand your limits (containment/safety)
4. What parts of my story are absolutely necessary for my objective?
5. Do I have permission to tell it?
It’s always time to write. It’s not always time to publish — perfection! Thanks for sharing 🙏🏼
All of the points you share here resonate, but number one is something that I have come to recognise for myself too (before I read your post, but you articulate this much better than me!).
I need to let my writing sit and breathe, both here on Substack and with some academic work that I am currently focused on. It’s taken a few years for me to realise this!
I got into a rut of writing a lot each week so had to produce it pretty quickly. It meant I was always writing and publishing the same day and it felt awful. I've committed to letting my writing sit and breathe by reducing my number of posts each week... Here's hoping we both manage to do it!
Writing and publishing on the same day is a big commitment, and it sounds like by reducing the number of posts it will give you and your writing some space. I found that I was obsessively reading over my posts here, even after publication. I think some of that comes down to a perfectionist streak, and it 's hard to tame!
Oh my, the perfectionist streak can be so great (making sure our writing is good quality, etc.) but can also be so constricting (only publishing when it seems perfect and then obsessing over it and others' responses). It's hard to leave it to one side but I'm trying my best to find a good balance!
This is a great list. To me, the Rubin book really explains the creative process clearly. And the librarian gossip is indeed alluring...
I loved this bit, as the default position seems to be you need to specialize in something specific:
"There is a sense on Substack that tight, branded niches are an essential component of success, but I’m not sure I buy that. Of course, having a clear focus or niche can be helpful, but tidy packaging us usually not why we love the writers we do. We love them because of the worldview and tone of voice they’ve developed. If you like a writer’s worldview, you’ll read their work matter if they’re writing about cake or war or sex. I’m convinced that distinctiveness comes from focusing on the process, not the outcome."
Such a great, thoughtful list! As someone writing about grief, "write from the scar, not the wound" hits hard. Thank you!
Thank you. I was beginning to feel a bit deflated about my inability to pick a lane...but this will come 💞
Thanks for the great information! Several of your thoughts resonated with me.
I just completed my second month writing on Substack.
I did start as paid on this platform. Many family and friends wanted to encourage my writing. I gave them that opportunity.
Okay, I'll be that person. When I saw that this was going to be about writing advice I was <this close> to just clicking out and deleting. Not because I can't benefit from advice. Not because there is anything lacking the the delivery. Just - blerg. Sometimes I'm not ready to face my own demons. But I kept reading, and of course it was all so relevant (except the leaving the house part) and accessible, and necessary. Keep your butt in the chair. Write from the scar, not the wounds. Don't write for outcomes. Yes, please, and thank you!
Several timely reminders in here, especially (for me), that "if it’s not coming together, it’s not a writing problem – it’s a research/reporting problem", which I've called the story's not ready to be told. I'm in that place again right now! Thanks, Rosie, for the patience boost.
Great to get advice from someone who's done this for a while. I'm gonna give the 25 mins a day a go! Thank you Rosie.
It seems so actionable and achievable, doesn't it!
#3 always has a habit of hitting me when I’m in bed almost asleep or driving. Catch me diving under the covers (so the phone light doesn’t wake the baby!) or, in the car, opening notes and hitting that speech-to-text button. Game changer, that.
I love these sage reminders. Greatly appreciate this post!
My books are behind me, but the things that matter are right here in this picture. :)
Very helpful - thank you! I needed these words today👍
It was a great read, and all your points are very well thought out and constructed. As a newbie here on the platform, I primarily practice numbers 1 and 8 and agree with integrating and digesting info more rather than forcing a piece. Thanks so much for sharing.
It was like you wrote the list for me. Rules 7 & 8 resonate with me. I liked this article so much that I subscribed.
Thank you!