Why writing two publications is too much and how I'm solving it
Smash two unrelated topics together and you get... a niche? It's not really about niching down though...
If you’re thinking “Hey, I didn’t sign up for this” you might be right and I might have imported you from “The Screenwriter’s Journey”, my other publication.
Why? Read on and you’ll see…
The only constant in life is change.
Isn’t that the truth? Everything is always changing. If you live in the northern hemisphere you will see this every day now, with the trees letting go of their leaves and the flowers in the garden wilting. I don’t hear them complain, for the trees and the flowers that’s just how life rolls.
Humans on the other hand? Resistance is my middle name when it comes to change. However, after 5 decades on this rock, I should have learned that change is always happening.
Which means that also my creative endeavors are changing. I’ve been at it with a newsletter for a few years, and have amassed around 50 subscribers. That’s not something to scream hurray for, but it makes a point.
I’m trying to please someone, and I don’t know who I’m pleasing. It’s not my reader, or there would be more of them. It’s not me either, or I would have more fun writing.
My guess is that I’m pleasing all the people with their writing courses telling me how to write, what to write, and that it absolutely has to deliver value or else. But the value also needs to be held back a bit, otherwise I can’t sell my courses or services.
This entire world of newsletter writing has become toxic and vile for me, which is why I tried to change things up earlier this year. I wanted to go back to writing blogs rather than newsletters. But still, the idea that it needs value and has to please the SEO gods made the writing unpleasant.
And if the writing’s not fun, then the reading isn’t either.
In April I stomped into Substack and quickly started 2 publications. But I can’t keep up with them. Trying to keep my interests separate makes it hard to write at all.
Every week I sit down, wondering what to write about, where the value is, and which publication to file it under. That’s 3 headaches to solve, and for a serial procrastinator like me, it’s easier to walk away than figure this out.
So very often I did not write. I did not document the 3 months I spent in California. I didn’t talk much about the screenwriting course I had enrolled in. Didn’t mention the creative people I connected with and how they inspired me.
Because all of this is about me and, according to the newsletter writing gurus, holds no value to the reader. But is that actually true?
Picture a campfire on a balmy summer night. The entire tribe is gathered around, shadows dancing on their faces. The chief tells one of his favorite stories, how he as a young man came across a bear and faced it while literally shitting his pants.
The kids are engrossed, soaking up every word. They will remember this story, not only because it’s told repeatedly, but because it’s entertaining. Someone else pooping their pants will always be funny.
And when they’re facing a bear in the mountains, they will know what to do. Because that’s in the story too, nestled in between all the anxiety and bowel movements.
We’ve listened to stories as long as humanity has existed. But with the rise of the internet, we forgot. Now we distill the stories to the advice only. We don’t have time to bother with the lengthy tale of an old man. Get to the point, dude!
I know, I yell this at YouTube myself often enough.
But the problem is that we have forgotten how to tell stories so they captivate us. And we’ve been taught that stories don’t have value, they are merely for entertainment.
So people chasing success read non-fiction books, and how-to articles and watch productivity hack videos. But you can find as much advice in fiction and movies. A whole generation knowing the spell to disarm another wizard is proof of that. And if we can remember that advice, then we could also learn how to fix a car from a chick flick or a rom-com.
I’m sorry, I’m on a rant again. Raging anger apparently is a symptom of perimenopause, so you are welcome. And I’m not angry, I’m rather disappointed with the state of the world.
My midlife endeavors have tossed me on a journey to learn more about storytelling. I guess that’s where the crossing section lies for my interests.
But this will not be a blog about how to tell better stories (although you’ll never know). I think I should rather aim to tell you stories. Great, entertaining stories, with advice tucked in here and there.
I hope you come for the art and leave with the nuggets.
Thank you, Yvonne — I’ve been on Substack for a few months. What an eye opener! I considered publishing on Substack. But your article is helping me reconsider that decision. I have thought about some of the downsides which you point out for quite some time.
Time — As I am getting older, I’m much more selective in how I choose to spend my time. I don’t have infinite amount of time on the planet. Am I going to be on death bed regretting the fact I didn’t spend more time on Substack or Twitter or any other social media platform?
Mental Health — I want to limits my time on social media. Every minute on social media including Substack is a minute I could spend engaged in healthier activity. I don’t think it’s healthy to be chasing after subscriber numbers or likes or follows. That’s pointed out in The Social Network.
Productivity/Time Management — Writing, publishing and promoting on Substack is not the most productive use of one’s time. I can join a local writing group instead if I want an audience for my writing. I can also create a blog and publish at my leisure. I can hire and contract out the promotion, branding and optimization features. I don’t need Substack to feel fulfilled or successful.
Costs — I believe to acquire a decent following or subscription rate, you probably need to become a Subscribe to a number of accounts. That’s how you network. That’s how you build your credibility and your brand. I don’t invest a lot of money. I don’t want to play a game.
Self Esteem - I don’t need to win approval of an audience to know my worth. It’s also not worth it — taking hits to my self esteem when people don’t like a comment or respond to my writing. In reality, get one or two likes isn’t enough of a reward for all the effort I’m making.
Priorities/Values — I lead with authenticity. I believe in showing up for others. But, I’m not here to be seen or to show off. I’m interested in writing, sharing ideas, learning, growing and building community.
Self Expression — I also don’t to have to censor myself to create an audience. If I want to write about a given topic, I don’t want to have to consider whether it’s on brand or not. Who cares? It’s about me.
Final conclusion: It serves Substack more than it serves me. If I could find a way to make it work, I might consider. But, right now, I’m not seeing it.
I wish you success in your endeavors.