I’m new to Substack, new to posting comments, new, even, to writing. It was a nudge I felt for a long time and ignored, mostly because I’m not a writer. But I have words to say. I have lived experiences that taught me things I feel I could share with others and it might bless them. But the more I ignored it and gave myself all the excuses, the more it bothered me that I hadn’t started writing yet. So I did. And I have no brand, no platform presence. I wonder who it’s for, my words put out there, and then I remember that I began doing this as an act of obedience. And God gave me this to heal. I don’t know what God will do with it but I do know I can trust Him with it and it’s not up to me to worry about it. I’m not even sure how all of this works, I’m learning as I’m going, but I found you and this article and it resonated with me. I’m not doing it for the followers. I’m doing it to be obedient. I’ll leave the rest up to God. Thank you for what you do. Glad I found you here.
Kelly, thank you for reading, and thank you for such a kind and thoughtful comment. First off, welcome to both writing and Substack! Second, the world needs more people like you, patiently obeying God and trying new things. I am often reminded of the feeding of the 5,000 when it comes to writing. I only have my five loaves and two fish, but they are enough for God. Thank you for sharing your voice :)
This was an awesome read. I'm saving this to return to periodically. Tending the gardens we're placed in is a fantastic way of framing this. Also, although you didn't say this outright, thank you for giving us (me) permission to not have to build the biggest following. If nobody sees the garden we tend, that's ok because God places us in our gardens, grew the plants before we were ever here and will (hopefully) say to us "Well done". Again, thank you for this post.
Wow, Daniel, thank you for such a kind and thoughtful response. I think so many of us feel suffocated by the pressure of platform building that we think we just can't write. But our hobbies shouldn't have to be commodified in order to "count."
Corrosive vs generative. What a beautiful perspective and yes-I want to both write and read generative works. It’s actually why I love reading books from the past. They aren’t in dialogue with my current world and allow me to remember there are other things to think about.
Hmmm, I wonder if that's why I love reading books from the past as well! Such a beautiful thought. My all-time favorite book from the past (if the 80s count as past ha) is "Crossing to Safety" by Wallace Stegner.
I love this post, Drew. Makes all kinds of sense. I'm not on any platforms. If I spend precious TIME on social media, I have less precious TIME to read, think, and write. Or play the piano, for that matter.
I think somewhere along the way I became convinced that spending time building a platform might not be fun but was necessary. But, eventually, I think I've realized it's just not worth it! Like you said, time is so much more precious! I am forever grateful I had you as a professor :)
Hi Drew, I really appreciated this, and lots of it hit home. I especially love how you likened followers to consumers - very true. We like to use follower as a euphemism to deny the actual reality of what is happening.
Goodness. Thank you for voicing this, Drew. I feel less alone in my small container-ness and bolstered and encouraged to create expansive, humanizing, generative art.
It is AMAZING how much of modern life is predicated on keeping up the appearance of perfection. And if you have any interest in writing, suddenly it must be commodified and distributed on as many channels as possible. I'm glad you feel bolstered :)
I’m new to Substack, new to posting comments, new, even, to writing. It was a nudge I felt for a long time and ignored, mostly because I’m not a writer. But I have words to say. I have lived experiences that taught me things I feel I could share with others and it might bless them. But the more I ignored it and gave myself all the excuses, the more it bothered me that I hadn’t started writing yet. So I did. And I have no brand, no platform presence. I wonder who it’s for, my words put out there, and then I remember that I began doing this as an act of obedience. And God gave me this to heal. I don’t know what God will do with it but I do know I can trust Him with it and it’s not up to me to worry about it. I’m not even sure how all of this works, I’m learning as I’m going, but I found you and this article and it resonated with me. I’m not doing it for the followers. I’m doing it to be obedient. I’ll leave the rest up to God. Thank you for what you do. Glad I found you here.
Kelly, thank you for reading, and thank you for such a kind and thoughtful comment. First off, welcome to both writing and Substack! Second, the world needs more people like you, patiently obeying God and trying new things. I am often reminded of the feeding of the 5,000 when it comes to writing. I only have my five loaves and two fish, but they are enough for God. Thank you for sharing your voice :)
Oh, I love that (feeding of the 5,000). So good. Thanks again
I very much resonate with this sentiment! This is well said.
Thanks, Daniel. I’m sure, just like us, there are plenty others. Thanks for your comment
Thank you for these words and honesty. Social media doesn’t help us live well locally. Keep up the great work!
Thanks so much Ryan--that really means a lot to me!
This was an awesome read. I'm saving this to return to periodically. Tending the gardens we're placed in is a fantastic way of framing this. Also, although you didn't say this outright, thank you for giving us (me) permission to not have to build the biggest following. If nobody sees the garden we tend, that's ok because God places us in our gardens, grew the plants before we were ever here and will (hopefully) say to us "Well done". Again, thank you for this post.
Wow, Daniel, thank you for such a kind and thoughtful response. I think so many of us feel suffocated by the pressure of platform building that we think we just can't write. But our hobbies shouldn't have to be commodified in order to "count."
Yesss, nailed it!
Corrosive vs generative. What a beautiful perspective and yes-I want to both write and read generative works. It’s actually why I love reading books from the past. They aren’t in dialogue with my current world and allow me to remember there are other things to think about.
Hmmm, I wonder if that's why I love reading books from the past as well! Such a beautiful thought. My all-time favorite book from the past (if the 80s count as past ha) is "Crossing to Safety" by Wallace Stegner.
Thank you for this. Beautifully said
I love this post, Drew. Makes all kinds of sense. I'm not on any platforms. If I spend precious TIME on social media, I have less precious TIME to read, think, and write. Or play the piano, for that matter.
I think somewhere along the way I became convinced that spending time building a platform might not be fun but was necessary. But, eventually, I think I've realized it's just not worth it! Like you said, time is so much more precious! I am forever grateful I had you as a professor :)
Thank you, and so glad to hear your words again.
That is so kind! It is wonderful to be back to writing :)
Yes to all of this! Except my vice was Instagram.
The only reason I never got sucked into Instagram is that I never know (1) what to take a picture of and (2) how to take a picture haha
Hi Drew, I really appreciated this, and lots of it hit home. I especially love how you likened followers to consumers - very true. We like to use follower as a euphemism to deny the actual reality of what is happening.
Euphemism is the perfect word for so much of a writing industry built on consumption and scarcity.
Love the “generative” vs. “corrosive” writing. Great lesson. PS: You are right where you’re supposed to be. 💙
Thank you so much--that really means a lot to me!
Thank you. I’ve been wrestling with something that feels tangential to this. This post felt like a quiet whisper of encouragement.
I appreciate your writing.
It is SUCH a comfort to me to learn that others are wrestling through this as well. Thank you!
100. I am still on all these places but I don’t have them
As apps. So it limits my exposure. Yes. Corrosive to partake in. Been the whore and the scoundrel.
So true. You can’t be fully present and on them
Your words crossed borders into my little Zen world and expanded it. Thank you!
Cristina, thank you. Truly, I am so grateful!
Here here! 🍻
Thank you.
Thanks so much; it means a lot to me that you'd read it!
Goodness. Thank you for voicing this, Drew. I feel less alone in my small container-ness and bolstered and encouraged to create expansive, humanizing, generative art.
It is AMAZING how much of modern life is predicated on keeping up the appearance of perfection. And if you have any interest in writing, suddenly it must be commodified and distributed on as many channels as possible. I'm glad you feel bolstered :)
Absolutely perfect. It's along the lines of how I've been thinking lately.
Thank you so much; that really means a lot! I'm so glad to know there are others processing similar things.