Thank you, Drew. I hope that I do the things you've mentioned I do here. There have been times when i wished for more viral growth or more books sold, but overall, when I look back, I'm so grateful for the slow growth. Not only for the sake of my own heart and ego, but because I think it's better for all of us to bear witness to in our own lives and in the lives of others. Grateful for you.
I have a newsletter that is mostly just sharing others' work, work that has formed me! Been doing it for years and am realizing more and more that's really just how the ecosystem is going to have to work: Appreciating, engaging, sharing the worthwhile work being made by others.
As I develop my own space on Substack, I remind myself WHY, and make a mental list of those reasons. Most of them look like faces and stories, not numbers. Not money I can make or subscribers I can count. Though my attention often shifts toward these ends.
It’s a constant practice of recalling why this work is important even if no one shows up, even if I make no money. This perspective, though, usually makes it all the more meaningful, though, when people do show up and do subscribe with their dollars. So grateful for that, and encouraged by it. We are in it together.
One I will read again and again … your words, truths, questions sit deep in my soul. A needed rally, a needed call to remember, a needed encouragement. I believe, with you, it can be done — these skills and gifts God given — with humility and awareness and the lead of His perfect hand.
Thank you for this. You took every tension I've been experiencing in my work and gave them dimensions that I could hold and understand.
My newsletter is The Second Cup, and I started it to help my community of people make peace with being human. I am a teacher at heart, and so my offering of love is to say, "Here. This is what I've found to be true. I hope it helps you, that it makes you feel a little less stuck or scared or alone."
Love this! Mary is the inspiration for my writing — her act of beauty has shaped my thinking about the church and what “gifts” are. And since I’m also very new to Substack and doubting myself, thank you for the very timely encouragement!
This is so great. Such a hard tension to walk in! I started my substack as a step of faith honestly. For me, it's a discipline to sit down and figure out what I really think "at the tip of a pen" as Augustine writes. And then share it. Gasp! I've realized it can be a point of pride & sloth for me if I keep to myself too much 😉
All well said Drew. It’s tough. I’m m a professional actor: talk about “hey! Watch me!” And an amateur musician: “please come see the band!” If it’s done with kindness & taste; with full enthusiasm yet without judgement I think it’s all good
Oh I needed to read this post today. Been trying to write a book off and on for years now and started substack to see if my writing resonated with others and if they'd want to read a book length version. As I've been looking into proposals and query letter writing I was overwhelmed with needing a platform!? (I also suspect it's partly due to imposter syndrome/low self-esteem - a post I am in the midst of writing now). Bought the domains, put myself out there and hoping Spirit will lead me somewhere. Something that helps me when it comes to promotion is that I believe in what I'm talking about - so it's misison driven. Whether it's about helping people know about hospital chaplaincy, spiritual direction, grief and loss, etc - it's about educating and potentially helping others - not about me. But it is hard to separate out somedays!
Thank you, Drew. I’m not religious, but i have struggled with the Dillema of trying to write because I love it, and have something to say, while also hoping to get a book deal. It’s hard, and I fall into some bad habits. Why I try to focus on is committing to centering my joy of the craft first. When I do that, it makes it easier to not get so caught up on clicks, open rates, or comments.
Thank you, Drew. I hope that I do the things you've mentioned I do here. There have been times when i wished for more viral growth or more books sold, but overall, when I look back, I'm so grateful for the slow growth. Not only for the sake of my own heart and ego, but because I think it's better for all of us to bear witness to in our own lives and in the lives of others. Grateful for you.
I have a newsletter that is mostly just sharing others' work, work that has formed me! Been doing it for years and am realizing more and more that's really just how the ecosystem is going to have to work: Appreciating, engaging, sharing the worthwhile work being made by others.
As I develop my own space on Substack, I remind myself WHY, and make a mental list of those reasons. Most of them look like faces and stories, not numbers. Not money I can make or subscribers I can count. Though my attention often shifts toward these ends.
It’s a constant practice of recalling why this work is important even if no one shows up, even if I make no money. This perspective, though, usually makes it all the more meaningful, though, when people do show up and do subscribe with their dollars. So grateful for that, and encouraged by it. We are in it together.
Thank you, Drew, for this very honest and hopeful piece. I have much to reflect on.
One I will read again and again … your words, truths, questions sit deep in my soul. A needed rally, a needed call to remember, a needed encouragement. I believe, with you, it can be done — these skills and gifts God given — with humility and awareness and the lead of His perfect hand.
Thank you for this. You took every tension I've been experiencing in my work and gave them dimensions that I could hold and understand.
My newsletter is The Second Cup, and I started it to help my community of people make peace with being human. I am a teacher at heart, and so my offering of love is to say, "Here. This is what I've found to be true. I hope it helps you, that it makes you feel a little less stuck or scared or alone."
You hit the nail on the head! I feel this tension all the time and it's encouraging to know I'm not alone in the struggle.
Love this! Mary is the inspiration for my writing — her act of beauty has shaped my thinking about the church and what “gifts” are. And since I’m also very new to Substack and doubting myself, thank you for the very timely encouragement!
This is so great. Such a hard tension to walk in! I started my substack as a step of faith honestly. For me, it's a discipline to sit down and figure out what I really think "at the tip of a pen" as Augustine writes. And then share it. Gasp! I've realized it can be a point of pride & sloth for me if I keep to myself too much 😉
All well said Drew. It’s tough. I’m m a professional actor: talk about “hey! Watch me!” And an amateur musician: “please come see the band!” If it’s done with kindness & taste; with full enthusiasm yet without judgement I think it’s all good
xA
Amazing piece Drew!
I also struggle with ambition and the ways it warps my intentions. This was a great reminder to examine my motives once again.
Oh I needed to read this post today. Been trying to write a book off and on for years now and started substack to see if my writing resonated with others and if they'd want to read a book length version. As I've been looking into proposals and query letter writing I was overwhelmed with needing a platform!? (I also suspect it's partly due to imposter syndrome/low self-esteem - a post I am in the midst of writing now). Bought the domains, put myself out there and hoping Spirit will lead me somewhere. Something that helps me when it comes to promotion is that I believe in what I'm talking about - so it's misison driven. Whether it's about helping people know about hospital chaplaincy, spiritual direction, grief and loss, etc - it's about educating and potentially helping others - not about me. But it is hard to separate out somedays!
Thank you, Drew. I’m not religious, but i have struggled with the Dillema of trying to write because I love it, and have something to say, while also hoping to get a book deal. It’s hard, and I fall into some bad habits. Why I try to focus on is committing to centering my joy of the craft first. When I do that, it makes it easier to not get so caught up on clicks, open rates, or comments.