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.
Lore, I think you do all the things I mentioned. Really, people like you and Sara Billups have modeled what it means for me to exist in this space authentically. There is so much demand for speed and virality today, but I agree--there is something really beautiful about organic growth, growth that the pace of our lives is able to sustain. I'm 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.
For a long time I did a really bad job at engaging with others' work and actually turning this into a community. There were for sure times in which the life in front of me needed to be tended, and it meant I couldn't be as present here. But Substack has helped me engage more. Still learning, though. Thank you for sharing!
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.
Yes! Focus on the reasons why! This is what I try to do as well. If one person tells me it was helpful to them - that should count more than number of page views....
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 so much for saying this Jennifer, that really means a lot to me. This thing is a learning process for sure. Humility is a hard thing to develop while also trying to develop a platform. I am beginning to think it is akin to the rich young man who is unable to give up his wealth to follow Jesus. Am I willing to give up my desire for a platform? That's a hard question.
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 😉
I've never thought about how keeping to oneself can be a point of pride and sloth. For me it has so often been the opposite--I have felt convicted to keep more to myself and not share as much as I do. That's a difficult reality though when you write for an online audience. I, for one, am very grateful for your decision to write :)
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
Jamal, in the short time I have been following you, I have been blown away by your generosity and desire to share work that is meaningful to you. Thank you for setting an example!
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!
I'm so glad this post resonated with you! I agree--knowing why we are writing and believing in what we are talking about are huge counterpoints to the rogue salesman mindset. Thank you for sharing!
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.
Lore, I think you do all the things I mentioned. Really, people like you and Sara Billups have modeled what it means for me to exist in this space authentically. There is so much demand for speed and virality today, but I agree--there is something really beautiful about organic growth, growth that the pace of our lives is able to sustain. I'm 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.
For a long time I did a really bad job at engaging with others' work and actually turning this into a community. There were for sure times in which the life in front of me needed to be tended, and it meant I couldn't be as present here. But Substack has helped me engage more. Still learning, though. Thank you for sharing!
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.
Such a beautiful thing, and something I want to be intentional in practicing. Thank you so much for sharing!
Yes! Focus on the reasons why! This is what I try to do as well. If one person tells me it was helpful to them - that should count more than number of page views....
I just found this post. Such a succinct way of working through the why. https://open.substack.com/pub/antoniataylor/p/all-the-parts-i-let-you-see?r=1p5fmo&utm_medium=ios
Thank you, Drew, for this very honest and hopeful piece. I have much to reflect on.
Thanks for reading--it means a lot!
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 so much for saying this Jennifer, that really means a lot to me. This thing is a learning process for sure. Humility is a hard thing to develop while also trying to develop a platform. I am beginning to think it is akin to the rich young man who is unable to give up his wealth to follow Jesus. Am I willing to give up my desire for a platform? That's a hard question.
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."
That is beautiful Deidre, and I am grateful you came across this Substack. I'm glad it was helpful, and I am cheering for your Substack!
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.
You are most definitely not alone. It is such a tension and tricky reality!
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!
Joy! I think Mary is such a beautiful inspiration for your writing! Welcome to Substack and happy writing!
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 😉
I've never thought about how keeping to oneself can be a point of pride and sloth. For me it has so often been the opposite--I have felt convicted to keep more to myself and not share as much as I do. That's a difficult reality though when you write for an online audience. I, for one, am very grateful for your decision to write :)
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
"kindness & taste" -- I like that! Tact is a very beautiful thing :)
Thanks for reading!
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.
Jamal, in the short time I have been following you, I have been blown away by your generosity and desire to share work that is meaningful to you. Thank you for setting an example!
Thank you for the kind words and for the noteworthy work! 🖤
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!
I'm so glad this post resonated with you! I agree--knowing why we are writing and believing in what we are talking about are huge counterpoints to the rogue salesman mindset. Thank you for sharing!
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.