Happy Anniversary, Kim! I agree with you on your points, and will add: take time to figure out what success here means for you, and this is a great place to practice writing.
That's a GREAT addition. And it likely evolves over time. I gave success no consideration because I just assumed I was publishing for myself and my 4 subscribers (friends). I was so scared to hit publish the first time I figured that was a success in and of itself. And here we are at a year already.
I could restack every one of these tips, but this one is key to the others:
8) Have fun- and if you stop having fun, take a break. Breaks are good. Fill your creative cup by going outside—smelling the roses, looking at the clouds, walking amongst the trees, floating in the ocean. Whatever you need to give your mind and body space away. Your writing will thank you and so will your mood.
This is an amazing list Kim, I love every point you made! It's a wonderful, heart-centered rational approach that both feels good and make sense. Happy Anniversary to LuL, it's one of my favorite newsletters!
Lovely, each of your points resonated… Such an encouragement. At times, I found myself reading way too many substack a, and felt overwhelmed… What new stories can I share? I had to stop reading so much, and actually start writing…
Kim!! Happy anniversary! To echo your first observation, there is no one like you—which means the writing community here is all the better for having you in it. Cheers to a fabulous Year Two ahead! 🤗
Welcome Boysie! I hope these help as you build your newsletter and start to figure out what works for you. Thanks for being here and for your kind words.
Love this list! Congrats on your year! I’m coming up behind you at a year later this month. For #5, I think if I didn’t have a plan to publish regularly, I would just read and read, like hypnosis.
I loved niche/smiche enough to click the link and voilà! 🥳 Thank you for bringing my little post to your town square.
Hehe. I thought I’d sneak that in there. I wrote this post right around when you posted yours. I knew right away it had to be part of it. It was a relief when I read yours to know it wasn’t just me!
✨Happy anniversary, Kim!✨ And thank you for reaching out across the ether to connect with me here. These observations all land with me. And I’m also thinking about: 1) the value and freedom I’ve found in writing with specific people in my mind. Like, real people I know well, who I feel free and comfortable chatting with, who I enjoy thinking outloud with, who see me and think my weirdness is great. Writing with those people in my heart has helped me overcome so much uncertainty and second guessing around content. And 2) I had to throw the style manual out the window and stop caring about proper academic paragraph construction ! Embracing the informality of writing on the internet has been a fun way to find a new voice.
School with it's adverbs, conjunctions, taught me so very little. A lyffe of had ventures tort me to right properlee, and how tooto argue anciente etymologies in multipool tongues. Ember race away Lisette, chat ye free. Peace, Maurice
Happy Anniversary, Kim! I agree with you on your points, and will add: take time to figure out what success here means for you, and this is a great place to practice writing.
That's a GREAT addition. And it likely evolves over time. I gave success no consideration because I just assumed I was publishing for myself and my 4 subscribers (friends). I was so scared to hit publish the first time I figured that was a success in and of itself. And here we are at a year already.
I could restack every one of these tips, but this one is key to the others:
8) Have fun- and if you stop having fun, take a break. Breaks are good. Fill your creative cup by going outside—smelling the roses, looking at the clouds, walking amongst the trees, floating in the ocean. Whatever you need to give your mind and body space away. Your writing will thank you and so will your mood.
This is an amazing list Kim, I love every point you made! It's a wonderful, heart-centered rational approach that both feels good and make sense. Happy Anniversary to LuL, it's one of my favorite newsletters!
Aww. You warm my heart all the time Donna. Thank you. 🙏
Lovely, each of your points resonated… Such an encouragement. At times, I found myself reading way too many substack a, and felt overwhelmed… What new stories can I share? I had to stop reading so much, and actually start writing…
Me too!
Wonderful advice!
Happy 'stackiversary, Kim! You're a treasure. xo
Aw thank-you. Your my favourite sassy substack! 😘 I'm a sassy wannabe.
Cheers, doll. And you are sassy, KVB. Totally. 😘 xo
Kim!! Happy anniversary! To echo your first observation, there is no one like you—which means the writing community here is all the better for having you in it. Cheers to a fabulous Year Two ahead! 🤗
Well said, Maddie!
Nice! I am pretty new to Substack (a 2-month old baby).
I think you have stopped me from making many future mistakes, so thanks for that!
2, 6, 11, 12 being the main culprits!
Congrats on 1 YEAR! That's awesome!
Welcome Boysie! I hope these help as you build your newsletter and start to figure out what works for you. Thanks for being here and for your kind words.
No problem Kim!
Advice like this definitely helps along the journey... I hope to learn more from you!
Welcome to substack Boysie
Hi Mark!
Thanks for the warm welcome!
Substack is where you can find your feet, your home. An a lorra good tips too, Peace, Maurice
Thanks for the added support Maurice!
avec plaisir
Congratulations, Kim, and thanks for the great advice. Thank you in particular for steering us away from a focus on numbers and towards engagement.
Let er rip Kim!!
Congrats on the anniversary! #4 was a big turning point for me. Writing twice a week was miserable. Once a week is so much easier.
Love this list! Congrats on your year! I’m coming up behind you at a year later this month. For #5, I think if I didn’t have a plan to publish regularly, I would just read and read, like hypnosis.
I loved niche/smiche enough to click the link and voilà! 🥳 Thank you for bringing my little post to your town square.
Hehe. I thought I’d sneak that in there. I wrote this post right around when you posted yours. I knew right away it had to be part of it. It was a relief when I read yours to know it wasn’t just me!
We could organize: The Counterculture. (Hmm. I feel like that’s been used already.) 🤔 🙈🙃
Great name for a creative`s cafe....
😂 You’re right! The Counter Culture, lunch hosted by the Biology Department? 😳
Umm, is your plan part of the Planets Recovery ? Peace, Maurice
really good advice and encouragement - I've been sitting in the square, posting, reading and mostly observing so I admit I've been slow to engage;)
But, you're here commenting now, so hurrah! That's what it's all about. So glad you dropped in to say hello. Thanks for being here.
✨Happy anniversary, Kim!✨ And thank you for reaching out across the ether to connect with me here. These observations all land with me. And I’m also thinking about: 1) the value and freedom I’ve found in writing with specific people in my mind. Like, real people I know well, who I feel free and comfortable chatting with, who I enjoy thinking outloud with, who see me and think my weirdness is great. Writing with those people in my heart has helped me overcome so much uncertainty and second guessing around content. And 2) I had to throw the style manual out the window and stop caring about proper academic paragraph construction ! Embracing the informality of writing on the internet has been a fun way to find a new voice.
And I really love and appreciate your unique voice Lisette. Thanks for these additional insights.
✨❤️✨
School with it's adverbs, conjunctions, taught me so very little. A lyffe of had ventures tort me to right properlee, and how tooto argue anciente etymologies in multipool tongues. Ember race away Lisette, chat ye free. Peace, Maurice
😂🫶🏼
Congrats on your 1 year anniversary! I love your list. Great advice. ❤️
Thank you Clarissa!
No “l” but no worries. Everyone gets my name wrong. Carissa. 🥰
🤦🏼♀️ I know that. That’s embarrassing. 😳
Oops, Morris, .......
Thank you, Kim, for these fabulous reminders! 💜