I don’t know who needs to hear this, but there’s something particularly joyous about blooming in the winter of your life, when the world expects you to stay small and quiet.
Thanks for the shout-out, Jessica! I love notes (reading, writing, and commenting). One tip is to review every post you write and pull out the main points. They usually make great notes. Also, if you are posting thoughtful comments on others' posts (not notes), and I hope you are, a comment can usually be re-purposed as a note. In fact, I tend to use that to measure whether my comment has any value to the conversation. If it's not something I could repurpose as a note, it's probably not worth saying. I will now repost a repurposed version of this comment as a note. LOL
Yes! I've been taking what I call meditative walks that would qualify for this challenge. I tune into my senses one at a time and practice being fully present.
Thank you Leslie for sharing, a perfect fit for this challenge. I also enjoy walking meditations. I see that you are a fellow dancer, I also made a living as a dancer 😊
Oh awesome. Then we already have a lot in common! And I know you can understand what it means for a former dancer to walk (or do anything) without music. It was a transition to make my walks music free, but now I love it.
It is very, very tempting to feel that, in the face of such dramatic changes in our country, our writing is a waste of time. I feel this every day. But I also know that every single issue we are facing, every problem we’re going to have to solve, starts with the logic (and magic) of story.
Who is telling the story, and who is believing it?
What is the agenda behind the story?
What and whose stories are not being told?
Are there better, truer stories we can tell?
What kind of excruciating work do we need to do as individuals and as a society to confront the lies we tell ourselves, and how might we change to see things more clearly?
What does it cost to become the kind of person who can tell a true story? (Hint: It’s not nothing.)
What does it cost to tell that true story out loud? (Hint: It might be a whole lot.)
If you are here, it is because you have decided to make storytelling a central concern of your life. And the world needs people who are crafting stories that aren’t warped by power, distorted by money, or influenced by self-interest.
When the world is complicated, storytellers make sense of it. That is you.
Write, write, write. Write until you can tell the truth.
I wrote a counter point to advice about 'Substack Recommends' and the unintended consequences when you cull your list. I'd appreciate the boost! I think it's important for people to also follow their own inner gut when they're confronted with all this advice. There are un-intended consequences if you follow blindly.
You've touched on a "problem" with Substack which is that there is sooo much good writing I have trouble choosing where to focus my reading time. So I usually get lost for way too long in other people's words which then keeps me from writing my own. I'm a Substack work in progress!
I have a question for Jessica and anyone else who cares to answer. How do you feel about reposting a previous note that didn't get any traction when it was first posted? (I know sometimes notes have a long shelf life, so I'm talking about reposting weeks or months later - not days.)
Here goes! I wrote my first note after posting my first blog post this morning. I feel very much the rookie, but I'm here to learn. And support. And to get excited. https://primeaged.substack.com/notes
I'm so thrilled to find this little corner of Substack! I'm a book coach and editor who works with women's fiction writers who are (re)discovering their writing voices in midlife, and I find it absolutely gratifying to help women explore and claim their voices in this way. https://open.substack.com/pub/writeyournextchapter/p/are-you-still-seeking-permission
My notes are probably a little all over the place and hard to characterize. But the one thing they all have in common? Only a handful of people seem to notice them!
This one’s my pondering on why I so enjoy my dreams:
I relate. I think imagination and pulling things from your subconscious are the common denominators between dreaming and writing. In both instances, you're exploring worlds that didn't exist before.
Is the goal of good Note writing to get more subscribers or to get more followers? My Notes usually get ignored. The few that are liked help bring me subscribers. But my comments on other writers' Notes get the most attention and uplift. Perhaps that's because my Substack topic is pretty serious. How can patients protect themselves from medical errors and misdiagnoses? That's my area of expertise. I'm live writing A Guide to Surviving American Healthcare for free, posting two chapters a month. So my Notes are usually on these serious topics. My comments on other people's notes though are related to their topic. I can be funnier or more personal. This is a recent example that has gotten 18 likes so far, several followers, and seems to still be growing.
Here's one I shared when I had only been on Substack a little over a month. I think it could serve as a prompt for someone else's Note. It's about the things we let go of and the things we gain.
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but there’s something particularly joyous about blooming in the winter of your life, when the world expects you to stay small and quiet.
Here’s the link:
https://substack.com/@mdowd/note/c-89007292
Will happily and proudly subscribe to and promote other women’s notes!
https://mdowd.substack.com/
Yes to this! Although I'd like to think I'm in the autumn of my life rather than the winter...
I prefer autumn too. And I like to say it's the most colorful time!
Checked it out and, oh, I already “loved” that one when it was first posted! Thanks for the uplifting message.
done and done!
Instant mood lifter!
Thanks for the shout-out, Jessica! I love notes (reading, writing, and commenting). One tip is to review every post you write and pull out the main points. They usually make great notes. Also, if you are posting thoughtful comments on others' posts (not notes), and I hope you are, a comment can usually be re-purposed as a note. In fact, I tend to use that to measure whether my comment has any value to the conversation. If it's not something I could repurpose as a note, it's probably not worth saying. I will now repost a repurposed version of this comment as a note. LOL
Love this! That's great advice! I don't do enough of this.
Today I've started #gowiththeslow challenge - if you are having a hectic day I hope this finds the people who need this the most ❤️
https://substack.com/@traceyfenner/note/c-94827786?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=1oqyvf
Love this. :) I wish it were so green where I live...
Thanks! Currently raining, but yes makes it green 🌳
Yes! I've been taking what I call meditative walks that would qualify for this challenge. I tune into my senses one at a time and practice being fully present.
Thank you Leslie for sharing, a perfect fit for this challenge. I also enjoy walking meditations. I see that you are a fellow dancer, I also made a living as a dancer 😊
Oh awesome. Then we already have a lot in common! And I know you can understand what it means for a former dancer to walk (or do anything) without music. It was a transition to make my walks music free, but now I love it.
Very lovely to Substack meet you Leslie, i totally understand this, but I also do love silence 😊
Excellent! I left you a comment.
Thank you very much Suzanne 😊
Done!
Brilliant thank you Kim
Thank you for the reminder today. 🖤
Thank you Bridget, you are very welcome
restacked!
Thank you very much Michelle 🙏
I just want to say one thing to you Substackers.
It is very, very tempting to feel that, in the face of such dramatic changes in our country, our writing is a waste of time. I feel this every day. But I also know that every single issue we are facing, every problem we’re going to have to solve, starts with the logic (and magic) of story.
Who is telling the story, and who is believing it?
What is the agenda behind the story?
What and whose stories are not being told?
Are there better, truer stories we can tell?
What kind of excruciating work do we need to do as individuals and as a society to confront the lies we tell ourselves, and how might we change to see things more clearly?
What does it cost to become the kind of person who can tell a true story? (Hint: It’s not nothing.)
What does it cost to tell that true story out loud? (Hint: It might be a whole lot.)
If you are here, it is because you have decided to make storytelling a central concern of your life. And the world needs people who are crafting stories that aren’t warped by power, distorted by money, or influenced by self-interest.
When the world is complicated, storytellers make sense of it. That is you.
Write, write, write. Write until you can tell the truth.
https://substack.com/@lindseydeloachjones/note/c-95206982
Thanks for this, Lindsey! I know many of us need to hear it.
I wrote a counter point to advice about 'Substack Recommends' and the unintended consequences when you cull your list. I'd appreciate the boost! I think it's important for people to also follow their own inner gut when they're confronted with all this advice. There are un-intended consequences if you follow blindly.
https://substack.com/@kimvanbruggen/note/c-94933229
You've touched on a "problem" with Substack which is that there is sooo much good writing I have trouble choosing where to focus my reading time. So I usually get lost for way too long in other people's words which then keeps me from writing my own. I'm a Substack work in progress!
I’m so deeply touched to be included in this supportive essay, Jessica!
We have been long-time fans of yours... way back to our blogging days xo
We have been here for the long haul, haven’t we? I think that makes us pretty special! 💗
Together we rise!
Thank you for including me. I’m so grateful and humbled to ever be held up as an example of anything!! 😘
I have a question for Jessica and anyone else who cares to answer. How do you feel about reposting a previous note that didn't get any traction when it was first posted? (I know sometimes notes have a long shelf life, so I'm talking about reposting weeks or months later - not days.)
I think that this can work! I've seen people repost past Notes and then get traction. Try it and see how it goes!
Thank you! Didn't know if this might be a no-no...
I agree with Jessica. There’s nothing wrong with that. Some notes deserve a second (or third) chance.
Thank you!
Love your examples!
Here goes! I wrote my first note after posting my first blog post this morning. I feel very much the rookie, but I'm here to learn. And support. And to get excited. https://primeaged.substack.com/notes
Congratulations on your first note! Keep posting and connecting!
Yes! Say something bold! The more it scares you to say, the better.
https://substack.com/@karenwesleywriter/note/c-94177701?r=6ubiu&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
My notes hardly got any traction (except for one about my 107-year-old grandmother).
But this changed when I arrived in the Galapagos and started to share photos.
Here’s a recent one:
https://substack.com/@clairepolders/note/c-94586205?r=fd50i&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
That’s such a great tip that I didn’t include in my post. Use photos! Thanks for this!
I'm so thrilled to find this little corner of Substack! I'm a book coach and editor who works with women's fiction writers who are (re)discovering their writing voices in midlife, and I find it absolutely gratifying to help women explore and claim their voices in this way. https://open.substack.com/pub/writeyournextchapter/p/are-you-still-seeking-permission
Welcome to our friendly little neighborhood of substack!
My notes are probably a little all over the place and hard to characterize. But the one thing they all have in common? Only a handful of people seem to notice them!
This one’s my pondering on why I so enjoy my dreams:
https://substack.com/@suzesq/note/c-75528304?r=1u1b1c&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
I relate. I think imagination and pulling things from your subconscious are the common denominators between dreaming and writing. In both instances, you're exploring worlds that didn't exist before.
Is the goal of good Note writing to get more subscribers or to get more followers? My Notes usually get ignored. The few that are liked help bring me subscribers. But my comments on other writers' Notes get the most attention and uplift. Perhaps that's because my Substack topic is pretty serious. How can patients protect themselves from medical errors and misdiagnoses? That's my area of expertise. I'm live writing A Guide to Surviving American Healthcare for free, posting two chapters a month. So my Notes are usually on these serious topics. My comments on other people's notes though are related to their topic. I can be funnier or more personal. This is a recent example that has gotten 18 likes so far, several followers, and seems to still be growing.
https://substack.com/@helenewrites/note/c-94305212?r=iwfrn&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Here's one I shared when I had only been on Substack a little over a month. I think it could serve as a prompt for someone else's Note. It's about the things we let go of and the things we gain.
https://substack.com/@distractedbyprettythings/note/c-80507565
This was great. Thank you for sharing your vulnerability.