I just discovered Substack a few days and yesterday I published my first post.
I've been looking for a community of midlife women for over 2 years. I just happened upon Substack, I believe it was a doctor talking about perimenopause, and that's when my whole world opened up. Midstack was the 2nd publication I found and I'm so thankful that I found this community.
Thank you for all you do for the middle aged peeps!
I joined the HerStories writing group and found so many wonderful midlife women who are fearlessly writing their stories and giving me space to share my own. One of the other writers and I exchanged essays to critique, which I have a feeling will be a regular occurrence. That kind of supportive community is what has been missing from my writing life for a long time.
Right? I've written books, I've written magazine articles, I've been on Twitter and tested Instagram. I can't remember a time when I had 6,000 views... Maybe in my newspapers days in the 90s 😀 but this is crazy.
This month I have been sharing mostly visual posts including my own art and people have responded well to this change in my usually-wordy style so I have enjoyed that. It’s good to be our full selves.
I was mentioned by an author I like and respect in a list of writers who worked at the British teen magazine Just Seventeen. I only did work experience there for a few weeks in 1991 (my first published writing) so I don’t think I should really be on the list, but it gave me goosebumps and made my day anyway.
Last week, spiraling into hopeless despair over my mother's health crisis, a reader advised me to take the weekend off and tend to myself, and I asked on FB if anyone had a place I could get away for the weekend, and someone who barely knows me let me stay in his empty beach house. It was so hugely restorative--and I never would have considered doing such a thing without this reader urging me!
I finally wrangled this post on modern gratitude that had been brewing in my mind for months. Not sure I love it, but I am glad that I sorted some of those thoughts into a somewhat cohesive whole. Gratitude still confounds me at times. Not because I don't have it, but because it is one of so many emotions that we need to respond to in life on any given day. Sometimes that one falls lower on the actionable list. Forcing it seems disingenuous.
I love that you wrestled with a topic and stuck with it all the way to hitting publish! And I agree with your perspective on gratitude. It's always been a tricky subject for me to wrap my head around.
I love this question! I found and was found by several other neurodivergent writers--beautiful, meaningful intersections that made this online place feel like real community.
This week, a couple people restacked my notes... which for me has been an area of Substack that has historically felt like I'm posting into a black hole. I want to learn more about it and use it more wisely. I also gained some new subscribers to prism this week! ❤️
I got some hilarious comments and DMs after my post this week that made me laugh and reminded me of why I enjoy writing so much — because of readers. I’ve been a ghostwriter for the last ten years and recently wrote my first fiction book. I realized how much I miss engaging with readers about writing, hearing their reactions, and hearing their stories. I started my career in journalism but in the corporate writing world there’s less reader community :) So I’m loving getting back to my roots, forming new ones and cultivating community around my blog and on Substack in general. Thanks for asking and for Midstack.
We hear this so much from writers who start sharing more personal writing... It's the community and comments that sustain them. Please share the post that got the hilarious comments and messages!
Overnight I reached 1K subscribers! A surprising milestone. But that's not my favorite thing this week. It's this comment: "This post was so encouraging! I have had some of my own self doubt recently. I tend to perfect and ambush. But you have reminded me to keep going. Thank you for such real honest thoughts Xo -nicole" (@ Nicole a lee of heydear.substack.com).
I just discovered Substack a few days and yesterday I published my first post.
I've been looking for a community of midlife women for over 2 years. I just happened upon Substack, I believe it was a doctor talking about perimenopause, and that's when my whole world opened up. Midstack was the 2nd publication I found and I'm so thankful that I found this community.
Thank you for all you do for the middle aged peeps!
Your first post?! Congratulations!! That's fantastic! Can you post it here?
Thank you!!
I wasn’t sure I could share my post here, lol. But I’d be happy to!
https://open.substack.com/pub/allierambles/p/1st-post-midlife-crisis-perimenopause?r=3qnf0&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
I got a comment that said, in part, "keep writing."
Those are the best comments, aren't they?
I joined the HerStories writing group and found so many wonderful midlife women who are fearlessly writing their stories and giving me space to share my own. One of the other writers and I exchanged essays to critique, which I have a feeling will be a regular occurrence. That kind of supportive community is what has been missing from my writing life for a long time.
That is amazing! Over the years we've had so many ongoing partnerships and small groups that have evolved from our writing groups. I love it!
This sounds fabulous
A writer I admire started recommending me out of the blue (as I see it), totes blown away!
I love the serendipity of being found by those we already admire!
Got 6,000 views on my posts, this makes me so happy. I write on historical topics, so an absolute niche topic :) over at https://tenminutetimetravel.substack.com/
That's incredible! That's one thing that I love about Substack: it's really a place where niche topics can thrive and grow.
Right? I've written books, I've written magazine articles, I've been on Twitter and tested Instagram. I can't remember a time when I had 6,000 views... Maybe in my newspapers days in the 90s 😀 but this is crazy.
This month I have been sharing mostly visual posts including my own art and people have responded well to this change in my usually-wordy style so I have enjoyed that. It’s good to be our full selves.
Wonderful! Isn't it fantastic that Substack allows us so many different ways to share our content?
I was mentioned by an author I like and respect in a list of writers who worked at the British teen magazine Just Seventeen. I only did work experience there for a few weeks in 1991 (my first published writing) so I don’t think I should really be on the list, but it gave me goosebumps and made my day anyway.
Wow! How fun! Can you share the post where you're mentioned? I'm intrigued!
I hope this works… https://substack.com/@wendyvarley/note/c-72195622?
I just received this message from @verajerinic-brodeur on my post about breast density and Cancer, and about my publication, 'The Quest For Less Health Stress' . "Yes! I admire the work you're doing. I just recommended you" I'd say that's a win! (You can read it here: https://open.substack.com/pub/lesshealthstress/p/what-glennon-doyle-and-co-taught?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1gejp4 )
That is certainly a win! I love that you're making these connections.
Last week, spiraling into hopeless despair over my mother's health crisis, a reader advised me to take the weekend off and tend to myself, and I asked on FB if anyone had a place I could get away for the weekend, and someone who barely knows me let me stay in his empty beach house. It was so hugely restorative--and I never would have considered doing such a thing without this reader urging me!
I’m so sorry about all you’re going through but I’m glad you have an online community that will support you and cares during your toughest times.
I finally wrangled this post on modern gratitude that had been brewing in my mind for months. Not sure I love it, but I am glad that I sorted some of those thoughts into a somewhat cohesive whole. Gratitude still confounds me at times. Not because I don't have it, but because it is one of so many emotions that we need to respond to in life on any given day. Sometimes that one falls lower on the actionable list. Forcing it seems disingenuous.
https://ingridwagnerwalsh.substack.com/p/the-cult-of-gratitude
Also, met some lovely new writers to recommend and connect with!
I love that you wrestled with a topic and stuck with it all the way to hitting publish! And I agree with your perspective on gratitude. It's always been a tricky subject for me to wrap my head around.
I love this question! I found and was found by several other neurodivergent writers--beautiful, meaningful intersections that made this online place feel like real community.
That’s wonderful!
This week, a couple people restacked my notes... which for me has been an area of Substack that has historically felt like I'm posting into a black hole. I want to learn more about it and use it more wisely. I also gained some new subscribers to prism this week! ❤️
Subscribed!
thank you!
I got some hilarious comments and DMs after my post this week that made me laugh and reminded me of why I enjoy writing so much — because of readers. I’ve been a ghostwriter for the last ten years and recently wrote my first fiction book. I realized how much I miss engaging with readers about writing, hearing their reactions, and hearing their stories. I started my career in journalism but in the corporate writing world there’s less reader community :) So I’m loving getting back to my roots, forming new ones and cultivating community around my blog and on Substack in general. Thanks for asking and for Midstack.
We hear this so much from writers who start sharing more personal writing... It's the community and comments that sustain them. Please share the post that got the hilarious comments and messages!
https://open.substack.com/pub/kellykearsley/p/its-time-to-get-some-bed-candy?r=13pk9x&utm_medium=ios
More people eat candy in bed than you’d think …
I just read this. So good! I love your combo of facts and humor.
I got my first paid subscriber this week! Someone in this group. So grateful for this lovely and affirming surprise!
Oh I’m so happy for you! Yay!
Overnight I reached 1K subscribers! A surprising milestone. But that's not my favorite thing this week. It's this comment: "This post was so encouraging! I have had some of my own self doubt recently. I tend to perfect and ambush. But you have reminded me to keep going. Thank you for such real honest thoughts Xo -nicole" (@ Nicole a lee of heydear.substack.com).
It feels great when you make a connection.
Today, I got my 200th subscriber! I know it seems small, but to me, it was quite the kick!