Found it! It was buried deep up above. I don't know how to lead you to it, but this is what I said:
I'm glad you're here, Pastor Peg. What can I do to help you see that anything you contribute would be meaningful to someone? Because it's true, you know.
But in the meantime, why not start out by writing about nothing? I got away with it once, myself.
I learned early on in my publishing career that you can always let other peoples' success get you down--or you can just wish them well or even ignore it and focus on what you're writing and enjoy the ride. I remember a writer friend who had lunch with a first-time author whose book sold *500,000 copies* in hc and was on the front page of the NYTBR. This best-selling author was miserable because he hadn't been nominated for a Pulitzer.... My immigrant mother once said, "There is no such thing as enough in America." And I think it's true for lots of people.
Your mother knew what she was talking about! I remember my 'glory days' in Detroit, when some of the best, including Elmore Leonard, were finding their places in the sun. You know what set them apart? They never bragged about their success. Their work meant everything. So this new world, now that I'm this old, is confusing, to say the least.
What's super crazy in book publishing now is that agents and editors want authors who are influencers with huge followings on TikTok or Insta. As if that automatically translates into book sales....
I'm glad you're here, Pastor Peg. What can I do to help you see that anything you contribute would be meaningful to someone? Because it's true, you know.
But in the meantime, why not start out by writing about nothing? I got away with it once, myself.
I read this twice, Ramona. I agree...it's the conversation, new ideas, thoughtful reflection and friends. Count me in! That is certainly what I find positive about Sub -- great stories and easy chair reading!
BYW, have you considered serializing your book(s) online?
As for my books, they're not completely finished so until they are I wouldn't want to try serializing them. I could go off on some tangent and have to backtrack and then where would I be? 😂
I learned I didn't want to be famous back in the Aughts when I was an entertainment journalist and spent time in LA (primarily TV). Seeing close up the pressures of being famous made me realize the good part wasn't worth the bad part
As for having an audience of thousands and losing that intimacy, yes and no, at least for us. We're at about 4500 now and while I know I won't have personal interactions with the vast majority of those folks, we still respond to every comment. More than that, within that 4500 people are what I'll call "superfans" who read everything we write, leave lots of comments (both on articles and on Facebook) and with whom we regularly interact. When I write, it's those folks I write for and think about and it still feels intimate to me.
'Superfans', yes! You and Brent do such a good job of being yourselves and sharing who you are. It's no wonder you're enjoying your work here. And, of course, we get to enjoy it, too!
Thank you for your friendship, Michael. I'm a huge fan!
Congrats on 4,500 subscribers, and big respect for still responding to every comment. Gotta ask: Is there a point at which a "superfan" becomes a "groupie," or worse, a "stalker?" I feel like I'm that person for a few folks I follow here (including Ramona) and hope showing up like a bad penny lands toward the good end of the attention spectrum rather than the opposite.
Hmmm, interesting question and the answer is...yes. We've had one or two folks over the years in our capacity running a website back in the Aughts who crossed the line and became annoying. But it comes with the territory and I'm sure is much much scarier for women.
I love this post. I can definitely relate to your sentiment. Do you see much difference between posts on Substack versus Medium? I feel like there are more opportunities for conversations here instead of Medium. What do you think?
This was such an inspired and inspiring piece. Thank you for writing this! Like others, it really hit home for me.
It is only human nature to see the success and acclaim of others and wonder what is happening, or not, in our own efforts to not get more widely noticed. You're right, though: beyond a certain subscription point, you cannot scale up your ability to maintain intimacy and community. I agree that those qualities are what makes this venue a special place. Our Notes feeds are hit with announcements of new subscriber achievements and publishing deals, which are great for the recipients, but this venue can be so much more than "Twitter with a Publishing Offramp."
It feels like Hamish, et al want Substack to go crazy with Uber-writers boasting loads of revenue-driving paid subscribers but as the old adage goes, "quantity is not quality." Certain fast food places may sell the most burgers and fries, but that doesn't mean they make the best ones, just those most frequently bought. As long as even one person reads us, we're visible. So long as one or two engage and leave comments, we've made connection. More is merrier but just a few can still have a great party. Thanks for always hosting the coziest, most encouraging and welcoming scene on Substack.
"As long as even one person reads us, we're visible. So long as one or two engage and leave comments, we've made connection. More is merrier but just a few can still have a great party. " Thank you for this. I love it.
And I can't help it--I love, love, LOVE that last line! ❤️
Are you kidding me? Your compliment just marked a high point of my existence! I am positively beaming right now. Your generosity is amazing. Please, never change.
I am honored to have you subscribe. If you find even one more line you love, or even like, while rummaging through my Substack, I'm completely gratified.
I marvel that every single person I meet and treasure on Substack I would never have met any other way. Like Ramona. When would we ever have crossed paths? I am so grateful that while Substack pushes big names and revenues (as they must), we all have the use of this platform for nerding out with like minds.
We are quite a bunch, aren't we? And to think we found each other here--as if fate had this in mind and, while the creators of Substack think they've created this megalomonolith (I made that up) or metrodome or whatever the heck they think this is, all along we were waiting for it to be finished so we could NERD OUT WITH LIKE MINDS.
Yes! Nerding out is what the truly cool kids do. You're so right. I've definitely made connections and interacted with interesting people I wouldn't have encountered, if not for crossing paths on this app. I hope we can continue to foster interactive, interesting, generous, stimulating and intellectually nutritious spaces, even as we grow our Substacks.
I think it’s good that you stick to your wants more than the thought of pleasing a publisher. I’m glad you write. Very few have the courage to do it—because it’s insane.
I feel this frustration, Ramona. I came here to have deeper, more meaningful conversations with smart people first and foremost. Now I have hundreds of those types of folks I can engage with regularly, and I love it! But I can't be involved in every deep dive any more either, and I have to be selective.
Also, just anecdotally: the small amount of fame I've experienced during my lifetime has led me to the conclusion that fame is almost always horrible.
Maybe "known" is a better way to describe it. I've been in rooms with a few hundred folks where most of them knew who I was (grappling tournaments I was organizing and running), and I've been invited to go teach and people have paid money for that, but whatever you call it, it's icky whenever folks recognize me and I want to be left alone.
It's great to have folks who like you and want to support you, but not at the expense of your privacy and freedom.
Yes, there's something to that. I cringe when someone's privacy is made a mockery of by splashing something they've done all over the front pages simply because they're famous. As if their fame takes away their right to live their lives as a private person. Awful.
Ma Ramona! I am blessed to read this. And I appreciate meeting ma Bonnie Samuel for reposting this so I could see it. To be sincere, not all of us wants to be famous. Some of us just want a normal life: living with our close friends and family, not having much nor lacking, just enough to survive for the day.
Also, be it you save a soul or thousands, what matters is you saving soul, the numbers are just figures.
There's huge blessing in being oneself. Succumbing to conditions attached to being famous makes one lose authenticity. And not being yourself I regard as the greatest sin of all.
Reading your post is a blessing ma. Stay blessed. Ma Bonnie Samuel, you also be blessed. You both are good souls. Is a blessing meeting you both.
At the risk of saying "Ditto", I agree. I want you to write as you wish and I want to be part of your community. I suspect most of the "influencers" on whatever platform will quickly flame out and disappear. Quality lasts; flash doesn't.
You are a part of this community, Randy, and I'm glad to have you here!
That term 'influencer' is fairly new and I'm always a bit suspicious when I hear it. It's like 'star'. It puts people on pedestals they don't necessarily deserve. When they fade out or crash everyone is surprised--as if it wasn't bound to happen.
What makes me uncomfortable about that term "influencer" is that it is often self-applied by someone whose sole motivation is to be famous, then to "monitize" it. (Another new and suspicious term.) This often takes the form of, "Give me something for free. I'm an influencer." I would rather be part of this distinguished community of thoughtful, articulate, respectful misfits, bad fits, unfits, loose fits, poor fits, and English teachers. (Did I leave anyone out?)
Attagirl! Really appreciating you in this post, Ramona, and the rock-solid ground you're standing on today. I don't think I ever got fully invested in the quest to be famous (or "known"), mostly because I don't have the deep, internal confidence that it would ever happen. But, I still needed a refresher on the value of being whatever it is we are. Not ordinary--there are few who are willing to be this vulnerable, or this stubborn. I guess it's about trusting that we matter, no matter the size of our sphere of influence.
A friend of mine, now in her 80s, started a non-profit in her 50s, saying that she wanted to leave a legacy. I admired her for that but also felt that leaving a legacy could be as simple as making a difference to your friends and family.
Yeah, I think we all want to be seen and heard, and if we can make a difference, who wouldn't want that? I love what your friend has been doing. That is 'making a difference'!
I just want to keep this community going and I'm glad you and the others are here to share it with me. Thank you!
Well...where did it go? I know I answered you! I'm going to go sleuthing to see if I can find it. I'll be back!
Found it! It was buried deep up above. I don't know how to lead you to it, but this is what I said:
I'm glad you're here, Pastor Peg. What can I do to help you see that anything you contribute would be meaningful to someone? Because it's true, you know.
But in the meantime, why not start out by writing about nothing? I got away with it once, myself.
https://writereverlasting.substack.com/p/i-dont-feel-like-writing-today
I agree with you 100%!
Compadre! I'm so glad!
I learned early on in my publishing career that you can always let other peoples' success get you down--or you can just wish them well or even ignore it and focus on what you're writing and enjoy the ride. I remember a writer friend who had lunch with a first-time author whose book sold *500,000 copies* in hc and was on the front page of the NYTBR. This best-selling author was miserable because he hadn't been nominated for a Pulitzer.... My immigrant mother once said, "There is no such thing as enough in America." And I think it's true for lots of people.
Your mother knew what she was talking about! I remember my 'glory days' in Detroit, when some of the best, including Elmore Leonard, were finding their places in the sun. You know what set them apart? They never bragged about their success. Their work meant everything. So this new world, now that I'm this old, is confusing, to say the least.
It took me a while but I finally know my place.
What's super crazy in book publishing now is that agents and editors want authors who are influencers with huge followings on TikTok or Insta. As if that automatically translates into book sales....
I'm glad you're here, Pastor Peg. What can I do to help you see that anything you contribute would be meaningful to someone? Because it's true, you know.
But in the meantime, why not start out by writing about nothing? I got away with it once, myself.
https://writereverlasting.substack.com/p/i-dont-feel-like-writing-today
That's the really crazy part. What does any of it have to do with good writing?
What would Hemingway say to that??
Not much, since often very bad writing is often successful. People don't realize it, but Dickens was massively outsold in his time by Bulwer-Lytton.
Oy...
Now *there’s* a name one doesn’t see very often without looking for it! 😂
And for good reason... 😂
I need exactly this today. Thank you!
I read this twice, Ramona. I agree...it's the conversation, new ideas, thoughtful reflection and friends. Count me in! That is certainly what I find positive about Sub -- great stories and easy chair reading!
BYW, have you considered serializing your book(s) online?
Yes, all of that!
As for my books, they're not completely finished so until they are I wouldn't want to try serializing them. I could go off on some tangent and have to backtrack and then where would I be? 😂
Exactly.
In my mind, you're already famous.
Oh, pshaw! 😘
I learned I didn't want to be famous back in the Aughts when I was an entertainment journalist and spent time in LA (primarily TV). Seeing close up the pressures of being famous made me realize the good part wasn't worth the bad part
As for having an audience of thousands and losing that intimacy, yes and no, at least for us. We're at about 4500 now and while I know I won't have personal interactions with the vast majority of those folks, we still respond to every comment. More than that, within that 4500 people are what I'll call "superfans" who read everything we write, leave lots of comments (both on articles and on Facebook) and with whom we regularly interact. When I write, it's those folks I write for and think about and it still feels intimate to me.
'Superfans', yes! You and Brent do such a good job of being yourselves and sharing who you are. It's no wonder you're enjoying your work here. And, of course, we get to enjoy it, too!
Thank you for your friendship, Michael. I'm a huge fan!
Back at you, Ramona.
Congrats on 4,500 subscribers, and big respect for still responding to every comment. Gotta ask: Is there a point at which a "superfan" becomes a "groupie," or worse, a "stalker?" I feel like I'm that person for a few folks I follow here (including Ramona) and hope showing up like a bad penny lands toward the good end of the attention spectrum rather than the opposite.
😬 😅 🫣
OMG, Elizabeth, I would never think that of you! I smile when I see you're here, in fact. You add so much to our bunch!
Hmmm, interesting question and the answer is...yes. We've had one or two folks over the years in our capacity running a website back in the Aughts who crossed the line and became annoying. But it comes with the territory and I'm sure is much much scarier for women.
I love this post. I can definitely relate to your sentiment. Do you see much difference between posts on Substack versus Medium? I feel like there are more opportunities for conversations here instead of Medium. What do you think?
I feel much more at home here and among friends than I ever did at Medium. It's a completely different neighborhood, for me at least.
I'm so glad I found Substack.
You have voiced my sentiments perfectly.
This was such an inspired and inspiring piece. Thank you for writing this! Like others, it really hit home for me.
It is only human nature to see the success and acclaim of others and wonder what is happening, or not, in our own efforts to not get more widely noticed. You're right, though: beyond a certain subscription point, you cannot scale up your ability to maintain intimacy and community. I agree that those qualities are what makes this venue a special place. Our Notes feeds are hit with announcements of new subscriber achievements and publishing deals, which are great for the recipients, but this venue can be so much more than "Twitter with a Publishing Offramp."
It feels like Hamish, et al want Substack to go crazy with Uber-writers boasting loads of revenue-driving paid subscribers but as the old adage goes, "quantity is not quality." Certain fast food places may sell the most burgers and fries, but that doesn't mean they make the best ones, just those most frequently bought. As long as even one person reads us, we're visible. So long as one or two engage and leave comments, we've made connection. More is merrier but just a few can still have a great party. Thanks for always hosting the coziest, most encouraging and welcoming scene on Substack.
"As long as even one person reads us, we're visible. So long as one or two engage and leave comments, we've made connection. More is merrier but just a few can still have a great party. " Thank you for this. I love it.
And I can't help it--I love, love, LOVE that last line! ❤️
Are you kidding me? Your compliment just marked a high point of my existence! I am positively beaming right now. Your generosity is amazing. Please, never change.
You're making me blush! But don't stop... 😘
I just subscribed to your newsletter. I don't know how I missed doing it before. On the same wavelength.
I am honored to have you subscribe. If you find even one more line you love, or even like, while rummaging through my Substack, I'm completely gratified.
I marvel that every single person I meet and treasure on Substack I would never have met any other way. Like Ramona. When would we ever have crossed paths? I am so grateful that while Substack pushes big names and revenues (as they must), we all have the use of this platform for nerding out with like minds.
We are quite a bunch, aren't we? And to think we found each other here--as if fate had this in mind and, while the creators of Substack think they've created this megalomonolith (I made that up) or metrodome or whatever the heck they think this is, all along we were waiting for it to be finished so we could NERD OUT WITH LIKE MINDS.
Devious little buggers, aren't we?
(LOVE it!) 😘
Nerding, nerding, nerding.... 🤓
Yes! Nerding out is what the truly cool kids do. You're so right. I've definitely made connections and interacted with interesting people I wouldn't have encountered, if not for crossing paths on this app. I hope we can continue to foster interactive, interesting, generous, stimulating and intellectually nutritious spaces, even as we grow our Substacks.
Yes! Peace out!
I think it’s good that you stick to your wants more than the thought of pleasing a publisher. I’m glad you write. Very few have the courage to do it—because it’s insane.
It is insane, isn't it? Insanely wonderful. Except for those times when it isn't. May they always be few and far between.
Yes. :)
I feel this frustration, Ramona. I came here to have deeper, more meaningful conversations with smart people first and foremost. Now I have hundreds of those types of folks I can engage with regularly, and I love it! But I can't be involved in every deep dive any more either, and I have to be selective.
Also, just anecdotally: the small amount of fame I've experienced during my lifetime has led me to the conclusion that fame is almost always horrible.
I have been 'known' but never famous. I hear it's not all it's cracked up to be--but very few would give it up once they've had a taste.
I guess I should be thankful I've never had a taste!
Maybe "known" is a better way to describe it. I've been in rooms with a few hundred folks where most of them knew who I was (grappling tournaments I was organizing and running), and I've been invited to go teach and people have paid money for that, but whatever you call it, it's icky whenever folks recognize me and I want to be left alone.
It's great to have folks who like you and want to support you, but not at the expense of your privacy and freedom.
Yes, there's something to that. I cringe when someone's privacy is made a mockery of by splashing something they've done all over the front pages simply because they're famous. As if their fame takes away their right to live their lives as a private person. Awful.
I know a lot of people make fun of the royal family for being spoiled brats and all that, but... I would not trade my life for theirs. #nope
Ma Ramona! I am blessed to read this. And I appreciate meeting ma Bonnie Samuel for reposting this so I could see it. To be sincere, not all of us wants to be famous. Some of us just want a normal life: living with our close friends and family, not having much nor lacking, just enough to survive for the day.
Also, be it you save a soul or thousands, what matters is you saving soul, the numbers are just figures.
There's huge blessing in being oneself. Succumbing to conditions attached to being famous makes one lose authenticity. And not being yourself I regard as the greatest sin of all.
Reading your post is a blessing ma. Stay blessed. Ma Bonnie Samuel, you also be blessed. You both are good souls. Is a blessing meeting you both.
Thank you!
You welcome ma
I came to the same conclusion. It is community that is essential.
At the risk of saying "Ditto", I agree. I want you to write as you wish and I want to be part of your community. I suspect most of the "influencers" on whatever platform will quickly flame out and disappear. Quality lasts; flash doesn't.
You are a part of this community, Randy, and I'm glad to have you here!
That term 'influencer' is fairly new and I'm always a bit suspicious when I hear it. It's like 'star'. It puts people on pedestals they don't necessarily deserve. When they fade out or crash everyone is surprised--as if it wasn't bound to happen.
What makes me uncomfortable about that term "influencer" is that it is often self-applied by someone whose sole motivation is to be famous, then to "monitize" it. (Another new and suspicious term.) This often takes the form of, "Give me something for free. I'm an influencer." I would rather be part of this distinguished community of thoughtful, articulate, respectful misfits, bad fits, unfits, loose fits, poor fits, and English teachers. (Did I leave anyone out?)
LOL. You pegged it. Exactly!
And I'll proudly call myself any one of those 'misfits'.
Attagirl! Really appreciating you in this post, Ramona, and the rock-solid ground you're standing on today. I don't think I ever got fully invested in the quest to be famous (or "known"), mostly because I don't have the deep, internal confidence that it would ever happen. But, I still needed a refresher on the value of being whatever it is we are. Not ordinary--there are few who are willing to be this vulnerable, or this stubborn. I guess it's about trusting that we matter, no matter the size of our sphere of influence.
A friend of mine, now in her 80s, started a non-profit in her 50s, saying that she wanted to leave a legacy. I admired her for that but also felt that leaving a legacy could be as simple as making a difference to your friends and family.
Yeah, I think we all want to be seen and heard, and if we can make a difference, who wouldn't want that? I love what your friend has been doing. That is 'making a difference'!
I just want to keep this community going and I'm glad you and the others are here to share it with me. Thank you!