Ramona, I rarely intentionally go back to read something I've written, but when I do, I usually think I wrote reasonably well back then. Sometimes I'll hear a little of my "voice" in that old writing, but usually what I notice is the structure just being messy. Things are a lot tighter for me these days.
That said, I've written like 250 things over the last 250 days! I want to do something like what you've done here, but I might need to rely on my readers to remind me of the things they've enjoyed. I'm not sure I have the stomach to look through all those old pieces.
Maybe don't look to your readers to tell you what they enjoy, but instead pick out a few of your own favorites. See if they coincide with what your readers liked.
I tended to choose pieces I liked that seemed the most neglected, but there are all kinds of criteria I could have used. I may do more of these as the year goes on, including some work I've published outside of Substack, or even some from decades ago.
I like roundups like this. It give those old pieces a chance to live again.
Good idea. I think that my main problem is that I don't remember very many individual pieces. I say what I want to say, have a good conversation with a few readers who comment and join the conversation, and then the next day arrives and I put a new idea out there.
I may just scroll through all of my titles and spend some time going through the stuff I enjoy the most. I appreciate you helping me think through this stuff, even though that's not what you made this post for!
Yes, I get that, too. "What was I thinking?" I don't know why I'm so obsessed with my old pieces. I've been doing this since I first began writing for publication, so it's too late to stop now!
I love it! I, too, reread my writing and find it joyous to update. (On the other hand, I never relistened to any of my podcasts or radio shows when I briefly did that a few years back.) And I find it wonderful to know what pieces writers I love loved crafting. So, I’m looking forward to exploring each of these. They’re in my cue for when it’s reading time! ♥️
Hey, quick question, Ramona. Did you get an email from me a few weeks back? No worries at all if so! I’m just trying to sort out if I know how to contact people off the app using the @substack email.
I just went to my emails and checked and I did get an email from you on 12/26! I completely missed it, but I'll read it carefully and get back with you soon. Sorry about that!
to be fair, I didn't see them when they first came out. Now I have! Well done. I often read what I've written, especially my 'toons. Much of the time it leads me to believe I'm brilliant, except when it doesn't. It's one of the reason I like doing encore presentations. Of course, I only encore the brilliant ones. The other ones, not so much.
I look forward to sitting down and reading these previous posts! So glad you shared.
Thank you! 💕
Ramona, I rarely intentionally go back to read something I've written, but when I do, I usually think I wrote reasonably well back then. Sometimes I'll hear a little of my "voice" in that old writing, but usually what I notice is the structure just being messy. Things are a lot tighter for me these days.
That said, I've written like 250 things over the last 250 days! I want to do something like what you've done here, but I might need to rely on my readers to remind me of the things they've enjoyed. I'm not sure I have the stomach to look through all those old pieces.
So you publish every day? I can't even imagine...
Maybe don't look to your readers to tell you what they enjoy, but instead pick out a few of your own favorites. See if they coincide with what your readers liked.
I tended to choose pieces I liked that seemed the most neglected, but there are all kinds of criteria I could have used. I may do more of these as the year goes on, including some work I've published outside of Substack, or even some from decades ago.
I like roundups like this. It give those old pieces a chance to live again.
Good idea. I think that my main problem is that I don't remember very many individual pieces. I say what I want to say, have a good conversation with a few readers who comment and join the conversation, and then the next day arrives and I put a new idea out there.
I may just scroll through all of my titles and spend some time going through the stuff I enjoy the most. I appreciate you helping me think through this stuff, even though that's not what you made this post for!
Sure I did! Of course I did! 😏
I like your style, Ramona.
👍👍👍
I almost never re-read old things, unless I have to. I'm usually afraid I'll read it and go, "Ugh, what we're you thinking?" LOL
Yes, I get that, too. "What was I thinking?" I don't know why I'm so obsessed with my old pieces. I've been doing this since I first began writing for publication, so it's too late to stop now!
I love it! I, too, reread my writing and find it joyous to update. (On the other hand, I never relistened to any of my podcasts or radio shows when I briefly did that a few years back.) And I find it wonderful to know what pieces writers I love loved crafting. So, I’m looking forward to exploring each of these. They’re in my cue for when it’s reading time! ♥️
Hey, quick question, Ramona. Did you get an email from me a few weeks back? No worries at all if so! I’m just trying to sort out if I know how to contact people off the app using the @substack email.
Thanks, Holly.
I just went to my emails and checked and I did get an email from you on 12/26! I completely missed it, but I'll read it carefully and get back with you soon. Sorry about that!
Honestly, not at all. Take your time! No hurry at all. I just wasn’t sure how else to check in. ;)
to be fair, I didn't see them when they first came out. Now I have! Well done. I often read what I've written, especially my 'toons. Much of the time it leads me to believe I'm brilliant, except when it doesn't. It's one of the reason I like doing encore presentations. Of course, I only encore the brilliant ones. The other ones, not so much.
Yep, I'm a re-reader. Good to know I'm not alone. Thanks for these previous posts, I'm saving them for later.