I can only speak for myself LaDonna. You DID find me (although technically I actually found you, so does it matter? ;-)
In my pre-retired life, I cared deeply about people liking my work, yet I never, ever advertised. Foolish? Not really because I built my "following" if you will, on word of mouth. Fortunately I was in the construction business (and my "work" actually got seen by people and talked about by even more), not a writer ;-). I grew enough to be able to be picky, very picky about who (and what kind of project) I worked for/with.
You are asking the right questions of yourself and your readers. I tell people I know and care for about you...because I like you and LOVE your writing. So, I don't really have any advice other than, keep doing what you are doing, and if you want or need more, do what needs to be done. Lastly, feel free to ask me or other readers for help if you want it!
This is marvelous. I don’t have anywhere near the talent you do, but I was writing on Wordpress many years ago and finally got so frustrated with the competitive numbers thing that I quit. Believe me, it was not a blow to humankind for readers to lose me. However, you need to know how much your readers appreciate what you do. Every time one of your posts pops up in my inbox, I’m excited to open it. Even my husband, who generally dedicates his reading time to doom scrolling the news, jumps at the opportunity to dive into your latest post. He loves them all, as do I. Please stick around for all of us out here, okay?
Thoughtful and honest and thought provoking. I'm a newbie to Substack (less than a year) and not so-so newbie to Portugal from America (2019). I want to write about what I want to write about and yet I too can't keep my eyes off the eyeballs. It's a dilemma! I'm mostly more than fine with it all, and so grateful to readers that take the time to read what I want to write.
I've been thinking about your post all day, which is not uncommon as your writing is always stirring. I don't want to presume I know how you feel but I want to share something that resonated with me when I heard it - Don't be afraid to take up space in this world. If you want people to read your work, ask them to read it. There is a huge differnce between selling yourself and selling out. You will never sell out.
Please do write what you need to write. I find your thoughts and musings allow/make me think and contemplate, which is much needed and appreciated in the hustle and bustle of the everday world. No question that the web and all of its iterations make us so much more aware of others (for better sometimes, but often not!) and what "everybody else is doing". Please be you, write for you (and us!) and eff the numbers. They're just numbers.
The difference is palpable; the result when one is guided by their internal compass versus one who follows external way markers. It’s real, soulful and penetrating.
The constant dilemma of artists in our contemporary age of capitalism! I, too, struggled with this dilemma as a younger person. Once I realized that, without a promotional strategy, my work would never, ever either be seen or provide any kind of financial support (even for itself, never mind for me), I basically gave up and walked away, became a school-teacher for a lot of years. Now that I'm a retired school-teacher, with (thank you jesus and the state legislature) a pension, I have returned to the artwork. I don't need to sell it, and getting eyeballs on it is somewhat incidental to the need to make it at all.
That you are continuing to wrestle with the work is really everything. All any of us can do is try to discern our next right step. I'm glad I stumbled onto your writing. Thank you.
Hi, I read numerous Substacks for different reasons - amusement, education, beauty. Your posts tend to fall primarily into the thought provoking category although that is not to say you don't also cover beauty, humor,,,,etc.
IF you were to succumb to the temptation to change based on numbers, then I suspect you would be less compelling.
I love your images ...really love them...and I agree with you...I feel so intimidated by the poetry and writing that I read here ...it's really good . I just send my poems via notes and uncheck the email thing. I feel I'm writing the poetry that works for me, I'm sharing it and that's all I can do.
You write because you have to write and you'll keep on jotting ideas and many posted "note to self" because we want to read you. After reading this, your latest brilliance, I was pulled in hard scrolling to CC the beat of hundreds of Substack folks who must share their world. I am amazed at the amount of words out there by the you-and-I's who graciously share their microcosm. And the people who read them, voyeristically I think, because I'm a curious peeper too. I'm definitely walking through your house when I read, opening the bottom dresser drawer where you keep the stuff they'll find after you die. Thank you for letting me. You are brave and true.....for writing honestly, for performing the uprooting and moving to a land whose language you don't speak. I am amazed at every word LaDonna writes. And a big thank you for offering your meaningful and personal writing classes that I participate in.
I understand the need to chase numbers, but it's like chasing wealth. Once you start the game, it's hard to get out of it. And whatever those numbers are, they are never going to satisfy you. Nor give you psychological contentment.
I am not a Substack writer, at least for now. But I like to think that if I did begin a regular series of writings, it's just for myself. My art. My being who I am. And you being who you are through your writings is the only thing that can truly connect you to your readers. That's what matters. And I hope you continue your good work.
I can only speak for myself LaDonna. You DID find me (although technically I actually found you, so does it matter? ;-)
In my pre-retired life, I cared deeply about people liking my work, yet I never, ever advertised. Foolish? Not really because I built my "following" if you will, on word of mouth. Fortunately I was in the construction business (and my "work" actually got seen by people and talked about by even more), not a writer ;-). I grew enough to be able to be picky, very picky about who (and what kind of project) I worked for/with.
You are asking the right questions of yourself and your readers. I tell people I know and care for about you...because I like you and LOVE your writing. So, I don't really have any advice other than, keep doing what you are doing, and if you want or need more, do what needs to be done. Lastly, feel free to ask me or other readers for help if you want it!
This is marvelous. I don’t have anywhere near the talent you do, but I was writing on Wordpress many years ago and finally got so frustrated with the competitive numbers thing that I quit. Believe me, it was not a blow to humankind for readers to lose me. However, you need to know how much your readers appreciate what you do. Every time one of your posts pops up in my inbox, I’m excited to open it. Even my husband, who generally dedicates his reading time to doom scrolling the news, jumps at the opportunity to dive into your latest post. He loves them all, as do I. Please stick around for all of us out here, okay?
Jo, I have to tell you that this is one of my favorite comments of all time. Thank you.
Thoughtful and honest and thought provoking. I'm a newbie to Substack (less than a year) and not so-so newbie to Portugal from America (2019). I want to write about what I want to write about and yet I too can't keep my eyes off the eyeballs. It's a dilemma! I'm mostly more than fine with it all, and so grateful to readers that take the time to read what I want to write.
I've been thinking about your post all day, which is not uncommon as your writing is always stirring. I don't want to presume I know how you feel but I want to share something that resonated with me when I heard it - Don't be afraid to take up space in this world. If you want people to read your work, ask them to read it. There is a huge differnce between selling yourself and selling out. You will never sell out.
Please do write what you need to write. I find your thoughts and musings allow/make me think and contemplate, which is much needed and appreciated in the hustle and bustle of the everday world. No question that the web and all of its iterations make us so much more aware of others (for better sometimes, but often not!) and what "everybody else is doing". Please be you, write for you (and us!) and eff the numbers. They're just numbers.
The difference is palpable; the result when one is guided by their internal compass versus one who follows external way markers. It’s real, soulful and penetrating.
The constant dilemma of artists in our contemporary age of capitalism! I, too, struggled with this dilemma as a younger person. Once I realized that, without a promotional strategy, my work would never, ever either be seen or provide any kind of financial support (even for itself, never mind for me), I basically gave up and walked away, became a school-teacher for a lot of years. Now that I'm a retired school-teacher, with (thank you jesus and the state legislature) a pension, I have returned to the artwork. I don't need to sell it, and getting eyeballs on it is somewhat incidental to the need to make it at all.
That you are continuing to wrestle with the work is really everything. All any of us can do is try to discern our next right step. I'm glad I stumbled onto your writing. Thank you.
Hi, I read numerous Substacks for different reasons - amusement, education, beauty. Your posts tend to fall primarily into the thought provoking category although that is not to say you don't also cover beauty, humor,,,,etc.
IF you were to succumb to the temptation to change based on numbers, then I suspect you would be less compelling.
Thanks, Molly!
I love your images ...really love them...and I agree with you...I feel so intimidated by the poetry and writing that I read here ...it's really good . I just send my poems via notes and uncheck the email thing. I feel I'm writing the poetry that works for me, I'm sharing it and that's all I can do.
I really enjoy the thoughtful way you ponder life. Thank you!
Algorithms are inhumane. You are a brilliant, feeling human. Thank you for your work. ❤️
I have spent much of this week thinking about Naomi Shihab Nye's poem, Famous.
Please keep writing in fire from an "urgent ache to create."
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47993/famous?utm_source=Poetry%20Foundation&utm_campaign=89abbe2613-NO_TITLE&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ff7136981c-89abbe2613-185679225&mc_cid=89abbe2613&mc_eid=40a78618fe
Ooof, Kim, that poem! Thank you for sharing it. I've read a lot of Naomi Shihab Nye but somehow never this one. It's perfect.
I love your writing also. I rarely comment but sometimes like a post. Please continue with the heartfelt honest posts & just ignore the rest. Hugs
Thank you, Ashley, for reading and for commenting on this one!
Here here friend. Exorcise it!!!
You write because you have to write and you'll keep on jotting ideas and many posted "note to self" because we want to read you. After reading this, your latest brilliance, I was pulled in hard scrolling to CC the beat of hundreds of Substack folks who must share their world. I am amazed at the amount of words out there by the you-and-I's who graciously share their microcosm. And the people who read them, voyeristically I think, because I'm a curious peeper too. I'm definitely walking through your house when I read, opening the bottom dresser drawer where you keep the stuff they'll find after you die. Thank you for letting me. You are brave and true.....for writing honestly, for performing the uprooting and moving to a land whose language you don't speak. I am amazed at every word LaDonna writes. And a big thank you for offering your meaningful and personal writing classes that I participate in.
I understand the need to chase numbers, but it's like chasing wealth. Once you start the game, it's hard to get out of it. And whatever those numbers are, they are never going to satisfy you. Nor give you psychological contentment.
I am not a Substack writer, at least for now. But I like to think that if I did begin a regular series of writings, it's just for myself. My art. My being who I am. And you being who you are through your writings is the only thing that can truly connect you to your readers. That's what matters. And I hope you continue your good work.