My number one writing tip is to procrastinate. That piece isn't going to write itself, and you shouldn't either. Instead, go for a walk. Clean the house. Do a puzzle. Cook. Call a friend. Call a stranger. Call a strange friend. Literally, do anything instead of writing. This is the way.
I love this idea. I find that when I'm often NOT writing, I can think broadly and clearly about what I might want to write and how. So many ideas. Thanks.
The moleskin inner monologue is too real. Feeling seen, held, and quite frankly, healed. Brb going to journal about it in one of several previously abandoned moleskins rotting in my desk
I recently paid for a substack in a moment of whimsy, and maybe because the writer wrote a persuasive page encouraging me to do so. And then this political writer started going all religious and I Really regretted spending all that cash that I cannot afford. But I wish I had spent it on yours, which is regularly amusing and charming.
I learned from Metalocalypse co-founder Brendon Small. He said if he has a deadline he’ll wait til the last available moment and just do it. His logic is sorta like, hey, the same person trying to start this three weeks ago is still me, so it’ll work. Pretty sure he did this for music for the animated show, scripts, etc.
In response to your comment as a response to me a week or so ago, here's my reply.
It took me this long because I've lost of my computer skills. SOO, here it is.
Back in the stone age, REAL news writing and reporting were based and taught, grounded with what was called ETHICS. Sorta like doctors, whose creed is Do No Harm. Course, their true goal these days is "Give me the money!" Thanks to television, followed by radio, with profits as the main goal, "News" is now guided by "gotcha" journalism. SCOOP! EXCLUSIVE! You'll read/hear/see it here FIRST! Even the real motto of the New York Times is All The News That Fits, We Print. This came to a head as I was sitting behind a daily newspaper's desk as Editor. I decided I was so tired flying a desk, with all the Big News Guns running amuck, so I became a teacher; history, government, and journalism, teaching high school and even college students (and educators) what REAL journalism was all about. Hell, I even had a few class sessions on reading and writing poetry. I also did seminars, workshops around the country during the summers. Anyway I could keep my wife and kids fed, clothed, and educated. But now, I'm thinking of starting a substack. SOO, my next question is: How do you manage to find enough time to write? My time squeeze is physical and occupational therapy, followed by watching TV series my wife and daughter select. Hidden reason: I enjoy what they watch. I know that's probably my problem, but I think I could pump out one or two columns a week. I'm a chatterbox, right?
#1 writing tip: don't compare your progress/productivity to other writers. You are not them and they are not you. When I was writing YA fiction, I would read about authors being able to crank X number of words a day and I'd think, "Well, fuck. I'd be lucky to get 100, let alone 1500!" My muse could be a fickle bitch and didn't want to cooperate sometimes. And then I realized, BECAUSE of my Fickle Bitch Muse, I had 100-word days and other days I'd be water and flowing like a river. I was never going to be like those other writers. I was just going to be me.
My #1 tip is to find talented writers on Substack who are able to express their full selves in a way that both inspires you and fills you with envy, and to then reflect on why you can't operate with an abundance mindset, why it always needs to be a competition, and how to escape this self-imposed prison you have created and furnished over the years.
My no1 writing tip is get so tired to the point of delusion that your internal filter and critic is asleep already so you can just write whatever you want for once without usual inhibitions
i wrote a recap of substack success tips from non gutter voices and it received enough grade c traction to not be face palmy about but now you post this and what was it all for alex
As a spiral notebook kinda guy (steno pads especially, since I’m left handed), I have a question. What is a moleskin? Is it the skin of a burrowing animal? A stitching together of little blemishes? The remnants of a captured double-agent? What?
My number one writing tip is to procrastinate. That piece isn't going to write itself, and you shouldn't either. Instead, go for a walk. Clean the house. Do a puzzle. Cook. Call a friend. Call a stranger. Call a strange friend. Literally, do anything instead of writing. This is the way.
I want you to know I read this whole comment instead of writing today. Thanks!
You're crushing it, Sam!
Just followin’ my bliss is all
I love this idea. I find that when I'm often NOT writing, I can think broadly and clearly about what I might want to write and how. So many ideas. Thanks.
Can I quote you? My inner Monkeys 🐒 are saying the Zact same thing but you said it better
Quote me all you like!
Lols I love this. So true!
The more you tell yourself you need to write the more you end up vacuuming. The science checks out. My apartment has never been cleaner.
It was like that for me for a while, then Notes came along…
The moleskin inner monologue is too real. Feeling seen, held, and quite frankly, healed. Brb going to journal about it in one of several previously abandoned moleskins rotting in my desk
Better to buy a new one. You know, a fresh start.
Why are you wasting your time on Substack? Let’s get that “car wash but for humans” going!
I’m waiting for the shops to open. I need a moleskin notebook.
I recently paid for a substack in a moment of whimsy, and maybe because the writer wrote a persuasive page encouraging me to do so. And then this political writer started going all religious and I Really regretted spending all that cash that I cannot afford. But I wish I had spent it on yours, which is regularly amusing and charming.
Always pay for comedy than politics
Car wash but for humans. 🤣🤣
Deadlines always gets my butt in gear even tho butt in gear is a weird description for motivation.
Better than “gear in butt.”
Haha. No you didn’t just say that. Haha.
I admit I embarrassed myself there.
I too have the sense of humor of a 14 year old boy.
I learned from Metalocalypse co-founder Brendon Small. He said if he has a deadline he’ll wait til the last available moment and just do it. His logic is sorta like, hey, the same person trying to start this three weeks ago is still me, so it’ll work. Pretty sure he did this for music for the animated show, scripts, etc.
Also, my secret shall be revealed in due time.
What a marvelous role model. I admire your admiration
Brendon Small knows it.
Hey, Alex:
In response to your comment as a response to me a week or so ago, here's my reply.
It took me this long because I've lost of my computer skills. SOO, here it is.
Back in the stone age, REAL news writing and reporting were based and taught, grounded with what was called ETHICS. Sorta like doctors, whose creed is Do No Harm. Course, their true goal these days is "Give me the money!" Thanks to television, followed by radio, with profits as the main goal, "News" is now guided by "gotcha" journalism. SCOOP! EXCLUSIVE! You'll read/hear/see it here FIRST! Even the real motto of the New York Times is All The News That Fits, We Print. This came to a head as I was sitting behind a daily newspaper's desk as Editor. I decided I was so tired flying a desk, with all the Big News Guns running amuck, so I became a teacher; history, government, and journalism, teaching high school and even college students (and educators) what REAL journalism was all about. Hell, I even had a few class sessions on reading and writing poetry. I also did seminars, workshops around the country during the summers. Anyway I could keep my wife and kids fed, clothed, and educated. But now, I'm thinking of starting a substack. SOO, my next question is: How do you manage to find enough time to write? My time squeeze is physical and occupational therapy, followed by watching TV series my wife and daughter select. Hidden reason: I enjoy what they watch. I know that's probably my problem, but I think I could pump out one or two columns a week. I'm a chatterbox, right?
Jack Harkrider
I’d read your stuff, Jack.
You absolutely have to see my collection of moleskins. They have doodles - that's it.
Tip = Deadlines
My inner self goes: ‘Like self-imposed deadlines? 🤣 You must be joking!’
🤣 I don't like them, but they are effective
#1 writing tip: don't compare your progress/productivity to other writers. You are not them and they are not you. When I was writing YA fiction, I would read about authors being able to crank X number of words a day and I'd think, "Well, fuck. I'd be lucky to get 100, let alone 1500!" My muse could be a fickle bitch and didn't want to cooperate sometimes. And then I realized, BECAUSE of my Fickle Bitch Muse, I had 100-word days and other days I'd be water and flowing like a river. I was never going to be like those other writers. I was just going to be me.
My #1 tip is to find talented writers on Substack who are able to express their full selves in a way that both inspires you and fills you with envy, and to then reflect on why you can't operate with an abundance mindset, why it always needs to be a competition, and how to escape this self-imposed prison you have created and furnished over the years.
My no1 writing tip is get so tired to the point of delusion that your internal filter and critic is asleep already so you can just write whatever you want for once without usual inhibitions
i wrote a recap of substack success tips from non gutter voices and it received enough grade c traction to not be face palmy about but now you post this and what was it all for alex
As a spiral notebook kinda guy (steno pads especially, since I’m left handed), I have a question. What is a moleskin? Is it the skin of a burrowing animal? A stitching together of little blemishes? The remnants of a captured double-agent? What?
That video is gold.