I love reading what you put up on substack, Beth. It truly is inspiring, following your intention. Since all I really write is poetry, I'm not quite sure yet how this platform will work for me. I don't do prose, or essays, or "inspirational" pieces. But, I will keep following you..
It is for poets too! There is actually a special feature in the posting window that allows for poems, to contain the shape in which they were written. Have a go!
I have just subscribed this morning. I have just started a creative writing course and saw you post on instagram so decided to join. I am very early in my writing journey and thought this would be a good place to start.
I have been here 11 months sharing stories of my small garden. I have tried to post monthly but have sometimes missed a month. I hope my stories will give joy and inspiration to others. My garden is more than just plants, it is also about the sounds of the bees, wind and rain, the cloud shapes in the sky (I live on a hill, there is a lot of sky) and the quiet moments to just sit with a cup of tea. I always have to go back to tweak my posts after I publish them despite checking for typos. I read recently (I can't remember who said it) that it is ok to go back and edit old posts, I shall follow that advice and spend some time during the cold dark days of January editing my posts.
I’ve been here about 7 weeks now and I’m absolutely loving it! I feel the same way about wanting to write personal essays... it feels as though the online writer in me has been bottled up the last few (10?) years since I stopped properly blogging and everything became about short-form / hook-y / attention-grabbing content. I still love Instagram, but what a joy it is to have found this place too 🤍 congrats on all your success so far Beth! ✨
Thank you for sharing! I am brand spanking new here (to the degree you can still see the shop creases in my figurative Substack new kid outfit) but so much of what you've said already resonates, like a big old boomy church bell.
I'm here for different reasons - to be inspired and to find the kindred spirits to light a path to where I want to go. Even do, the warmth, deep creativity and sense of community excites me in ways I never thought would happen. And if I get the chance to write a few things of my own along the way which please me, I'll be elated!
I've been here for nearly 5 months and I echo your sentiments entirely. I never had a blog 'back in the day' so I have discovered something like this for the first time in Substack. The generosity of the community, the breadth of the writing, the support and inspiration is astonishing. It feels so good because it doesn't feel like a marketplace. A place to be, create and breathe with like minded others. Just gorgeous 💕
I like who I am here....oooo I feel that. There is something about this platform and it’s space that feels different and is allowing me to be more kind and open hearted too. I stumbled on substack on a whim but it inspired me to start writing again and now I am filled with ideas and inspiration!
Really wonderful to hear you’ve had such a good experience here so far Beth! I’m not surprised! I started my Substack about 7 weeks ago, so I’m still very much a newbie and I’ve really enjoyed it here. I didn’t really come here as a writer, but more to share my illustrations but I do enjoy the writing bit too! I’m sure my writing could still do with some improving though, but it’s like you say, it doesn’t have to be perfect. The community is wonderful, thoughtful and inspiring, and I do feel that there’s a possibility here to grow in a way that’s healthy and sustainable. I came here after I got very disappointed and stressed out with instagram, and some friends recommended Substack. I’m glad I’ve listened. This place has been so much better for my mental health and it’s very strange but not having to do all these things I didn’t want to do to please the instagram gods has opened up a huge flow of new creative ideas. It’s so exciting to work on them. The only problem I have now is that I need to pace myself a bit cause in the past month I pushed myself a bit too much trying to create some really great Substack posts, really to the point of feeling a bit burned out 😬 But I really want to nurture this and I’m sure I’ll find the right rhythm, every time I post something I learn more about what works for me and what doesn’t.
Yes to this! I came here for the “noughties blog like simplicity” desperately missing on platforms craving algorithm compliance - and am not disappointed. Okay sure, the reach is lower, but the writing is BETTER. Because it’s so less forced. I do as you do, wait for the wave and surf it like hell when it’s here. And god it feels good. It feels like authenticity and childlike joy and creative explosions of light. And I’ve learnt so much and felt so connected from other writers work like yourself.
I've been here for about 9 months and resonate a lot with your observations, especially the generosity and community spirit on this platform. I launched my page 'The Therapy Room' somewhat impulsively - thank goodness, I think if I'd spent too much time looking at what others were doing I would have run for the hills with my imposter voice ringing loudly in my ears. I'm enjoying the organic process of letting my page reveal to me what it wants to be ❤️
I love this approach and I think you are exactly right - overthinking can get in the way here. I have found myself being very impulsive to in terms of topics etc. Good plan to let it show you what it wants to be, I am doing the same ❤️
I've been writing on Substack for a year, and I find it to be a playground for writers and readers, and mostly a space of support, encouragement, kindness and generosity which is exactly what writers need.✨🌟💖🙏🕊
I have been writing here for over a year and I love both community but also the sense I can write about things I care about without needing to have reason as you said - without trying to sell something - just because it needs to be expressed ❤️
Dear Beth, I wasn't new to Substack but I had only been a subscriber of other publications since last year. Then, I don't even remember how, I stumbled upon yout #tinyautumnpoem on Notes and I decided to start my own Substack. It's still an imperfect work in progress, but it makes me feel excited when I think about it, just like my blog used to do some years ago. Looking forward to read more of your essays!
Hi Beth! been here 2 years at first writing quietly about myself, only to realize that this is quite the community, so now I’m writing for the community it’s really so much more rewarding.
I’m writing about all the same things, but writing it for someone gives it a completely different kind of energy!
I only joined Substack after you shared on Instagram that your new book needed us 😊 it's a lovely platform, I find myself feeling calm after reading your essays and am tempted to take up writing myself! ❤️
I think I will! I've just started your Winter Writing Sanctuary, I'm so glad I didn't let too many days pass before starting, it's like meditation in the way that it relaxes me. I didn't think I was a writer, but then I listened to your video and realised I loved writing in my diary when I was younger, I had pen-pals in America too and wrote to family across the UK and in Australia, I cherished my scrapbooks with detailed descriptions next to concert tickets, photos and party invitations. So thank you for helping me realise that I am a writer - I can't wait to get properly stuck in!
I love reading what you put up on substack, Beth. It truly is inspiring, following your intention. Since all I really write is poetry, I'm not quite sure yet how this platform will work for me. I don't do prose, or essays, or "inspirational" pieces. But, I will keep following you..
It is for poets too! There is actually a special feature in the posting window that allows for poems, to contain the shape in which they were written. Have a go!
I used that when I put my screenplay up (behind my PAYWALL). It worked great!
Please post your poems. I love all forms of poetry.
I have just subscribed this morning. I have just started a creative writing course and saw you post on instagram so decided to join. I am very early in my writing journey and thought this would be a good place to start.
Welcome! It is really a wonderful place. I encourage you to just get going, don't over think it. Enjoy!
I have been here 11 months sharing stories of my small garden. I have tried to post monthly but have sometimes missed a month. I hope my stories will give joy and inspiration to others. My garden is more than just plants, it is also about the sounds of the bees, wind and rain, the cloud shapes in the sky (I live on a hill, there is a lot of sky) and the quiet moments to just sit with a cup of tea. I always have to go back to tweak my posts after I publish them despite checking for typos. I read recently (I can't remember who said it) that it is ok to go back and edit old posts, I shall follow that advice and spend some time during the cold dark days of January editing my posts.
I find that if I read it out loud to myself, I can "hear" the mistakes I've made and fix them. It's worked quite well.
Thank you for the tip
I’ve been here about 7 weeks now and I’m absolutely loving it! I feel the same way about wanting to write personal essays... it feels as though the online writer in me has been bottled up the last few (10?) years since I stopped properly blogging and everything became about short-form / hook-y / attention-grabbing content. I still love Instagram, but what a joy it is to have found this place too 🤍 congrats on all your success so far Beth! ✨
Hurrah! It sounds like there are many essays ready to spill forth!
Thank you for sharing! I am brand spanking new here (to the degree you can still see the shop creases in my figurative Substack new kid outfit) but so much of what you've said already resonates, like a big old boomy church bell.
I'm here for different reasons - to be inspired and to find the kindred spirits to light a path to where I want to go. Even do, the warmth, deep creativity and sense of community excites me in ways I never thought would happen. And if I get the chance to write a few things of my own along the way which please me, I'll be elated!
These are wonderful reasons to be here ❤️
I've been here for nearly 5 months and I echo your sentiments entirely. I never had a blog 'back in the day' so I have discovered something like this for the first time in Substack. The generosity of the community, the breadth of the writing, the support and inspiration is astonishing. It feels so good because it doesn't feel like a marketplace. A place to be, create and breathe with like minded others. Just gorgeous 💕
Yes exactly that!
I like who I am here....oooo I feel that. There is something about this platform and it’s space that feels different and is allowing me to be more kind and open hearted too. I stumbled on substack on a whim but it inspired me to start writing again and now I am filled with ideas and inspiration!
Really wonderful to hear you’ve had such a good experience here so far Beth! I’m not surprised! I started my Substack about 7 weeks ago, so I’m still very much a newbie and I’ve really enjoyed it here. I didn’t really come here as a writer, but more to share my illustrations but I do enjoy the writing bit too! I’m sure my writing could still do with some improving though, but it’s like you say, it doesn’t have to be perfect. The community is wonderful, thoughtful and inspiring, and I do feel that there’s a possibility here to grow in a way that’s healthy and sustainable. I came here after I got very disappointed and stressed out with instagram, and some friends recommended Substack. I’m glad I’ve listened. This place has been so much better for my mental health and it’s very strange but not having to do all these things I didn’t want to do to please the instagram gods has opened up a huge flow of new creative ideas. It’s so exciting to work on them. The only problem I have now is that I need to pace myself a bit cause in the past month I pushed myself a bit too much trying to create some really great Substack posts, really to the point of feeling a bit burned out 😬 But I really want to nurture this and I’m sure I’ll find the right rhythm, every time I post something I learn more about what works for me and what doesn’t.
Yes to this! I came here for the “noughties blog like simplicity” desperately missing on platforms craving algorithm compliance - and am not disappointed. Okay sure, the reach is lower, but the writing is BETTER. Because it’s so less forced. I do as you do, wait for the wave and surf it like hell when it’s here. And god it feels good. It feels like authenticity and childlike joy and creative explosions of light. And I’ve learnt so much and felt so connected from other writers work like yourself.
It's the best way to write, surely! So glad you have found this place
I've been here for about 9 months and resonate a lot with your observations, especially the generosity and community spirit on this platform. I launched my page 'The Therapy Room' somewhat impulsively - thank goodness, I think if I'd spent too much time looking at what others were doing I would have run for the hills with my imposter voice ringing loudly in my ears. I'm enjoying the organic process of letting my page reveal to me what it wants to be ❤️
I love this approach and I think you are exactly right - overthinking can get in the way here. I have found myself being very impulsive to in terms of topics etc. Good plan to let it show you what it wants to be, I am doing the same ❤️
I have just joined but I have a strong feeling that I've arrived at the right place. Thanks for sharing your experience here!
Welcome! I’m sure you’ll love it here!
I've been writing on Substack for a year, and I find it to be a playground for writers and readers, and mostly a space of support, encouragement, kindness and generosity which is exactly what writers need.✨🌟💖🙏🕊
A playground, yes! Too much seriousness and obsession with results in other places I think!
I have been writing here for over a year and I love both community but also the sense I can write about things I care about without needing to have reason as you said - without trying to sell something - just because it needs to be expressed ❤️
Dear Beth, I wasn't new to Substack but I had only been a subscriber of other publications since last year. Then, I don't even remember how, I stumbled upon yout #tinyautumnpoem on Notes and I decided to start my own Substack. It's still an imperfect work in progress, but it makes me feel excited when I think about it, just like my blog used to do some years ago. Looking forward to read more of your essays!
Hi Beth! been here 2 years at first writing quietly about myself, only to realize that this is quite the community, so now I’m writing for the community it’s really so much more rewarding.
I’m writing about all the same things, but writing it for someone gives it a completely different kind of energy!
Such an interesting observation! Thanks for sharing Adam
I only joined Substack after you shared on Instagram that your new book needed us 😊 it's a lovely platform, I find myself feeling calm after reading your essays and am tempted to take up writing myself! ❤️
Oh please do! It’s a wonderful place to do it.
I think I will! I've just started your Winter Writing Sanctuary, I'm so glad I didn't let too many days pass before starting, it's like meditation in the way that it relaxes me. I didn't think I was a writer, but then I listened to your video and realised I loved writing in my diary when I was younger, I had pen-pals in America too and wrote to family across the UK and in Australia, I cherished my scrapbooks with detailed descriptions next to concert tickets, photos and party invitations. So thank you for helping me realise that I am a writer - I can't wait to get properly stuck in!
Well this makes me happy! Enjoy Xx