Ugh I really think it's only possible to disconnect money from writing (assuming writing is your job) if you're independently wealthy or, yes, very successful. So many successful writers separate the money aspect and it makes me wonder if they just...forgot what it used to be like?
I totally agree with your assessment. I love your newsletter so much for many reasons but one reason is that you give a pedestrian like me a view into the literary world which has always felt so foreign to me. (I'm a fashion person!) It's interesting to learn about the hang ups and codes of that world where people are MFA'ed up and striving for a book deal. I have always loved writing for some reason unbeknownst to me and ever since 5th grade when my teacher called my parents to urge them to get me into special writing extracurriculars (they never did, lol) I knew I was pretty good at it, but never pursued it in any other way other than just for fun. I have a newsletter of my own now and have a smattering of articles out there on the internet for some interesting outlets, but it's most certainly not my day job. I've done enough therapy, retreats, and self help-y exploration over the past 20 years or so that I do not shy away from calling myself a writer, though-- all in the name of "naming" the thing I want to do and for putting it out into the universe reasons. I'm sure many people in more rigid literary circles would say I'm not a writer, and that's honestly fine. And I get it, too. I'm not like them whatsoever. Different paths! But I kinda think putting yourself out there in any way is a creative act (yes I have read The Artist's Way, lol) and it's not easy to do. It took me two years of impostor syndrome-style mental gymnastics before I hit "publish" on my own newsletter. The self doubts were cruel and treacherous to overcome. That's why I get annoyed by this ongoing sentiment that "everyone has a Substack" like it's this easy thing to erect like joining Tik Tok or setting up an account on Instagram. (OK, some of this critique is legitimate but not always!) The front load set up of Substack alone will scare anyone with a slight tech aversion away, tbh. Some of us didn't have the guidance or the resources to pursue writing in a traditional way and that's why Substack is kinda cool for a lot of people. Anyway! Your sentiment about the critic coming from a place of privilege--as in probably already published themselves-- is spot on! Whenever I read these types of critiques there is a whiff of something icky that I could never put words around. You did! Anyway, your POV is appreciated! <3
Ugh I really think it's only possible to disconnect money from writing (assuming writing is your job) if you're independently wealthy or, yes, very successful. So many successful writers separate the money aspect and it makes me wonder if they just...forgot what it used to be like?
I totally agree with your assessment. I love your newsletter so much for many reasons but one reason is that you give a pedestrian like me a view into the literary world which has always felt so foreign to me. (I'm a fashion person!) It's interesting to learn about the hang ups and codes of that world where people are MFA'ed up and striving for a book deal. I have always loved writing for some reason unbeknownst to me and ever since 5th grade when my teacher called my parents to urge them to get me into special writing extracurriculars (they never did, lol) I knew I was pretty good at it, but never pursued it in any other way other than just for fun. I have a newsletter of my own now and have a smattering of articles out there on the internet for some interesting outlets, but it's most certainly not my day job. I've done enough therapy, retreats, and self help-y exploration over the past 20 years or so that I do not shy away from calling myself a writer, though-- all in the name of "naming" the thing I want to do and for putting it out into the universe reasons. I'm sure many people in more rigid literary circles would say I'm not a writer, and that's honestly fine. And I get it, too. I'm not like them whatsoever. Different paths! But I kinda think putting yourself out there in any way is a creative act (yes I have read The Artist's Way, lol) and it's not easy to do. It took me two years of impostor syndrome-style mental gymnastics before I hit "publish" on my own newsletter. The self doubts were cruel and treacherous to overcome. That's why I get annoyed by this ongoing sentiment that "everyone has a Substack" like it's this easy thing to erect like joining Tik Tok or setting up an account on Instagram. (OK, some of this critique is legitimate but not always!) The front load set up of Substack alone will scare anyone with a slight tech aversion away, tbh. Some of us didn't have the guidance or the resources to pursue writing in a traditional way and that's why Substack is kinda cool for a lot of people. Anyway! Your sentiment about the critic coming from a place of privilege--as in probably already published themselves-- is spot on! Whenever I read these types of critiques there is a whiff of something icky that I could never put words around. You did! Anyway, your POV is appreciated! <3
Loved the quip about a Massachusetts Bay Colony rating.
I recently compared the level of attractiveness in my upper east side hair salon, where I get my haircut to the people in the Times Square, M&M store
It’s a tough comp!