I used to have a really hard time switching between things too. That’s a lie, I still do. But I’ve resolved to just dive into things even if I’m not feeling like it. This shift has helped a lot with what I know can be a tormenting process.
Also, I don’t know what that dude is talking about. People should be subscribing because they value the art and no other reason. It’s not generosity if you expect an roi.
Yep, I hear you. I wrote about this subscribe-swap thing in a Note and it got about 190 likes, which for me is a lot and tells me it’s an issue everyone is wondering about.
I think it is insincere to subscribe to a newsletter that you don’t plan to read. And my gut tells me it’s not going to help anybody in the long run.
Re the unsubscribed subscriber: Honestly this is a very immature understanding of what support means! It should be authentic. And frankly it’s as if suddenly everyone just got the memo subscribe to everyone for the sole purpose of gain. Ive noticed this is the last few weeks, my subscriber numbers are going up rapidly but these are people subscribing sometimes to upwards of 400 stacks. I don’t like this trend. It seems very disingenuous. I want subscribers who are genuinely interested. When I see these I don’t check out their work because I assume
It’s a ploy. It makes it hard to actually evaluate one’s reach when people do this. You and I subscribed to each other mutually - the apparent reason being, we like each other’s work. Furthermore we have restacked each other on occasion from this genuine standpoint.
I guess I’m one of the exceptions to prove the rule - I do tend to go read old posts when I find someone whose musings strike a chord with me, as yours do. Your poll needed an E) All of the above option, IMHO cuz I will read whatever you’re inspired to scribble. So, please lean into the process and love yourself a little more! I’m sure I’m not alone 😉
Thank you for stating some pretty obvious stuff. I am also overwhelmed with all of it - writing, reading, subscribing, commenting, etc. It takes time and concentration to do any of it well. I appreciate all the good writing on this platform and enjoy reading whatever I can squeeze into my day.
"I need to be alone and uninterrupted for at least twelve hours to write one usable page of fiction. My mind must be free of reality, empty of my surroundings, devoid of other work, and unfettered by my self-consciousness."
This makes me feel better.! You're in good company.
I can’t understand anyone being upset because a subscription wasn’t reciprocal. I’m under a waterfall of posts and try to at least look at each one to see if it is something that catches my eye - and that’s the best I can promise. I know that a lot of work goes into each post, and I feel assured someone will find it the best thing they read all day. No one reads everything they see. I just came from a bookstore … every author in there would have liked me to have bought their book. Interesting post, though, and I enjoyed reading a little about your process. Keep up the great work!
I resonate with the balancing act of writing and connecting, and definitely don’t feel there’s a reciprocal subscribe expectation. Sure, it would be nice if all the publications and artists we enjoy throughout our lives supported us in the same way, but not if it feels forced and disingenuous.
Also sometimes you need to move on from a subscription and spread your attention (and resources) around supporting different voices and art.
Hopefully we can all enjoy the resonance we have with each other now without weighing it down, and move fluidly when it feels right.
Never try to please "everyone" - please your Creator and your beloved ones and leave the rest to their "misery" or "joy" - whatever they choose to chase.
I would LOVE to see more of your prose, Corey!! Any "essay" is always welcome too!
Well, Claude Monet had picked a bunch of spring flowers. Paul Cezanne was in an orchard picking apples (not many left after Augustine and his friends picked them and threw them to the pigs). So, Monet said to Cezanne that he would buy his apples that were sitting on a chair but only if Cezanne bought his spring flowers. Cezanne told Monet to stick his flowers up his ass. They'll probably smell better. Enter post-Impressionism.
The comment you received from the person who unsubscribed is so strange for a bunch of reasons but what strikes me as weird about it is — does that imply they just subscribed to get a subscription back??
I related to your struggle of trying to keep up with reading other newsletters, responding to comments, and also writing your own work — it can become a lot real quick.
This is why I left Medium. Too much read for read going on there. If the only way we can get read is as a return “favor” then I’m wasting my time. I would rather have fewer, real readers. I was spending way too much time on there and it wasn’t sustainable.
I read this and made me think of those who unsubscribe. That’s cool. If someone leaves they have reasons not necessarily aligned with me or what I write. I read your posts whenever I can and remember. I read your posts regardless of whether you are subscribed to my page. (Why aren’t you though?) Only joking. Writing is in need of space and time and you give yourself that. No need to explain. Keep telling your stories. That’s what matters. People should be free to come and go. As creators and writers we spend too much time on admin instead of writing and that is not helpful. Respect.
I completely understand your stace. I know it may sound harsh but I am absolutely done with the kindergarten mentality of " if you don't like me the same way then I don't like you." I see it on twitter constantly when promoting my own writing. Those types of people don't want to build true community. They want to cold network and a business transaction. To those types of people I say "fuck you and get off my porch."
That's a lot. I wish I had more time. The truth is, I am terrible at self-promotion and even worse at the promotion of others. When the choice come down to promotion or writing, I write.
I used to have a really hard time switching between things too. That’s a lie, I still do. But I’ve resolved to just dive into things even if I’m not feeling like it. This shift has helped a lot with what I know can be a tormenting process.
Also, I don’t know what that dude is talking about. People should be subscribing because they value the art and no other reason. It’s not generosity if you expect an roi.
Yep, I hear you. I wrote about this subscribe-swap thing in a Note and it got about 190 likes, which for me is a lot and tells me it’s an issue everyone is wondering about.
I think it is insincere to subscribe to a newsletter that you don’t plan to read. And my gut tells me it’s not going to help anybody in the long run.
Re the unsubscribed subscriber: Honestly this is a very immature understanding of what support means! It should be authentic. And frankly it’s as if suddenly everyone just got the memo subscribe to everyone for the sole purpose of gain. Ive noticed this is the last few weeks, my subscriber numbers are going up rapidly but these are people subscribing sometimes to upwards of 400 stacks. I don’t like this trend. It seems very disingenuous. I want subscribers who are genuinely interested. When I see these I don’t check out their work because I assume
It’s a ploy. It makes it hard to actually evaluate one’s reach when people do this. You and I subscribed to each other mutually - the apparent reason being, we like each other’s work. Furthermore we have restacked each other on occasion from this genuine standpoint.
I guess I’m one of the exceptions to prove the rule - I do tend to go read old posts when I find someone whose musings strike a chord with me, as yours do. Your poll needed an E) All of the above option, IMHO cuz I will read whatever you’re inspired to scribble. So, please lean into the process and love yourself a little more! I’m sure I’m not alone 😉
Thank you for stating some pretty obvious stuff. I am also overwhelmed with all of it - writing, reading, subscribing, commenting, etc. It takes time and concentration to do any of it well. I appreciate all the good writing on this platform and enjoy reading whatever I can squeeze into my day.
"I need to be alone and uninterrupted for at least twelve hours to write one usable page of fiction. My mind must be free of reality, empty of my surroundings, devoid of other work, and unfettered by my self-consciousness."
This makes me feel better.! You're in good company.
I can’t understand anyone being upset because a subscription wasn’t reciprocal. I’m under a waterfall of posts and try to at least look at each one to see if it is something that catches my eye - and that’s the best I can promise. I know that a lot of work goes into each post, and I feel assured someone will find it the best thing they read all day. No one reads everything they see. I just came from a bookstore … every author in there would have liked me to have bought their book. Interesting post, though, and I enjoyed reading a little about your process. Keep up the great work!
I resonate with the balancing act of writing and connecting, and definitely don’t feel there’s a reciprocal subscribe expectation. Sure, it would be nice if all the publications and artists we enjoy throughout our lives supported us in the same way, but not if it feels forced and disingenuous.
Also sometimes you need to move on from a subscription and spread your attention (and resources) around supporting different voices and art.
Hopefully we can all enjoy the resonance we have with each other now without weighing it down, and move fluidly when it feels right.
Never try to please "everyone" - please your Creator and your beloved ones and leave the rest to their "misery" or "joy" - whatever they choose to chase.
I would LOVE to see more of your prose, Corey!! Any "essay" is always welcome too!
PRESS ON, dear soul!! You are NEVER alone.
Well, Claude Monet had picked a bunch of spring flowers. Paul Cezanne was in an orchard picking apples (not many left after Augustine and his friends picked them and threw them to the pigs). So, Monet said to Cezanne that he would buy his apples that were sitting on a chair but only if Cezanne bought his spring flowers. Cezanne told Monet to stick his flowers up his ass. They'll probably smell better. Enter post-Impressionism.
The comment you received from the person who unsubscribed is so strange for a bunch of reasons but what strikes me as weird about it is — does that imply they just subscribed to get a subscription back??
I related to your struggle of trying to keep up with reading other newsletters, responding to comments, and also writing your own work — it can become a lot real quick.
Thanks Corey :)
This is why I left Medium. Too much read for read going on there. If the only way we can get read is as a return “favor” then I’m wasting my time. I would rather have fewer, real readers. I was spending way too much time on there and it wasn’t sustainable.
I read this and made me think of those who unsubscribe. That’s cool. If someone leaves they have reasons not necessarily aligned with me or what I write. I read your posts whenever I can and remember. I read your posts regardless of whether you are subscribed to my page. (Why aren’t you though?) Only joking. Writing is in need of space and time and you give yourself that. No need to explain. Keep telling your stories. That’s what matters. People should be free to come and go. As creators and writers we spend too much time on admin instead of writing and that is not helpful. Respect.
I love the victory lap after posting. But then Monday is just next week, and then I have to go get to writing again.
I completely understand your stace. I know it may sound harsh but I am absolutely done with the kindergarten mentality of " if you don't like me the same way then I don't like you." I see it on twitter constantly when promoting my own writing. Those types of people don't want to build true community. They want to cold network and a business transaction. To those types of people I say "fuck you and get off my porch."
That's a lot. I wish I had more time. The truth is, I am terrible at self-promotion and even worse at the promotion of others. When the choice come down to promotion or writing, I write.