I quite enjoyed reading this! It is most helpful to think about (and bothersome that the industry expects people to fit into one category, more or less). I don't really know if there is a pattern in what age group/ genre/subject I like to write about, especially as now I am learning a bunch of interesting history stuff and THAT could be fun to write about, but apparently my brother has noticed a pattern. Once, when he was pretty little, he told me, "all your stories are the same. They're all like, 'once upon a time Abraham Lincoln came back to life and threw grilled onions at Donald Trump.'"
Those were his exact words. Okay, I've never written a story EXACTLY like that (with grilled onions + Abraham Lincoln coming back to life + Donald Trump, precisely), but now that I think about, he's sort of right.
When I am thinking of a random story just for fun/to bug people and not taking it too seriously, it usually involves some combination of some bizarre eccentric thing that would never happen in real life, plus grumpy middle aged people getting on each other's nerves and/or getting overly wound about about the previously mentioned bizarre eccentric thing that would never happen in real life, plus something to do with vegetables and/or 1960's Jello salad. Except I haven't really thought about if this is for adults or children or what genre it is or what.
Also, please keep having this newsletter be "all over the place." One of the things I quite like about it is its wide range of various writing things to think about.
There is no critic like a little brother--they'll tell you exactly as they see it. Bring on the grilled onions.
And I do appreciate your words about the all-over-ness of THIS newsletter; I can relate to Tara's wonderings! But it is who I am and how I think and process and work.
Keep writing about the bizarre and eccentric, in the ways that you do, Kathryn!
It's been a while since I've had a chance to sit and write. I'm now catching up on reading your posts and this one particularly caught my eye. In the "more questions" section. you wrote/asked many valid questions, some that I had not thought of such as, do I have an age group or genre that draws me in and I hadn't thought about it, I don't think I do have a particular age group or genre. I am learning that the commonalities are there without intention and that would be sci-fi, fantasy, and fiction in general because I still don't know how to break down contemporary fiction and other "fiction" and memoir.
By the way, I'm super scared to share my memoir. I hear so many bases have to be covered to publish it without having someone come after you for using their names, etc. I worry STILL about where to post, how often, how can I protect my writing, and whether they will like my stories.
Then, at the end, you asked, "For you, which comes first: your readers? or your writing?". Great question, I believe my writing comes first and readers second. I think there are pros and cons there no? I need my readers to know that I'm writing well, but I also want to keep writing passionately, uninhibitedly, and without doubts.
Lastly, I really like what you wrote, "Gifts are hard to ignore.", this is just fantastic and so true. I hope to have the courage to post my short stories soon. I lost the courage when I didn't win a short story contest and had no feedback.
Funny, I was just looking through the 2021 index for an archived piece to feature in the May 1 newsletter... and almost used the review the Gornick and Karr's books on writing memoir... so here it is. DO read the Mary Karr book. It is surely the best on memoir writing, and she goes into detail about the concerns of writing about others, and handles it very well.
She writes with deep compassion and respect--and it is still her story! But I do know how it's best when you're not left feeling worried about!
"Passionately, uninhibitedly" (love that!) "and without doubts" -- yes to that!
And oh, your last line breaks my heart! Do NOT give a contest that kind of power over you, no! (But I understand. But just don't.) The truth is that such things are SO subjective. For all you know, the winner was the niece of the judge's step-mother many-times-removed.
Let the gift sit in you like a grain of sand, and continue on...
Aliza, thank you for the read, and being with the Unschool.
The post does fly madly into all the advice that's handed out about niche, etc., but ultimately, we need to work with what we have, and who we are. The gift thing. Even if it doesn't always feel like a gift!
Tara’s question is probably something most bloggers need to answer early on. The good thing about blogging is that it doesn’t require you to stick to a single topic or theme, although it might be a good idea to give your blog a fairly general name. For example, don’t call it Journal of Salt and Pepper Shaker Collectors unless that’s the extent of your interest.
I can think of at least three risks in targeting too narrowly: you might lose interest, you might find that you’re repeating yourself, and your readers might lose interest.
It’s hard to predict what readers will respond to, anyway, so don’t worry about that at first. In 2015 I wrote a piece about a 2007 Korean romantic-comedy series called Coffee Prince. It’s still one of my most frequently viewed postings. I never would have predicted that. I suppose there’s a link to it out there somewhere where fans of the show gather. The nature of the Internet means that anyone in the world who reads English, for example, is a potential reader.
A tip about blog names: If you start your blog’s name with a numeral or the letter A, it will tend to appear near the top of any alphabetical listing. That might be important if you’re reviewing books or movies, for example, and readers will have lots of other reviewers to choose from (eg, on IMDb). An old trick that plumbers and the like have used for years (hence why so many companies are named Ajax, etc.).
That "you might lose interest" piece is sizable for anyone planning to be here for any length of time. As is your point about choosing a blog/newsletter title that gives room to dance!
Ah, I'm always in the upper lefthand corner of the bookshelves--very handy handle starting with AC---
Oh,….talk about ‘all over the place’ My writing started simply to please myself plus trying to answer big questions of ‘What if…….?’ I’m aim to weave realistic (not fantasy or sci-fi) speculative fiction with memoirs from a 90 year old …I need to see some similar fiction. I work better from seeing samples/models.
You might look for novels that weave such disparate threads--they may not be "spec" and "90 year old's memoir," but just to see how two seemingly different pieces are brought together.
And a key might be to think ahead to the point in your story at which these two intersect... and then work your way backwards from that point.
Lotta wisdom here. Good advice. With traditional publishing I think finding a niche is important. For Substack it‘s less clear. When I started my stack in August 2022 I had a specific theme, but over time that has expanded and evolved, and now I write about everything under the Sun, including memoir, fiction, personal essay, thoughts on politics, culture, writing, etc. My subscriber base has been growing pretty steadily, both free and paid. What I’ve learned is: If you’re passionate about what you write on, and write consistently and well, you’ll likely attract an audience. Guts, vulnerability, and confidence help a lot too.
This speaks to Frank's point about having a title that continues to work even as you explore... your "Sincere American Writing" is holding up.
So that moment when you found yourself really venturing out from your starting point... what was that? And you posted anyway... and continued to let the shift happen... ? Can you share any of that?
The idea of being stuck in a rut or pigeonholed is scary for me. Like an actor, I don't want to be typecast. In order to keep the creative juices flowing and not get stagnant, I think writers need to try different genres, age groups and styles of writing. I have just self-published a collection of short stories about growing up on the Canadian prairies in the 50s and 60s. I don't want to be known only as the author of the Amanda books. I love the diversity of your writing, Alison.
Darlene! Congrats on the short story collection. I will look it up... can you share the title and ordering info, please?
I've been mulling this--as I do, when I write a post, for days afterward. Thinking about how my jazz singer son has really honed in on the early 1900s, particularly the 30s. He studies the history and artists, and just goes so deep. But it's where his heart pulls him. I think that's key.
Now, instead of broadening the time frame, he's finding new ways to explore with the musicians he works with... so last night he had a gig that was the first time the trombone player he works with (also a wonderful mentor) sang duets, and the first time the bassist has played guitar in front of an audience. New arrangements.
STRETCHING. Going deeper. Same material, heard anew... And always, we can learn from other forms of art.
Oh yes, I am constantly learning from my potter daughter, someone who isn't afraid to try something new. (Maybe that's why we have kids, so we can learn from them one day!) My latest book is called You Can Take The Girl From The Prairie. It is on all Amazon sites right now. My first venture into self publishing. https://www.amazon.ca/You-Can-Take-Girl-Prairie-ebook/dp/B0C399MHZP/
I tend to follow my curiosity - plays, film scripts, musings - and I have the same problem of ‘not bringing a readership with me’ across them all. I do feel like not being ‘the person you go to for x’ hampers the ability of potential collaborators etc to come to me - but I also find it super useful when I go to other people to ask ‘hey would you like to do this’ - like I’m working with a convent of nuns on a public reading of a medieval work by Julian of Norwich. V happy they didnt ask for my nun-engaging credentials. But the tension between satisfying my curiosity - the engine of my writing - and paying rent basically means I’ve chosen to find other ways of making money after a good decade of only writing. I think it’s freeing me up in good ways, but I’ve had to swallow a bit of pride. I hope it turns out worth it!
Arthur, keep us posted on this (I did read your post, yes!) Curious to see how the "good ways" translate and function. Some life external to writing/creating can be most inspiring, true, in many ways!
Thanks so much Alison for the very extended take on my question! I appreciate how thorough you are here, and your question about narrowing in on what you are prioritizing with your writing - yourself or your readers - is super valuable/helpful for me. I would definitely say for me at least, it would be to satisfy myself/provide myself with a creative outlet. I would hope my readership would grow organically vs trying to scale up an audience by deliberately choosing my subject matter/spinning my writing a particular way, etc. as I am not the type to easily be able to write something unless I am genuinely interested in/"feeling it".
Count me among the curious and expansive! I do think this broad approach limits my reach, because when does Substack ever feature those of us who can't easily be cataloged? If I have a theme, it's realistic optimism, which turned up verbatim in today's short post (https://elizabethbeggins.substack.com/p/see-for-yourself). I know enough about food and farming to lean entirely into those topics, but I took up writing to *help me* process so much more than that. I don't know if that's selfish, a la Maurice Sendak, or smart, but I don't think I could do this any other way.
Great text! I've so many interests, sometimes I think I just want to write, anything, any story. When I was little I've always wanted to become a writer, and that's it. To touch people, make they emotional with my stories. I'm still discovering what kind of writer I'm going to be.
I quite enjoyed reading this! It is most helpful to think about (and bothersome that the industry expects people to fit into one category, more or less). I don't really know if there is a pattern in what age group/ genre/subject I like to write about, especially as now I am learning a bunch of interesting history stuff and THAT could be fun to write about, but apparently my brother has noticed a pattern. Once, when he was pretty little, he told me, "all your stories are the same. They're all like, 'once upon a time Abraham Lincoln came back to life and threw grilled onions at Donald Trump.'"
Those were his exact words. Okay, I've never written a story EXACTLY like that (with grilled onions + Abraham Lincoln coming back to life + Donald Trump, precisely), but now that I think about, he's sort of right.
When I am thinking of a random story just for fun/to bug people and not taking it too seriously, it usually involves some combination of some bizarre eccentric thing that would never happen in real life, plus grumpy middle aged people getting on each other's nerves and/or getting overly wound about about the previously mentioned bizarre eccentric thing that would never happen in real life, plus something to do with vegetables and/or 1960's Jello salad. Except I haven't really thought about if this is for adults or children or what genre it is or what.
Also, please keep having this newsletter be "all over the place." One of the things I quite like about it is its wide range of various writing things to think about.
There is no critic like a little brother--they'll tell you exactly as they see it. Bring on the grilled onions.
And I do appreciate your words about the all-over-ness of THIS newsletter; I can relate to Tara's wonderings! But it is who I am and how I think and process and work.
Keep writing about the bizarre and eccentric, in the ways that you do, Kathryn!
It's been a while since I've had a chance to sit and write. I'm now catching up on reading your posts and this one particularly caught my eye. In the "more questions" section. you wrote/asked many valid questions, some that I had not thought of such as, do I have an age group or genre that draws me in and I hadn't thought about it, I don't think I do have a particular age group or genre. I am learning that the commonalities are there without intention and that would be sci-fi, fantasy, and fiction in general because I still don't know how to break down contemporary fiction and other "fiction" and memoir.
By the way, I'm super scared to share my memoir. I hear so many bases have to be covered to publish it without having someone come after you for using their names, etc. I worry STILL about where to post, how often, how can I protect my writing, and whether they will like my stories.
Then, at the end, you asked, "For you, which comes first: your readers? or your writing?". Great question, I believe my writing comes first and readers second. I think there are pros and cons there no? I need my readers to know that I'm writing well, but I also want to keep writing passionately, uninhibitedly, and without doubts.
Lastly, I really like what you wrote, "Gifts are hard to ignore.", this is just fantastic and so true. I hope to have the courage to post my short stories soon. I lost the courage when I didn't win a short story contest and had no feedback.
Funny, I was just looking through the 2021 index for an archived piece to feature in the May 1 newsletter... and almost used the review the Gornick and Karr's books on writing memoir... so here it is. DO read the Mary Karr book. It is surely the best on memoir writing, and she goes into detail about the concerns of writing about others, and handles it very well.
https://unschoolforwriters.substack.com/p/writing-books-reviews-memoir
She writes with deep compassion and respect--and it is still her story! But I do know how it's best when you're not left feeling worried about!
"Passionately, uninhibitedly" (love that!) "and without doubts" -- yes to that!
And oh, your last line breaks my heart! Do NOT give a contest that kind of power over you, no! (But I understand. But just don't.) The truth is that such things are SO subjective. For all you know, the winner was the niece of the judge's step-mother many-times-removed.
Let the gift sit in you like a grain of sand, and continue on...
Thank you for this piece. I am also an all-over-the-map person and writer. This essay made me feel validated.
Aliza, thank you for the read, and being with the Unschool.
The post does fly madly into all the advice that's handed out about niche, etc., but ultimately, we need to work with what we have, and who we are. The gift thing. Even if it doesn't always feel like a gift!
Tara’s question is probably something most bloggers need to answer early on. The good thing about blogging is that it doesn’t require you to stick to a single topic or theme, although it might be a good idea to give your blog a fairly general name. For example, don’t call it Journal of Salt and Pepper Shaker Collectors unless that’s the extent of your interest.
I can think of at least three risks in targeting too narrowly: you might lose interest, you might find that you’re repeating yourself, and your readers might lose interest.
It’s hard to predict what readers will respond to, anyway, so don’t worry about that at first. In 2015 I wrote a piece about a 2007 Korean romantic-comedy series called Coffee Prince. It’s still one of my most frequently viewed postings. I never would have predicted that. I suppose there’s a link to it out there somewhere where fans of the show gather. The nature of the Internet means that anyone in the world who reads English, for example, is a potential reader.
A tip about blog names: If you start your blog’s name with a numeral or the letter A, it will tend to appear near the top of any alphabetical listing. That might be important if you’re reviewing books or movies, for example, and readers will have lots of other reviewers to choose from (eg, on IMDb). An old trick that plumbers and the like have used for years (hence why so many companies are named Ajax, etc.).
That "you might lose interest" piece is sizable for anyone planning to be here for any length of time. As is your point about choosing a blog/newsletter title that gives room to dance!
Ah, I'm always in the upper lefthand corner of the bookshelves--very handy handle starting with AC---
Alison, I would like to see you presenting at the Sechelt Writers Fest……any chance of this?
I'd love to take part someday.
They were approached by someone from my publishing co. in 2019 when my memoir came out (which is generally when they do ask), but no go.
Oh,….talk about ‘all over the place’ My writing started simply to please myself plus trying to answer big questions of ‘What if…….?’ I’m aim to weave realistic (not fantasy or sci-fi) speculative fiction with memoirs from a 90 year old …I need to see some similar fiction. I work better from seeing samples/models.
You want these two threads together in a novel?
You might look for novels that weave such disparate threads--they may not be "spec" and "90 year old's memoir," but just to see how two seemingly different pieces are brought together.
And a key might be to think ahead to the point in your story at which these two intersect... and then work your way backwards from that point.
Maybe we can brainstorm such titles here...
Lotta wisdom here. Good advice. With traditional publishing I think finding a niche is important. For Substack it‘s less clear. When I started my stack in August 2022 I had a specific theme, but over time that has expanded and evolved, and now I write about everything under the Sun, including memoir, fiction, personal essay, thoughts on politics, culture, writing, etc. My subscriber base has been growing pretty steadily, both free and paid. What I’ve learned is: If you’re passionate about what you write on, and write consistently and well, you’ll likely attract an audience. Guts, vulnerability, and confidence help a lot too.
Michael Mohr
‘Sincere American Writing’
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
This speaks to Frank's point about having a title that continues to work even as you explore... your "Sincere American Writing" is holding up.
So that moment when you found yourself really venturing out from your starting point... what was that? And you posted anyway... and continued to let the shift happen... ? Can you share any of that?
"Evolved" is a good word.
The idea of being stuck in a rut or pigeonholed is scary for me. Like an actor, I don't want to be typecast. In order to keep the creative juices flowing and not get stagnant, I think writers need to try different genres, age groups and styles of writing. I have just self-published a collection of short stories about growing up on the Canadian prairies in the 50s and 60s. I don't want to be known only as the author of the Amanda books. I love the diversity of your writing, Alison.
Darlene! Congrats on the short story collection. I will look it up... can you share the title and ordering info, please?
I've been mulling this--as I do, when I write a post, for days afterward. Thinking about how my jazz singer son has really honed in on the early 1900s, particularly the 30s. He studies the history and artists, and just goes so deep. But it's where his heart pulls him. I think that's key.
Now, instead of broadening the time frame, he's finding new ways to explore with the musicians he works with... so last night he had a gig that was the first time the trombone player he works with (also a wonderful mentor) sang duets, and the first time the bassist has played guitar in front of an audience. New arrangements.
STRETCHING. Going deeper. Same material, heard anew... And always, we can learn from other forms of art.
So many paths.
Oh yes, I am constantly learning from my potter daughter, someone who isn't afraid to try something new. (Maybe that's why we have kids, so we can learn from them one day!) My latest book is called You Can Take The Girl From The Prairie. It is on all Amazon sites right now. My first venture into self publishing. https://www.amazon.ca/You-Can-Take-Girl-Prairie-ebook/dp/B0C399MHZP/
Thank you for posting this, Darlene! I look forward to the read --
I tend to follow my curiosity - plays, film scripts, musings - and I have the same problem of ‘not bringing a readership with me’ across them all. I do feel like not being ‘the person you go to for x’ hampers the ability of potential collaborators etc to come to me - but I also find it super useful when I go to other people to ask ‘hey would you like to do this’ - like I’m working with a convent of nuns on a public reading of a medieval work by Julian of Norwich. V happy they didnt ask for my nun-engaging credentials. But the tension between satisfying my curiosity - the engine of my writing - and paying rent basically means I’ve chosen to find other ways of making money after a good decade of only writing. I think it’s freeing me up in good ways, but I’ve had to swallow a bit of pride. I hope it turns out worth it!
Arthur, keep us posted on this (I did read your post, yes!) Curious to see how the "good ways" translate and function. Some life external to writing/creating can be most inspiring, true, in many ways!
Thanks so much Alison for the very extended take on my question! I appreciate how thorough you are here, and your question about narrowing in on what you are prioritizing with your writing - yourself or your readers - is super valuable/helpful for me. I would definitely say for me at least, it would be to satisfy myself/provide myself with a creative outlet. I would hope my readership would grow organically vs trying to scale up an audience by deliberately choosing my subject matter/spinning my writing a particular way, etc. as I am not the type to easily be able to write something unless I am genuinely interested in/"feeling it".
"Yes" to growing organically, and I'm glad this was useful.
I am so enjoying these questions--thank you!
Count me among the curious and expansive! I do think this broad approach limits my reach, because when does Substack ever feature those of us who can't easily be cataloged? If I have a theme, it's realistic optimism, which turned up verbatim in today's short post (https://elizabethbeggins.substack.com/p/see-for-yourself). I know enough about food and farming to lean entirely into those topics, but I took up writing to *help me* process so much more than that. I don't know if that's selfish, a la Maurice Sendak, or smart, but I don't think I could do this any other way.
Oh, and by the way, I found you because of your recent comment on "On Substack" about leaving Twitter. https://on.substack.com/p/reliable/comments. Thanks for that!
Thanks for letting me know how you discovered me/the Unschool!
It is good to connect with this community.
(And I love the chicken, I must say!)
Great text! I've so many interests, sometimes I think I just want to write, anything, any story. When I was little I've always wanted to become a writer, and that's it. To touch people, make they emotional with my stories. I'm still discovering what kind of writer I'm going to be.
Ah! And that process of discovery is so good in and of itself. In whatever time it takes, and shape. Go with it and enjoy. Thank you for reading!