The two word spur is invaluable, On awakening this morning Descartes spoke with me, prompting this:- I hurt, therefore I am therefore I think I hurt..... Peace, Maurice
Maurice ... it's totally inappropriate to "like" this comment. We need "sad" buttons, or "I understand" buttons, or "that sucks buttons," or ... well, maybe just saying "this, too ,shall pass" would help, but then someone in the peanut gallery would shout ... "yeah, but something else will take its place!" May all be better.
There would never be enough specific buttons.... "Like" is but an umbrella in the rain, scattering droplets of thoughts in all directions. What then could e better. Peace, Maurice
First off, let me just say, your piece completely reeled me in! As a reader always curious about the inner workings of a writer's mind and their creative journey, your exploration struck a chord. It's always intriguing to get a sneak peek into how writers conjure their ideas and pen them down.
Ah, the delightful dance between the "I" and "You" in the world of newsletters! Your musings take me down a familiar path of introspection. This "I-talk" thing you've caught on to? It’s like a big flashing neon sign saying, "Hey, this is my story, and I want you in on it!" It's all about that itch we all have to connect, be heard, and share our tales.
Those initial two words? Think of them as your welcome mat. They either get - my tribe, readers - excited about the adventure ahead or make them think twice about knocking on your door. A wise storyteller once told me, "Your start's gotta grab 'em." In newsletters, and honestly, in any story, those first two words are like making a pinky promise: "Stick with me; this is gonna be good."
Digging into your findings, Substack writers are basically like that friend who wears their heart on their sleeve, sharing every little thing. It's personal, raw, and real which is my jam!! But then, you've got the non-Substack crew, who keep things more on the down-low, maybe because they're aiming to chat with a bigger crowd.
B O R I N G
Want to spice things up a bit from a reader’s point of view?:
Descriptive Settings: “Golden sunrise…”
Rhetorical Questions: “Why do…”
Direct Commands: “Imagine this…”
Interesting Facts: “Elephants can’t…”
Quotes: “Hemingway once said…”
The power of those starter words? It's like being the DJ at a party. Play the right track, and you've got everyone dancing. But mess up, and you might clear the dance floor. For some, "I-talk" feels like catching up with an old pal. For others, they want the big, universal truths that everyone can nod along to.
And speaking of truths, Ray Bradbury nailed it. Writing's all about that buzz, that can't-stop-won't-stop feeling. But, knowing how to balance the 'I' and 'You', and picking just the right opener? That's the secret sauce that can turn good writing into a masterpiece.
So, keep jamming on that keyboard, writer! Dive deep, have fun! 📝
Gloria ... "pinky-promise" ... such a perfect visual. I want to read the "Elephants can't ... " and here's mine ... "elephant's can't subscribe, but I can!" ;-)
Your "elephants can't subscribe, but I can!" response is hilariously smart! 🐘📚 Your play on words is a delightful twist, and now I'm even more intrigued about what "Elephants can't..." 🐘🐘🐘🐘🌴🙌😄
I deeply yearn for the moments when we would exchange laughs and hold each other's opinions and beliefs in high regard. Those were times of genuine camaraderie, free from the relentless and malicious exchanges we witness now.
Thankfully, Substack has proven to be a lifeline for me. It's a sanctuary where I seek out writers, thinkers, poets, artists, the quirky and those with a knack for humor – individuals who are eager to share, inspire, and engage in discussions and debates, all with a spirit of warmth and empathy.
I deeply yearn for the moments when we would exchange laughs and hold each other's opinions and beliefs in high regard. 😊 Those were times of genuine camaraderie, free from the relentless and malicious exchanges we witness now. 😔
Thankfully, Substack has proven to be a lifeline for me. 🙌 It's a sanctuary where I seek out writers, thinkers, poets, artists🧑🎨, the quirky, and those with a knack for humor – individuals who are eager to share, inspire, and engage in discussions and debates, all with a spirit of warmth and empathy. ❤️
You are a life preserver🛟 in a sea of troubled waters. 🌊🌈
Gloria ... what a lovely comment. I too find Substack filling a deep well within and hope we can live up to your description of what we can be. Let's do it!
A very interesting exercise. I usually put myself in the first 2 or 3 sentences, but not right at the front. It's given me something to think about. I'm trying to put more of "me" into my writing, this is a great opportunity to do that. I'll experiment with the next few posts by leading with myself. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
Thanks, Tom ... I'm starting to think there might be a rhythm ... on an impersonal post, a somewhat personal header could be effective at building the relationship ... and perhaps vice versa.
Thanks for playing and you're right, fiction writers are probably not going to lead with I-talk. However, I wonder if you might use the header function to lead with something a little more personal. Just looked at The Rubbing Alcoholic ;-) ... and thought what if the header was something like ... "The idea for this series came to me ..." giving them some insider detail or something else to fuel their fandom.
I'll have what you're having... in terms of fiction and poetry, that is. Your posts? They're like a good New York deli sandwich – layered, fulfilling, and always leaving me wanting more. Stick with what you know, and in this case, it's clear you know wordsmithing!
Your posts are informative and inspiring ... you might benefit by using the header space to do a small connection with your readers. That might be a good place to put limited I-talk.
The two word spur is invaluable, On awakening this morning Descartes spoke with me, prompting this:- I hurt, therefore I am therefore I think I hurt..... Peace, Maurice
Maurice ... it's totally inappropriate to "like" this comment. We need "sad" buttons, or "I understand" buttons, or "that sucks buttons," or ... well, maybe just saying "this, too ,shall pass" would help, but then someone in the peanut gallery would shout ... "yeah, but something else will take its place!" May all be better.
There would never be enough specific buttons.... "Like" is but an umbrella in the rain, scattering droplets of thoughts in all directions. What then could e better. Peace, Maurice
First off, let me just say, your piece completely reeled me in! As a reader always curious about the inner workings of a writer's mind and their creative journey, your exploration struck a chord. It's always intriguing to get a sneak peek into how writers conjure their ideas and pen them down.
Ah, the delightful dance between the "I" and "You" in the world of newsletters! Your musings take me down a familiar path of introspection. This "I-talk" thing you've caught on to? It’s like a big flashing neon sign saying, "Hey, this is my story, and I want you in on it!" It's all about that itch we all have to connect, be heard, and share our tales.
Those initial two words? Think of them as your welcome mat. They either get - my tribe, readers - excited about the adventure ahead or make them think twice about knocking on your door. A wise storyteller once told me, "Your start's gotta grab 'em." In newsletters, and honestly, in any story, those first two words are like making a pinky promise: "Stick with me; this is gonna be good."
Digging into your findings, Substack writers are basically like that friend who wears their heart on their sleeve, sharing every little thing. It's personal, raw, and real which is my jam!! But then, you've got the non-Substack crew, who keep things more on the down-low, maybe because they're aiming to chat with a bigger crowd.
B O R I N G
Want to spice things up a bit from a reader’s point of view?:
Descriptive Settings: “Golden sunrise…”
Rhetorical Questions: “Why do…”
Direct Commands: “Imagine this…”
Interesting Facts: “Elephants can’t…”
Quotes: “Hemingway once said…”
The power of those starter words? It's like being the DJ at a party. Play the right track, and you've got everyone dancing. But mess up, and you might clear the dance floor. For some, "I-talk" feels like catching up with an old pal. For others, they want the big, universal truths that everyone can nod along to.
And speaking of truths, Ray Bradbury nailed it. Writing's all about that buzz, that can't-stop-won't-stop feeling. But, knowing how to balance the 'I' and 'You', and picking just the right opener? That's the secret sauce that can turn good writing into a masterpiece.
So, keep jamming on that keyboard, writer! Dive deep, have fun! 📝
You hooked me. I’m along for the ride, Baby! 🚙
Gloria ... "pinky-promise" ... such a perfect visual. I want to read the "Elephants can't ... " and here's mine ... "elephant's can't subscribe, but I can!" ;-)
Your "elephants can't subscribe, but I can!" response is hilariously smart! 🐘📚 Your play on words is a delightful twist, and now I'm even more intrigued about what "Elephants can't..." 🐘🐘🐘🐘🌴🙌😄
We may not make a lot of money, but we can laugh a lot. Loved the prompts.
I deeply yearn for the moments when we would exchange laughs and hold each other's opinions and beliefs in high regard. Those were times of genuine camaraderie, free from the relentless and malicious exchanges we witness now.
Thankfully, Substack has proven to be a lifeline for me. It's a sanctuary where I seek out writers, thinkers, poets, artists, the quirky and those with a knack for humor – individuals who are eager to share, inspire, and engage in discussions and debates, all with a spirit of warmth and empathy.
I deeply yearn for the moments when we would exchange laughs and hold each other's opinions and beliefs in high regard. 😊 Those were times of genuine camaraderie, free from the relentless and malicious exchanges we witness now. 😔
Thankfully, Substack has proven to be a lifeline for me. 🙌 It's a sanctuary where I seek out writers, thinkers, poets, artists🧑🎨, the quirky, and those with a knack for humor – individuals who are eager to share, inspire, and engage in discussions and debates, all with a spirit of warmth and empathy. ❤️
You are a life preserver🛟 in a sea of troubled waters. 🌊🌈
Gloria ... what a lovely comment. I too find Substack filling a deep well within and hope we can live up to your description of what we can be. Let's do it!
Is there some reason why my message REPEATED its self with emojis?!?!?!
Pinky finger! Yes!
Without a
Compost is
Great soil
What a
The last
A very interesting exercise. I usually put myself in the first 2 or 3 sentences, but not right at the front. It's given me something to think about. I'm trying to put more of "me" into my writing, this is a great opportunity to do that. I'll experiment with the next few posts by leading with myself. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
Thanks for playing ... and I think it is a bit of a dance. I think the Header space is also a place where that balance can be developed. Best.
Joyce said, " I would love to hear your comments, suggestions and questions."
My first words of a reply to a message is almost always "You said...."
So by doing thay I am focusing attention on the reader as well as supporting them in understanding the context of my message
Here goes (my last 5 posts):
After receiving
Imagine this
Hello friends
Frederick Jay
I went
It's perfectly representative of my peculiar mind. ;)
Thanks, Tom ... I'm starting to think there might be a rhythm ... on an impersonal post, a somewhat personal header could be effective at building the relationship ... and perhaps vice versa.
Great exercise. I will give this thought going forward. 💜
Thanks for playing and you're right, fiction writers are probably not going to lead with I-talk. However, I wonder if you might use the header function to lead with something a little more personal. Just looked at The Rubbing Alcoholic ;-) ... and thought what if the header was something like ... "The idea for this series came to me ..." giving them some insider detail or something else to fuel their fandom.
Don't really post much else than fiction and poetry, which probably skews the survey. Anyways:
She said
The tellers
Matthias Shell
Janine talked
My son
A heavy
Let the
The bus
Pick him
I would
In another comment, @Gloria Horton-Young, called those first two words "pinkie-promises" ... your list makes promises that intrigue me. ;-)
It's crazy how important those first words really are in the eyes of the reader. Make or break sometimes... I'm grateful you find them intriguing!
I'll have what you're having... in terms of fiction and poetry, that is. Your posts? They're like a good New York deli sandwich – layered, fulfilling, and always leaving me wanting more. Stick with what you know, and in this case, it's clear you know wordsmithing!
This comment made my day. Thank you!
❤️
In a call
Good morning
What stops
GSD is
Two questions
We experiment
last six posts.... I'm either killing it or so far off the mark I'm a broken clock that's right twice a day!
Your posts are informative and inspiring ... you might benefit by using the header space to do a small connection with your readers. That might be a good place to put limited I-talk.
Good idea, thank you!