I'd not heard that saying before. What you said is true of teaching too. My last blogging course had 5 people on it. That was much harder work than my next one is likely to be, as that has 12 people on it. You don't get the same atmosphere, and you can't bounce off the stimulation of a group if they're not very stimulated!
By the way, I wrote about the letter I sent to a teen girls magazine in my letter to Rebecca last Wednesday. 🤣
When Dostoevsky published his first work, "Poor People," in the magazine, rather short novel or long story (we call it povest'), our great critic Belinsky and poet Nekrasov, having finished their reading, ran to him at 3am at night and congratulated sleepy author. That was Dostoevsky' s success. You are right with the vulgarity of "I, ME, MY."
What a fantastic story. I hadn't heard that before! Thanks for sharing it. "Vulgarity " is dead right. I sometimes wonder if part of the issue here is that Substack seems especially geared to extroverts, people who love to blow their own trumpet. 🎺
I agree; I noticed a lot of Substack "writers" decided to proclaim their "wise" thoughts, their "philosophies," like something very original. I love that substack gives the freedom to publish, but don't make it your own platform of Grander, ask yourself, does it deserve to be published or glorified.
Spike Milligan! An absolutely delightful old rake! Thanks for including him. Terry, I believe, as you do, that "begrudging someone else’s success and not wanting to hear a load of self-congratulatory stuff are not the same thing." Self-praise is embarrassing and tiresome. Four fine writers I subscribe to are on the verge of being dropped, simply because I can't bear another I, Me, My, and Mine. (Please just bring me good fiction -- and it will speak for itself!) That being said, when you told me, "I started here with precisely zero subscribers, yet within three months I’d managed to double that number" I immediately realized our kinship. Are we possibly cousins?
PS. Thanks for mentioning the Waffle Hat! I imagine your cats have their own bespoke hats. I am thinking one might be made from baloney slices, the other a sardine knit.
I thoroughly enjoyed this post, Terry, and had a good look at Cole's note and your subsequent discussion with him. Wise words.
What, mine or Cole’s, or both? Thanks. 😁
Both, atchleeeee. Good balanced discussion on both sides. Many excellent points raised. ✔️✔️
Thanks, Rebecca. Isn't it nice to have a reasoned discussion rather than all the vitriolic garbage slung back and forth?
Definitely! ✔️
You doubled the number of subscribers from zero in 3 months. 🤣🤣
In the theatre we had a saying, “Never perform for an audience you can beat up.” It was harder to do a show for 4 than it was for 200.
There’s a fine line between sharing your celebration and bragging. LinkedIn is a perfect place to brag.
I'd not heard that saying before. What you said is true of teaching too. My last blogging course had 5 people on it. That was much harder work than my next one is likely to be, as that has 12 people on it. You don't get the same atmosphere, and you can't bounce off the stimulation of a group if they're not very stimulated!
By the way, I wrote about the letter I sent to a teen girls magazine in my letter to Rebecca last Wednesday. 🤣
So glad you got up off if that thing . Welcome back
Thanks, Jeanne 😀 me too!
When Dostoevsky published his first work, "Poor People," in the magazine, rather short novel or long story (we call it povest'), our great critic Belinsky and poet Nekrasov, having finished their reading, ran to him at 3am at night and congratulated sleepy author. That was Dostoevsky' s success. You are right with the vulgarity of "I, ME, MY."
What a fantastic story. I hadn't heard that before! Thanks for sharing it. "Vulgarity " is dead right. I sometimes wonder if part of the issue here is that Substack seems especially geared to extroverts, people who love to blow their own trumpet. 🎺
I agree; I noticed a lot of Substack "writers" decided to proclaim their "wise" thoughts, their "philosophies," like something very original. I love that substack gives the freedom to publish, but don't make it your own platform of Grander, ask yourself, does it deserve to be published or glorified.
Quite
Spike Milligan! An absolutely delightful old rake! Thanks for including him. Terry, I believe, as you do, that "begrudging someone else’s success and not wanting to hear a load of self-congratulatory stuff are not the same thing." Self-praise is embarrassing and tiresome. Four fine writers I subscribe to are on the verge of being dropped, simply because I can't bear another I, Me, My, and Mine. (Please just bring me good fiction -- and it will speak for itself!) That being said, when you told me, "I started here with precisely zero subscribers, yet within three months I’d managed to double that number" I immediately realized our kinship. Are we possibly cousins?
Lol. Thanks Sharron. Exactly, the work should speak for itself. "Tiresome" is a very apt word in this context. cousins: almost certainly! 🤣
PS. Thanks for mentioning the Waffle Hat! I imagine your cats have their own bespoke hats. I am thinking one might be made from baloney slices, the other a sardine knit.
🤣