I smiled so big reading this!! Lots of love to you and I am intrigued with the little clue you have given about the new Apple ad (I know the ad you refer to, it is terrible!) and your ancient ipad. I hear the urgency and I will be reading along with this one. Hoping to see your writing soar through the spheres!! ;-))
From one non-strategist to another, I’m wholly frightened with you! And I bow to your willingness to dig into structure and let that different kind of muse inform. I have no doubt you will shine. So excited to read this unfolding friend.
Thanks Bertus for sharing this, and congrats to completing your first year of substack. 🥂 🎉 💗
Going through that inner door to the other realm sounds normal and natural to me (as a kindred free creative spirit) ~ as do many other aspects of the writing process you mention here.
In fiction writing people talk about the 'plotting vs pantsing' approach. I don't like either of these terms, especially the definition "writing by the seat of your pants"... what's that even supposed to mean???
Starting with the first line, a seed idea, following that idea into the unknown and seeing where it takes you. I know of one of the greatest writers who did exactly that! My favourite writer of all time ~ Michael Ende. And we know some of the incredible places that journey took him...
Over a decade into my writing journey I also started looking at (and binge reading about) plot structure. I now find both approaches ~ free flow and a bit of structure ~ combined in my own way, work very well for me.
Wonderful essay and thoughts, Bertus. I really enjoyed reading this and resonated with it a lot.
"except for that one in August which was a day late and broke my streak unglamorously." Urgh, yes, I feel you. A silly as streaks are, they can be motivating and it felt nice to know one was in the x% of writers pushing out a consistent post. Mine broke a few weeks ago when I was a day late. Oh well. Ho hum.
I think part of that ties into me having the same thoughts as you state here: "Substack with its build in submission to produce regularly has taught me I long to be pushed. I need the pressure, or I will sneak out and procrastinate."
Anyway, this is exciting. Enjoy the process and planning and I look forward to reading.
I smiled so big reading this!! Lots of love to you and I am intrigued with the little clue you have given about the new Apple ad (I know the ad you refer to, it is terrible!) and your ancient ipad. I hear the urgency and I will be reading along with this one. Hoping to see your writing soar through the spheres!! ;-))
I am proud of you and still love being your first reader.....
Ooh, how intriguing to see where this leads..! :D
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Wait, is that.. your very first cliffhanger!! With heart pounding I am forced to hang on for next week's exciting installment!
Well, that was excellent. Very recognisable. Very well written. Very appealing and eliciting of ideas. Thanks Bertus :)
Keep in keepin’ on!
From one non-strategist to another, I’m wholly frightened with you! And I bow to your willingness to dig into structure and let that different kind of muse inform. I have no doubt you will shine. So excited to read this unfolding friend.
Congratulations!
Thanks Bertus for sharing this, and congrats to completing your first year of substack. 🥂 🎉 💗
Going through that inner door to the other realm sounds normal and natural to me (as a kindred free creative spirit) ~ as do many other aspects of the writing process you mention here.
In fiction writing people talk about the 'plotting vs pantsing' approach. I don't like either of these terms, especially the definition "writing by the seat of your pants"... what's that even supposed to mean???
Starting with the first line, a seed idea, following that idea into the unknown and seeing where it takes you. I know of one of the greatest writers who did exactly that! My favourite writer of all time ~ Michael Ende. And we know some of the incredible places that journey took him...
Over a decade into my writing journey I also started looking at (and binge reading about) plot structure. I now find both approaches ~ free flow and a bit of structure ~ combined in my own way, work very well for me.
Good luck with the plan😊 and yes licking stale milk off the carpet is a bit of a waste 😂
Wonderful essay and thoughts, Bertus. I really enjoyed reading this and resonated with it a lot.
"except for that one in August which was a day late and broke my streak unglamorously." Urgh, yes, I feel you. A silly as streaks are, they can be motivating and it felt nice to know one was in the x% of writers pushing out a consistent post. Mine broke a few weeks ago when I was a day late. Oh well. Ho hum.
I think part of that ties into me having the same thoughts as you state here: "Substack with its build in submission to produce regularly has taught me I long to be pushed. I need the pressure, or I will sneak out and procrastinate."
Anyway, this is exciting. Enjoy the process and planning and I look forward to reading.
Ooh, how intriguing to see where this leads..! :D