Reflections

Looking back over the first four months on Substack

Photo by Kikki Starr on Unsplash

I published my first introductory post on Substack on 4th September 2022, so have just passed the first 4 months mark and thought it was a good time for a reflection on my experience so far as we approach the end of 2022.

My experience of writing on Substack so far has been overwhelmingly positive! 

I had deliberated over joining the platform as a writer for a while, listening to podcasts and reading up on this fairly new publishing model, which allows writers to share their work on a paid or unpaid subscription basis with their readers. 

As I was finishing up a dissertation for my Masters studies in English, I let the idea simmer in the background over the summer.  When I realised that my studies and research could feed into my ideas for a newsletter all about 20th century women writers and the ways in which they connect and intersect with our modern culture, I was ready to take the leap, and A Narrative of their Own was born!

I love to read essays about how we live now, as well as discussions on literature and great women, so my subject evolved pretty naturally.  I am interested in how we can learn from great writers and thinkers of the past, whilst looking to modern cultural writers and thinkers to interpret the ideologies around current cultural issues.  

I didn’t know whether anyone would share these interests, or want to read my thoughts and ideas, but I have been so overwhelmed by the subscriptions and kind comments I have received so far this year. 

If you have read, liked, commented, or made contact with me over the past four months – thank you!  Your words of encouragement and discussion, as well as recommendations for further reading, have been most welcome.  I love the learning and supportive community here on Substack, and I think that has been the most surprising element of starting to publish on the platform.  I have never found much solace in social media sites and have found that Substack is wonderfully free of the tethers of that whole scene. 

Writers write to be read, and readers come to them to read, learn, engage, and respond.  It really feels as simple as that.

I have made connections with a host of interesting people, both within my own sphere and beyond, gaining knowledge, insight, and ideas from the melting pot that is Substack.

Particular favourite reads of mine over the past months have been:

The Matterhorn, particularly author Dr Kathleen Waller’s pieces on her own writing practice, and was lucky enough to collaborate with her this year, with my post on ‘Women and the City’ being featured in The Matterhorn’s Texts and the City series.

Another great Substack I’m enjoying is Noted, written by Jillian Hess.  I subscribed to Noted after reading a brilliant piece on Frida Kahlo’s notebooks, and I love that her research takes her into such diverse archives from Kahlo to Jim Henson of The Muppets.

A more recent discovery has been The Austen Connection, which connects well with my own interests, as writer Plain Jane shows us how Austen is still so relevant.

I also enjoy reading more personal essays, and in particular have been enjoying both Rebecca Woolf’s The Braid, and Finn Schubert’s The Menstruant.  I love how both these writers take elements of their personal experience and embroider them into the most exquisite prose to allow readers a glimpse into what it means to be human.

Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels

In the coming year, I am planning more ideas around 20th century texts and writers, as well as investigating their relevance to our lives today.  I am looking into the possibility of a paid option on my newsletter, for anyone who wishes to support me with my ongoing research.  I am also really looking forward to approaching some of the wonderful writers I have met on the platform to hopefully collaborate on more posts, including inviting some guest writers onto A Narrative of their Own.

What is so great about all this though is that it is pushing me to read, research, think, and importantly: write more.  The rewards so far have been worth every minute I have spent on this new, creative endeavour!

As it is the Christmas holidays next weekend, I am not planning to send out a newsletter, as I will be indulging in holiday cheer with my family!  But I shall look forward to connecting with more readers and writers in the New Year.

Happy holidays to those who celebrate, and thank you so much for being here : )

Photo by Gary Spears on Pexels