“No one cares.” Couldn’t agree more, what if we told the billions of people documenting their lives on social though, could it be then end of social or would we do it anyway?
Would you say you write for yourself and not for others? I see that as the main rule, we live our lives not to inspire others but just to live OUR own lives, according to our values, ideally respectfully towards others and the planet. But again depends on our values.
Expectations… letting go of any at any point is probably the key. I suppose whenever something goes viral it’s the least expected piece that does…
Camille, you’ve hit on a key truth—living authentically for ourselves rather than performing for others is so important, especially in this social media-driven world.
I find that if more people embraced that mindset, maybe we’d see a shift in how we use these platforms, focusing more on real connections and less on seeking validation. 🧡
Yes, BUT… I believe there are readers who care for my writing. At programs, I have had people come to me to thank me of what I write and then—proof of appreciation—they buy my books. I would say that your natural audience cares about what you write. The others not o much so. As one woman said to me 35 years ago when I published my first book, “You have written about us. You have taken us out of the ethnic closeyt” Yeah!
Yes for sure Denis! The message has to come out and in that message many will find themselves, others no so much! My point is the “work” we do is for ourselves and by doing that it’s guaranteed authentic (should be) and through that authentic work others will find solace, will feel less alone, will maybe even find solutions. Maybe you didn’t write about yourself but you did it because the message went through you and you had to do it for your own sanity (hypothetical ;) )
I’m glad you had such feedback it’s always good to receive recognition for one’s work. Although I heard it would be best not to sway emotionally whether we receive positive or negative feedback but I know I appreciate it. Damn it serotonin!
Thank you. I read and talk to people who are deep into this topic. This is what you call an obsession - I think about money, investing, and retirement every day and want others to think in that direction too.
I would really like you to post your first piece of writing that got all those shares. Very curious and interested in reading it. Please post it if you are able. Thank you!
Tim, you consistently impress with your authenticity. When reading your prose, I wish knowing you- as a writer- were a bigger part of my life- that is how much it moves the needle for me. Therefore, my best option is to continue reading your work!
Blessings unto to you, my brother, and to those you love. Your voice is being heard, and is very much appreciated!
"Sometimes, I wonder whether it’s a higher power that none of us can explain." I totally believe to my bones and beyond, put your heart and soul into learning the skills and expressing it into the world and it gives this higher power a channel, built on your passion, to move through, serve the world and manifest in our lives. Doors fly open. Money sprouts on trees. You start to surf the mosh pit.
Tim, this post makes perfect sense to me. There's a lot of wisdom here that both fiction and non-fiction writers can learn a great deal from.
I don't always come away from all your posts with wisdom that makes me stop and ponder it all day, but there have been some doozies, for sure. This is one of them.
What did I learn from this one?
Who do I write my newsletter for? Myself, or the fantasy-reading community here on Substack? Which of my posts have brought me the most satisfaction and joy? Who do I write my fiction for? Who do I write for? Which piece of my work changed me?
They're important questions that I can see eventually changing how I write.
Thank you for this. Perfect post at the perfect time.
Oh yes! It does resonate. Why? Every day I do something art related, and most days I do some writing. I love "words" and many times I look them up. I locked in on "iteration." I looked it up. One definition is: “the process of repeating an operation by using the output of the previous operation as the input for the next operation.” I do this every time I pick up a paint brush, or pencil ... and guess I do so when I start writing as well. Each time builds on the last one. Thoroughly enjoy reading your posts.
Your experience reminds me of music artists who have written and recorded dozens or hundreds of songs no one knows. But then, one certain tune hits a note with a few people, then more people, then the right people and boom! It's a hit.
BTW, I enjoy hearing your reading the article more than reading it myself (although I do that, too) and I'm hoping more Substackers will follow your example. That's why I'm here, so keep it up!
"Burnout isn’t a sign of exhaustion. It’s a sign you’re working on the wrong thing, expecting short-term results you haven’t earned."
This is such a hard truth, I've seen this play out in a miserable way with many spiritual entrepreneurs. People forget that missions take development and madness like you say.
It's a slow burn process. Took me so long to get there 🔥🔥🔥.
“No one cares.” Couldn’t agree more, what if we told the billions of people documenting their lives on social though, could it be then end of social or would we do it anyway?
Would you say you write for yourself and not for others? I see that as the main rule, we live our lives not to inspire others but just to live OUR own lives, according to our values, ideally respectfully towards others and the planet. But again depends on our values.
Expectations… letting go of any at any point is probably the key. I suppose whenever something goes viral it’s the least expected piece that does…
I write for myself. Who doesn't? But I write mostly for others too. It's my way to be helpful.
Camille, you’ve hit on a key truth—living authentically for ourselves rather than performing for others is so important, especially in this social media-driven world.
I find that if more people embraced that mindset, maybe we’d see a shift in how we use these platforms, focusing more on real connections and less on seeking validation. 🧡
Yes, BUT… I believe there are readers who care for my writing. At programs, I have had people come to me to thank me of what I write and then—proof of appreciation—they buy my books. I would say that your natural audience cares about what you write. The others not o much so. As one woman said to me 35 years ago when I published my first book, “You have written about us. You have taken us out of the ethnic closeyt” Yeah!
Yes for sure Denis! The message has to come out and in that message many will find themselves, others no so much! My point is the “work” we do is for ourselves and by doing that it’s guaranteed authentic (should be) and through that authentic work others will find solace, will feel less alone, will maybe even find solutions. Maybe you didn’t write about yourself but you did it because the message went through you and you had to do it for your own sanity (hypothetical ;) )
I’m glad you had such feedback it’s always good to receive recognition for one’s work. Although I heard it would be best not to sway emotionally whether we receive positive or negative feedback but I know I appreciate it. Damn it serotonin!
Tim, I open your newsletters always knowing I’ll find at least 2 things:
1) A sentence that makes me laugh out loud
2) A wonderful rush of confidence and determination to keep going
👏👏👏
He's mastered the art!
You got this Pauline 🧡
You're an inspiration, Tim. Your essays make me want to keep writing and never stop.
I read a few of your essays today Denis. You're on fire. Where do you learn all this money stuff?
Thank you. I read and talk to people who are deep into this topic. This is what you call an obsession - I think about money, investing, and retirement every day and want others to think in that direction too.
Pleased to see a Denis who doesn’t squander his “n’s” on his name. Of course, there are always people who pronounce “Denis” to rhyme with a body part!
Heeeyyy man! People misspell my name all the time. Yours too? It’s part of the game I think.
I would really like you to post your first piece of writing that got all those shares. Very curious and interested in reading it. Please post it if you are able. Thank you!
I am always team ‘madman’. To me madman is equivalent to the obsessed being you mentioned. 👏👏thanks for writing
You inspire me to be obsessed. I like it.
Tim, you consistently impress with your authenticity. When reading your prose, I wish knowing you- as a writer- were a bigger part of my life- that is how much it moves the needle for me. Therefore, my best option is to continue reading your work!
Blessings unto to you, my brother, and to those you love. Your voice is being heard, and is very much appreciated!
"Sometimes, I wonder whether it’s a higher power that none of us can explain." I totally believe to my bones and beyond, put your heart and soul into learning the skills and expressing it into the world and it gives this higher power a channel, built on your passion, to move through, serve the world and manifest in our lives. Doors fly open. Money sprouts on trees. You start to surf the mosh pit.
I’m sure you’re asked this hundreds of times but… what was the one piece? Can we access it somewhere?
Tim, this post makes perfect sense to me. There's a lot of wisdom here that both fiction and non-fiction writers can learn a great deal from.
I don't always come away from all your posts with wisdom that makes me stop and ponder it all day, but there have been some doozies, for sure. This is one of them.
What did I learn from this one?
Who do I write my newsletter for? Myself, or the fantasy-reading community here on Substack? Which of my posts have brought me the most satisfaction and joy? Who do I write my fiction for? Who do I write for? Which piece of my work changed me?
They're important questions that I can see eventually changing how I write.
Thank you for this. Perfect post at the perfect time.
Oh yes! It does resonate. Why? Every day I do something art related, and most days I do some writing. I love "words" and many times I look them up. I locked in on "iteration." I looked it up. One definition is: “the process of repeating an operation by using the output of the previous operation as the input for the next operation.” I do this every time I pick up a paint brush, or pencil ... and guess I do so when I start writing as well. Each time builds on the last one. Thoroughly enjoy reading your posts.
man "if you are burn out you are doing the wrong thing" this is tyler durden sh***
from somewhere else: "how to be great? be consistently good", "hell yeah or no".
Who do you want to be?
Your experience reminds me of music artists who have written and recorded dozens or hundreds of songs no one knows. But then, one certain tune hits a note with a few people, then more people, then the right people and boom! It's a hit.
BTW, I enjoy hearing your reading the article more than reading it myself (although I do that, too) and I'm hoping more Substackers will follow your example. That's why I'm here, so keep it up!
This is clear and well thought through and presented. Thanks!
"Burnout isn’t a sign of exhaustion. It’s a sign you’re working on the wrong thing, expecting short-term results you haven’t earned."
This is such a hard truth, I've seen this play out in a miserable way with many spiritual entrepreneurs. People forget that missions take development and madness like you say.
It's a slow burn process. Took me so long to get there 🔥🔥🔥.
It absolutely resonates and inspires at the perfect time!