Thanks for this post, Richard. It’s always great to read about someone’s process. - For me, I find that my best articles are the ones that I write at the spur of the moment, rather than the ones I planned and thought about. Since my newsletter is about my 365 project, I already have the set of photos for each one. My topics are either about the photos themselves or about experiences related to the photos. I tend to write a few ahead of time and schedule them out. Then, throughout the weeks before they’re published, I reread, edit, add, subtract, etc.
This is my case as well, Alicia. I write about whatever is having my passion in that very moment, haha. I don't plan ahead. However. I think this hurts my consistency, haha.
Hi Alicia : ) I've tried writing spur of the moment and I do get it right but not so often. I try to schedule as many as possible but I'm usually only two ahead at any given time.
What a great post. I similarly have a longer, drawn out process for posts. I’m slow and picky so it takes me the full week usually to put something together from start to finish.
Thank you Dan : ) I used to write a weekly newsletter but time is probably the biggest factor when it comes to putting out any type of creative work on a regular basis. I've considered a change in my approach but for now I'll stick to the bi-weekly newsletters.
My handwriting is pretty bad. I find it difficult reading the words in essays I wrote in college. When I began on Substack, I know I wouldn't be as organized as your process.
I began each essay spontaneously, and drafted in fits and starts a day or so before scheduled posting. I go back and reread them, surprisingly don't find them to be an awfully jumbled read.
Now, it's different. My initial inspiration usually derives from a word or phrase I overhear or happen to think of. I immediately create a draft with just a title. Sometimes, leaving it there for months or weeks. Over time, I've built up a collection of dozens of draft ideas to begin fleshing out a new essay. When the inspiration hits for any of those drafts, I now work backward three to four days before scheduled posting to work, reword, spell check and finalize.
All this time, I'm just now realizing I should have been using a grammar and spelling app 🥴
Thank you for the comment Kenneth : ) I will say some of my better newsletters have been spontaneous ones. Thanks for sharing insights into your process - these type of conversations are what I really enjoy about Substack; plus it gives me more insight into the people behind the newsletters. Wishing you a great Wednesday : )
Hello Chris - not at all, I have been working on this process for a few years. The one thing I can advise is to be flexible in your approach. I work during the week so I don't have a lot of time to write. Then it becomes a bit of a mad dash over the weekend when I have more time available.
Interesting use of pen & paper. I can relate because I tend to use it for tinkering. Not for my Substack, but life in general. I'm not sure if it's because I work in the IT industry, but I'm feeling that screens get old fast. Good one, Richard. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the comment Rick - same. I have a few notebooks where I write and scribble. I'm trying to bring it down to a single one because ideas spread across multiple books are only cool in YT videos - rather have one book with everything in there.
…very cool to get a behind the scenes…i’ve thought about doing this before but i don’t want to let my readers in on all of my stack being ghostwritten by typing ferrets…
Thanks for this post, Richard. It’s always great to read about someone’s process. - For me, I find that my best articles are the ones that I write at the spur of the moment, rather than the ones I planned and thought about. Since my newsletter is about my 365 project, I already have the set of photos for each one. My topics are either about the photos themselves or about experiences related to the photos. I tend to write a few ahead of time and schedule them out. Then, throughout the weeks before they’re published, I reread, edit, add, subtract, etc.
This is my case as well, Alicia. I write about whatever is having my passion in that very moment, haha. I don't plan ahead. However. I think this hurts my consistency, haha.
I hear you on that!
Hi Alicia : ) I've tried writing spur of the moment and I do get it right but not so often. I try to schedule as many as possible but I'm usually only two ahead at any given time.
I too have a full-time+ gig and write each week as therapy for the 500+ weddings I've shot
What a great post. I similarly have a longer, drawn out process for posts. I’m slow and picky so it takes me the full week usually to put something together from start to finish.
Thank you Dan : ) I used to write a weekly newsletter but time is probably the biggest factor when it comes to putting out any type of creative work on a regular basis. I've considered a change in my approach but for now I'll stick to the bi-weekly newsletters.
My handwriting is pretty bad. I find it difficult reading the words in essays I wrote in college. When I began on Substack, I know I wouldn't be as organized as your process.
I began each essay spontaneously, and drafted in fits and starts a day or so before scheduled posting. I go back and reread them, surprisingly don't find them to be an awfully jumbled read.
Now, it's different. My initial inspiration usually derives from a word or phrase I overhear or happen to think of. I immediately create a draft with just a title. Sometimes, leaving it there for months or weeks. Over time, I've built up a collection of dozens of draft ideas to begin fleshing out a new essay. When the inspiration hits for any of those drafts, I now work backward three to four days before scheduled posting to work, reword, spell check and finalize.
All this time, I'm just now realizing I should have been using a grammar and spelling app 🥴
Thank you for the comment Kenneth : ) I will say some of my better newsletters have been spontaneous ones. Thanks for sharing insights into your process - these type of conversations are what I really enjoy about Substack; plus it gives me more insight into the people behind the newsletters. Wishing you a great Wednesday : )
Writing isn't easy even for writers (which I am not)
Your process is solid and I may borrow a bit of it if you don't mind.
Thank you for being transparent (yes, you can tell that in your writing)!
Hello Chris - not at all, I have been working on this process for a few years. The one thing I can advise is to be flexible in your approach. I work during the week so I don't have a lot of time to write. Then it becomes a bit of a mad dash over the weekend when I have more time available.
Interesting use of pen & paper. I can relate because I tend to use it for tinkering. Not for my Substack, but life in general. I'm not sure if it's because I work in the IT industry, but I'm feeling that screens get old fast. Good one, Richard. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the comment Rick - same. I have a few notebooks where I write and scribble. I'm trying to bring it down to a single one because ideas spread across multiple books are only cool in YT videos - rather have one book with everything in there.
…very cool to get a behind the scenes…i’ve thought about doing this before but i don’t want to let my readers in on all of my stack being ghostwritten by typing ferrets…
: D thanks for the feedback brother - I'd like to see your process, your writing is definitely one of the more unique ones on here : )