Turn, Turn, Turn
I am taking a break from Substack
To everything, turn, turn, turn
There is a season, turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven - The Byrds
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. - Ecclesiastes 3 (The Bible)
I am taking a break from Substack. How long? I don’t know.
I have learned that, creatively, I need to follow inspiration and passion wherever they lead. For a decade, writing was a strong passion of mine. But lately, music is where my passion and attention lie.
Music was my first creative passion, and it never fully waned. But I have made several detours along the way and ignored music for long stretches. I didn’t stop playing, but it was not my primary passion. But now, music is calling me back home.
I love posting stories on Substack and, especially, engaging with my readers, but I don’t have a strong desire to write like I did a few years ago. I can’t give you a reason why. I just know the passion has faded. Will it come back? Probably. Creative passions are usually cyclical with me. That is why I am calling this a break.
As my passion for writing diminishes, my passion for creating music grows stronger. It would be foolish to ignore it. I could simply recycle old stories and keep my Substack going indefinitely, but even that requires a considerable time commitment. I have always answered every comment on my stories (unless they were from trolls), which pulls me away from other things. It is a distraction. One of my own making, to be sure, but a distraction nonetheless. So it is better if I don’t post stories for a while.
Every artist is different, with their own motivations for making art. Personally, I can’t imagine posting stories and not responding to the comments. Comments are the primary reason I write. I don’t have to write. I don’t write for myself. I don’t make art for art’s sake. I make art to share it and get a response. I want (need?) an audience. A character flaw, perhaps, but that is the way I am wired.
So, instead of writing and responding to comments, I will focus on music. I had big plans for my YouTube channel and my music Substack after retirement, but I am reevaluating. Do I want to put in the time and effort required? Would they just feel like another job? Probably.
Lately, I feel compelled to focus on writing and recording my own original songs and livestreaming (plus improving my musical abilities), so that is what I plan to do. I am not chasing a career in music. That goal is as elusive and as difficult as a career in writing. Plus, I am too old to chase any career. I just want to get my music out into the world for anyone who might enjoy it. Not for money, but for the love of doing it. I want to enjoy making music without thinking about money. Just sharing my creativity.
I started writing songs as a teen. They were mostly bad, but I think I have improved over the past fifty years. I still have to write five or ten bad songs for every good one, but I have several songs that I think are worthy of release and the technology to do so. I won’t be using AI to generate the music. That wouldn’t be my music. That would be AI music. My music will be real. Performed by me. Flawed, absolutely, but real. In a world where it is harder and harder to tell what is fake, I want to do something real.
What About Paid Subscribers?
I have paused paid subscriptions for those kind souls who generously support my writing financially. You won’t be charged until I unpause them, which I won’t do until I return to regular writing and publishing. If you decide to cancel your paid subscription, I fully understand and hold no hard feelings. In fact, I encourage it.
Hey, if I get inspired to write something, I will. No rules. And I will pop in and read when the mood strikes, also.
Yes, I will be responding to any comments on this story.
Take care. I will see you later.
Mark
Thanks for reading and responding over the years. You made it fun.
Mark