I find what you write interesting, funny and entertaining Mark. I also write a variety on Substack and on Wordpress. And you are correct that not everyone enjoys fiction. I personally like mystery and horror but it is not popular on here. I write it because I enjoy it. And if I get readers for it, then that's great.
Thank you, Pennie. I see quite a bit of horror on Susbtack, but no mystery. Maybe because mystery sort of needs to be long-form? Writing for the love of doing it seems to be the best strategy.
Thanks for this post, Mark! I agree with all of what you said, but especially with the thought that writing can just be a hobby and there's absolutely nothing wrong or bad about that. I don't ever plan on making money with my writing. I just do it because it's fun! π
Having another 12 years on your lifespan, my comments regarding success are very similar and focused as humorous as yours are. I love to see comments and genuine investment in reading, no matter what the reading is.
Sometimes the comments get me thinking about my own memories, which generate a whole new set of possibilities and purposes in our lives.
Thank you for posting this because I read the entire thing and would read it again
Success is only what we each decide is and mine has changed dramatically over the years.
Although I am a published author traditionally because a publisher accepted me without much invested in my part, especially no money at all, Amazon basically bought them out.
Now Iβm happy with new dimensions and thank you for putting those new dimensions in writing to respond genuinely, honestly, and with lots of heart ππ
This piece, and you yourself, are my spirit animals. So much here rings true.
I am 61, feeling pretty great, and want to be sure to have something(s) to do when I blissfully retire.
I stopped learning guitar because hey I would never be great or even good at it. (I can still listen to Albert and BB King whenever I want, so there.) But I have always been able to write and there is much to be said. It only took me about 57 years to get on it.
Oh and yeah Mark Starlin Writes! particularly with the exclamation point sounds like a child has learned to walk. Youβre however stuck with it now. Hahahah.
Thanks, Jack. I didn't really start writing until my 50s. I started guitar at 12. I am much better at playing guitar than writing. But writing is also a great creative outlet.
Perhaps the name reflects the surprise people show when I tell them I write. π "A guitar player who can write?!" π€£
"Fiction is not a big money-maker on Substack unless you are already famous and write about writing fiction (which is actually nonfiction craft advice), rather than posting fiction itself."
The well-known fiction writers I follow here (Sherman Alexie, Junot Diaz, Kathy Fish, George Saunders) publish more non-fiction than fiction on their Substacks (though Diaz has been serializing unpublished work as of late).
It could be a contractual issue. But why couldn't a famous novelist post new, original short stories instead of just writing advice, lessons, and "what I'm currently working on" updates? Or a serial that their publisher could then sell as a book.
I don't follow any famous writers here. I would if Tad Williams or a few other favorites joined Substack. I like the underdogs better. π€
True. I have a feeling that famous writers may be limited on what fiction they can publish here by their publishers (they probably want first dibs.) Or maybe they just don't have the time or energy to write books and also write fiction for Substack.
There's a lot of meat to digest in this, Mark. I like how you distilled your reasons for posting on SS and how truthful you are about your goals. I'll add this: reading your posts makes me a better writer, not because they are necessarily Pulitzer-worthy (although I enjoy your writing more than some Pulitzer winners), but because they remind me that words have the power to provoke laughter, introspection, tears, and enlightenment. In your case, mostly laughter. And that is a most worthy goal. Thank you.
Thank you, Rebecca. You just made my day. I agree, writing should make readers feel something. Hopefully not bored. π€£ And that is a great truth. Simple things are often the most powerful.
Sorry to hear that you are leaving music teaching, Mark! βΉοΈ
I agree that the writers who do best have a niche. Yours is humor, but even that is too broad to attract a crowd. It has to be something like βpolitically scathing US Midwest humorβ or something equally unique. π I still struggle to slap labels on my Substack stories, and I only do βMy Chats with Debβ here. (Originally posted as βChats with Deb,β but then I found someone already had that title when I went to make mine an official post. So another tip regarding titles might be, βMake sure nobody else already has that.β Which is yet another upcheck for βMark Starlin Writes!β, IMHO.)
Recycling old stuff is great! Probably 95% of my Substack stuff is from stories over a year old on Medium. Some rewriting needed, obviously, like changing βOn our drive to work yesterdayβ¦β to βOne time when we were driving to work, years agoβ¦β, but itβs kinda fun reading old stuff. And if Iβm not my favorite author, I probably shouldnβt be writing, yes? π
Anyway, thank you for sharing what youβve learned, and I am sure I speak for your readership when I say we look forward to more Starlin stories! π
Thanks, Jack. I have been teaching music for about 20 years. It was never my plan. It was a necessity when the airline I worked for contracted out my job. It has been a good job, but not my passion. I am considering publishing a separate, guitar-related Substack, and I will likely end up creating instructional videos for it. So, I will likely continue to teach in that manner. I may even do a few private lessons at home.
I believe having an unusual last name was a factor in my Substack naming decision at the time. At least I don't have to add initials to my name like so many writers do. π€£
Yes, we must like our own writing! Why else do it?
I appreciate you being one of my long-time writing buddies.
And I can't believe someone stole your Chats With Deb. How rude!
The writer who got there first has the first name βDebβ. And sheβs a psychologist who talks about conversations with patients. Soooβ¦ okay, fine, βChats with Deb,β sure, makes senseβ¦ Β―\_(γ)_/Β―
Thank you for this, Mark. You have confirmed a lot of my suspicions - about you and about Substack. I especially appreciate your decision to re-post older stories. I think it is a wise move. I wish you another five satisfying and successful years ( and I am not talking about money.)
I have always thought that since they are my stories, I can do with them as I please, including reposting them or posting them on multiple sites. It is not like I am trying to get a book deal. The old publishing "rules" don't apply online. Everything online essentially disappears after a month or so. So why not recycle stories? It seems smart to me.
I am glad I happened upon your Bartle Clunes saga and made a new writer pal. Your comments bring me great joy.
Thanks, Kim. The Dashboard button is on the top right (in a browser). To create a new post, click on the Dashboard button, then click on the Posts in the left column, then click on the Create New button.
If you use the same layout every time, you can create a post and leave it in the Drafts as a template. Then, when you want to make a post with that layout, select Drafts, then select the three-dot menu next to the template and select Duplicate. It will open a new window with a copy of the template you can edit.
I never write in the app, so I can't help there. I think you select the plus button, then select Article.
That is likely. iPads rely on apps (like the Substack app). However, you could use the Safari browser on your iPad to access Subtack. I just tried it on my iPad Air, and it is very close to the Mac version. There is a hamburger menu that brings up the sidebar. Then it is the same.
You may call yourself "Internationally Unknown," but I prefer the term "Locally World Famous."
I agree with all of your points with one exception: I think Mark Starlin Writes! is a great name for a Substack. (Especially for someone named Mark Starlin.) Thank you for this realistic take on the state of the Stack. Congrats on your retirement!
Thanks, Jim. I like "Locally World Famous." It sounds like the best kind of famous. Thanks for liking my Substack's name. Yes, I agree, it would be weird if you named your Substack Mark Starlin Writes! π€£
What you have written tracks with my about two years of experience on Substack. Fiction is an afterthought here. Unless you are already a big name, you can't make much money here. Nobody reads the archive. Putting stuff behind the paywall serves little purpose. Social media doesn't attract eyeballs to one's content. Few people like or comment. But the best part is the interaction with new friends--like you, Mark! Happy retirement!
Thanks, Richard. It does give us an audience for our writing, and we get to meet some cool writer-type peopleβlike you. So I shouldn't complain, although I still do. π€£ But I plan to focus more on the positives, like regular readers who comment. They are worth more than gold! And I just waste money on bills, anyway. π€
I find what you write interesting, funny and entertaining Mark. I also write a variety on Substack and on Wordpress. And you are correct that not everyone enjoys fiction. I personally like mystery and horror but it is not popular on here. I write it because I enjoy it. And if I get readers for it, then that's great.
Thank you, Pennie. I see quite a bit of horror on Susbtack, but no mystery. Maybe because mystery sort of needs to be long-form? Writing for the love of doing it seems to be the best strategy.
Thanks for this post, Mark! I agree with all of what you said, but especially with the thought that writing can just be a hobby and there's absolutely nothing wrong or bad about that. I don't ever plan on making money with my writing. I just do it because it's fun! π
The best reason to do most things. Enjoy!
Thanks, Claire.
Having another 12 years on your lifespan, my comments regarding success are very similar and focused as humorous as yours are. I love to see comments and genuine investment in reading, no matter what the reading is.
Sometimes the comments get me thinking about my own memories, which generate a whole new set of possibilities and purposes in our lives.
Thank you for posting this because I read the entire thing and would read it again
Success is only what we each decide is and mine has changed dramatically over the years.
Although I am a published author traditionally because a publisher accepted me without much invested in my part, especially no money at all, Amazon basically bought them out.
Now Iβm happy with new dimensions and thank you for putting those new dimensions in writing to respond genuinely, honestly, and with lots of heart ππ
Thanks,Jill. Yes our measure of success changes as we age. And what is truly important becomes more clear.
I am fortunate to have readers who comment. I appreciate every one.
I appreciate each differing measure as well. And that may change.
Change is the only constant.
This piece, and you yourself, are my spirit animals. So much here rings true.
I am 61, feeling pretty great, and want to be sure to have something(s) to do when I blissfully retire.
I stopped learning guitar because hey I would never be great or even good at it. (I can still listen to Albert and BB King whenever I want, so there.) But I have always been able to write and there is much to be said. It only took me about 57 years to get on it.
Oh and yeah Mark Starlin Writes! particularly with the exclamation point sounds like a child has learned to walk. Youβre however stuck with it now. Hahahah.
Thanks, Jack. I didn't really start writing until my 50s. I started guitar at 12. I am much better at playing guitar than writing. But writing is also a great creative outlet.
Perhaps the name reflects the surprise people show when I tell them I write. π "A guitar player who can write?!" π€£
"Fiction is not a big money-maker on Substack unless you are already famous and write about writing fiction (which is actually nonfiction craft advice), rather than posting fiction itself."
The well-known fiction writers I follow here (Sherman Alexie, Junot Diaz, Kathy Fish, George Saunders) publish more non-fiction than fiction on their Substacks (though Diaz has been serializing unpublished work as of late).
It could be a contractual issue. But why couldn't a famous novelist post new, original short stories instead of just writing advice, lessons, and "what I'm currently working on" updates? Or a serial that their publisher could then sell as a book.
I don't follow any famous writers here. I would if Tad Williams or a few other favorites joined Substack. I like the underdogs better. π€
There are some SF and fantasy writers here too, but not him yet. And publishing original stories here still means they would own the copyrights.
True. I have a feeling that famous writers may be limited on what fiction they can publish here by their publishers (they probably want first dibs.) Or maybe they just don't have the time or energy to write books and also write fiction for Substack.
Well, it's not a problem I will ever have. π€£
There's a lot of meat to digest in this, Mark. I like how you distilled your reasons for posting on SS and how truthful you are about your goals. I'll add this: reading your posts makes me a better writer, not because they are necessarily Pulitzer-worthy (although I enjoy your writing more than some Pulitzer winners), but because they remind me that words have the power to provoke laughter, introspection, tears, and enlightenment. In your case, mostly laughter. And that is a most worthy goal. Thank you.
Thank you, Rebecca. You just made my day. I agree, writing should make readers feel something. Hopefully not bored. π€£ And that is a great truth. Simple things are often the most powerful.
Sorry to hear that you are leaving music teaching, Mark! βΉοΈ
I agree that the writers who do best have a niche. Yours is humor, but even that is too broad to attract a crowd. It has to be something like βpolitically scathing US Midwest humorβ or something equally unique. π I still struggle to slap labels on my Substack stories, and I only do βMy Chats with Debβ here. (Originally posted as βChats with Deb,β but then I found someone already had that title when I went to make mine an official post. So another tip regarding titles might be, βMake sure nobody else already has that.β Which is yet another upcheck for βMark Starlin Writes!β, IMHO.)
Recycling old stuff is great! Probably 95% of my Substack stuff is from stories over a year old on Medium. Some rewriting needed, obviously, like changing βOn our drive to work yesterdayβ¦β to βOne time when we were driving to work, years agoβ¦β, but itβs kinda fun reading old stuff. And if Iβm not my favorite author, I probably shouldnβt be writing, yes? π
Anyway, thank you for sharing what youβve learned, and I am sure I speak for your readership when I say we look forward to more Starlin stories! π
Thanks, Jack. I have been teaching music for about 20 years. It was never my plan. It was a necessity when the airline I worked for contracted out my job. It has been a good job, but not my passion. I am considering publishing a separate, guitar-related Substack, and I will likely end up creating instructional videos for it. So, I will likely continue to teach in that manner. I may even do a few private lessons at home.
I believe having an unusual last name was a factor in my Substack naming decision at the time. At least I don't have to add initials to my name like so many writers do. π€£
Yes, we must like our own writing! Why else do it?
I appreciate you being one of my long-time writing buddies.
And I can't believe someone stole your Chats With Deb. How rude!
The writer who got there first has the first name βDebβ. And sheβs a psychologist who talks about conversations with patients. Soooβ¦ okay, fine, βChats with Deb,β sure, makes senseβ¦ Β―\_(γ)_/Β―
What are the odds?
Thank you for this, Mark. You have confirmed a lot of my suspicions - about you and about Substack. I especially appreciate your decision to re-post older stories. I think it is a wise move. I wish you another five satisfying and successful years ( and I am not talking about money.)
I didn't know I was such a mystery. π€£
I have always thought that since they are my stories, I can do with them as I please, including reposting them or posting them on multiple sites. It is not like I am trying to get a book deal. The old publishing "rules" don't apply online. Everything online essentially disappears after a month or so. So why not recycle stories? It seems smart to me.
I am glad I happened upon your Bartle Clunes saga and made a new writer pal. Your comments bring me great joy.
Congratulations on your retirement Mark!
I agree that comments is where the magic happens!
Iβm grateful for platforms like Medium and Substack for the opportunity they offer to explore and practice our creativity.
Unlimited!
Thank you for your posts which often add a humorous dash of spice to my week. π
Thank you, 3. Hey! That could be my new Substack short description: "A humorous dash of spice for your week." π€
Wordsmithery!
Fantabulous linguistricy, indeed.
I would do better if I knew how to even get to my dashboard to begin a post. Usually, it happens by accident I'm so embarrassed to say.
Happy retirement and I will study this post later! Lots to digest!
Thanks, Kim. The Dashboard button is on the top right (in a browser). To create a new post, click on the Dashboard button, then click on the Posts in the left column, then click on the Create New button.
If you use the same layout every time, you can create a post and leave it in the Drafts as a template. Then, when you want to make a post with that layout, select Drafts, then select the three-dot menu next to the template and select Duplicate. It will open a new window with a copy of the template you can edit.
I never write in the app, so I can't help there. I think you select the plus button, then select Article.
I work exclusively on an iPad, so mine may look different, but I'll check it out. Thanks, Mark!
That is likely. iPads rely on apps (like the Substack app). However, you could use the Safari browser on your iPad to access Subtack. I just tried it on my iPad Air, and it is very close to the Mac version. There is a hamburger menu that brings up the sidebar. Then it is the same.
Good points. Happy retirement!
Thanks, David. Come on Friday!
You may call yourself "Internationally Unknown," but I prefer the term "Locally World Famous."
I agree with all of your points with one exception: I think Mark Starlin Writes! is a great name for a Substack. (Especially for someone named Mark Starlin.) Thank you for this realistic take on the state of the Stack. Congrats on your retirement!
Thanks, Jim. I like "Locally World Famous." It sounds like the best kind of famous. Thanks for liking my Substack's name. Yes, I agree, it would be weird if you named your Substack Mark Starlin Writes! π€£
What you have written tracks with my about two years of experience on Substack. Fiction is an afterthought here. Unless you are already a big name, you can't make much money here. Nobody reads the archive. Putting stuff behind the paywall serves little purpose. Social media doesn't attract eyeballs to one's content. Few people like or comment. But the best part is the interaction with new friends--like you, Mark! Happy retirement!
Thanks, Richard. It does give us an audience for our writing, and we get to meet some cool writer-type peopleβlike you. So I shouldn't complain, although I still do. π€£ But I plan to focus more on the positives, like regular readers who comment. They are worth more than gold! And I just waste money on bills, anyway. π€
Wait. You mean you still have to pay bills after you retire? Uh-0h.
I know! It's ridiculous.