Whew! Glad you fared well through the storm, Mark. That one was really bad! I’ll have to check out The T.E.M.P. Agency--always looking for my next read, and it seems a good way to celebrate your milestone!
I was a journaled for years and years, but you know what I’ve just realized? I may not be anymore. When I sit down to write, it’s a letter. Whether that be a letter to a friend, a child, or a letter that I intend to post here, that’s what it is. So I guess I don’t look at it as journaling anymore. I jot down notes of things I want to recall when writing, but I can’t say I truly journal.
My writing techniques have definitely morphed this year in unexpected ways. I think you just have to find what works for you and go with it.
Thanks, Holly and it sure was. They're saying it's one of the worst to ever hit Florida and I believe it!
If you like sci-fi, you will enjoy it. At least, I hope you will. It's not 'hard' sci-fi and has quite a few fantasy elements as well. I like to think there's a little something in it for everyone but, then again, I'm a bit biased :)
Yes, I mainly journal for the writing exercise though I seem to be getting quite the writing "workout" here on Substack and I guess that should count for something :)
I used to think I wasn’t really a sci-fi kind of reader, but the older I get the more I’m proving that theory incorrect! Looking forward to checking it out.
Great point on the “Substack workout.” Maybe you can think of this as your exercise and just use that journal for grocery lists. :)
I have one regular (that I know of) reader who is a Twitter follower and she said she usually doesn't like sci-fi but enjoyed my story which I thought was a nice compliment.
If you get a chance to read some, let me know if you like it or even if you don't. Any criticism helps, to be honest.
Great post, Mark! Glad you fared okay in the hurricane.
I have a Traveler's Notebook too - their passport size, so that it fits in my pocket. I use that to make any notes that come to me when I'm out on walks, at work or doing the ironing! I don't use it as a journal though.
My A5 bullet journal is a lifesaver - I'm a proponent of the original method as seen in Ryder Carroll's 'Start Here' button on bulletjournal.com - it's a very short video (like 5 minutes) which explains the whole system. It's not artsy - which is what put me off when I first came across what many people seem to call 'bullet journalling' on social media!
I don't really do any longform journalling - I rapid-log, as per Ryder Carroll. So if I'm feeling something, thinking something, I write down just one line, or even a few words, to get it out of my head and make it real. Just the act of writing - 'bad day - I hate that I have to get up in the dark' or 'Mum saw a KINGFISHER by her pond' or 'I love how J made dinner - I'm so lucky' - can make these things real, tangible and, if they need to be, dealable with! Just making tiny notes about things I want to download from my fizzing brain is an incredible tool.
It's not just a journal, though - it's a calendar, a to-do list and a wonderful friend and supporter in paper form.
I've seen the passport-sized notebooks and they seem wildly popular among the Traveler's Notebook fans with good reason. I can see how convenient they'd be, especially for an avid walker/explorer such as yourself. Lots of options there.
When I first started looking into journaling, I saw a lot about bullet journaling, but it didn't seem like the right fit for me at the time. I may have to revise that point of view and give it a try. Like you, I think the "artsy" aspect put me off, originally. Maybe just jotting down short thoughts about whatever would work out better than trying to write things out in long form. Hmmm....decisions, decisions.... :)
There's no art at all in the original system, or my own bullet journal, or the 'Start Here' bullet journal video, I swear - just a black pen and a notebook. Do have a look!
I've never met a standard-sized Traveler's Notebook in the flesh before - the shape of it just seems really odd to me - it looks rather narrow. How are you finding it? My bullet journal is A5 sized - I guess that's what I'm used to.
The passport-sized TN fits in my pocket, but thanks to the way round I use it I still get 7x5 inches of real estate (not the 3.5x5 I would get if I used it conventionally).
It's a bit narrow, but not enough to bother me. Just a bit thinner than the A5 (which I did look at, as well) and almost the size of my current journal. I haven't started using it yet, but figure I will need it by year's end. I'll update then :)
I'm curious, Mark...why the urgent desire to journal, especially if it's going as roughly as you say? I don't journal, because I don't feel the need to. Plus, I'm too busy creating content for my 'Stack! I guess if I felt like I wanted to journal, and the task was failing miserably, I'd probably stop. But, asking for tips is cool...I guess I'm missing a key component: your reason for doing it.
Other than that, I'm happy with the 'Stack experience...I just sent an exclusive sneak peek of tomorrow's post to my paid subscribers...I'm sure they'll both be pleased. With it came 'Stack's first attempt (that I've seen) to provide Media Assets for our posts. I'm sure you've seen them by now; they look like they'll be helpful for posting on Instagram and other photo-first social media sites!
Mainly, it's another exercise in writing that (in my mind) could make sure I'm writing at least -something- on a daily basis. In researching it, people would go on about how it helped them clear their heads and gear up for the day which are great benefits if it works out. I guess I'm just sort of waiting for it to "click".
Very cool :) I've yet to hear a lot of negatives from people on the platform and know that I don't have any complaints. Glad it's working out for you, as well!
Thank you for that, Mark! If just the act of journaling ain't happening like you'd like, maybe channel some more informal writing that, while falling under the category of "journaling" (however loosely) still can be 'Stack-worthy at some point.
Like, today, I wrote a chatty little note to my paid subscribers with some exclusive sneaks and info non-paid subs won't get. I'll do something similar shortly to my freebies, reminding them of what they're missing by not upgrading to paid.
In other words, to "make sure you're writing at least something" to use your words, maybe tailor your writing to kill two proverbial birds with one equally proverbial stone. At least, your time will be used a little more productively. Even if one of my 18 therapists😁prescribed journaling to me, I'd say, "I can't---I don't have time to write! I'm too busy writing!"
Run it around in the blender, and see what pours out.😎
Hurricanes are so scary, but I’m glad you came through it. I forget that tropical weather includes storms!
I’m watching Stranger Things with my kids and it’s great bonding but also, it’s not a bad show. I also recognize all the songs. 🙃
I love Substack and it’s been a great way to advance my writing (and putting it out there) as well as focus on consistency. I try to maintain similar energies with writing as with my day job. Yes, it’s a release, it’s enjoyable, but I have to get it done!
Yeah, that's one of the tradeoffs with the nice weather....you have to be ready for the bad and sometimes really bad!
I liked the first season of ST, but didn't watch any of the other ones. I heard they were pretty good and, yes, I like the songs and the 80s vibe as well.
That's one of the best things about Substack, it helps keep me consistent (for the most part) and is a very convenient way to get your work out there.
Not a fan of journaling, really - though I keep various stacks of paper with notes and starter paragraphs, etc. around. Once in a (rather regular) while, I'll gather them together and then either formalise them into a document on the computer or perhaps just consolidate them onto a single page or so. After cutting out the rubbish, of course - of which there is a lot more in the cold light of a day several days after putting them down the first time.
As for Substack, I really like it - and don't have any complaints (except I'd like to be able to add underline to italics and bold, but hey). In fact, because it goes to both subscribers and the public it's a great way to ensure the writing gets done - especially as I have a regular publication schedule. It reminds me of when we used to have a cleaner come to the house once a week - we'd spend the day before ensuring everything was tidied away so she could actually clean: it was a great motivator!
Glad to hear you escaped the hurricane relatively unscathed - I had no idea you lived in Florida until just a post or two ago. For some reason, I had this image of you working away in a high tech cabin out back behind your house in the middle of your Wyoming ranch. Oh, well ...
I'm seeing a lot of people thinking about Substack the same as you do. It's a great tool for writing and accountability with said writing. For me, it's been one of the best blogging tools out there (I just wish they'd work on graphics placement, but oh well).
Thank you! Yes, I've been down here for about 13 years as a Northern Kentucky transplant. Your image of where I lived is MUCH better to my real situation :) Maybe someday....
Congratulations Mark on finishing your book! I went out and read the first chapter. Of course, there had to be a cliffhanger at the end. I'm sure that is what you were shooting for (no pun intended).
Great to see you fared well, except for the power outage. Up here in Rockledge, we mostly got a lot of high winds and rain. The wind was hitting up against my bedroom window so much, I thought it might break. And for the first time ever during a hurricane, we didn't lose power. It's strange.
As far as your question at the end, Substack is treating me well. I think it is definitely the place to be for writing. It's opened so many options for me to get people to read my writing. I'll be talking about it more once I hit my 6 month anniversary next month.
Thank you, Matthew! Haha, yes, the whole idea is to "keep them wanting more" so I have every episode ending in a cliffhanger. I appreciate you giving it a look, as well :)
If you didn't lose power, I'd consider that a 'win' and glad you all didn't get hit too bad.
I'm glad you're having a positive experience here and I totally agree, it's a great place to be for writing and interacting and I'm glad I got in on the ground floor. I see good things on the horizon for us all :)
Whew! Glad you fared well through the storm, Mark. That one was really bad! I’ll have to check out The T.E.M.P. Agency--always looking for my next read, and it seems a good way to celebrate your milestone!
I was a journaled for years and years, but you know what I’ve just realized? I may not be anymore. When I sit down to write, it’s a letter. Whether that be a letter to a friend, a child, or a letter that I intend to post here, that’s what it is. So I guess I don’t look at it as journaling anymore. I jot down notes of things I want to recall when writing, but I can’t say I truly journal.
My writing techniques have definitely morphed this year in unexpected ways. I think you just have to find what works for you and go with it.
Thanks, Holly and it sure was. They're saying it's one of the worst to ever hit Florida and I believe it!
If you like sci-fi, you will enjoy it. At least, I hope you will. It's not 'hard' sci-fi and has quite a few fantasy elements as well. I like to think there's a little something in it for everyone but, then again, I'm a bit biased :)
Yes, I mainly journal for the writing exercise though I seem to be getting quite the writing "workout" here on Substack and I guess that should count for something :)
I used to think I wasn’t really a sci-fi kind of reader, but the older I get the more I’m proving that theory incorrect! Looking forward to checking it out.
Great point on the “Substack workout.” Maybe you can think of this as your exercise and just use that journal for grocery lists. :)
I have one regular (that I know of) reader who is a Twitter follower and she said she usually doesn't like sci-fi but enjoyed my story which I thought was a nice compliment.
If you get a chance to read some, let me know if you like it or even if you don't. Any criticism helps, to be honest.
Good point and one to keep in mind! :)
Great post, Mark! Glad you fared okay in the hurricane.
I have a Traveler's Notebook too - their passport size, so that it fits in my pocket. I use that to make any notes that come to me when I'm out on walks, at work or doing the ironing! I don't use it as a journal though.
My A5 bullet journal is a lifesaver - I'm a proponent of the original method as seen in Ryder Carroll's 'Start Here' button on bulletjournal.com - it's a very short video (like 5 minutes) which explains the whole system. It's not artsy - which is what put me off when I first came across what many people seem to call 'bullet journalling' on social media!
I don't really do any longform journalling - I rapid-log, as per Ryder Carroll. So if I'm feeling something, thinking something, I write down just one line, or even a few words, to get it out of my head and make it real. Just the act of writing - 'bad day - I hate that I have to get up in the dark' or 'Mum saw a KINGFISHER by her pond' or 'I love how J made dinner - I'm so lucky' - can make these things real, tangible and, if they need to be, dealable with! Just making tiny notes about things I want to download from my fizzing brain is an incredible tool.
It's not just a journal, though - it's a calendar, a to-do list and a wonderful friend and supporter in paper form.
:D
Thank you, Rebecca!
I've seen the passport-sized notebooks and they seem wildly popular among the Traveler's Notebook fans with good reason. I can see how convenient they'd be, especially for an avid walker/explorer such as yourself. Lots of options there.
When I first started looking into journaling, I saw a lot about bullet journaling, but it didn't seem like the right fit for me at the time. I may have to revise that point of view and give it a try. Like you, I think the "artsy" aspect put me off, originally. Maybe just jotting down short thoughts about whatever would work out better than trying to write things out in long form. Hmmm....decisions, decisions.... :)
There's no art at all in the original system, or my own bullet journal, or the 'Start Here' bullet journal video, I swear - just a black pen and a notebook. Do have a look!
I've never met a standard-sized Traveler's Notebook in the flesh before - the shape of it just seems really odd to me - it looks rather narrow. How are you finding it? My bullet journal is A5 sized - I guess that's what I'm used to.
The passport-sized TN fits in my pocket, but thanks to the way round I use it I still get 7x5 inches of real estate (not the 3.5x5 I would get if I used it conventionally).
I will definitely look it up :)
It's a bit narrow, but not enough to bother me. Just a bit thinner than the A5 (which I did look at, as well) and almost the size of my current journal. I haven't started using it yet, but figure I will need it by year's end. I'll update then :)
I'm curious, Mark...why the urgent desire to journal, especially if it's going as roughly as you say? I don't journal, because I don't feel the need to. Plus, I'm too busy creating content for my 'Stack! I guess if I felt like I wanted to journal, and the task was failing miserably, I'd probably stop. But, asking for tips is cool...I guess I'm missing a key component: your reason for doing it.
Other than that, I'm happy with the 'Stack experience...I just sent an exclusive sneak peek of tomorrow's post to my paid subscribers...I'm sure they'll both be pleased. With it came 'Stack's first attempt (that I've seen) to provide Media Assets for our posts. I'm sure you've seen them by now; they look like they'll be helpful for posting on Instagram and other photo-first social media sites!
Mainly, it's another exercise in writing that (in my mind) could make sure I'm writing at least -something- on a daily basis. In researching it, people would go on about how it helped them clear their heads and gear up for the day which are great benefits if it works out. I guess I'm just sort of waiting for it to "click".
Very cool :) I've yet to hear a lot of negatives from people on the platform and know that I don't have any complaints. Glad it's working out for you, as well!
Thank you for that, Mark! If just the act of journaling ain't happening like you'd like, maybe channel some more informal writing that, while falling under the category of "journaling" (however loosely) still can be 'Stack-worthy at some point.
Like, today, I wrote a chatty little note to my paid subscribers with some exclusive sneaks and info non-paid subs won't get. I'll do something similar shortly to my freebies, reminding them of what they're missing by not upgrading to paid.
In other words, to "make sure you're writing at least something" to use your words, maybe tailor your writing to kill two proverbial birds with one equally proverbial stone. At least, your time will be used a little more productively. Even if one of my 18 therapists😁prescribed journaling to me, I'd say, "I can't---I don't have time to write! I'm too busy writing!"
Run it around in the blender, and see what pours out.😎
Glad things weren't worse!
I usually start journaling with 2 - 3 boring prompts like the weather, the temperature, what's the big plan for the day, etc.
Me too, thank you! Not a bad idea, if nothing else it could lend some structure to each entry :)
Hurricanes are so scary, but I’m glad you came through it. I forget that tropical weather includes storms!
I’m watching Stranger Things with my kids and it’s great bonding but also, it’s not a bad show. I also recognize all the songs. 🙃
I love Substack and it’s been a great way to advance my writing (and putting it out there) as well as focus on consistency. I try to maintain similar energies with writing as with my day job. Yes, it’s a release, it’s enjoyable, but I have to get it done!
I talked a lot. Hey, nice to meet you.
Well, hey Chevanne it's nice to meet you too! :)
Yeah, that's one of the tradeoffs with the nice weather....you have to be ready for the bad and sometimes really bad!
I liked the first season of ST, but didn't watch any of the other ones. I heard they were pretty good and, yes, I like the songs and the 80s vibe as well.
That's one of the best things about Substack, it helps keep me consistent (for the most part) and is a very convenient way to get your work out there.
Thanks for the comment! :)
Not a fan of journaling, really - though I keep various stacks of paper with notes and starter paragraphs, etc. around. Once in a (rather regular) while, I'll gather them together and then either formalise them into a document on the computer or perhaps just consolidate them onto a single page or so. After cutting out the rubbish, of course - of which there is a lot more in the cold light of a day several days after putting them down the first time.
As for Substack, I really like it - and don't have any complaints (except I'd like to be able to add underline to italics and bold, but hey). In fact, because it goes to both subscribers and the public it's a great way to ensure the writing gets done - especially as I have a regular publication schedule. It reminds me of when we used to have a cleaner come to the house once a week - we'd spend the day before ensuring everything was tidied away so she could actually clean: it was a great motivator!
Glad to hear you escaped the hurricane relatively unscathed - I had no idea you lived in Florida until just a post or two ago. For some reason, I had this image of you working away in a high tech cabin out back behind your house in the middle of your Wyoming ranch. Oh, well ...
I'm seeing a lot of people thinking about Substack the same as you do. It's a great tool for writing and accountability with said writing. For me, it's been one of the best blogging tools out there (I just wish they'd work on graphics placement, but oh well).
Thank you! Yes, I've been down here for about 13 years as a Northern Kentucky transplant. Your image of where I lived is MUCH better to my real situation :) Maybe someday....
Congratulations Mark on finishing your book! I went out and read the first chapter. Of course, there had to be a cliffhanger at the end. I'm sure that is what you were shooting for (no pun intended).
Great to see you fared well, except for the power outage. Up here in Rockledge, we mostly got a lot of high winds and rain. The wind was hitting up against my bedroom window so much, I thought it might break. And for the first time ever during a hurricane, we didn't lose power. It's strange.
As far as your question at the end, Substack is treating me well. I think it is definitely the place to be for writing. It's opened so many options for me to get people to read my writing. I'll be talking about it more once I hit my 6 month anniversary next month.
Thank you, Matthew! Haha, yes, the whole idea is to "keep them wanting more" so I have every episode ending in a cliffhanger. I appreciate you giving it a look, as well :)
If you didn't lose power, I'd consider that a 'win' and glad you all didn't get hit too bad.
I'm glad you're having a positive experience here and I totally agree, it's a great place to be for writing and interacting and I'm glad I got in on the ground floor. I see good things on the horizon for us all :)