I agree with you about social media outside of Substack. I have received verrrrry little from any of them. If a post about an episode or story gets more than two or three likes, it's phenomenal. So, nah, I won't be wasting time on them.
I used to think the lack of response was simply that my posts or stories weren't interesting enough, but now I think it's just that those sites aren't the right audience for fiction writers.
I totally get what you mean about characters refusing to stay quiet and leave us the heck alone!!
This year taught me that I can't do everything and I need to pick my projects very intentionally to avoid burnout from overcommitting.
This next quarter I want to return to my next children's nonfiction book in-progress. I want a revised manuscript and a proposal ready to submit to my publisher by March 25 (The Annunciation... Also the anniversary of the Fall of Sauron, LOL).
I'm with you on the subject of burnout. Even committing to a post/episode each week is enough to drain my adrenals! I've been contemplating stretching out to once every two weeks, but is that too long between posts? I haven't pulled the trigger yet.
My roundup/update posts come out once a month and are probably the most consistently popular thing I post on this site. When I try to post more frequently (weekly, etc) I tend to lose subs. It can be frustrating.
Social media is a bit of a grumpy topic for me right now. Since October, I've just lost *so* much motivation, almost like God was leading me into a pruning season. I deactivated my Facebook, stopped posting so much on here and Notes and Insta... I'm just filled with this deep ennui over it all. I mean, 2025 was not exactly kind to me, but, I really just feel led to devote more time to my studio process rather than posting, and then God kinda convicted me for not sending more work *out* to magazines and the like so... 🤷🏻♀️
I know what you mean! Every time I get on social media of any stripe, all I can think about are better, more fulfilling uses of my time, which generally involves writing and submitting said writing. It's probably the Holy Spirit prodding me.
I agree with you about social media outside of Substack. I have received verrrrry little from any of them. If a post about an episode or story gets more than two or three likes, it's phenomenal. So, nah, I won't be wasting time on them.
Same experience. Yep, only on Substack Notes have I found any traction at all.
I have more followers on Notes than I have managed to gain anywhere else!
I used to think the lack of response was simply that my posts or stories weren't interesting enough, but now I think it's just that those sites aren't the right audience for fiction writers.
Absolutely correct. Most social media are primed for quick half-life outrage bait.
I totally get what you mean about characters refusing to stay quiet and leave us the heck alone!!
This year taught me that I can't do everything and I need to pick my projects very intentionally to avoid burnout from overcommitting.
This next quarter I want to return to my next children's nonfiction book in-progress. I want a revised manuscript and a proposal ready to submit to my publisher by March 25 (The Annunciation... Also the anniversary of the Fall of Sauron, LOL).
I'm with you on the subject of burnout. Even committing to a post/episode each week is enough to drain my adrenals! I've been contemplating stretching out to once every two weeks, but is that too long between posts? I haven't pulled the trigger yet.
My roundup/update posts come out once a month and are probably the most consistently popular thing I post on this site. When I try to post more frequently (weekly, etc) I tend to lose subs. It can be frustrating.
You have a lot more subscribers than I do! Maybe if I publish less frequently, mine will increase! 🤣
Yes, as I entered into these last few months, it just felt like I was running on fumes. It's good to listen to your body sometimes and rest.
I am looking forward to whatever you do next!
Social media is a bit of a grumpy topic for me right now. Since October, I've just lost *so* much motivation, almost like God was leading me into a pruning season. I deactivated my Facebook, stopped posting so much on here and Notes and Insta... I'm just filled with this deep ennui over it all. I mean, 2025 was not exactly kind to me, but, I really just feel led to devote more time to my studio process rather than posting, and then God kinda convicted me for not sending more work *out* to magazines and the like so... 🤷🏻♀️
I know what you mean! Every time I get on social media of any stripe, all I can think about are better, more fulfilling uses of my time, which generally involves writing and submitting said writing. It's probably the Holy Spirit prodding me.