I haven't come across these people yet, but I do think it's laughable to try and gatekeep the most basic form of human expression. You're so real about the fact that most people don't have the privilege and generational wealth to get away with being full-time writers.
i want this taped on my wall as a reminder and as a sign that says "GET OUT IF YOU CAN'T STAND MEDIOCRITY". Honestly, it's such a shock knowing that people have the audacity to point fingers.. like what the hell? this is an escape for many writers who don't look for recognition but a safe space. who aren't ruled by the glaring eyes of the algorithms of social media. Pheww can't believe there isn't a place where we can live in peace with each other.
i don't understand people who don't want to connect with readers because isn't that the whole point? i am writing because i want the words to reach the right people. i try to reply to every comment i get, i love when people message me, i feel if you're not engaging with your audience you're missing out on so much. sometimes i'll see a comment/restack on my dash that i didn't reply to because substack didn't send me the notification for it and i feel DEVASTATED.
Couldn't agree more lol... As a mediocre writer myself, i hate to see posts like those saying substack isn't for me and stuff... I've been wondering, where are you from? If you don't mind answering lol
Girl I feel you. I really push my boundaries here trying so hard to write a good article on my substack. Take the time to rewrite when it's needed many many times. Translate my text to English because it's not my native language. I speak Spanish. Taking the time to offer two languages versions. Also, with my poems I create the art and music in each poem... how much time i spend on this? A lot!. All for my recent love to write because no one seems to care my page. And then, I see in the notes section that the same people over and over again are recommended and shared like it's was nothing. BTW. I love how you write. Very clever and unique way.❤️🔥👏 BRA-VO!!
I think it’s so weird when I see people talk about the “horror!” of if everyone, including your taxi driver, was a writer. Like everyone would have better-constructed ideas and a medium to contemplate and question the way they think? What will happen to our democracy?
I came into this expecting you to make some completely different points about how being a writer doesn't make you special - which was probably just me projecting some deep insecurities - but I finished it feeling validated. I started out on Substack about two months ago and already had to take a break because all the posts about subscribers and engagement were stressing me out, as if that's all that matters.
By the way, I do have that degree in English Language and Culture, but my writing would still be labeled as frivolous. Half the time I spent on this platform is spent feeling insecure because of these people who claim we need a certain standard of quality without explaining what that actually means, and it leaves the door wide open for vulnerable young writers to feel inadequate.
Writer elitism is real. And toxic. Like you said, if it's about promoting quality writing, why aren't they sharing their platform with new writers? Why don't they use their voice to uplift others? What gives anyone the right to decide who's a "real" writer?? this kind of snobbery has always existed in the arts (remember when people thought women couldn't be real writers bc they're supposedly intellectually inferior to men). But we've never let it stop us and aren't about to start now ✨
you're so right,, bringing other writers down does absolutely nothing for you as a writer!!! why can't we all just support each other? who is anyone to decide who's an objectively good writer and who's not?
I recently posted a phonetic exploration piece (just comparing the sounds of a few words), which contained multiple disclaimers to indicate that it was not intended as definitive or scholarly. It became my most viewed and most restacked piece due to complaints that I was contributing to "useless folk etymology", the sanitisation and Christianisation of northern pantheons, and that I'm going round and round in circles due to my knowledge being limited to occidental languages. After explaining to multiple people, who either had drawn negative attention to the post or were drawn by the former, that I'm an autist who enjoys words and their flavours, and that I'm teaching myself multiple languages (some not occidental), the commenters eased up. All conceded to their misdeed that they could have been more polite in approach, while some were nicer than others about it. Only one remained fixed on his point, which was to do with the superior sophistication of Ancient Greek language and culture. Who knew comparing sound-alike words could be so controversial? Haha!
In response I cut out the problematic part of the post and uploaded it separate from the original, and last I checked the original still has more views, comments, and restacks. Some people are quicker to put-down what they don't like, than they are to support what they do like.
It's taken me quite a long time, and having put up with a lot of nonsense along the way, to reach this point of responding as cordially as I can when addressed with negativity. I've found that in most cases people take the 'out' if you're kind enough to offer one. It seems to resolve most issues, but still it's annoying that any issue is raised to begin with, ha!
People have started talking about reader elitism more recently but NO ONE TALKS ABOUT WRITER ELITISM!!! This post was so refreshing
YESSSS Thank you maya 😘
I haven't come across these people yet, but I do think it's laughable to try and gatekeep the most basic form of human expression. You're so real about the fact that most people don't have the privilege and generational wealth to get away with being full-time writers.
Yesss Thank you for reading Aliena!! You are always right <3
i want this taped on my wall as a reminder and as a sign that says "GET OUT IF YOU CAN'T STAND MEDIOCRITY". Honestly, it's such a shock knowing that people have the audacity to point fingers.. like what the hell? this is an escape for many writers who don't look for recognition but a safe space. who aren't ruled by the glaring eyes of the algorithms of social media. Pheww can't believe there isn't a place where we can live in peace with each other.
Yess pissing me off!!
Writing.
It it what it is.
Its awesome.
🫶🏾
i don't understand people who don't want to connect with readers because isn't that the whole point? i am writing because i want the words to reach the right people. i try to reply to every comment i get, i love when people message me, i feel if you're not engaging with your audience you're missing out on so much. sometimes i'll see a comment/restack on my dash that i didn't reply to because substack didn't send me the notification for it and i feel DEVASTATED.
you are so me 😭
Couldn't agree more lol... As a mediocre writer myself, i hate to see posts like those saying substack isn't for me and stuff... I've been wondering, where are you from? If you don't mind answering lol
If you're mediocre than what am I?!
I'm from planet earth!!!
You are talented... That's what you are...
Girl I feel you. I really push my boundaries here trying so hard to write a good article on my substack. Take the time to rewrite when it's needed many many times. Translate my text to English because it's not my native language. I speak Spanish. Taking the time to offer two languages versions. Also, with my poems I create the art and music in each poem... how much time i spend on this? A lot!. All for my recent love to write because no one seems to care my page. And then, I see in the notes section that the same people over and over again are recommended and shared like it's was nothing. BTW. I love how you write. Very clever and unique way.❤️🔥👏 BRA-VO!!
OMG Thank you so so much for reading and sharing your thoughts <3 I'm going to binge read all your pieces now ❤️
I couldn't agree more
🥹🙏
I think it’s so weird when I see people talk about the “horror!” of if everyone, including your taxi driver, was a writer. Like everyone would have better-constructed ideas and a medium to contemplate and question the way they think? What will happen to our democracy?
I came into this expecting you to make some completely different points about how being a writer doesn't make you special - which was probably just me projecting some deep insecurities - but I finished it feeling validated. I started out on Substack about two months ago and already had to take a break because all the posts about subscribers and engagement were stressing me out, as if that's all that matters.
By the way, I do have that degree in English Language and Culture, but my writing would still be labeled as frivolous. Half the time I spent on this platform is spent feeling insecure because of these people who claim we need a certain standard of quality without explaining what that actually means, and it leaves the door wide open for vulnerable young writers to feel inadequate.
Thank you for reading and also this comment 🫶🏾 Some people here really need humbling!! And we need more positivity <3
Writer elitism is real. And toxic. Like you said, if it's about promoting quality writing, why aren't they sharing their platform with new writers? Why don't they use their voice to uplift others? What gives anyone the right to decide who's a "real" writer?? this kind of snobbery has always existed in the arts (remember when people thought women couldn't be real writers bc they're supposedly intellectually inferior to men). But we've never let it stop us and aren't about to start now ✨
Omg yess Luna!! You get it ♡
in real life everyone is judging everyone so harshly so lets not do this app especially when it comes to their writing!!
Yesss!!!
I love this! Writing isn't for the selected few, it's a right for human expression.
Yesss Louder!!!!
you're so right,, bringing other writers down does absolutely nothing for you as a writer!!! why can't we all just support each other? who is anyone to decide who's an objectively good writer and who's not?
Yes i know right ?!
felt this so deeply. i think this is the only post i've seen talking about this.
Seriously, that's a compliment thank you!!! 🥹🥹
thank YOU for writing this!!
I recently posted a phonetic exploration piece (just comparing the sounds of a few words), which contained multiple disclaimers to indicate that it was not intended as definitive or scholarly. It became my most viewed and most restacked piece due to complaints that I was contributing to "useless folk etymology", the sanitisation and Christianisation of northern pantheons, and that I'm going round and round in circles due to my knowledge being limited to occidental languages. After explaining to multiple people, who either had drawn negative attention to the post or were drawn by the former, that I'm an autist who enjoys words and their flavours, and that I'm teaching myself multiple languages (some not occidental), the commenters eased up. All conceded to their misdeed that they could have been more polite in approach, while some were nicer than others about it. Only one remained fixed on his point, which was to do with the superior sophistication of Ancient Greek language and culture. Who knew comparing sound-alike words could be so controversial? Haha!
In response I cut out the problematic part of the post and uploaded it separate from the original, and last I checked the original still has more views, comments, and restacks. Some people are quicker to put-down what they don't like, than they are to support what they do like.
you're so right people are often quicker to criticize than appreciate!! OMG. You are way more nicer than me 😭
It's taken me quite a long time, and having put up with a lot of nonsense along the way, to reach this point of responding as cordially as I can when addressed with negativity. I've found that in most cases people take the 'out' if you're kind enough to offer one. It seems to resolve most issues, but still it's annoying that any issue is raised to begin with, ha!