Very honest, and the inverse relationship between the writer's confidence in finding an audience and the urgency of their desire to publish rings true.
The piece got me thinking about what makes a writer 'essential', in the sense of their being confident in finding an audience. In the case of non-fiction, I think it's simply a function of expertise. So, there are writers who are essential in fields that very few people are interested in (many academics fall into this category). And there are writers who are essential in fields that lots of people are interested in. But, either way, if a particular expert stops publishing in their field, they will simply be replaced. No one is indispensable, although the fewer experts there are in a given field, the more difficult they will be to replace.
Fiction may be a bit different, because style is a more significant factor, so readers tend to get more attached to particular writers.
I missed your writing and am often looking forward to it! I will share a small way it has affected me: you are probably responsible for making me rediscover metal and other heavy music, which I had thought I had left behind after my teenage years, and this was a joy! I hope you get well soon.
Firstly, thank you for this post - I enjoy all your writing and this one hits hard. I empathise particularly with the 'maddening sense' of ‘having to get something out now now now’. For me it’s partly fuelled by the chronic inadequacy that social media instils. When I scroll through the litany of talented people doing impressive things, I am always gripped by the urge to show the world ‘look, I am creating too.’ And then wait for the ‘likes’ to come in - dopamine followed by utter self-loathing. So I have started periodically de-activating my Instagram account, to remind myself that the world goes on outside this endless cycle of showing off, and that I am better off creating at my own pace in my own way.
I also relate to the ‘paradox of inessentiality’ - the more we write, the less ’necessary’ we feel - but I think this is the fuel the writer requires. And so many of the ‘important’ writers are only successful due to the vagaries of marketing and chance. Releasing art and thoughts into the world is always potentially important work, because we never know the impact we may have on someone. I know you’re not fishing for compliments, but as an example your book on Extreme Metal had a profound influence on me.
There’s so much good writing on Substack, I can’t even keep up with my favourite authors, so I try not to take it personally when my posts disappear into the ether :)
Secondly, I hope you feel better soon! Sinus infections are the worst. I’m a chronic migraine sufferer, similar sort of agony where you just have to wait it out. Rest well!
I did miss you, thought I had unsubscribed from your list because one thing I have to say is that I'm absolutely overwhelmed with the amount of emails I receive from people I like, I cannot keep up with the reading and every now and then I remove myself from their lists. Keep writing because you never know when your writing will be needed, I hope you get well soon.
Very honest, and the inverse relationship between the writer's confidence in finding an audience and the urgency of their desire to publish rings true.
The piece got me thinking about what makes a writer 'essential', in the sense of their being confident in finding an audience. In the case of non-fiction, I think it's simply a function of expertise. So, there are writers who are essential in fields that very few people are interested in (many academics fall into this category). And there are writers who are essential in fields that lots of people are interested in. But, either way, if a particular expert stops publishing in their field, they will simply be replaced. No one is indispensable, although the fewer experts there are in a given field, the more difficult they will be to replace.
Fiction may be a bit different, because style is a more significant factor, so readers tend to get more attached to particular writers.
I noticed you weren't there! Hope you get well soon Keith!
I missed your writing and am often looking forward to it! I will share a small way it has affected me: you are probably responsible for making me rediscover metal and other heavy music, which I had thought I had left behind after my teenage years, and this was a joy! I hope you get well soon.
As a fellow writer, working largely in Welsh, I can empathise. But I enjoy and appreciate your contributions always.
You have been missed.
I send healing Mi Shebeirach.
Hi Keith,
Firstly, thank you for this post - I enjoy all your writing and this one hits hard. I empathise particularly with the 'maddening sense' of ‘having to get something out now now now’. For me it’s partly fuelled by the chronic inadequacy that social media instils. When I scroll through the litany of talented people doing impressive things, I am always gripped by the urge to show the world ‘look, I am creating too.’ And then wait for the ‘likes’ to come in - dopamine followed by utter self-loathing. So I have started periodically de-activating my Instagram account, to remind myself that the world goes on outside this endless cycle of showing off, and that I am better off creating at my own pace in my own way.
I also relate to the ‘paradox of inessentiality’ - the more we write, the less ’necessary’ we feel - but I think this is the fuel the writer requires. And so many of the ‘important’ writers are only successful due to the vagaries of marketing and chance. Releasing art and thoughts into the world is always potentially important work, because we never know the impact we may have on someone. I know you’re not fishing for compliments, but as an example your book on Extreme Metal had a profound influence on me.
There’s so much good writing on Substack, I can’t even keep up with my favourite authors, so I try not to take it personally when my posts disappear into the ether :)
Secondly, I hope you feel better soon! Sinus infections are the worst. I’m a chronic migraine sufferer, similar sort of agony where you just have to wait it out. Rest well!
Catherine
I did miss you, thought I had unsubscribed from your list because one thing I have to say is that I'm absolutely overwhelmed with the amount of emails I receive from people I like, I cannot keep up with the reading and every now and then I remove myself from their lists. Keep writing because you never know when your writing will be needed, I hope you get well soon.