there's plenty of room at the carrie bradshaw round table
hello.
yesterday,
shared a post about a topic that i’ve been pondering over for weeks. she essentially discusses how the proliferation of substack newsletters have led to a surge in content that often mirrors the monetization trends seen on social media platforms like instagram, where personal narratives and lists dominate. she discusses how this shift has raised concerns about the dilution of quality and originality in online writing, as many creators prioritize easily digestible content that attracts subscribers over more substantive and creative efforts.
she hit on a lot of important notes that are worth discussing in further detail. the way i understood her essay is that she was criticizing the quality of writing she has been seeing on substack. i truly do not believe she was criticizing the listicle writers. but there’s a lot to unpack here, so i’m going to share my thoughts and expand on a note i wrote in response to her post…
as a writer, an english graduate, and someone who (prior to substack), took my time to write deep and insightful pieces i felt proud of, recently i’ve been disappointed in myself for the times in which i’ve admittedly fallen victim to this rat race of overproduction for the sake of validation, growth, and connection.
i wrote in a previous note about how i wanted to start writing short literary fiction stories- something i used to do in college that brought me insurmountable joy. i have an entire google doc full of think piece topics i’ve been wanting to expand on but haven’t been able to because i’m so consumed with pumping out content and rushing my process. (and of course, dealing with life problems outside of the digital world)
regardless, i truly believe there is space on this platform for short-form “girl blog” content. it’s comforting to read and sometimes it’s enjoyable to create lighthearted listicles every now and then. and i need you to know that if you’re just a girl sharing your diaries and lists, i devour it. i eat that shit up. yes, share your girlie things. we want to know all about it. we’re invested.
and i must emphasize- you can be a great writer and create a light-hearted quality listicle.
i can’t tell you how many conversations i’ve had with other creators about paywalling content. my imposter syndrome is constantly being juxtaposed by my belief that creators should be getting paid for their work, especially women. and i’ve realized these feelings are birthed from a place of deep insecurity, knowing that i have so much more to give, but haven’t, because i’ve been addicted to this pursuit of your approval, even if it meant compromising my writing and what i know i’m truly capable of.
writing for me lately has served as a therapeutic outlet, allowing me to dump my efforts and energy into something that feels purposeful. i feel the love and appreciation reciprocated by my readers as i’ve been navigating this difficult season of job hunting, constant rejection, and emotional hysteria. (i’m grateful for you) so for now, the diary-type entries, silly little lists, film and book recommendations, interesting articles, seasonal traditions and weekly reports and all the other light-hearted content i’ve been creating recently are all i can muster up on a consistent basis until i start to feel more grounded in my life outside of this digital universe.
i mentioned in previous newsletter about the tiers and levels of anxiety that we battle throughout our lives. more often than not, the best writing and creative work is birthed from tragedy and difficult times. but there is a threshold that i, as a writer, am constantly teetering on- a delicate dance between paralyzing anxiety that stunts my creativity and the type of anxiety that’s just enough to get my creative angsty juices flowing.
last note here… one of the things i used to hate about my online presence as a creator is that i’ve never been someone who has been able to niche down, which has been detrimental to my growth. but i’ve learned to stop giving a shit. the truth is, i’m a multi-passionate woman who is constantly evolving, growing, learning, stumbling upon new things that spark my interest, and engaging in all of my curiosities. this speaks to who i am as a writer as well. the one thing i know for certain is that i’m confident in all of the recommendations i give for music, films, books, products, and everything in between. and i will never stop sharing about the things i love because i truly love them. my intention is to share things that i feel will add value to your day or spark joy or make you feel comforted whenever you’re feeling blue. there are days i don’t have the words to express everything inside my head (at least not for the world to see), but there might be a song or book or article that speaks to me and i feel compelled to share it with you because it makes me feel something.
okay, last, last note.
mood reader. there’s a reason why this term exists within the world of literature. if i’m feeling anxious or overwhelmed, i’m not turning to dostosevsky or a deep think piece on hegel. i’ll indulge in a sally rooney novel or maybe grab one of didion’s books if i’m in the mood to cry. maybe i’ll read kitchen by banana yoshimoto. but when i’m not feeling blue and i’m in the mood to be analytical or if i have capacity in my brain to digest difficult literature, i’m going after marx and de beauvoir. as a reader and consumer of art, i’m fluid and open. not everyone is, and that’s okay.
all this to say, there are a lot of mixed emotions on all of the above and i believe the nuance of this behemoth of a topic goes back to the monetization of it all. i can only speak and reflect on my own personal experience as a writer in the professional world and here on substack. i’m not disappointed in myself for writing comforting content or weekly reports or book and film recommendations. this was simply a wake up call for me to pause, take a step back, and slow down so that i can focus on quality over quantity. i stand firm in the belief that there is nothing with creating a balanced newsletter. and regardless of how you feel about the ethics of it all, it boils down to taste and preference.
at the end of the day, i will always support women getting paid for putting in the time, energy, and effort it takes to create content. substack is still a place of comfort and commiseration. and you as the reader are fully in control of the content you choose to read and support. i know my worth as a writer and you should, too.
that’s all for today.
if you’re not ready to become a paid subscriber and you have the capacity to leave a tip, that would be much appreciated.
i love you. i say i love you in every letter because i truly fucking mean it.
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hard agree! there were some good points in the og article but i think overall we need to have room and space for lighthearted and accessible pieces like listicles! i looove hearing about other ppl’s fave things
Wonderfully said, thank you! As someone who has also struggled with “niching down” and felt its detriments my entire online career, it’s so nice to hear someone else champion being our multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary, multi-passionate, multi-hyphenate selves 🫶