The hottest Storytelling Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Art & Illustration Topics

On Rediscovering Your Story

The Fairest Writer • 0 implied HN points • 04 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Going back to past experiences can bring up new feelings and insights. We often think we'll feel the same, but surprises can emerge when we revisit those moments.
  2. Reflecting on past experiences can help us understand our growth and change over time. Writing about these moments can give us different perspectives.
  3. Engaging with old memories can spark creativity and inspire new stories. It's helpful to imagine how you'll view these experiences in the future, too.

When 'How to Start?' Is the Hardest Question

The Fairest Writer • 0 implied HN points • 25 Oct 21
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Starting to pitch your ideas can be really scary, but it's a necessary step for getting published. Don't let fear hold you back from sharing your work with editors.
  2. Rejections are part of the process, and it's important not to take them personally. Every pitch you send is a chance to learn and improve.
  3. The more you pitch, the better you'll get at it. Set small goals and keep trying to generate new ideas to increase your chances of success.

Short Story Workshop Tomorrow!

The Fairest Writer • 0 implied HN points • 03 May 21
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. There's a short story workshop happening soon with author Peter Kispert. It's a great chance to learn about writing fiction and submitting to literary journals.
  2. The workshop is useful for both new writers and those with experience, offering key advice on improving short stories and story collections.
  3. The host has recently developed a passion for short stories and encourages others who feel the same to join the workshop for guidance.

The reading apocalypse, protocol fiction, etc.

Data People Etc. • 0 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Many kids today are missing out on classic books, which is worrying. Reading habits are changing, and it's important to encourage children to engage with literature.
  2. Protocol fiction can explore themes of technology and creativity, like in the story about an artist and her AI assistant. It raises questions about how technology influences our work and connections.
  3. Balancing personal life, work, and friendships is tough. It’s often a choice between two out of three, and it's good to be okay with that limitation.

Bodies Bodies [10]

The Author Is Dumb • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
⚔ Fiction Storytelling
  1. Communication is key when faced with uncertainty. It's important to share information rather than keeping it classified.
  2. The public reacts strongly to unknown situations. Without clear answers from authorities, people might believe rumors or wild ideas.
  3. Collaboration is crucial. Different teams need to work together to find solutions and avoid panic, especially when resources are limited.
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Bodies Bodies [12c]

The Author Is Dumb • 0 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
⚔ Fiction Storytelling
  1. David feels out of place at the dinner, especially when Anna shines in social situations. While he struggles to connect with others, he admires Anna's charisma and intellect.
  2. The conversation at the table turns to deep topics about the nature of reality, with some guests speculating about higher dimensions. It's clear that David thinks a lot of this talk is just confusing noise.
  3. After drinking too much, David ends up sick in the bathroom, feeling embarrassed and vulnerable. Anna comes to check on him, reminding him of their younger days and showing she cares.

Claudia Hunter Johnson's Le Menu

Pizza Party • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Claudia Hunter Johnson created a method called 'Le Menu' to help writers develop realistic characters. This method uses a series of questions to reveal different layers of a character's personality.
  2. The questions focus on beliefs, values, fears, and key life experiences. Answering them can make the character feel more real and relatable.
  3. Writers can answer these questions in any order, which allows for flexibility in character development. It's an interesting way to create a well-rounded persona.

Kitty's Bordello

Pizza Party • 0 implied HN points • 21 May 25
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. The main character of the story is Madame Kitty. She seems to have an interesting and engaging personality.
  2. This piece is the opening scene of the first book in a series. It sets up the story and invites readers to share their thoughts on it.
  3. Readers can subscribe for free to get updates on new posts and support the author's work. It's a way to stay connected with the ongoing story.

Kitty's Bordello

Pizza Party • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
⚔ Fiction Storytelling
  1. There's a focus on togetherness and celebrating with friends, like having a pizza party. It emphasizes how sharing food can bring people closer.
  2. The work seems to invite readers to join a community or support creative ventures. It shows the importance of community in creative expressions.
  3. The title hints at themes of hope and possibly fun, suggesting a lighthearted or positive perspective in the storytelling.

The Utilization of Tabs

Pizza Party • 0 implied HN points • 13 Aug 25
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Everyone has their own way of being creative, and what's good for one person might not work for another. It's okay to explore different methods to find what fits you best.
  2. Starting with writing on paper can make brainstorming feel more free and less pressured. Allowing yourself to jump around ideas helps in the creative process.
  3. Using tabs or colored stickers can help organize thoughts and make writing more efficient. It saves time searching for ideas and keeps everything clear and connected.

I Turned My Blog Posts Into Songs Using AI and You Can Too

Crypto Good • 0 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
🎶 Music Storytelling
  1. AI tools make it easier for anyone to create music. You can turn your writing into songs without needing a full band.
  2. Ideating the song's theme is the most challenging part. Once you have that, making it with AI is quick and simple.
  3. Using music can enhance storytelling. Songs can help convey messages in a fun and engaging way.

Creator Interview: Amal Desai

Pizza Party • 0 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
💥 Comics Storytelling
  1. Perfectionism is a constant battle and often leads to obsessing over tiny details even when you want to work faster.
  2. Lettering should be intentional and match the artwork and tone; big logo-style name plates make character entrances feel bombastic and memorable.
  3. Rooting fiction in lesser-known historical facts can add depth and quietly teach readers, and for new creators the path is clear: learn from experienced resources, start making work, and hire (and pay) collaborators for skills you lack.

From MrBeast to microdramas: Scott Brown’s bet on phone-native storytelling

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 26
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Scott Brown has built a career at the crossroads of Hollywood and the creator economy, producing digital shows, helping launch major YouTube channels like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s, and working on big creator stunts.
  2. He argues that microdramas — short, vertically shot scripted series made specifically for phones — are the first truly native form of storytelling for smartphones and will develop their own grammar and audience relationships.
  3. Through his company Second Rodeo he’s producing microdrama series and betting that higher-production, phone-native stories could become a major new lane in scripted entertainment.