The hottest Storytelling Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Art & Illustration Topics
Trantor Publishing β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 26 Dec 23
  1. Berenice's sword is a significant symbol tied to the memory of her child, and she must carry it until her death, representing her burden and the only memory allowed to her.
  2. The story delves into themes of love, grief, and sacrifice, highlighting the depths people are willing to go for those they care about.
  3. Death and its mysteries are pondered upon, emphasizing the unique ways individuals cope with loss and the different beliefs they hold about the afterlife.
Trantor Publishing β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 23 Dec 23
  1. Preparing for a dangerous journey involves seizing every advantage available, including acquiring knowledge and resources
  2. Exploring unfamiliar territories can reveal unexpected challenges and wonders, urging one to adapt and stay cautious
  3. Encounters with unique individuals can lead to unexpected gifts or insights, even if they challenge one's beliefs or perceptions
The Bottom Feeder β€’ 363 implied HN points β€’ 05 Apr 23
  1. Video games can be seen as a tug of war between power fantasies and high art.
  2. God of War Ragnarok explores the theme of father-son relationships, making it emotionally impactful.
  3. The challenge for video games is balancing the need for player satisfaction with honest storytelling, often leaning towards power fantasies.
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Trantor Publishing β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 10 Oct 23
  1. An Astronomer embarks on a dangerous journey to Calrathia with a historic manuscript, facing deadly obstacles and making a life-and-death decision to continue.
  2. The Astronomer encounters a fierce wolf and engages in a brutal struggle, showcasing resilience and determination to survive in a harsh, unforgiving environment.
  3. Hope emerges as the Astronomer discovers fresh footprints in the snow, leading him to a mysterious metal door and a potential chance for salvation.
Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 09 Dec 23
  1. Achilles used singing to calm his rage in the Iliad, showing the power of music as a form of self-care.
  2. The phrase 'famous stories of men' in ancient poetry was seen as providing wisdom and advice through narratives.
  3. Achilles' engagement with the 'klΓ©a andrΓ΄n' reveals a deeper exploration of narrative blending and the interpretation of stories, highlighting the complexity of storytelling in the Iliad.
Trantor Publishing β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 20 Nov 23
  1. The story explores the contrasting characteristics of a seasoned warrior and an insecure wizard, reflecting on the theme of the warrior versus the wizard in sword and sorcery tales.
  2. It delves into how the modern world seems to value intellect and science over physical strength and competence, raising questions about the imbalance between mental and physical development.
  3. The narrative highlights the importance of humility, forgiveness, and finding common ground in order to navigate complex challenges and conflicts, emphasizing the need for unity and collaboration among different generations for a better future.
Clinsights β€’ 255 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jun 23
  1. A chance encounter can ignite a spark and bring joy and purpose to life.
  2. Creativity and inspiration can come from unexpected sources.
  3. Embracing the anticipation and uncertainty of the creative process can lead to unique and fulfilling experiences.
Poczwardowski Notes β€’ 78 implied HN points β€’ 17 Nov 23
  1. The book explores clear thinking and decision-making holistically, starting with self-awareness and strengths/weaknesses, delving into the decision-making process, and ending with a philosophical reflection on what truly matters.
  2. An interesting tool suggested in the book is creating a personal board of advisors in your head, made up of people you value and trust, to gain different perspectives when making decisions.
  3. The book shares a recipe for turning ordinary moments into extraordinary results, but emphasizes that success depends on our implementation of the concepts discussed.
Orbis Tertius β€’ 143 implied HN points β€’ 21 Aug 23
  1. The anticipation of a fishing trip can be filled with energy, but the actual experience may not always meet expectations.
  2. The act of fishing can evoke deep emotions and memories, whether shared with family or experienced alone.
  3. Teaching someone else to fish can bring a sense of humility and gratitude for the patience and guidance received from mentors.
Civic Renaissance with Alexandra Hudson β€’ 235 implied HN points β€’ 25 Feb 23
  1. Storytelling can transform traumas into triumphs by framing them in a positive light.
  2. Viktor Frankl's experiences show the power of choosing one's attitude and finding meaning even in the face of suffering.
  3. Freedom and storytelling both offer the opportunity to decide how we respond to life's events and shape our own narratives.
From The Future β€’ 176 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jul 23
  1. Stan Lee's early struggles and experiences shaped his storytelling journey
  2. Stan Lee's approach to writing stories that he would enjoy reading himself led to the creation of iconic characters like the Fantastic Four and Spiderman
  3. Stan Lee's perseverance and belief in doing things his own way were key to his success as a storyteller
Do Not Research β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 02 Oct 23
  1. The story 'The Town' by Genevieve Goffman explores a haunting tale of two children from a town, one of whom is drawn to a mysterious wasteland by mutated creatures.
  2. The town's growth, fueled by industrial and tech developments, experiences a destructive explosion and fire, showcasing a disconnect between the town and the tech center to the west.
  3. A unique relationship is depicted between a girl, the protagonist, and a dog that possesses intelligence and skills, warning her of dangers beyond the gate she crosses despite the foreseen consequences.
Top of the Lyne β€’ 216 implied HN points β€’ 30 Mar 23
  1. The enterprise sales gene is complex and unique, different from SMB and mid-market sales genes.
  2. Understanding the ideal customer profile and reaching decision-makers is crucial in enterprise sales.
  3. Emphasize value over features, tell compelling stories, and focus on how your product benefits the customer's business in enterprise sales.
Things I Think Are Awesome β€’ 216 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 23
  1. Conceptual artist Sol Lewitt's wall drawings are executed by others based on his written prompts, highlighting different interpretations of instructions
  2. Poetry translation can lead to varied interpretations of the same text in different languages
  3. Copyright laws and the concept of dual authorship raise questions about originality and authorship in derived works
Juan David’s Newsletter β€’ 78 implied HN points β€’ 16 Oct 23
  1. Intense focus and commitment can lead to impressive results, like creating a movie from scratch in less than 24 hours.
  2. Starting with a strong desire to create something is often the only motivation needed to begin a project.
  3. Collaboration and creativity can help refine ideas and bring them to life, even in a time-constrained situation.
The Experiment β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 10 Feb 24
  1. The post discusses the story of a fascinating case where a client shot her husband's testicle and the surprising legal outcome.
  2. McCracken Poston Jr. is highlighted as an exceptional storyteller, with a talent for captivating narratives.
  3. The post shares insights into Poston's life and experiences, showcasing his skills as a lawyer and the journey of writing his book.
Big Charts β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 26 Sep 23
  1. Interactive data storytelling projects involve a complex process involving journalism, design, and coding.
  2. The process of creating interactive data stories often deviates from the initial plan due to the dynamic nature of the work.
  3. Various modes of communication, such as writing, design, and coding, play unique and essential roles in organizing thoughts and shaping storytelling.
Cybernetic Forests β€’ 179 implied HN points β€’ 09 Apr 23
  1. AI technology like Gen-1 from RunwayML is enabling new possibilities in generative video creation by focusing on the structure and content of videos.
  2. The concept of 'No-Camera Cinema' explores storytelling without traditional cameras, embracing AI-sourced images to reshape narratives and challenge storytelling norms.
  3. Older technologies like Magic Lanterns and experimental films provide inspiration for reimagining cinema with AI, showcasing the potential for new storytelling techniques and visual explorations.
Castles in the Sky β€’ 52 implied HN points β€’ 10 Nov 23
  1. The pilgrims on the Ark journeyed towards their promised land of Proxima Centauri-XR-4, embracing life as their religion.
  2. The importance of the observation deck on the Ark went beyond engineering; it symbolized the connection of the passengers to their purpose.
  3. Through personal stories and shared moments, relationships and perspectives evolved on the Ark, shaping individuals' sense of purpose and duty.
Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 27 Nov 23
  1. Book 8 of the Iliad focuses on Zeus shaping the plot through divine council and speeches, emphasizing the influence of Gods and Humans in the narrative.
  2. Zeus's control of the plot showcases his authority and highlights the consequences of opposing him, reflecting a theme of power dynamics and storytelling.
  3. Scholars propose book divisions in the Iliad align with potential performances, with Zeus's speeches marking key moments and guiding the understanding of the epic's plot.
Political Currents by Ross Barkan β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 12 Mar 24
  1. Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama, was a hugely influential series that left a lasting impact on a generation with its complex characters and thrilling story arcs.
  2. Character development was a key strength of Dragon Ball Z, with characters like Vegeta undergoing significant transformations from villain to antihero to protector throughout the series.
  3. The unexpected twists and deep emotional moments in Dragon Ball Z set it apart, offering a level of pathos rarely seen in contemporary animation.
Orbis Tertius β€’ 57 implied HN points β€’ 02 Oct 23
  1. The trail in the story is described as unpredictable and constantly changing, making each voyage unique.
  2. The narrator pays close attention to details in nature and uses markers to navigate the trail.
  3. Respecting the environment, being prepared, and staying aware of time are essential when venturing into unknown places.