The hottest Storytelling Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Art & Illustration Topics

218: A Thanksgiving Story

Castalia • 779 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Many veterans face difficult lives filled with trauma, and often struggle to adjust to life after service. Places like Ft. Endurance provide support, but the road to recovery can be very tough.
  2. Scott's journey illustrates the deep emotional and physical pain veterans can endure, alongside their desire for connection and healing. Even small acts, like talking to a horse, can bring a sense of peace.
  3. Mental health struggles are real and ongoing for many veterans, and support from friends and family is crucial. It's important to check in on loved ones and encourage them to seek help.

Hope is a Book In Hand

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 359 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Books have a powerful ability to help people understand and care about different experiences. They can bring hope in tough times, especially when diverse stories are told.
  2. Indigenous authors are important because they share stories that show their real lives, not just stereotypes. Their books help everyone learn about different cultures and perspectives.
  3. Seeing people come together at book events is inspiring. It reminds us that books can create community and spread joy and compassion.

Maki High School

Splattern • 59 implied HN points • 25 Jul 24
🏝 Travel Storytelling
  1. Visiting Masudi at Maki High School was a joyful experience. It showed how much he has grown and how education changed his life.
  2. Emanuel emphasizes that successful business can help with charity work. He believes that being successful in business allows more money to go directly to those in need.
  3. Living has a strong interest in trading and is determined to write about it. His insights about the emotional side of trading were insightful and inspiring.

Why Everywhere We Look, There We Are

Everything Is Amazing • 1547 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. People often see faces and familiar patterns in everyday things. This strange trick our brain plays is called pareidolia, and it shows how we connect what we see to ourselves.
  2. Our attachment to objects, like clothing or old gear, can be sentimental. This affection helps us care more about the environment and encourages us to repair instead of throw away.
  3. Understanding our cognitive biases, like pareidolia, can help us be more curious and appreciate the world around us. If we learn to see ourselves in everything, we might treat it all with more care.
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Creator Interview: Abel García

Pizza Party • 28 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
💥 Comics Storytelling
  1. Comics are a way to make imagined worlds feel real by combining art and storytelling, and that mix can turn curiosity into a need to create.
  2. Clarity is the most important thing in sequential art — guide the reader’s eye, control rhythm, and make every panel have a purpose so the story never feels confusing.
  3. Writers should think visually: don’t overload panels with dialogue, give artists space for beats, and use small visual or narrative links plus smart page turns to keep the story flowing and landing emotionally.

The One Who Knows

The Reclamation Era • 19 implied HN points • 29 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. A new Substack newsletter, 'Word to Your Mother,' is being created to support local women in the arts, offering opportunities for storytelling and performances.
  2. There’s a call for auditions for a local show and a writing workshop for those interested in sharing their stories.
  3. The author reflects on her feelings as her child goes to college, sharing a personal lullaby that holds special meaning during this transition.

Journalists should start building life rafts earlier in their careers

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 523 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Journalists should think about creating their own platforms early in their careers. Having a personal website or newsletter can help them connect better with their audience.
  2. The situation at CNN is uncertain as they transition away from traditional cable. There is a need for major changes to adapt to the future of media.
  3. Support for indie filmmakers is growing, with new partnerships like Tubi and Kickstarter helping fresh talent get their movies made.

When the Writing Path Must Go Darker

Lit Mag News Roundup • 825 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Great writing often comes from delving into the 'dark place' within to find the most authentic material.
  2. A supportive and eager-to-learn student can sometimes inspire and push a teacher to new creative heights.
  3. Writing success isn't just about publication but also about the personal growth and journey as a writer.

Adventure Time and the Subversion of Whimsy, or How The Rightwing Lost Their Children

Trantor Publishing • 738 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Conservatives lost the ability to pass down their values to the youth, showing the importance of storytelling and children's entertainment in shaping culture.
  2. Children's stories should be taken seriously, as they can convey deep meanings in a way that is understandable and impactful to young minds.
  3. The show Adventure Time delves into complex themes and characters but also contains dark and subversive elements, reflecting a trend in modern storytelling where innocence is lost in pursuit of adult themes.

AI is an Assistant

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1152 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. AI can help writers by suggesting ways to make their writing more engaging. This includes adding stories and examples to capture interest.
  2. Using a conversational tone makes writing more relatable to readers. Simple language can help connect better than formal, complex words.
  3. It's important to hook readers emotionally and surprise them with interesting ideas. Engaging them with questions can keep their attention.

Wandering Beneath the Shadows of Fallen Idols

Trantor Publishing • 439 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. The entertainment industry is facing diminishing returns and struggles with quality as a result of increased competition and financial pressures.
  2. Amidst cultural decay, there is a need for reactionary artists to create real, impactful narratives that connect with human experience and offer something meaningful.
  3. Traditional storytelling tropes and old archetypes in media are evolving, calling for the emergence of new, more relevant narratives that reflect the challenges of the current societal landscape.

Talking to ravens

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 1697 implied HN points • 27 Aug 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Storytelling
  1. The book 'Hagitude: Reimagining the Second Half of Life' by Dr. Sharon Blackie explores the significance of storytelling in shaping our perceptions of aging and elderhood.
  2. The power of myths and stories lies in their ability to help us understand life, dream of a better existence, and inspire personal growth and change.
  3. Dr. Sharon Blackie emphasizes the importance of respecting and valuing older women, highlighting their wisdom, roles, and contributions to community.

Awaken Your Memoir By Making It Strange

The Recovering Academic • 395 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Defamiliarization can transform ordinary scenes into memorable literary images that stick with the reader.
  2. Avoid predictability in writing to create characters, settings, and plots that resonate with readers.
  3. Using defamiliarization techniques in writing can help make scenes and characters more impactful and engaging.

Start Your Story Right Before You Get Eaten by The Bear

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 719 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Start your story at a critical moment to grab attention. This helps keep your audience engaged from the very beginning.
  2. People appreciate brevity and relevance in storytelling. Avoid long backstories and get to the main point quickly.
  3. An effective story should be clear and focused. Make sure you highlight the most important parts to keep your message strong.

This New Internet Thing, Chapter 33

Life Since the Baby Boom • 922 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
⚔ Fiction Storytelling
  1. Len has found a new purpose in his retirement by managing an Internet sector mutual fund. It's surprising how his career took a turn he never expected.
  2. Cassie is now a single mom and Len is thrilled to be her child's godfather. Family roles can change, but that doesn't mean they can't bring happiness.
  3. Len is thinking about the future, considering how to help his goddaughter and honoring his late brother. It's important to think about legacy and the impact we can have on others.

no. 84: acts of cartography

let them eat cake • 199 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. The term 'umarell' is used to describe retirees who stop in the street to watch construction, often asking questions and offering unwanted advice.
  2. Building a restaurant involves acts of cartography, rewriting mental maps, and spending a significant amount of time on a construction site.
  3. Engaging in 'umarelling' - observing and learning on site - can provide valuable knowledge and a deeper understanding that goes beyond what blueprints can offer.

The Ghost in "Dylan's Ghost Story"

Letters from Fiddler's Greene • 609 implied HN points • 05 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Telling stories with no clear resolution can keep an audience engaged, even if it lacks a traditional ending.
  2. Modern media often presents entertaining narratives that ultimately unravel, leading to self-referential gibberish and a lack of satisfying conclusions.
  3. Nostalgia for a past era, like the 1990s, is often rooted in a desire for the hope, community, and optimism that characterized that time.

In conversation with: Julian Simpson

So Here’s a Thing • 688 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Don't wait for the perfect conditions or confidence to pursue your passion or career choice, sometimes taking a leap of faith can lead to unexpected success.
  2. Regardless of the challenges and changes in the creative industries, the core value of storytelling remains significant and enduring.
  3. The landscape of publishing and entertainment industries is evolving, creators must adapt to new challenges while staying true to their passion for creating stories.

Succeeding at Failing

RPG Design Theories • 687 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. Desire can drive success or failure in games, not just decisions and die rolls.
  2. Players can want their characters to fail for the sake of the story, leading to deeper character development.
  3. RPGs can offer immersion where players experience the story or participation where they help create it, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

A Mythsinger's Path

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 658 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. The video shared is about the work and legacy of Daniel Deardorff, a multifaceted artist and mythologist with a rich history of creative contributions.
  2. Daniel Deardorff's focus on embracing Otherness and his exploration of meaningful wounds in myths make his work stand out, offering a unique perspective on culture and community.
  3. The Mythsinger Legacy Project continues to carry forth Daniel Deardorff's work through various creative endeavors, preserving his unpublished works and vision.

Offering: March 18, 2023

Tarot Offerings • 668 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Storytelling
  1. Words have multiple meanings, so it's important to understand each other's unique interpretation.
  2. Slowing down and diving deep into words can lead to better understanding between people.
  3. Being specific in storytelling can make characters more relatable and complex.

Haircut for a Poem

Splattern • 119 implied HN points • 22 May 24
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Barbershops are important places in communities, where people gather and share stories. They create a special bond between the barber and their clients.
  2. Vaughn Acord, a talented hairstylist, listens to his clients and helps them express their true selves. It's not about his vision, but about bringing out their own unique style.
  3. Life should be about contributing to the community and making a difference. Helping others and sharing experiences can lead to a fulfilling life.

How Did You Get By?

BAD AT KEEPING SECRETS • 648 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. New York Times columnists Julia Rothman and Shaina Feinberg interview people to share honest stories about topics not commonly discussed.
  2. Their book 'How We Got By' features unique yet universal stories about addiction, career changes, relationships, and more.
  3. The work by Julia and Shaina aims to provide perspective, comfort, and a sense of connection by addressing taboo topics openly.

We Can Do Anything

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 3 implied HN points • 28 Feb 26
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. A hands-on creative studio offers weekly live sessions, mentorship, and an active community to learn AI-native and hybrid storytelling. Membership is paid and recordings are available to help people catch up.
  2. Using AI for video is powerful but quirky: it can produce spectacular effects yet struggles with simple things like consistent character dialogue. Working with it is an artisanal, iterative craft as tools evolve rapidly.
  3. The effort focuses on shaping ethical, hybrid approaches that humanize AI and protect creative roles, while exploring business and distribution strategies to counter low-quality AI content. The aim is to expand cinematic language without replacing actors and technicians.

Do our stories matter?

Men Yell at Me • 1024 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Our personal stories and memories are really important. They help us remember who we are, especially when we feel lost.
  2. Writing can be a powerful way to express ourselves and connect with others. It gives us a voice in difficult times.
  3. Even when things feel hopeless, sharing our experiences through words can create hope and understanding among people.

Leadership secrets of Attila the Nun

steveinskeep • 353 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. A novel tells the story of a medieval woman's rise to power in a feminist abbey.
  2. The book explores themes like human nature, faith, and power through a historical feminist lens.
  3. The main character, Marie, showcases how power dynamics shift within organizations over time.

Pulling back the curtain to show the set

Disaffected Newsletter • 1278 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
🎙 Podcasts Storytelling
  1. The show is presented like an old-fashioned talk show, not just a casual podcast. The creator values a polished production and enjoys looking put together while performing.
  2. There's honesty behind the performance; the creator shares personal struggles and insecurities. They believe it's important to show that even those who entertain can have vulnerabilities.
  3. The aim is to connect with others who have faced similar challenges from childhood. The show encourages a sense of recognition and reminds viewers that it's okay to have flaws but still strive to entertain and engage.

Tell Better Stories

Investing 101 • 64 implied HN points • 29 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Stories shape how we see ourselves and our history, so it's important for them to be truthful. Misleading narratives can lead to harmful consequences.
  2. A powerful story can inspire movements and change over generations. Even flawed beginnings can spark ongoing revolutions for equality and rights.
  3. Good storytelling embraces complexity and the messy details of life. It's about understanding all sides rather than taking one side.

Notes on Memoir Structure

The Fairest Writer • 259 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
📚 Literature Storytelling
  1. Start writing by keeping a memory journal. Write down significant moments to help you remember what to include in your memoir.
  2. Listen to your material while writing. The best structure for your story often comes from how you feel about your experiences, so be flexible and adjust as needed.
  3. During revisions, be willing to cut parts that don't fit. Always ask if you can make it better, instead of just wanting to be done with it.

The Summer Pitch Bible Part 1

slow motion multitasking • 1091 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. The idea for the show was born from homesickness and a desire to celebrate platonic friendship.
  2. The pitch bible creation process involved developing main characters like Oscar while maintaining personal attachment to original designs.
  3. The pitch bible layout included sections on show overview, characters, world-building, and episode ideas.

Hooked On A Feeling

Everything Is Amazing • 923 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. Good writing should make readers feel something. When words connect with the senses, it creates a deeper experience, almost making them live the moment.
  2. Felt writing is more impactful because it uses vivid details to evoke memories and emotions. This helps the reader connect with the story and remember it better.
  3. Mastering felt writing can help you communicate more effectively. It's about picking the right details to engage readers quickly and make every word count.

🤯 10 surprising ideas about design

Design Lobster • 519 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling
  1. In design, being obvious can be a compliment. It requires a creative mindset to see things as they truly are and eliminate the unnecessary.
  2. Design that makes people look good resonates more. A little flattery in design can go a long way in enhancing user experience.
  3. Embracing bad ideas in the design process can lead to wider exploration and better solutions. It's about challenging assumptions and sparking fresh ideas.

On Barbie and Oppenheimer, inevitability and guilty

The Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything • 530 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Storytelling
  1. _Barbie_ and _Oppenheimer_ films are compared with a focus on the inevitability and guilt associated with historical events.
  2. Film _Oppenheimer_ explores themes of guilt and responsibility regarding the Manhattan Project and the use of atomic bombs.
  3. Population shifts in London over the decades have seen fluctuations, with various factors influencing the city's growth and decline.

What stories do you tell yourself?

Are You Okay? • 579 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Storytelling
  1. Our internal narratives heavily impact our everyday life and health.
  2. It's crucial to acknowledge and rewrite negative personal narratives to improve well-being.
  3. Self-awareness, acceptance, and agency are key to understanding the stories we tell ourselves and improving our health.