The hottest Storytelling Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Art & Illustration Topics

The Cooperatives: The scream

storyvoyager • 5 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
📚 Literature Fiction Science fiction Storytelling
  1. The story explores a future where humans face severe consequences due to climate change. It showcases how people's actions can disrupt nature and bring about significant challenges.
  2. Characters interact with indigenous beliefs and practices, showing a deep respect for nature. This highlights the importance of understanding and honoring the environment we live in.
  3. The tension escalates as characters confront the consequences of their actions. Their interactions reflect the struggle between human desires and the sacredness of nature, encouraging readers to think about their choices.

The Farmhouse

The Frontier Psychiatrists • 58 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing Storytelling
  1. The farmhouse was located in a clearing on top of a hill and dated back to the 1800s.
  2. The path to the farmhouse was initially a walking path that later became a bike path.
  3. The writer enjoyed carrying heavy camera equipment for outdoor activities like photography.

Achilles Sings the Hero Within

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 79 implied HN points • 09 Dec 23
📚 Literature Mythology Narrative Storytelling Epic poetry
  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 'kléa andrôn' reveals a deeper exploration of narrative blending and the interpretation of stories, highlighting the complexity of storytelling in the Iliad.
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All grapes are sour until they're ripe

storyvoyager • 6 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
📚 Literature Fiction Writing Storytelling Creativity Literary themes
  1. Patience is important. Just like grapes need time to ripen, ideas and goals also take time to develop.
  2. Creating can be tough sometimes. There were many challenges this year, but the hard work eventually turned into sweet success.
  3. Sharing stories can connect us. The upcoming mini-series is a way to bring people together and reflect on past experiences as we step into a new year.

Good Luck / episode seven

Nice Try • 59 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
😂 Humor Comedy Entertainment Satire Storytelling Media
  1. A funny story was shared about a man who built a secret tunnel to a bar to drink without his wife's knowledge. It highlights the lengths some people might go to hide their habits.
  2. The story sparked a discussion among friends in the truck about the wife's concerns, suggesting she was right to worry about her husband's drinking.
  3. This episode showcases how humor can be used to address serious themes, such as addiction and the impact of relationships on personal choices.

The First Rider

Soaring Twenties • 108 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
⚔ Fiction Historical Storytelling Short Story Folklore
  1. The story revolves around a small tribe in Eastern Europe/Central Asia around 4000 BC speaking a Proto-Indo-European language.
  2. Hester's bonding with a duckling named Swepna showcases a heartwarming connection and her defiance to protect it from becoming a feast for a ceremony.
  3. Bergu's tale of taming the horse Ekwos illustrates courage, friendship with animals, and the importance of respecting nature and the creatures within it.

Genevieve Goffman: The Town (excerpt)

Do Not Research • 99 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling Visual Arts Conceptual Art
  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.

The annoying parts of creativity | #29

The Pole • 99 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Writing Techniques Storytelling Emotions
  1. Editing is crucial but often disliked in the creative process. Finding ways to integrate editing into the writing phase can help improve efficiency.
  2. Jazz improv teaches the importance of establishing a strong foundation, common language, and focusing on adding rather than editing in creative collaboration.
  3. Expanding vocabulary and understanding in creativity can enhance storytelling, humor, and self-awareness, unlocking untapped creative potential in everyday experiences.

The Turquoise Serpent

Trantor Publishing • 79 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
📚 Literature Review Analysis Themes Comparison Storytelling
  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.

Book Review: “Clear Thinking" by Shane Parrish 5/5

Poczwardowski Notes • 78 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
📚 Literature Book review Decision-making Philosophical Storytelling
  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.

Storytelling is Freedom

Civic Renaissance with Alexandra Hudson • 239 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Storytelling Trauma Redemption Life lessons Morality
  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.

"What If?"

Juan David’s Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Film Storytelling Creativity Cinematography Production
  1. Curiosity drives human connections. When you talk to strangers, you might discover amazing stories that surprise you.
  2. Taking risks is important. You need to act boldly to achieve what you want instead of overthinking things.
  3. The best stories often come from real experiences. When creating something, let the story develop naturally from the events that happen.

Open Friday Thread: Storytelling, Teaching Experiments, and Private Threads

The Recovering Academic • 98 implied HN points • 03 Feb 23
🚌 Education Storytelling Teaching Experiments
  1. Collaboration on projects like Inner Life can help create a sense of community and engagement among contributors and subscribers.
  2. Storytelling and surprising teaching methods can have a profound impact on engagement and learning, both in traditional and experimental settings.
  3. Offering private threads or discussions for paying subscribers can enhance exclusivity and provide a more intimate space for in-depth conversations.

Weekly Wednesday Wisdom #7

Weekly Wisdom • 99 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
🚌 Education Creativity Storytelling Learning Self-reflection Personal Growth
  1. Documenting your learning process and teaching along the way can be an effective method to learn and grow.
  2. Storytelling is essential in communication and can be a powerful tool, even in something as seemingly mundane as copywriting.
  3. Reflecting on your progress, implementing small planning practices, and exploring new learning challenges can help in personal growth and development.

The economy of controlling women

storyvoyager • 10 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
📚 Literature Fiction Storytelling Themes Worldbuilding Cultural Studies
  1. Stories help us understand the world better, and writing can be a way to figure out our own thoughts and feelings. It's all about being fascinated by ideas and emotions.
  2. Historically, women's roles have been controlled in many ways, and it's important to think about how society might impose new forms of control in the future. We can see echoes of past practices in today's world.
  3. The idea of merging human minds with technology, called mindbinding, shows how humans could interact deeply with tech in the future. This blend could bring empathy and intuition into powerful new roles.

Welcome to Big Charts! Behind the scenes with interactive data stories

Big Charts • 79 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Data journalism Design Storytelling
  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.

Inside Nat Geo Traveller UK: an interview with editor Pat Riddell

Talking Travel Writing • 78 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🏝 Travel Magazine Interview Storytelling Subscription
  1. National Geographic Traveller UK saw a quick bounce back after the pandemic, reaching 164 pages by mid-2021 and returning to 180 pages in 2022.
  2. A brilliant story for NGT UK includes a compelling narrative that weaves characters, culture, and place, emphasizing sustainable and responsible travel.
  3. The magazine highlights long-form pieces that have made a significant impact in recent years.

The Dream Stream

Orbis Tertius • 143 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling Memory Nature Teaching Experience
  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.

Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders • 69 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing Revision Prose Storytelling Creativity
  1. It is possible to over-revise your writing, which can lead to loss of freshness and spontaneity. It's important to find a balance between revising too much and too little.
  2. Taking your writing too far in revisions can help you understand your prose better. Push past the point of reason to see the impact of over-revising, then dial back and restore the essence.
  3. Maintaining freshness in subsequent drafts improves with time and practice. Developing the ability to see your work with fresh eyes more quickly is a skill that can be honed over time.

VenezolanosPodcast.com

Juan David’s Newsletter • 2 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture History Podcasting Digital Media Storytelling
  1. A new website called VenezolanosPodcast.com helps people find and learn about the history of Venezuela through a popular podcast. It's designed to make accessing episodes easy for everyone.
  2. Understanding history is important because it helps us learn from the past and build a better future for Venezuela. The more we know about where we come from, the better we can shape our tomorrow.
  3. The creator of the site aims to inspire a community to engage with Venezuelan history and support each other in understanding their roots. This passion can drive positive change for the country.

Good Luck / episode five

Nice Try • 39 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Memory Storytelling Family Nostalgia Personal Experience
  1. Memories from childhood often stand out for their emotional impact. A birthday party moment can create lasting feelings of love and joy.
  2. People can have very early memories that stick with them, like seeing snow for the first time, even if it involves funny situations with pets.
  3. The way we remember things can be influenced by our feelings and imagination, leading to unique and sometimes questionable stories about our past.

Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders • 79 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing Reading Storytelling Books Characters
  1. The readers expect a cohesive story to lead them in a certain direction, answering questions as they arise.
  2. In writing with multiple points of view, the author should feel the book's need for additional voices rather than adding characters for the sake of it.
  3. One approach is to give each character enough backstory to make the current moment make sense, without unnecessary elaboration.

Something fun...

Sunday Letters • 219 implied HN points • 18 Jul 22
🕹 Technology AI Tools Illustration Storytelling Innovation
  1. Using DALL-E as a creative tool can really enhance storytelling. It helps generate images from ideas in a fun and quick way.
  2. Iterating on images rather than expecting a perfect result on the first try is key. It allows for creativity and collaboration between the user and the AI.
  3. Continuity in style matters when creating a series of images. Curation and refining outputs can help achieve a more consistent look.