The hottest Writing process Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Literature Topics

Writing is torture and it’s all I want to do

Quid Amo • 3170 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
📚 Literature Writing process
  1. Writing can be a struggle, but it's also something passionate writers want to do. It's a mix of hard work and joy when ideas flow.
  2. Everyone has their own style of writing. Some writers like to write daily, while others, like binge writers, focus their energy in big bursts around deadlines.
  3. The process of writing can change from book to book. It's important to track progress and allow for discoveries, as these moments can bring great satisfaction.

Processing: How Sam Bett Translated Osamu Dazai

Counter Craft • 265 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
📚 Literature Translation Comedy Writing process Autofiction
  1. Osamu Dazai was a complex Japanese writer known for both his dark themes and comedic elements. His work resonates with many young readers today because it feels relatable and authentic.
  2. Translating comedy is challenging, but understanding the original's voice and humor is key. The translator's job is to recreate that humor in a way that makes sense in the new language.
  3. Dazai's characters openly express their emotions, which is different from many Western depictions of masculinity. This openness allows readers to connect more deeply with the characters' emotional experiences.

tár is a campus novel, grow up

sweater weather • 4697 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
📚 Literature Writing process Genres Literary Analysis
  1. Campus fiction is not limited to university settings but can involve various social spaces like offices, museums, or even police departments.
  2. Campus novels provide insight into broader societal conflicts and offer a platform for exploring themes such as class, race, and political ideologies.
  3. Genres like campus fiction should not be seen as needing to transcend or blend with others, as they provide nuanced and interesting storytelling on their own.

Sharon Olds's huge archive of thinking and feeling

Subtle Maneuvers • 3321 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
📚 Literature Poetry Writing process Authors Creativity
  1. Sharon Olds writes by hand and fills notebooks with writing as a way to think and feel through the world.
  2. Olds organizes her writing and creates a huge archive of thinking and feeling, even if not all of it gets published.
  3. Having fun with writing, treating it like drawing or dancing, can be an important part of the creative process.
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☞ Computation and Wonder, Soon in Book Form!

Cabinet of Wonders • 254 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
📚 Literature Book Publishing Writing process Literary Criticism
  1. The book 'The Magic of Code' is coming out in June 2025. It's about making computer code interesting and fun for everyone.
  2. The author wishes he had a book like this when he was younger. It connects computing to various topics like language, biology, and philosophy.
  3. Preordering the book is really important for its success. It helps boost visibility and sales when it launches.

Inside the Writerly Life of Joan Didion

MILLER’S BOOK REVIEW 📚 • 1159 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
📚 Literature Author Writing process Influences Journalism Self-reflection
  1. Joan Didion's early writing experiences shaped her as a writer since childhood, emphasizing the importance of practicing and developing writing skills from a young age.
  2. Joan Didion's keen attention to sentence structure and style was influenced by authors like Hemingway, Conrad, and James, showcasing how studying others' works can inform one's writing.
  3. Joan Didion viewed writing as an integral part of her thought process, using writing as a tool for exploration and self-discovery, and recognizing the impact of her writing tools on her thought process.

Where Writing Comes From

Castalia • 679 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing process Creative Writing Literary theory Personal Experience
  1. Writing comes from different sources like imagination, memory, and research. Each source gives a unique flavor to the writing.
  2. Writing can also be reactive or projected, where emotions or empathy shape what we create. These types can feel very honest but may lack depth over time.
  3. To improve our writing, we should tap into our imagination more. By exploring different sources and types of writing, we can express ourselves in richer ways.

Why I'm starting a Substack

David’s Substack • 239 implied HN points • 08 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Public Debate Broadcasting Psychological Warfare Writing process
  1. Writing a book can take a long time, sometimes years between ideas and publication. This writer wants a quicker way to share thoughts.
  2. The Substack will focus on the writer's interests in media history, the BBC, and wartime propaganda. Readers can expect a mix of topics.
  3. Posts will come out weekly, but the schedule may change depending on life. Feedback from readers is encouraged to improve the content.

Writing by a "Dossier" Method (?)

Story Club with George Saunders • 65 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
📚 Literature Creative Writing Storytelling Character development Writing process
  1. You can start writing a story just by focusing on your characters first. Get to know them well before adding any plot or action.
  2. There’s no one right way to create a story. Different methods can work, and it’s okay to lean into what feels right for you.
  3. If your story feels a bit flat, try making your characters interact more. This can help bring energy and connection to the narrative.

Any questions?

So Here’s a Thing • 570 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing process Paid content Visual art Music recommendations
  1. The author plans to offer a question and answer session for paid subscribers about the writing process. Paid subscribers will get exclusive content in return for their payment.
  2. The author seeks feedback from paid subscribers on what additional content they would like to see and how they can make the subscription feel worthwhile. Feedback is essential to improve the subscriber experience.
  3. The author aims to strike a balance where paid subscribers feel they are getting added value while maintaining a fair experience for all subscribers. They want to avoid creating a two-tier system.

Processing: How Rita Bullwinkel Wrote Headshot

Counter Craft • 265 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
📚 Literature Writing process Structure Character development
  1. Rita Bullwinkel's novel 'Headshot' showcases a unique structure, following the format of a sports competition but blending it with deep character exploration.
  2. The use of third-person narration in 'Headshot' creates a collective voice for the characters, allowing for a deeper exploration of time manipulation in the story.
  3. Bullwinkel's research background in competitive youth sports informed the authenticity of the novel, particularly in capturing the psychological dynamics of characters in a boxing setting.

I Wrote a Book!

Shades of Greaves • 157 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
📚 Literature Self-Publishing Book promotion Book launch Writing process
  1. The author has published a book called 'Spoilers: Essays That Might Ruin Your Favorite Hollywood Movies', which has had an exciting reception.
  2. The author is actively promoting the book through events like book launches, signings, and readings.
  3. The author plans to share insights and data on the self-publishing process in a series called 'The Numbers', aiming to help other self-published authors.

A Conversation with Andrew Boryga

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 11 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
📚 Literature Novelists Characters Influences Voice Writing process
  1. Writing a novel can be a long, evolving process, with Andrew Boryga spending ten years to develop 'Victim,' which started as college short stories and transformed into a multilayered narrative.
  2. Characters in novels don't need to be fundamentally good; Boryga intentionally crafted complex, imperfect characters like Javi in 'Victim' to avoid traditional, simplistic portrayals.
  3. Authenticity in storytelling is crucial; Boryga aimed to portray the Bronx as he knew it, weaving the beauty, pain, and humor of the community into his novel 'Victim.'