The hottest Writing Techniques Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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My Survey of 16 Classic Works of New Journalism

The Honest Broker • 15725 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
📚 Literature Journalism Non-fiction Cultural criticism Writing Techniques Historical context
  1. Journalism is changing fast, and traditional media must adapt to survive. Many new outlets are thriving while others struggle and lay off staff.
  2. New Journalism from the 1960s and 70s changed the way stories were told. It blended facts with storytelling, making journalism more engaging.
  3. Today, writers can explore bold stories without corporate limits. This encourages new voices to emerge and could lead to the next generation of impactful journalism.

Being an idiot and writing your newsletter - an interview I did for Creator Spotlight

Both Are True • 139 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
😂 Humor Stand-up Personal essays Writing Techniques Community Building
  1. Building a newsletter can be a journey of personal expression and growth. Being honest in your writing helps connect with your audience.
  2. Working with other creators and communities can really help you grow your audience and improve your content. Collaboration makes things more fun and effective.
  3. It's okay to not have everything figured out. Embrace mistakes and keep learning as you go. Just talk to people about your work and take it seriously, but also keep it light.

2024 S&tS Year in Review

Sex and the State • 13 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Gender Studies Media Analysis Social Issues Personal reflections Writing Techniques
  1. Focusing on gender was a big highlight in 2024. It helped shape the content and direction of the discussions.
  2. The author chose favorite posts based on personal value rather than popularity. This shows a desire to share meaningful insights, not just what's trending.
  3. Collaboration and guest appearances were significant this year. Engaging with others brought in new perspectives and growth for the newsletter.

A dialogue

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 9 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
📚 Literature Fiction Creative Writing Dialogue Writing Techniques
  1. It's important to express your feelings openly in conversations. Letting someone know when you're overwhelmed can lead to a better understanding.
  2. Humor can help lighten the mood during tough discussions. A little laughter can make it easier to find solutions to problems.
  3. Collaboration is key when facing challenges. Sometimes working together on a task can lead to better results than handling it alone.

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.
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On Creative Process

Weekly Wisdom • 39 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creative Process Writing Techniques
  1. The creative process involves distinct phases, and creative friction arises when there is a mismatch between the phase and the task.
  2. There are at least four main phases in the creative process: collective, connective, creative, and critical, each playing a vital role in creating and refining work.
  3. To enhance creativity, it's beneficial to keep the phases of the creative process separate, allowing for more efficient and energizing workflow.

An Interview with an Author, Journal Founder, & Former Publisher: Garret Francis

Barbarian Grunge • 56 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
📚 Literature Author Writing Techniques
  1. Garrett Francis begins his writing process with images that inspire him, building ideas and timelines before beginning to write.
  2. He approaches both novels and short stories in a similar way, focusing on developing characters and ideas based on images that come to mind.
  3. He aims for stories to have an overarching purpose or point, while also providing readers with multiple layers to engage with.

Getting over Writer's Block

Turnaround • 1 HN point • 27 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writer's block Psychology Writing Techniques
  1. Writer's block is not real, it's a mindset issue that can be overcome by taking action and confronting fears directly.
  2. Changing your environment can help you overcome writer's block, as shifting perspective and finding the right setting can make a difference.
  3. Experiment with different timings and environments to find what works best for you in terms of writing productivity.

On Writing Your Memoir Over Email

The Fairest Writer • 0 implied HN points • 02 Dec 20
📚 Literature Creative Process Writing Techniques Narrative structure Personal Reflection
  1. Writing a memoir can be harder than expected, requiring craft and focus on narrative. It's not just about telling your story but understanding the characters and what you want the readers to take away.
  2. Getting advice from others in a writing community can help. Focusing on a central question can give your memoir direction instead of trying to cover everything in one book.
  3. Using emails as a writing approach can make the process easier. Treating your writing like letters to someone can help you express your feelings and find your narrative more naturally.