The hottest Writing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Captain Obvious: a personal essay

Design Lobster • 579 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing Design Creativity Advertising Psychology
  1. Obviousness in writing can be seen negatively for lacking depth but celebrated in design for clarity and ease of use.
  2. Good writing avoids clichés and offers fresh perspectives, while good design balances between obviousness and experience for effective outcomes.
  3. Finding the right level of obviousness in design is crucial based on the project's focus on creating an experience or an outcome.

Needs more Flair

Austin Kleon • 1358 implied HN points • 24 Jan 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Illustration Design Creativity Writing Tools
  1. The Paper Mate Flair pen is great for writing, especially in notebooks. Many people love how it writes smoothly and that it doesn't bleed through the pages.
  2. Using the Flair pen can be a bit tricky as it's water-based ink, which can fade if washed. Some people prefer more permanent inks after experiencing this.
  3. Despite past issues, the Flair pen is making a comeback in some people's writing routines because of its unique feel and style. It's fun to use and can bring creativity to note-taking.

My 1500th Published Story - 10 Kickass Medium Writing and Monetization Tips

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 859 implied HN points • 29 Apr 23
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Monetization Online Content Creative Process
  1. Online writing requires mastering the craft to improve your skills. Practice makes perfect, so writing regularly is important.
  2. Monetizing your writing can be achieved through different strategies. Finding the right approach will help turn your passion into income.
  3. Engagement with your audience is key to success. Building a strong connection can lead to more readers and better reach.

MUSIC: Writing music

So Here’s a Thing • 570 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🎶 Music Writing
  1. Sometimes background music can help keep you focused and productive while working.
  2. Classical or soundtrack music is often preferred as the lyrics don't distract from the task at hand.
  3. Listening to music with a strong atmosphere can help create a mood and inspire creativity.
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The Rotor

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 21 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Creativity Personal essays Art
  1. Writing can be a source of freedom. Unlike sports, where failure can weigh you down, writing allows for exploration without fear of public judgment.
  2. Persistence is key to success in writing. It’s important to keep trying, even when faced with rejection, and to keep showing up to do the work.
  3. Minimize distractions to enhance your writing experience. Put away technology when you need to focus, and embrace the urge to write whenever it strikes.

State of the Nation

Fragmentary • 550 implied HN points • 22 May 23
📚 Literature Politics Writing Themes Reviews
  1. The author feels calm after book publication
  2. The political situation is described as chaotic and filled with nonsense fatigue
  3. The author dreams of living in a wood-frame passive house by a lake or sea, but worries about dramatic weather events

Anniversary

Castalia • 699 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Writing Community Expression Creativity Art
  1. Writing is a personal journey, and it's important to express yourself authentically without worrying about pleasing others. This way, you can share your true thoughts and experiences here.
  2. There’s a shift happening in writing that values individual voices over traditional publishing authority. People want to hear from real individuals rather than just big organizations.
  3. Writing can be an ongoing process where you learn and grow while sharing. It's possible to merge your work and personal interests, making writing something you love to do all the time.

Q&A Thursday

Agents and Books • 314 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. The post is about a Q&A session on reading habits of an agent
  2. The author discusses how agents read full manuscripts
  3. Readers can access the full post with a 7-day free trial subscription

An Ocean of Data

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 466 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Data Artificial Intelligence Writing Publishing Digital Transformation
  1. Data produced in just one minute in 2023 was 169,371 times more than produced in the entire 18th century.
  2. The analogy of
  3. pissing into the ocean
  4. implies the massive amount of data being generated daily being like a drop in the vast ocean.
  5. The role of a writer has evolved significantly from the 18th century, with the digital era signaling the end of traditional writing as we knew it.

Guide to Punctuation

Castalia • 479 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
📚 Literature Writing Grammar Reading Language
  1. Periods are like your own voice, giving rhythm to your writing. They bring a sense of closure.
  2. Commas are your dependable partners, helping to organize ideas and making them clearer, even when there are little disagreements about how to use them.
  3. Dashes add excitement and new possibilities to your writing. They let you explore long thoughts in a fresh way, even if they feel a bit chaotic.

Cleveland's Loss, and Ours

Notes from a Small Press • 14 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Urbanism Writing Community Local history
  1. Richey Piiparinen was passionate about Cleveland and its community. He cared about urban development and enjoyed discussing these ideas with others.
  2. The importance of local connections is highlighted, showing how friendships can inspire new projects. Richey and friends worked together to improve their city.
  3. Richey's legacy reminds us of the value of creativity in places that might feel overlooked. His work showed that every city has stories worth sharing.

Wrong Twice A Day

Fragmentary • 491 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
📚 Literature Language Grammar Writing
  1. Pedantry in language can be a vice, but also adds to the evolution of language.
  2. Using terms like "12pm" for lunchtime can lead to confusion due to lack of clarity.
  3. The 12-hour clock system can be confusing; switching to a 24-hour system may be simpler.

In pursuit of a masterpiece

The Novelleist • 901 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing Novels Art Creative Process Inspiration
  1. The author values creating a masterpiece in their writing, taking time to explore and research different elements.
  2. The author emphasizes the importance of incorporating personal experiences and uniqueness into artistic work to differentiate it from others.
  3. The author recognizes the need to slow down the creative process to pursue a masterpiece, allowing for deeper exploration and refinement.

Cloud Time

Vague Blue • 479 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
📚 Literature Time Art Writing Narrative Novel
  1. The concept of time for freelancers is different with a focus on personal freedom and measuring productivity in unique ways like word count and joy.
  2. Artists blur the boundaries between work, leisure, and art, showcasing how time is a complex tool for creativity without strict divisions.
  3. Certain artworks and films like _Blue_ by Derek Jarman challenge traditional narrative structure and compel viewers to explore abstract experiences, highlighting the fluidity and constraints of time.

Writing What You Can't Say

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 60 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
📚 Literature Writing Poetry Fiction Non-fiction Criticism
  1. Listening to how you speak can help improve your writing. Pay attention to moments when you hesitate or struggle to find the right words; this is where your best ideas can emerge.
  2. The search for the right word can be difficult, but it's a valuable process for a writer. Those tricky moments highlight what you really want to express and push you to find better ways to describe it.
  3. Saying what you feel but can't easily put into words is a key part of writing. Embracing confusion and uncertainty can actually lead to more compelling stories and ideas.

Pleasure lists

Vague Blue • 299 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
📚 Literature Lists Short Stories Books Reading Writing
  1. The post discusses pleasure lists and opening lines that hold significance.
  2. It includes a curated list of opening lines from various literary works.
  3. The author references past reading reviews and offers a 7-day free trial to continue reading their content.

The Writing Process #1

So Here’s a Thing • 471 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
📚 Literature Writing Inspiration Creativity
  1. Ideas for writing can come both actively and passively - sometimes they drop into your head, other times you need to create the right circumstances for them to appear.
  2. You need to understand what triggers your creative mind - it could be a specific place, activity, or even reading certain types of books.
  3. The creative impulse needs nourishment - figure out what fuels your creativity to keep it going.

Wizardstack is Pleased to Welcome the Pro-Voldemort Newsletter, Death Eater Daily

Shades of Greaves • 294 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
😂 Humor Satire Comedy Parody Entertainment Writing
  1. Wizardstack supports freedom of speech and expression, even controversial viewpoints.
  2. Wizardstack allows content that some might find offensive or disturbing, emphasizing the importance of free discourse.
  3. The platform's decision to host diverse perspectives, including extremist ones, sparks debate about censorship versus freedom of expression.

The Two Types of Writing Problems

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 48 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
📚 Literature Writing Narrative Style Composition Artistry
  1. Writing problems can be split into two main types: composition issues and expression issues. Composition deals with how to arrange your words, while expression is about capturing your thoughts.
  2. When you know what you want to say but can't find the right words, it's usually a composition problem. There's often a solution or guide that can help you find the right way to say it.
  3. Writing is a mix of sharing what you're thinking and continuously refining it. It's okay to struggle; the goal is to bring the ideas in your mind to life on the page.

What darkness reveals

lifeboat • 393 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Nature Writing Light
  1. Winter brings darkness, but it's time to embrace it and find beauty in it.
  2. Darkness isn't just the absence of light; it has its own role and significance.
  3. Exploring darkness can lead to insights about creativity and nature's wonders.

Celebrating An Anniversary: Three Years of Writing About Analytics - Issue 154

Data Analysis Journal • 452 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Analytics Data science Newsletter Writing Career development
  1. The author reflects on three years of writing a newsletter about analytics, thanking supporters and subscribers.
  2. The author's newsletter aims to document their journey, bridge the gap between academics and industry, and encourage classic data analysis.
  3. The author shares insights on their writing strategy, the power of being small and independent, and future plans for the newsletter.

The DIY writing residency

quite useless • 452 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
📚 Literature Writing Residency Creativity Career Personal Growth
  1. Persistence in writing is important, but flexibility and adaptation are key.
  2. Consider finding your own way to create the ideal writing environment instead of traditional residency programs.
  3. Choosing a well-paying job unrelated to your passion can provide stability and the freedom to pursue your creative endeavors without being solely dependent on them.