The hottest Writing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Literature Topics

Astrology for Writers: THE DISCORD!

astrology for writers • 314 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. The Discord community for writers provides a private space for connection and support.
  2. Community is essential for writers, whether in a writing group or for spiritual discussion.
  3. The Discord is open to paid subscribers who share a common interest in astrology and writing.

How I Taught Myself to Critique AI Research [Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 119 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Writing
  1. Writing allows you to store knowledge for future reference, spot cognitive blindspots, and engage with topics more deeply for better understanding.
  2. Challenges in self-learning writing include lack of contextual understanding, a defined learning path, and a peer network for feedback.
  3. Addressing challenges in self-learning involves finding strategies to gain clarity, identifying knowledge gaps, and seeking feedback from peers.

Happy Mother's Day, Dear Writing Moms

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 439 implied HN points • 14 May 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Writing mothers balance many responsibilities, often finding time to write in between their daily tasks and caring for their children. They use whatever tools are available to express their creativity, showing great dedication.
  2. The experiences of motherhood deeply influence their writing, adding emotion and authenticity to their stories. Their children’s lives and milestones inspire the narratives they create.
  3. Despite the challenges of balancing writing and motherhood, these women find strength and fulfillment in both roles. Their struggles shape their writing, making it more relatable and impactful for readers.

Bored in an exam

Obvious Bicycle • 526 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Students often feel bored during exams and sometimes struggle to stay focused. It's common for thoughts to wander and distractions to creep in.
  2. There's a mutual understanding between teachers and students about the exam stress, but it can feel awkward when everyone knows it.
  3. Many students wish they had studied more before the exam, realizing too late that they haven't prepared properly. This leads to a cycle of regret during the test.
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#142 Design Quality

Design Lobster • 239 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. Design quality can encompass an intangible 'quality without a name' that includes aspects like wholeness, humaneness, and timelessness.
  2. Ordinary elements in design can be elevated to almost art-like status through thoughtful design decisions.
  3. Focusing on delivering high-quality products can drive user engagement, positive experiences, and growth for a business.

Welcome aboard The Life Boat

lifeboat • 216 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. Art and writing can help us find balance and resilience during turbulent times.
  2. Engaging with art and writing requires concentration and attention.
  3. Creating and sharing art and writing connects us with ourselves and the world around us.

Criticism is the ultimate compliment

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 356 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Criticism can be seen as positive feedback, showing that people care enough to offer their thoughts. It encourages growth and improvement.
  2. The importance of creativity is highlighted through various writing methods and the need for authentic expression in art. Hard work often makes writing look easy.
  3. The text discusses modern trends, like how people engage with social issues and popular culture, suggesting a mix of nostalgia and critique about today's lifestyles.

Global Death Orgy draws near

The Lifeboat • 172 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Words can have a powerful effect on people. Just saying something can change how others feel or act.
  2. Over time, people can become desensitized to scary or shocking words. What once frightened them can become a joke.
  3. Humans need to connect with real feelings and not just repeat words like parrots. True emotions matter more than just saying what sounds good.

Sandwiches from the Garage

Vittles • 343 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🍲 Food & Drink Writing
  1. When writing, some people prefer simple meals that don't take much time to prepare. It's about using food as fuel to focus on the writing process.
  2. Eating repetitive or plain food can help writers maintain their energy and concentration. It's not about gourmet meals, but about keeping distractions to a minimum.
  3. The experience of eating while writing can be very personal and varies from person to person. Some find comfort in routine meals that help them stay grounded while they work.

‘It’s like getting a raise every single day’

Substack • 733 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Moving to Substack helped Bob earn more money than he did at his old newspaper job. He feels like he's getting a raise every day.
  2. Bob enjoys a closer connection with his audience now. Readers reach out to him with messages and comments, making it more personal.
  3. He believes that Substack is a great place for writers who want to share their honest opinions without the constraints of traditional media.

Diary: Atul Gawande, On Oliver Sacks

Book Post • 294 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Atul Gawande was inspired by Oliver Sacks for his inquisitiveness and ability to capture both medical and human sides of illness.
  2. Oliver Sacks emphasized the importance of understanding the human experience beyond just medical knowledge.
  3. Sacks viewed patients not as collections of deficits, but as unique individuals with their own stories and struggles.

Incident at the Charging Station

Message from the Underworld • 294 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. The author traveled from New York to San Diego, highlighting various locations visited on the trip.
  2. The author discussed a work-for-hire project nearing completion and a new Das Damen reissue.
  3. The short story, 'Incident at the Charging Station,' explores themes of violence, gentrification, and drug addiction around an electric vehicle charging station.

A heartwarming work of staggering performativity

Close-reading the reruns with Phoebe Maltz Bovy • 294 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Discussions around tipping behaviors and husband discourse often resurface periodically on social media.
  2. Many women share stories of seemingly perfect relationships with supportive partners to showcase their personal and professional success.
  3. Public narratives of idealized relationships may not always reflect the true complexities and challenges faced by individuals in real life.

How I Use AI

Jobs For AI • 26 HN points • 07 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Writing
  1. Using AI for writing code can save time and automate tasks, especially for novice programmers
  2. AI can enhance search capabilities and help in learning by providing concise information and alternatives
  3. AI can assist in documentation tasks, like generating instruction documents, and improve writing tasks such as composing sales emails

What's got my attention this week #26

The Shift With Sam Baker • 239 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Tracy Chapman recently became the first black artist to win a CMA Award for Fast Car.
  2. Various thought-provoking topics were touched upon, like compost's hidden treasures and the challenges writers face in making a living.
  3. The post highlights a range of interesting articles, from a profile of Lauren Sánchez to Robbie Williams advocating for taking 'manopause' seriously.

Why not to shy away from your mediocre work?

10x your mind • 119 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Putting yourself out there before you feel ready is key for growth and improvement.
  2. Creating mediocre work is part of the journey towards producing great work.
  3. Don't be afraid to share your work, even if it's not perfect - it's better to put it out there and learn from feedback.

Finishing a book

Brain Pizza • 1522 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. The post discusses finishing a book by Shane O'Mara.
  2. Shane O'Mara shares his thoughts on ending the writing process.
  3. The post mentions a fourth book that Shane O'Mara has written.

Publication Is Not the Point of Writing

The Fairest Writer • 2 HN points • 17 Sep 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Writing should be about improving your skills, not just getting published. Focusing on growth makes you a better writer.
  2. Publication is just an indicator of your writing ability, like a chess rating. It’s not the main goal; getting better is.
  3. It's important to write for yourself and learn, rather than stress about where you’ll get published. The right opportunities will come when you improve.

‘A good novel is like a holiday for the brain’

NN Journal • 159 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. A good novel can provide a mental escape, like a holiday for the brain.
  2. Success in writing often involves perseverance and seizing unexpected opportunities, as seen in author N V Peacock's journey.
  3. Collaborating with a writing community and mentors can be invaluable for aspiring writers to develop skills and navigate the publishing industry.

One year of my work, printed

The Novelleist • 510 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. A yearly collection of writing is printed to show the progress and creativity of the author. It's exciting to see your work in a real book format.
  2. The 2024 volume has a unique design inspired by the idea of creating connected communities. It reflects deep themes about society and its future.
  3. The author offers subscriptions for collectors to receive this printed work, along with other benefits at a lower cost this year.

A Note on Literacy from Brother Martin XoPo

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 345 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Literacy is changing in our fast-paced world. It's important to keep up with how people read and share information.
  2. New publications, like The Metropolitan Review, are trying to bring fresh ideas to the boring literary scene. They aim to shake things up and inspire new conversations.
  3. Engaging with technology and machine evolution is crucial for the future of reading. We need to blend the old ways with new innovations to thrive.

INTRODUCING: Essay Club

Mind & Mythos • 239 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Essay Club offers a relaxed way to engage with essays instead of long books. You can read short essays and still discuss deep ideas with others.
  2. The club meets every two weeks, and you can suggest and vote on new essays to read. Everyone can join the discussion by sharing their thoughts online.
  3. The first essay for the club is George Orwell's 'Why I Write.' It's a good start for anyone who enjoys exploring interesting topics.

Two Upcoming Workshops

Nice Try • 79 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🚌 Education Writing
  1. There are two writing workshops coming up in New York City. One is a ten-week course for intermediate and advanced writers, and the other is a three-day intensive for novel writing.
  2. The ten-week workshop will help writers improve their skills from individual sentences to complete stories. It costs $550 and runs from May 7 to July 9.
  3. The three-day workshop focuses on editing and finalizing a complete manuscript. It costs $1800 and will take place on August 16-18.

How to Write a Story

Nice Try • 299 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Drafting a story is important. You often start with something rough and improve it step by step until it feels right.
  2. Titles can change a lot during the writing process. It's normal to go through several names before settling on one that fits your story.
  3. Writing takes experimenting with ideas. You can mix genres and characters, and even make changes that seem silly until you find what works best.

Why am I bad at Scrabble?

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 373 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Being good at Scrabble isn't just about having a large vocabulary or great spelling skills. It's more about understanding the specific rules and structure of the game.
  2. Scrabble requires a different type of thinking that is more linear and bounded, which can be challenging for those who excel in creative and associative thinking.
  3. This kind of thinking challenge is similar for both people and language models. They can be great at connecting ideas but struggle with systematic tasks like Scrabble.

When it's going badly...

Development Hell • 276 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. Being a writer can have moments of self-doubt and feeling like a disaster, especially when facing a project that seems to have gone terribly wrong.
  2. Writers can be extremely hard on themselves, often internalizing problems with their work as personal failings.
  3. Despite the challenges and self-doubt, subscribing to platforms like Development Hell can provide insights and support in navigating screenwriting catastrophes.

On Bonfire Night

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 449 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Reading and literacy are changing, and many people seem less interested in understanding where their information comes from. This could mean we're heading back to a time when knowledge is just for a few elite people instead of everyone.
  2. Our relationship with reading might be vital right now, especially in a world filled with distractions. We should focus on the best literature and ideas to maintain the depth of our reading experience.
  3. It's important to share the value of reading with others. Like early believers sharing their faith, we must show people how reading has transformed our lives and encourage them to experience that too.

County Highway

The Hunt for Tom Clancy • 275 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. The story of County Highway turned out to be uplifting, contrary to expectations of a depressing tale.
  2. Meeting Dixon Palmer, a successful farmer, turned the story into a positive experience.
  3. Readers can access County Highway through physical newspaper copies available at certain stores.

Why Writing Needs Speaking

Regress Studies • 275 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. We naturally communicate fluently when speaking, which can help overcome struggles in writing.
  2. Writing offers unique affordances that encourage complex meanings and enhance privacy compared to speech.
  3. Hyper-awareness of written words can lead to writing difficulties, but leveraging speaking as a drafting tool can be beneficial.

Creative Block Rehab

Labor Intensive Art • 275 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. The author shares their journey of overcoming creative block through therapy and self-help resources.
  2. The struggles with creativity in writing and art are explored from childhood to adulthood.
  3. Implementing practices like morning pages and seeking inspiration from different experiences can help in unlocking creativity.

Good Writing As Hypnosis

Bentham's Newsletter • 275 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Good writing can make you believe things even without strong reasons.
  2. Skewed data and absence of arguments can be veiled by good writing.
  3. Persuasiveness of writing often relies on emotional impact rather than rational arguments.

I'm going to try to write again

afternoon walk • 79 implied HN points • 10 Apr 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. The author is resuming writing after a break by starting a new Substack, with no set commitments or promises
  2. The author expresses uncertainty about the longevity of the new Substack but is taking it step by step
  3. Despite not writing publicly for a year, the author has been working on occasional reports and op-eds

I Write One Article Every Month And Get $2,000 Easily

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 779 implied HN points • 13 Oct 22
💼 Business Writing
  1. Writing regularly can help you earn money, like making $2,000 monthly by just one article a month. It's a simple way to make some extra cash.
  2. Many people look for quick ways to earn money, thinking they can make it easily. However, success often takes time and effort.
  3. When you see claims of high earnings from minimal work, remember that it usually starts slow and builds up over time. Don't be fooled by the easy money talk.

A down-on-her-luck Lady of Shalott, and other tall tales

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 678 implied HN points • 30 Jul 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. The author reflects on revisiting past places, realizing how much she's changed but also how old selves still linger within her.
  2. The monthly newsletter discusses upcoming projects like 'Hagitude' and 'The Rooted Woman Oracle', and offers a chance to win a signed copy of 'Hagitude'.
  3. The author shares personal experiences and insights on growth, learning, and the impact of different places on one's sense of self.

Paper time capsules

Austin Kleon • 759 implied HN points • 15 Nov 22
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Finding old clippings in books can be a fun surprise. It shows how books can hold memories from different times.
  2. Storing clippings in books makes them special little time capsules. Each time you open the book, you can discover something new inside.
  3. Preserving these memories in books adds a touch of joy. It's like giving your future self a little gift whenever you read.

some honest words about the batcave wherein i try hard to make less jokes than normal

Both Are True • 130 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. It's normal to struggle with sharing ideas and being open about what you want to do. Everyone finds it hard sometimes.
  2. Building a community where people can write and connect is important, and it can be really special when done together.
  3. Even if asking for help feels tough, it shows that what you're doing has value and can lead to a rewarding experience for everyone.