The hottest Writing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

The Practice of A Particular Weird

A Particular Weird • 18 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. Discovering and embracing your own unique value and weirdness can lead to more authentic and resonant connections with others.
  2. It's important to practice and develop your individuality and uniqueness over time, rather than trying to fit into a predetermined mold.
  3. Creating a space for community interaction and discussion based on personal weirdness can foster connection and growth among like-minded individuals.

Start the week #60

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 9 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. When sharing posts or newsletters, make sure comments are open to everyone, not just paid subscribers.
  2. Taking care of your health is essential, especially during times of illness. Don't forget to rest and prioritize your well-being.
  3. Writing about personal experiences can involve overcoming inner doubts. It's okay to wait for the right moment for your thoughts to flow naturally.

Join me on Notes

The Strategy Toolkit • 17 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Notes is a new space on Substack for sharing ideas, links, and more.
  2. Subscribers to The Strategy Toolkit can automatically see notes by heading to substack.com/notes.
  3. Writers and readers join Substack Notes for dialogue, alternative to social media, and creating a positive space.
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TWH#S13: What I Read This Week

The Hagakure • 17 implied HN points • 29 Apr 23
🚌 Education Writing
  1. Experiment with deliberate patterns instead of trying to change habits.
  2. Focus on making small adaptive moves for big results instead of big changes.
  3. Understand the neurochemicals of productivity and procrastination to be kinder to yourself when struggling.

In search of a soundtrack

The Author Is Dumb • 4 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🎶 Music Writing
  1. Music helps to create a flow when writing, making it easier to focus and get into the right mindset.
  2. Certain songs can bring back memories of specific books or writing projects, linking music with personal experiences.
  3. The author is looking for help from readers to create a playlist for their new writing project, encouraging collaboration and fresh ideas.

I Want a Mission, Not a Job

Theology • 3 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Writing
  1. Having a mission is more fulfilling than just having a job. People thrive when they feel their work has purpose beyond just earning a paycheck.
  2. Engaging with clients and listening to their stories can lead to better product development and marketing strategies. It's about understanding real needs, not just making sales.
  3. Being critical and honest in your field can drive change and innovation. Writing and speaking authentically helps challenge the status quo and inspire others.

Start the week #61

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 8 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Genuine writing should focus on conveying emotions and sentiments rather than just technical brilliance.
  2. When writing, aim to connect with the reader on a heartfelt level rather than just impressing them with technical skills.
  3. Writing with genuine emotion and sentiment can have a more profound impact on readers than technically impressive but emotionally lacking content.

Experiments in style: Inappropriate epithets

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 8 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Experimenting with writing styles by reworking text into different genres or styles can help improve writing skills.
  2. Using adjectives inappropriately can create intriguing effects in storytelling by making readers think about the words' deeper meanings.
  3. Constraints, like using adjectives from specific sections of a dictionary, can be a creative exercise to enhance writing and explore new narrative possibilities.

52 inches

Fictitious • 1 implied HN point • 03 Aug 25
📚 Literature Writing
  1. The main character struggles with family issues and embarrassment while dealing with a broken TV. They feel awkward about explaining their situation to their child.
  2. There’s a fun, light-hearted moment with the child where they try to watch TV and learn something new, showing their relationship and his curiosity.
  3. The story hints at nostalgia and past experiences, like fixing antennas, which adds depth to the character's background and connects the past with their current life.

stray clippings #01

visa's voltaic verses ⚡️ • 11 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. The author reflects on their writing process and the balance between perfection and speed.
  2. The author discusses experimenting with different writing forms to express their ideas.
  3. The author shares thoughts on storytelling, reflecting on character development and emotional impact.

The Palindrome is Growing

The Palindrome • 1 implied HN point • 02 Aug 25
🚌 Education Writing
  1. The Palindrome is expanding its team, starting with Alberto Gonzalez, who will help improve the publication's overall quality. He aims to make math and machine learning more accessible to everyone.
  2. The founder is looking to add more content creators to the team, focusing on educational content in math and engineering. This is a great chance for aspiring writers to showcase their skills.
  3. The goal is to double the value provided to readers and strengthen the community around The Palindrome, making it a more organized and valuable resource.

Ladies and Gentlemen . . .

the rohn report • 19 implied HN points • 03 Dec 20
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. Writing a book can be a challenging but rewarding journey, with doubts and moments of discouragement along the way.
  2. The book explores deep questions about humanity, challenging readers to think about the essence of being human.
  3. Life is like a story with character development, challenges, and beauty, providing rhythm and meaning.

On notes, outlines, and somehow cobbling a script together...

Development Hell • 1 HN point • 17 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Having a structured note-taking and outlining process can be beneficial, but it's important not to get lost in organizing and planning at the expense of actually writing.
  2. Getting caught up in finding the perfect tools and techniques for note-taking and outlining can lead to procrastination and unnecessary time wastage.
  3. Sometimes, embracing chaos and just starting to write can be more productive than following a rigid and extensive pre-writing process.

Books I reviewed in 2024

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 3 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. The author reviewed 32 books in 2024, covering a mix of topics like literature, history, and AI. This variety makes it interesting for readers with different interests.
  2. Most reviews are aimed at teachers, but the books are not all specifically about education. This shows that there's a broader context to the material covered.
  3. The author hopes the reviews help readers decide which books to buy and make them feel confident discussing these books with others.

Leap of faith or foolish gamble?

The Next Chapter • 8 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Writing
  1. Experimenting with different activities can lead to insights about career direction and passions.
  2. Reflecting on experiences can help uncover true callings and passions, guiding career decisions.
  3. Balancing financial stability with pursuing creative dreams requires planning and determination.

The Chloroquine Wars Book Project

Rounding the Earth Newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. The author is re-organizing 'The Chloroquine Wars' book project after three-and-a-half years of work.
  2. The author plans to publish chapter drafts, possibly behind a paywall, to receive valuable input from readers.
  3. The author intends to balance writing for the book project with relaxing to maintain creativity and focus.

witching hour writer patterns

visa's voltaic verses ⚡️ • 12 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. The author explores their late-night writing patterns and reflects on the importance of recognizing when it's time to rest.
  2. They express a desire to inhabit their daily routines more consciously and with more aliveness.
  3. The author discusses the significance of having interesting insights and intertwining ideas when writing, aiming to surprise themselves and readers.

And So The Writers Are On Strike

At the Mountains of Sadness • 2 HN points • 02 May 23
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. The Writers Guild of America is on strike due to issues like shorter seasons leading to less pay for writers.
  2. Streaming platforms are cutting pay by changing weekly rates to day rates and withholding specific viewership numbers for residuals.
  3. Writers are advocating against the use of A.I. in the creative process and are asking for fair treatment and to stop cutting corners in entertainment industry.

Experiments in style extra

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 3 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. The project is about rewriting the same story in different styles, with 85 versions created so far. It's a fun way to explore creativity and storytelling.
  2. There is a competition where subscribers can guess a mangled story to win a year's paid subscription. It's a playful way to engage readers.
  3. The author reflects on the quirky twists of writing and humor, suggesting that sometimes nonsense might make more sense than the original. It's all about enjoying the writing process.

I’m baaaaaaack

David Spinks' Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
💼 Business Writing
  1. The author is back from parental leave and feeling excited to return to work.
  2. During the author's leave, they focused on writing, consulting, and building their business.
  3. The author plans to maintain a daily writing habit, continue consulting, and grow their Talent Collective.

From “walking in the desert” to Escaping Flatland

Building the Builders • 2 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Writing
  1. Raising your ambition starts with believing in yourself. When you realize you can do more than you think, it opens up new possibilities in all areas of life.
  2. Taking time for self-exploration can boost your creativity. Allowing yourself to write freely without judgment can help overcome writer's block.
  3. Pursuing your goals requires a balance between fun and responsibility. Setting aside time for both exploration and focused work helps you stay productive while enjoying the process.

"What Ifs" and Third Rails

A Particular Weird • 11 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Lisa Cron's book 'Story Genius' helps authors understand the importance of a character's 'third rail' and emotional journey in crafting a compelling story.
  2. John Truby's 'The Anatomy of Genres' complements Cron's approach by showcasing how genres revolve around core thematic questions, providing a reliable starting point for writers.
  3. Crafting a riveting story involves determining the message, creating impactful characters, and outlining plot points that force characters to confront their past.

Shaky

Nice Try • 19 implied HN points • 05 Dec 20
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Work life can feel uncertain and shaky at times, with jobs changing and less demand for certain workers.
  2. People have unique ways to cope with stress, like finding humor in parenting or unexpected situations.
  3. Learning new skills can be fulfilling, whether it's cooking or teaching, and it helps us grow beyond our previous experiences.

Habits/Abitudini

Promontories • 7 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Revision and editing of writing can be a tedious and complicated process, but ultimately focusing on clarity and meaning is most important.
  2. Responsibility and decision-making, whether in writing or in historical events like WWII, can be daunting, but individuals can adapt and overcome challenges.
  3. Facing difficult situations and making tough decisions, whether in writing, leadership, or personal adversity, often requires resilience and the ability to adjust to new circumstances.

How I wrote the Mastermind version of my 'experiments in style'

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 3 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
📚 Literature Writing
  1. Writing can be fun when you explore different styles. It helps keep stories fresh and interesting.
  2. You can retell the same story in many ways while staying true to the original. This shows creativity and flexibility.
  3. Trying out new writing styles can help improve your skills. It's a great way to learn and grow as a writer.