The hottest Writing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

Historical Fiction: The Problem Genre

Castalia • 459 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
📚 Literature Fiction Historical Writing Narrative Arts
  1. Historical fiction can be tricky because it's hard to write about the past without getting it wrong. Authors need to balance modern ideas with how people thought back then.
  2. There are different paths writers can take in historical fiction, like blending their creativity with real history or using the past to imagine new outcomes, which can make stories exciting.
  3. Despite its challenges, historical fiction is important because it helps us connect with the past and understand our world better. It should not just be seen as romance or costume drama.

How to Write a Speech: Tips from MLK’s Notes

Noted • 904 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Writing Speeches
  1. There are formulas for writing speeches that have been used for centuries, but the key is adding your unique style to them.
  2. Martin Luther King Jr. mastered sermon delivery formulas and added his own unique style to them.
  3. Following MLK's speech templates is a good starting point for becoming a better public speaker.
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Why are famous writers suddenly terrible when they write on Substack?

The Intrinsic Perspective • 7343 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
📚 Literature Writing Authors Publishing Substack
  1. When famous writers switch to Substack, their writing often changes in quality and style.
  2. Traditional publishing involves a pipeline of manuscript workshops, agent and editor contributions that can shape a writer's work.
  3. Writing online on platforms like Substack demands more frequent and authentic output compared to industry standards.

What to Do?

Story Club with George Saunders • 117 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
📚 Literature Fiction Writing Reading Art Philosophy
  1. Finding peace in difficult times can come from focusing on positive systems and relationships in your life. It's important to connect with people and activities that align with your values.
  2. Art and writing can be a powerful way to express feelings and connect with others. Creative work can serve as a positive outlet and a source of meaning.
  3. Even when overwhelmed, small acts of kindness, like writing, can make a big impact. Taking little steps each day can help bring happiness and presence into your life.

Declaration of an Independent

MILLER’S BOOK REVIEW 📚 • 963 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
📚 Literature Biography Autobiography Writing Reading Memoir
  1. Benjamin Franklin was a self-taught writer who used creative exercises to improve his style and vocabulary.
  2. Franklin's independence and determination are evident in his self-made man mentality and unique approach to life.
  3. His commitment to self-improvement, public service, and scientific innovation showcase his individualism and contribution to society.

Starting from scratch: advice on building a career and finding an audience on Substack

Substack • 1537 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
💼 Business Career Audience Building Writing Creativity Community
  1. Starting a newsletter on Substack from scratch can lead to significant growth and opportunities.
  2. Substack empowers creators to find success without waiting for traditional publishing gatekeepers.
  3. Building a community through Substack can be key to achieving success, even when starting anonymously.

A New Literature

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1988 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing Model Content creation Evolution Interactivity
  1. The new companion model called Rent-a-Kent combines blog posts with a trained language model to promote reader interaction.
  2. Creating the companion model felt more like programming than writing a blog post, with less control over the model's responses.
  3. This new form of literature allows for immediate questions and comments without the delay of waiting for replies, but may lack the human connection found in traditional comment sections.

Sea Change

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 1317 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
📚 Literature Nature Writing
  1. The post is about early writing on place from 2008, dug up from the author's computer. They were living on a croft by Loch Broom at the time.
  2. The post is for paid subscribers only, indicating exclusive content on the topic.
  3. Readers can subscribe to get access to more of the author's content about 'Sea Change'.

So Here's a "thing"

So Here’s a Thing • 1592 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Creativity Etymology Language Literature Writing
  1. Engagement in posts should be a pleasure and not a chore, focusing on quality over quantity to prevent overwhelming the audience.
  2. Consider offering a paid subscription for those who want to support content and provide exclusive features for those subscribers.
  3. Etymology reveals the evolution of words like 'thing' over time, showcasing how meanings shift and adapt in language.

To Whom It May Concern

Castalia • 1238 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
📚 Literature Writing Poetry Fiction Literary Criticism Creative Nonfiction
  1. The recommendation letters highlight unusual and quirky characteristics of applicants, showing diverse and challenging backgrounds.
  2. Each candidate has distinct creative projects they are working on, ranging from deep personal struggles to dark humor.
  3. Despite their various issues, the letters suggest that these individuals could bring unique perspectives and contributions to a workshop setting.

Conversations with women (over 40): Barbara Kingsolver

The Shift With Sam Baker • 1577 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Writing Nature Women
  1. The conversations with women over 40 cover a wide range of topics from personal experiences to professional achievements, offering insights and perspectives from diverse backgrounds.
  2. Barbara Kingsolver shares her journey of self-discovery and empowerment, reflecting on overcoming challenges, finding courage to be authentic, and embracing wisdom that comes with age.
  3. Through her experiences with strong female role models like her literary agent and mother-in-law, Kingsolver highlights the importance of supportive relationships and the impact they can have on personal growth and success.

New Year's Wishes for Substack

Castalia • 979 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
📚 Literature Writing Publishing Creative Expression Community Innovation
  1. Substack should focus on great writing. The platform needs more individual voices and unique styles, rather than just advice and shortcuts among writers.
  2. People need to realize that publishing isn't the only measure of quality. A lot of interesting writing is happening outside traditional outlets, and more folks should engage with that.
  3. It's important for Substack to keep supporting free speech. This allows for a more open and creative environment where writers can express themselves freely without unnecessary moderation.

A library of words

Austin Kleon • 3497 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
📚 Literature Writing Books Linguistics Genres History
  1. Roget's Thesaurus is more than a simple list of synonyms; it's organized by ideas. This unique layout helps you think about what you want to say instead of just finding a word.
  2. Roget's life was all about organizing information, which influenced how he created his thesaurus. He wanted it to be a tool that helps users explore language in a deeper way.
  3. Using Roget's Thesaurus can be really helpful before you write. It can inspire you and help you find the right words for your thoughts, rather than just swapping words around.

Poetry Writing and Me

Soaring Twenties • 170 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
📚 Literature Poetry Writing Creative Education Arts
  1. Poetry writing can feel strange and uncertain, especially without clear feedback. It's common to question if one is really a poet after vague responses to their work.
  2. Enjoying poetry as a reader can inspire someone to try writing it. Taking a class can help improve skills, but a supportive environment is crucial.
  3. Listening to talented poets can spark motivation to create. Sometimes, personal artistic pursuits like music or poetry can fill a gap and connect with others.

Not writing, but typing

Austin Kleon • 2677 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Art Technology Writing History
  1. Using typewriters can make writing more fun and slower, helping you pay better attention to your words. They allow you to enjoy the writing process rather than rush through it.
  2. Typing out poems or favorite excerpts can be a great way to connect with the text. It feels like you're playing the words, which can deepen your understanding and appreciation.
  3. You can share your typed poems with friends in a fun way, similar to how restaurants use check pads. It’s a creative method of sharing and enjoying writing together.

The vibration is the way in

Austin Kleon • 2977 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Music Film Writing
  1. Good creativity comes from knowing when to take ideas and when to create something new. It's about making the right choices in what to borrow and what to invent.
  2. Getting to explore exciting events, like SXSW, can be a great way to find new ideas and inspirations. Even without a badge, you can enjoy the vibe and discover new experiences.
  3. Just like flowers, people thrive in different conditions. Some need more nurturing, while others can grow strong anywhere.

Introducing I Might Be Wrong Komedy Klass

I Might Be Wrong • 7 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
😂 Humor Stand-up Comedy Writing Performance Education
  1. Comedy is meant to be fun, not a serious career path. If you're doing it just for enjoyment, that's what counts.
  2. Taking a comedy class can be helpful, but it's not necessary. Many successful comedians never took classes at all.
  3. The new Komedy Klass is a free resource where you can share your comedy work and get positive feedback, making it a supportive space.

No expectations

Austin Kleon • 3137 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
📚 Literature Writing Comics Workshops Creativity Diaries
  1. Embrace what you have instead of wishing it were different. Focus on what's in front of you rather than dreaming about an imaginary version.
  2. When reading or writing, ask better questions like 'What is this?' instead of thinking about how to fix it. This helps you appreciate the work instead of getting distracted.
  3. Using old notebooks or diaries to inspire new ideas can be helpful. Often, there are gems in past writings that can spark fresh thoughts today.

Lo, a Substack

So Here’s a Thing • 1415 implied HN points • 25 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Writing Art Music Cooking
  1. The Substack will have a variety of content like writing thoughts, art, music, and recipes, making it an interesting mix for readers.
  2. The author promises not to spam your inbox with multiple emails and aims to be at least the second or fourth most interesting thing you read in a day.
  3. The first substantial post on the Substack is scheduled for tomorrow.

1,000 Words About A One-Liner

Technohumanism • 79 implied HN points • 28 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Writing Comedy Technology AI Communication
  1. Even with new technology, old writing lessons are still important. It's key to understand the basics of humor for effective writing.
  2. Humor can be challenging, but learning from failed attempts can help improve skills. Just like understanding a joke, getting good at writing takes practice.
  3. Making connections between topics can inspire creativity. For example, thinking about whales and AI sparked a unique comedic idea.

Mappy New Year

Breaking Smart • 45 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
📚 Literature Writing Blogging Narrative Publishing Themes
  1. The focus is shifting away from annual summaries to a more thoughtful exploration of writing themes. This change aims to reflect a clearer narrative in the work.
  2. Serialized projects will be replaced by standalone posts, as the writer wants to stay focused and adapt better to the Substack format.
  3. The newsletter price will increase soon, but current subscribers can lock in their rates by subscribing before the change happens.

How I Met My Wife and Business Partner

Opaque Hourglass • 259 implied HN points • 19 May 24
📚 Literature Relationships Writing
  1. The post talks about a unique and interesting meet-cute scenario involving a dagger and a paintbrush.
  2. The story emphasizes the unexpected and oddly poetic nature of the encounter in the narrative.
  3. It highlights the idea of shared fate or destiny, where the protagonists unknowingly select a brush and blade attached to a single handle from a barrel.

15 Random Things That Will Probably Help Your Publishing Career Much More Than an MFA Ever Could (or Writers’ Conferences, or AWP)

How to Glow in the Dark • 839 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
📚 Literature Publishing Writing Success Career Commercial
  1. Success in book publishing is unique and can't be replicated by following the traditional path
  2. MFAs and writers' conferences have value, but they don't guarantee commercial success as an author
  3. Factors like platform, artistic skill, and personal artistic style are crucial for achieving a big book deal