When I started writing for Medium I committed to writing 100 articles without constraining myself to a niche. The goal was to just write whatever felt correct, to me, and I trusted that over the course of 100 articles I'd learn something about the space my brain took up.
I used to think that my interests bounced everywhere. After writing 100 articles I looked back over them and realized that there was actually only a limited number of things that I cared enough to write about. I wrote quite a bit about mental health and productivity. I wrote quite a bit about science and tech. I wrote quite a bit about nature and awe, and how we engage emotionally with the world around us. And I liked writing articles on writing, occasionally.
I also realized that there was one thing I hardly ever wrote about that I wanted to write about--data, but not in a stuffy silicon valley way, but in a more living, vibrant way, like "look at the amazing, cool things you can do with numbers."
And that's about it, for me. Some part of me has a yen for fiction but I don't really feel any urge to pursue that right now.
My point, I guess, is that you don't need to worry that your interests are too expansive to contain. You have a "shape" to you. That shape is your niche, and it's natural. You're already a good writer -- just try to be useful, do cool things and talk about them, and experiment with improving your quality in whatever way matters to you intuitively. If you want to connect to the subtle undercurrents of interest that make people more likely to read your stuff, write about the important, newsworthy events that are happening right now, from whatever angle allows you to bring in the most interesting technical information.
And, I guess, as an afterthought; If I had to pick a single thing that most aspiring writers seem to be missing, it's that very few of them are useful locally, but they're still trying to be compelling globally. That's maybe an odd way to put it since I know that most writers have day jobs, so of course they're useful. But I guess what I mean is, your community is an immediate source of lived adventure -- get elbows deep in the problems faced in the place you live and suddenly you have something real and concrete to talk about, instead of trying to find interesting, free-floating topics from the edges of the internet.
I think of big-name writers like Matthew Yglesias and Scott Alexander and one of the first things that comes to mind about them is that they both spent a lot of time being useful locally, to their communities--Scott, for example, was deeply engaged in the Less Wrong movement from the start, and many of his best articles come from his interaction with that community, being useful to them.
I'm not really sure how well that advice will hold up in practice, but I've been thinking about that idea, about being useful locally, up here in Alaska. There are a dozen places in the community where I could add something of value--not just with my degree and skillset, but as a writer. I'll probably be giving it a shot, soon. If you feel inclined to do the same I'd love to talk more -- but of course, there's no pressure there. I guess I'm just using your article as an opportunity to connect and also to introspect a bit.
Best wishes to you, no matter what direction you choose to pursue,
James! Thanks for that comment; it's an essay in itself.
I agree on all counts. There is an elusive shape to my writing that circles a few topics in unusual combinations. The community aspect is so important, and yet so easy to overlook (and I am definitely guilty of that). I don't know yet how to let that take shape ;), but certainly something I'll be thinking about.
You have a very distinctive voice Gunnar! Writing like yours is what draws me to this platform. 👏
Kudos on your 80% work schedule. Never give the owner of the plantation 100%!
As to fame and fortune from writing ... ain't gonna happen for most of us mortals. Evolution breeds great appetites in us for money and social status and approval, so we chase it fiercely. But if the odds and base rates make writing a sucker's bet, best to write for the intrinsic pleasure and let the chips fall (as it were). Maybe that's just sour grapes from me, but it's all I got!
This is how I use substack too now, trying to eliminate the taxonimization of my writing. My audience is me and if I am so lucky to have someone be moved or inspired by my writing, the world is now increased connection. I think your notion of substack as an exaptation, or affordance, which still exists under an economic selective pressure is spot on.
I feel this piece is missing what a lot of pop science and discourse on evolution also leaves out. You described this as reality towards the end, but what's behind adaptations, spandrels or not? No one and nothing exists in a void. Connections, relationships, communities, the space you inhabit and share, matter just as much, if not more, to how you function and what you can do/be.
I think a lot of us do this. We get stuck in our own little heads and don't really know how be a part of something. We need the something, so we don't fall apart.
You may have also chosen to leave that out, so apologies if this was unwarranted
No apologies needed - it's a really good point. I didn't leave it out on purpose, which only supports the 'stuck in our own heads' observation. The 'be part of something' is important, so thanks for calling it out.
It’s a reflection of the world just as much as anything else. We do things alongside each other and call it teamwork (while constantly complaining about it), and we don’t really know what it is to do things together. It fucking sucks.
First of all, I think I’m going to start insulting people with the word ‘spandrel.’ Like, “you know, your chin looks like a spandrel,” or “you did a spandrel job on this email.”
Secondly, I have quite a few questions about the mechanics of a two-headed whale.
Third, it’s actually quite beautiful to see you arrive at this point, and I appreciate your vulnerability. Your inner dialogue is so relatable, and your points about the realities of Substack and being a writer are poignant. With all the science/research writing I do for a living, I find my own voice constantly itching (clawing?) to surface, too.
Oh, last thing, if you ever added a tip jar for those without the option of paying you, I wouldn’t complain. 😉 I’m American… I’m used to tipping like crazy.
Spandrel does have a nice, insulting ring to it. Do it!
How did I just *know* you would relate?
(The thing about the tip jar is that I wonder whether it disincentivizes people from considering a paid sub? Then again, paid sub are probably not going to take off either, so...)
Your inner critic needs a hug and a comfy blanket, not a penalty box. Possibly some cake.
Was expecting musings on consciousness and how our understanding of reality is influenced(or not)by sleep/wake cycles. Did not find that. But was nevertheless not disappointed.
When I started writing for Medium I committed to writing 100 articles without constraining myself to a niche. The goal was to just write whatever felt correct, to me, and I trusted that over the course of 100 articles I'd learn something about the space my brain took up.
I used to think that my interests bounced everywhere. After writing 100 articles I looked back over them and realized that there was actually only a limited number of things that I cared enough to write about. I wrote quite a bit about mental health and productivity. I wrote quite a bit about science and tech. I wrote quite a bit about nature and awe, and how we engage emotionally with the world around us. And I liked writing articles on writing, occasionally.
I also realized that there was one thing I hardly ever wrote about that I wanted to write about--data, but not in a stuffy silicon valley way, but in a more living, vibrant way, like "look at the amazing, cool things you can do with numbers."
And that's about it, for me. Some part of me has a yen for fiction but I don't really feel any urge to pursue that right now.
My point, I guess, is that you don't need to worry that your interests are too expansive to contain. You have a "shape" to you. That shape is your niche, and it's natural. You're already a good writer -- just try to be useful, do cool things and talk about them, and experiment with improving your quality in whatever way matters to you intuitively. If you want to connect to the subtle undercurrents of interest that make people more likely to read your stuff, write about the important, newsworthy events that are happening right now, from whatever angle allows you to bring in the most interesting technical information.
And, I guess, as an afterthought; If I had to pick a single thing that most aspiring writers seem to be missing, it's that very few of them are useful locally, but they're still trying to be compelling globally. That's maybe an odd way to put it since I know that most writers have day jobs, so of course they're useful. But I guess what I mean is, your community is an immediate source of lived adventure -- get elbows deep in the problems faced in the place you live and suddenly you have something real and concrete to talk about, instead of trying to find interesting, free-floating topics from the edges of the internet.
I think of big-name writers like Matthew Yglesias and Scott Alexander and one of the first things that comes to mind about them is that they both spent a lot of time being useful locally, to their communities--Scott, for example, was deeply engaged in the Less Wrong movement from the start, and many of his best articles come from his interaction with that community, being useful to them.
I'm not really sure how well that advice will hold up in practice, but I've been thinking about that idea, about being useful locally, up here in Alaska. There are a dozen places in the community where I could add something of value--not just with my degree and skillset, but as a writer. I'll probably be giving it a shot, soon. If you feel inclined to do the same I'd love to talk more -- but of course, there's no pressure there. I guess I'm just using your article as an opportunity to connect and also to introspect a bit.
Best wishes to you, no matter what direction you choose to pursue,
J
James! Thanks for that comment; it's an essay in itself.
I agree on all counts. There is an elusive shape to my writing that circles a few topics in unusual combinations. The community aspect is so important, and yet so easy to overlook (and I am definitely guilty of that). I don't know yet how to let that take shape ;), but certainly something I'll be thinking about.
You have a very distinctive voice Gunnar! Writing like yours is what draws me to this platform. 👏
Kudos on your 80% work schedule. Never give the owner of the plantation 100%!
As to fame and fortune from writing ... ain't gonna happen for most of us mortals. Evolution breeds great appetites in us for money and social status and approval, so we chase it fiercely. But if the odds and base rates make writing a sucker's bet, best to write for the intrinsic pleasure and let the chips fall (as it were). Maybe that's just sour grapes from me, but it's all I got!
Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Baird. I really appreciate that.
Still coming to terms with the grapes, but the intrinsic pleasure for playing with words and ideas is there, so I’ll figure it out ;).
This is how I use substack too now, trying to eliminate the taxonimization of my writing. My audience is me and if I am so lucky to have someone be moved or inspired by my writing, the world is now increased connection. I think your notion of substack as an exaptation, or affordance, which still exists under an economic selective pressure is spot on.
Thanks, Ben. Economic selective pressure perfectly articulates it!
I really enjoy your work😊
Thank you, Jasmine!
You're welcome😊
I feel this piece is missing what a lot of pop science and discourse on evolution also leaves out. You described this as reality towards the end, but what's behind adaptations, spandrels or not? No one and nothing exists in a void. Connections, relationships, communities, the space you inhabit and share, matter just as much, if not more, to how you function and what you can do/be.
I think a lot of us do this. We get stuck in our own little heads and don't really know how be a part of something. We need the something, so we don't fall apart.
You may have also chosen to leave that out, so apologies if this was unwarranted
No apologies needed - it's a really good point. I didn't leave it out on purpose, which only supports the 'stuck in our own heads' observation. The 'be part of something' is important, so thanks for calling it out.
It’s a reflection of the world just as much as anything else. We do things alongside each other and call it teamwork (while constantly complaining about it), and we don’t really know what it is to do things together. It fucking sucks.
First of all, I think I’m going to start insulting people with the word ‘spandrel.’ Like, “you know, your chin looks like a spandrel,” or “you did a spandrel job on this email.”
Secondly, I have quite a few questions about the mechanics of a two-headed whale.
Third, it’s actually quite beautiful to see you arrive at this point, and I appreciate your vulnerability. Your inner dialogue is so relatable, and your points about the realities of Substack and being a writer are poignant. With all the science/research writing I do for a living, I find my own voice constantly itching (clawing?) to surface, too.
No matter what, please keep going.
Oh, last thing, if you ever added a tip jar for those without the option of paying you, I wouldn’t complain. 😉 I’m American… I’m used to tipping like crazy.
Thanks, Danielle.
Spandrel does have a nice, insulting ring to it. Do it!
How did I just *know* you would relate?
(The thing about the tip jar is that I wonder whether it disincentivizes people from considering a paid sub? Then again, paid sub are probably not going to take off either, so...)
Yes, I totally get that. I’m also bummed that I can’t contribute. And also, thank you.
Good suggestion Danielle. I like to send a one-time PayPal gift to good writers rather than subscribe. Good to have that option available.
Your inner critic needs a hug and a comfy blanket, not a penalty box. Possibly some cake.
Was expecting musings on consciousness and how our understanding of reality is influenced(or not)by sleep/wake cycles. Did not find that. But was nevertheless not disappointed.
Thanks, Andreea.
(I’ll put it on the list. My drafts are running wild.)
pro tip: step 1- too many ideas and interests
step 2 - find other people who write about them and give them suggestions-
step 3 ???
profit?
Sounds like a plan!
yes, thinking of changing my about section to something like ‘substack idea person, real life nightmare’
Good for you Gunnar- inner critic be damned!
Thanks, Lauren!