Changing Things Up

Wherein I find things aren’t working the way I want.

Photo by Roger Bradshaw on Unsplash

When I post here, it’s for one of a few reasons. First and foremost, it’s a place to share examples and explanations for my private clients and Story Grid students so I don’t have to repeat myself retype the same things over and over. When I first began, I made a commitment to myself (much like Shawn Coyne did with his original Story Grid blog) that all of this would always be free. I’m at a place in my life where I feel inspired to put more positive energy out into the universe than I ever expect to get back.

Secondarily, it’s a place to share things that I’ve thought about long enough to have an opinion about (ill-informed or otherwise) that I think might benefit novelists and storytellers at large. Last of all, I noticed that a few people have been moved enough to sponsor this always-free Substack—I’m as shocked as you are—and I’d like to be sure that they’re getting more value from me than they’re paying for.

That last category is what this post is about. You’re welcome to stay, but I’m speaking to the paid subscribers now (or anyone who’s considering it). Thank you! 🙏

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What Has Worked

Many of you email me, usually in response to a post, but my email address is not a secret. I don’t guarantee responses to randos from the internet, but I figure if you’re a paid subscriber you’ve qualified into the not-rando category. 😏

My personal goal is to always respond within forty-eight hours for paid subscribers. I think that’s working OK, so no change there.

What Hasn’t Worked

Regardless of why you subscribed in the first place, I’ve noticed a pattern. You’re not taking advantage of the subscriber benefits. Which is totally fine.

However, I do want to offer things that you’ll actually use.

Since very few of you take advantage of the scene review benefit, I’m going stop offering it and try something new.

Literally nobody has asked to connect on Discord, but I’ll leave that option open in case someone prefers that to Substack DMs or email.

The quarterly Zoom AMAs have been a problem, but that’s not a you-problem, that’s a me-problem. I’ve not advertised them far enough in advance for meaningful attendance. Now that I’ve been “fired” from one of my various jobs, I intend to get my proverbial ass in gear and systematize that so that you know far enough in advance when and where those will be.

What’s New

Beginning in May, I’m going to open a weekly private topical discussion thread on Substack for paid subscribers. I have a few novel fundamentals in mind to start, but I’m always open to suggestion if there’s a topic you’d like to discuss.

Also, beginning in May, I’m going to make the Zoom soirees monthly with a commitment to give you at least four weeks’ advance notice so that you can plan to attend. These Zoom events will be topical, but I will try to always leave time for random Q&A. No, these Zoom meetings will not be recorded or summarized.

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What’s Next?

If you signed up for a paid subscriber benefit that I don’t offer anymore, now would be the time to change your subscription, since these changes go into effect next month.

If you’re a free subscriber, there’re no changes for you. You’ll continue to get all my wacky pontification free.

Now, go write something!