This is the phrase that came to my mind after watching/listening to a webinar about building an author platform and preparing for a book launch by Dan Blank. I think the actual phrase he used (per my notes) was “you need more cycles to learn your own voice.” I have been thinking about starting a newsletter in terms of building a platform and Substack seems super easy, writer friendly and they keep sending out their own newsletters highlighting how much writers are making from keeping some of their writing behind a paywall (no pressure).
As is my MO, in preparation to start my own newsletter I signed up for LOTS of writer and writer related newsletters to get a feel for what’s working, what’s not, and what I actually read and don’t just delete. I wanted to know what writers wrote about, how they structured their newsletters, and did they use it just to sell books. I find it useful to do some ground work before jumping into to something like graduate school, creating a newsletter, traveling to a new city; however at some point preparation can turn into stalling tactics.
If I just have a few more examples, I’ll know just how I want my own newsletters to be.
I don’t want to start something without having it fully planned out so I can be consistent and build an audience.
But I believe the real roadblock is my own belief in myself as a writer. I write because I have to, meaning words (essays, flash nonfiction, novels, poems) build up in my mind until they burst out on paper or a screen. Until the words are out of me they poke at the inside of my brain demanding my attention - pick me, here I am, don’t forget about me, I’m right here, I’m still here. But I hold fast to the belief that no one wants to hear what I have to say and stay strong against the words and ideas beating at my skull to be free of me. I am my own worst enemy and from many of the writer newsletters I read and webinars I go to and podcasts I listen to, I am not the only one.
This morning I had a revelation. I don’t feel confident in sharing or talking about my writing. It is private and I feel protective of it, but I realized the only way to build confidence is to practice. So instead of thinking and waiting and reading and waiting for the perfect inaugural newsletter post, I just need to dive in and course correct as I go.
Don’t over think it, just try using your best efforts and see how it goes.
Some newsletters I love:
Courtney Maum: Before and After the Book Deal
Ijeoma Oluo: Behind the Book