Ah Mike, a dear friend of mine told me Leap, and the net will appear, when I was at the beginning of my self employed career. When I'd panic, thinking I couldn't make a go of it, I'd tell myself to Leap. And I made it through almost thirty years. I know you can. 👍🏾
I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your writing. Your stories about your son reminds me of my 3 sons and I like you enjoyed being their mom more than anything on earth!
I related to this writing as well, being one who had tried twice to open my own business. Like you, I was not ready tho I didn’t realize it then. Finally, the third time I was successful.
I really hope you don’t climb, or are dragged back up that cliff. I look forward to your next publication. And wish you well.
My brother is a musician. He is known internationally, having fans all across North America, Europe, Australia, and many other places I'll never get to visit. He currently lives in Canada, while I live in Arizona. I don't get to see him often, but we talk several times per week.
My brother has ADHD. It was undiagnosed until recently, and while I won't divulge his age, I'll just say that he and I are both a good bit older than you are. He has struggled in ways that only someone else with ADHD would understand. He LOVES your writing because he finds it so relatable.
When my brother and his son (who is also a musician and has toured with my brother extensively) decided to quit pretending that they would be happy doing anything besides playing music--for a living, not just a past-time--they made a pact that they would succeed playing music, or they would die trying. Literally die. Not play until they got hungry, then quit to go back into the typical workforce. Not play until they got tired, or bored, or didn't want to load into the van one more time, or missed their wife/girlfriend. No, it was make a living playing music, or literally die trying. It took that level of commitment, and there were times when the dying part seemed the easier road. But you know what? They took the leap, and they flew! Not without struggle, and not without real fear at times, but they didn't crash into the rocks.
You write well, and you have important things to say. Keep soaring, even if the downdrafts make your stomach lurch. You have a lot of people pulling for you.
You are one of just four people writing on Substack that I have a paid subscription to read. Partly this is because I'm retired and don't feel I can afford to pay for every Substack that I find interesting, plus I think people like Dan Rather and James Fallows will not end up impoverished and have to quit if I don't pay them. But I do want to support writers who may need the monetary support, because I know those like you and Saeed Jones, the poet; Tom Ryan, the NH writer; and Heather Cox Richardson, the historian, are doing great work. Their books don't earn them millions. You are in that small group, a writer whose work I value and want to support. I want to help ensure that you don't give up on your writing because you are really good and I hope you are able to continue and write a book, or two or three or....
I used to have recurring nightmares of my step-father tossing me in the air from our back porch, higher and higher every toss. Terrified he would decide not to catch me, I began to fly. I’d float away and watch him below wondering where I’d gone. I learned to love flying in my dreams. I learned to take control.
Don’t take this the wrong way, but why go for shorter? As someone who LOVES reading what you write, I prefer the longer essays. They are more like little novels with scenes that you set and paint with your words. I really enjoy reading it all, but going for shorter isn’t necessary. Unless of course, you prefer that, then don’t follow my advice 😀. You do you and I’ll keep reading.
I think it isn’t an either/or. It’s more about balance. I like finishing things. I like having something for people who want brunch and not a seven-course dinner. And I like writing longer things. So, it’s more about the mix than choosing one or the other.
I enjoy your writing and look forward to reading your work every time. I’m not in advertising or live in a hoity clinky world... I’m a blue dot in a red (Indiana) state who has retired from an exhausting career as a social worker. Just an ordinary gal who appreciates real emotional writing. Thank you!
I appreciate you too, Mike, and hope the gentle winds will stay at your back and continue to lift you. I am glad to be part of your intensely loyal following.
Happy 50th. You got this. I'm already planning your next big move...
Ah Mike, a dear friend of mine told me Leap, and the net will appear, when I was at the beginning of my self employed career. When I'd panic, thinking I couldn't make a go of it, I'd tell myself to Leap. And I made it through almost thirty years. I know you can. 👍🏾
I believe in you. Keep writing about what is important to you, you've got this. Don't shy away from that book!
I am so glad you leapt!
Hi Mike,
I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your writing. Your stories about your son reminds me of my 3 sons and I like you enjoyed being their mom more than anything on earth!
I related to this writing as well, being one who had tried twice to open my own business. Like you, I was not ready tho I didn’t realize it then. Finally, the third time I was successful.
I really hope you don’t climb, or are dragged back up that cliff. I look forward to your next publication. And wish you well.
Jill
Keep writing. I love your compact novels. They set a scene, introduce characters and then coat them all in your wise voice
A wise man once said to me "just because we've never done it doesn't mean we're not experts." Very wise indeed.
Appreciate you right back.
My brother is a musician. He is known internationally, having fans all across North America, Europe, Australia, and many other places I'll never get to visit. He currently lives in Canada, while I live in Arizona. I don't get to see him often, but we talk several times per week.
My brother has ADHD. It was undiagnosed until recently, and while I won't divulge his age, I'll just say that he and I are both a good bit older than you are. He has struggled in ways that only someone else with ADHD would understand. He LOVES your writing because he finds it so relatable.
When my brother and his son (who is also a musician and has toured with my brother extensively) decided to quit pretending that they would be happy doing anything besides playing music--for a living, not just a past-time--they made a pact that they would succeed playing music, or they would die trying. Literally die. Not play until they got hungry, then quit to go back into the typical workforce. Not play until they got tired, or bored, or didn't want to load into the van one more time, or missed their wife/girlfriend. No, it was make a living playing music, or literally die trying. It took that level of commitment, and there were times when the dying part seemed the easier road. But you know what? They took the leap, and they flew! Not without struggle, and not without real fear at times, but they didn't crash into the rocks.
You write well, and you have important things to say. Keep soaring, even if the downdrafts make your stomach lurch. You have a lot of people pulling for you.
You are one of just four people writing on Substack that I have a paid subscription to read. Partly this is because I'm retired and don't feel I can afford to pay for every Substack that I find interesting, plus I think people like Dan Rather and James Fallows will not end up impoverished and have to quit if I don't pay them. But I do want to support writers who may need the monetary support, because I know those like you and Saeed Jones, the poet; Tom Ryan, the NH writer; and Heather Cox Richardson, the historian, are doing great work. Their books don't earn them millions. You are in that small group, a writer whose work I value and want to support. I want to help ensure that you don't give up on your writing because you are really good and I hope you are able to continue and write a book, or two or three or....
🥰
I used to have recurring nightmares of my step-father tossing me in the air from our back porch, higher and higher every toss. Terrified he would decide not to catch me, I began to fly. I’d float away and watch him below wondering where I’d gone. I learned to love flying in my dreams. I learned to take control.
You’re going to fly, too. You’ll see. Believe.
Don’t take this the wrong way, but why go for shorter? As someone who LOVES reading what you write, I prefer the longer essays. They are more like little novels with scenes that you set and paint with your words. I really enjoy reading it all, but going for shorter isn’t necessary. Unless of course, you prefer that, then don’t follow my advice 😀. You do you and I’ll keep reading.
I think it isn’t an either/or. It’s more about balance. I like finishing things. I like having something for people who want brunch and not a seven-course dinner. And I like writing longer things. So, it’s more about the mix than choosing one or the other.
I enjoy your writing and look forward to reading your work every time. I’m not in advertising or live in a hoity clinky world... I’m a blue dot in a red (Indiana) state who has retired from an exhausting career as a social worker. Just an ordinary gal who appreciates real emotional writing. Thank you!
I appreciate you too, Mike, and hope the gentle winds will stay at your back and continue to lift you. I am glad to be part of your intensely loyal following.
I am sure you have already thought about what it might look like if you jump off the fuckery of the Twitter cliff.
I think you do really good stuff. It’s calming and captivating.