Really fascinating perspective that made me look inwards and outwards!
I started a Substack as a learning portfolio of all the bridges between music and gaming, to help me understand the deepest contexts of it all while I build taxonomies and common threads around the subject. I sometimes get caught up in wishes for perception and popularity, but realistically it's a collection of dated thought pieces around a topic that I can use as an 'I Told You So' later down the line. Near the start, I got compared to quite a few journalists - but I'm not a journalist, nor do I want or need to be, nor would I say I was even a writer!
Bending Substack to our will is the greatest advantage of the platform. Maybe that is what drove me to write more in my own voice, and therefore appear in unintended spaces. Your post made me more mindful of intention here and to double down on what it's for than play other people's Machivellian games. Thanks!
I'm so glad to hear this post made a difference! Also, I simpatize with your early struggle, one that I confess I'm still trying to surpass: prioritize your own voice above what you think others expect from you. In the end of the day, you won't be able to know if it will bring you more readers, but the ones who stick with you become more valuable than hundreds of passive subscribers.
Voice over formula all day, haha. As my readership grew, I caught myself getting hesitant to try new things. I went through a patch where I focused more on the people I was afraid might leave instead of showing up for the ones who stayed. Readers come and go, but the voice is what keeps the whole thing alive.
Nice post. Here’s hoping 2026 is a great one for all of us!
I know what you mean. We need to keep our voice alive no matter what we decide to write about. I was victim of locking myself into a formula, and now I see how that can limit my own voice.
Here's to a 2026 filled with excellent writing for all of us!
I'm really glad to hear you're expanding to what matters to you, rather than feeling constrained by a potentially limiting topic. I've actually enjoyed everything you've written so far, and I'll be even more interested to see how you expand your horizons.
Lots of really sound points made here. Voice and passion are such crucial parts of any writing and I've always found your work has shined in both of those departments. Keen to see what you have planned for this year!
You know, I took a lot of your posts in consideration when I wrote this.
I had the Link's Awakening one in mind when I was reflecting about what makes an author's voice unique. When I read it a second time, I noticed something very important: your journey with your family that parallels the experience with the game is a post only you could write, but it's the way you told it is what makes you the only author capable of sharing this story.
And your newest post confirmed it. No other Substacker could write about time in the way you did.
Wow, that's some seriously high praise. Thank you!
I find writing a lot easier when you allow your natural voice to flow instead trying to supress it in the hopes of sounding more clever/engaging/professional etc. I wouldn't say I'm the only writer who could manage my style, as I've certainly taken on inspiration from plenty of other writers and content creators as well, but I'll take the compliment haha
My man, this was right on time for me! It's almost been almost a full month since my last post. I felt bad that it's 2026 and I've got nothing new posted (working on something now, but not ready yet). I worry that it's not a “good look” and potential readers will see the gap in posts and think “he's not serious, moving on!”
But I appreciate you mentioning the old adage of quality over quantity. While, yes, I definitely want to have some sort of consistency, taking the time to write a good quality article is more important than the speed at which I do it.
I'm really happy with your comment, especially because I love reading your posts and I don't care to wait a month to read what comes next.
Publish when you're ready. The most important thing is you feeling comfortable with what you're writing. If you feel like your rushing things just to fulfill time gaps or rewriting the same thing for days, just stop, breathe, and remember to not push yourself too hard.
Your readers can wait. And, if you deliver your best, they'll be thankful for it.
Really fascinating perspective that made me look inwards and outwards!
I started a Substack as a learning portfolio of all the bridges between music and gaming, to help me understand the deepest contexts of it all while I build taxonomies and common threads around the subject. I sometimes get caught up in wishes for perception and popularity, but realistically it's a collection of dated thought pieces around a topic that I can use as an 'I Told You So' later down the line. Near the start, I got compared to quite a few journalists - but I'm not a journalist, nor do I want or need to be, nor would I say I was even a writer!
Bending Substack to our will is the greatest advantage of the platform. Maybe that is what drove me to write more in my own voice, and therefore appear in unintended spaces. Your post made me more mindful of intention here and to double down on what it's for than play other people's Machivellian games. Thanks!
I'm so glad to hear this post made a difference! Also, I simpatize with your early struggle, one that I confess I'm still trying to surpass: prioritize your own voice above what you think others expect from you. In the end of the day, you won't be able to know if it will bring you more readers, but the ones who stick with you become more valuable than hundreds of passive subscribers.
Love this take!
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Love this. Looking forward to reading whatever you feel like writing! As long as you're enjoying the process, it's all good!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Hope I can keep delivering my best, no matter the content.
Voice over formula all day, haha. As my readership grew, I caught myself getting hesitant to try new things. I went through a patch where I focused more on the people I was afraid might leave instead of showing up for the ones who stayed. Readers come and go, but the voice is what keeps the whole thing alive.
Nice post. Here’s hoping 2026 is a great one for all of us!
I know what you mean. We need to keep our voice alive no matter what we decide to write about. I was victim of locking myself into a formula, and now I see how that can limit my own voice.
Here's to a 2026 filled with excellent writing for all of us!
I'm really glad to hear you're expanding to what matters to you, rather than feeling constrained by a potentially limiting topic. I've actually enjoyed everything you've written so far, and I'll be even more interested to see how you expand your horizons.
Thanks a ton, it really means a lot! Hearing this from someone whose posts I look up to is gold. Hope I can keep delivering.
Lots of really sound points made here. Voice and passion are such crucial parts of any writing and I've always found your work has shined in both of those departments. Keen to see what you have planned for this year!
You know, I took a lot of your posts in consideration when I wrote this.
I had the Link's Awakening one in mind when I was reflecting about what makes an author's voice unique. When I read it a second time, I noticed something very important: your journey with your family that parallels the experience with the game is a post only you could write, but it's the way you told it is what makes you the only author capable of sharing this story.
And your newest post confirmed it. No other Substacker could write about time in the way you did.
Anyway, thanks for stopping by!
Wow, that's some seriously high praise. Thank you!
I find writing a lot easier when you allow your natural voice to flow instead trying to supress it in the hopes of sounding more clever/engaging/professional etc. I wouldn't say I'm the only writer who could manage my style, as I've certainly taken on inspiration from plenty of other writers and content creators as well, but I'll take the compliment haha
Love your work!
My man, this was right on time for me! It's almost been almost a full month since my last post. I felt bad that it's 2026 and I've got nothing new posted (working on something now, but not ready yet). I worry that it's not a “good look” and potential readers will see the gap in posts and think “he's not serious, moving on!”
But I appreciate you mentioning the old adage of quality over quantity. While, yes, I definitely want to have some sort of consistency, taking the time to write a good quality article is more important than the speed at which I do it.
Thanks for the shot in the arm 💪🏾😊
I'm really happy with your comment, especially because I love reading your posts and I don't care to wait a month to read what comes next.
Publish when you're ready. The most important thing is you feeling comfortable with what you're writing. If you feel like your rushing things just to fulfill time gaps or rewriting the same thing for days, just stop, breathe, and remember to not push yourself too hard.
Your readers can wait. And, if you deliver your best, they'll be thankful for it.
“Recommendations, collaborations, and shared projects are both visibility tools and growth accelerators.”
💯💯💯
Pretty much all my growth spikes came from collabs.
Mine as well! I love to collab with other writers. It's one of my favorite features in this platform.
Really enjoyed this post and it's inspired me to get writing after a day of procrastination.
I'm glad I was able to inspire you! It's always a pleasure to read your posts. =D