Ah, those halcyon days at the Frothy Monkey, scribbling away at lunch, and then listening to you teach and introduce Joe Bunting, among others. Good times. Years later, I’m still writing, but the landscape feels like a glut of marketing and self promotion. And yet, good stuff still filters through. Speaking of good stuff, think I’ll make myself a coffee! Thanks, Jeff.
I used to live in Franklin and really miss Frothy Monkey and the good times you're talking about. Holing in up at a coffee shop, writing, and creating... it all feels so much different now.
I can't believe you're halfway done, Jeff. Amazing. I'm allowing myself the occasional sneak peek, but I also want to spoil my reading of the final version. Like a kid sneaking into the cupboard before his dinner.
Also, love that bit about the pizza. What a cool story.
You speak to my heart. Yet again. Pre media, was so much fun… now, how will I tell my stories? And, Did we transition from analog to digital without harm?
I deleted social media from my phone one day ago--just one--and I am shocked at how differently I already feel. I plan to download it for maybe an hour every other day or something like that, but not having it on my phone has even allowed my thoughts about what to post/how to engage to change. It's much more about the creation first, and then social media happens to be a place where I can share whatever drawing or song or photo I've made or whatever, rather than the other way around, where we're all trying to make our copy of whatever we think the algorithm is asking us to make. It's SO much more fun this way.
Also I just really, really enjoy your writing. Thank you!
This is a provocative piece (in a good way!)--and one I will contemplate on my morning ramble. As I try to sort through my own mixed emotions re: Social Media (including Substack)--I'm pondering where I sit philosophically on the topic--and wondering if it would be helpful to develop a framework that guides interaction. i.e. determine what my overarching intention is, and then insuring that whatever I'm posting is consistent not only with my Driving Why's, but also with my personal value system. (Kindness and civility, etc.) Finally.... I loved both the pizza and the cappuccino stories. Those made me smile.😁
I like the idea of using technology to perform a random act of kindness. This coincides with the new word I’ve stumbled upon today referring to the joy derived from someone else’s success or happiness: Freudenfreude - the opposite of schadenfreude.
This one really hits home, Jeff. I've been a content creator as a job and blogging off and on since 2012. You're one of the first people I followed online when starting my writing career before your books and Tribe Writers etc. I've watched your evolution and that's been fun. Like you, I've seen these changes and quit social media (except Reddit, because that one is still fun for me right now). But also like you, I'm not happy with the changes I've seen. Everything's monetized. Nothing is just for fun anymore. It's really sad.
Thank you, Jeff! I've been following you for years. A lot of the stuff, if not all, of what you say, makes sense and resonates with me. I have read some of your books in the past and loved them.
This post makes a lot of sense and it hits hard. Keep on inspiring us! Love, all the way from Egypt (and the UAE, since I am an Egyptian who just moved to the UAE) - Lol!
Jeff, you must still be doing something right because I read the whole article. And enjoyed it!
I stay off the internet as much as possible, but you lead me to
Jerry Jenkins and Joseph Michael. These two gentlemen have helped me on my writing journey and I am in the middle of writing my book.
Thank you, Jeff. It all started by reading one of your free articles from pro writing aid.
I don't need a pizza, but a lot of people are benefiting from your writing, so on keep on fueling the internet with content.
Aw, thank you, Lucie. Just for that... I'm sending you a pizza! ;)
Ah, those halcyon days at the Frothy Monkey, scribbling away at lunch, and then listening to you teach and introduce Joe Bunting, among others. Good times. Years later, I’m still writing, but the landscape feels like a glut of marketing and self promotion. And yet, good stuff still filters through. Speaking of good stuff, think I’ll make myself a coffee! Thanks, Jeff.
I used to live in Franklin and really miss Frothy Monkey and the good times you're talking about. Holing in up at a coffee shop, writing, and creating... it all feels so much different now.
I think we should all do a writing retreat together sometime soon (this fall) and relive those moments. Here would be a fun place to do it: https://rockvalewriterscolony.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2ou2BhCCARIsANAwM2E_a1a0UEKISHmYf4D5jM-EXuxMzXcFB9moJGvg-trJWhlIoUZzNykaAqfMEALw_wcB
I'm game. Holly and I have been talking about a visit. Maybe late Oct/early Nov.
Fun!
I can't believe you're halfway done, Jeff. Amazing. I'm allowing myself the occasional sneak peek, but I also want to spoil my reading of the final version. Like a kid sneaking into the cupboard before his dinner.
Also, love that bit about the pizza. What a cool story.
Haha, well I hope you like it when the time comes!
that old world of blogging for fun brought my now husband and I back together after having graduated college in the same class. Good times.
Aw. So fun.
This was incredibly profound. Thanks for sharing this gentle reminder to not take our connections for granted.
Thank you.
You’re welcome!
You speak to my heart. Yet again. Pre media, was so much fun… now, how will I tell my stories? And, Did we transition from analog to digital without harm?
I deleted social media from my phone one day ago--just one--and I am shocked at how differently I already feel. I plan to download it for maybe an hour every other day or something like that, but not having it on my phone has even allowed my thoughts about what to post/how to engage to change. It's much more about the creation first, and then social media happens to be a place where I can share whatever drawing or song or photo I've made or whatever, rather than the other way around, where we're all trying to make our copy of whatever we think the algorithm is asking us to make. It's SO much more fun this way.
Also I just really, really enjoy your writing. Thank you!
This is a provocative piece (in a good way!)--and one I will contemplate on my morning ramble. As I try to sort through my own mixed emotions re: Social Media (including Substack)--I'm pondering where I sit philosophically on the topic--and wondering if it would be helpful to develop a framework that guides interaction. i.e. determine what my overarching intention is, and then insuring that whatever I'm posting is consistent not only with my Driving Why's, but also with my personal value system. (Kindness and civility, etc.) Finally.... I loved both the pizza and the cappuccino stories. Those made me smile.😁
I like the idea of using technology to perform a random act of kindness. This coincides with the new word I’ve stumbled upon today referring to the joy derived from someone else’s success or happiness: Freudenfreude - the opposite of schadenfreude.
This one really hits home, Jeff. I've been a content creator as a job and blogging off and on since 2012. You're one of the first people I followed online when starting my writing career before your books and Tribe Writers etc. I've watched your evolution and that's been fun. Like you, I've seen these changes and quit social media (except Reddit, because that one is still fun for me right now). But also like you, I'm not happy with the changes I've seen. Everything's monetized. Nothing is just for fun anymore. It's really sad.
Thank you, Jeff! I've been following you for years. A lot of the stuff, if not all, of what you say, makes sense and resonates with me. I have read some of your books in the past and loved them.
This post makes a lot of sense and it hits hard. Keep on inspiring us! Love, all the way from Egypt (and the UAE, since I am an Egyptian who just moved to the UAE) - Lol!