Yeah! When you ask a question like this, it helps to figure out what you really want as you’ll instinctively start hoping that the results align with the answer you want them to. In my case, I was hoping for a yes, and it seems like that’s almost overwhelmingly the case at this point.
That's great to hear. But my advice would be write whatever you want! Follow your gut and desire. Write for you, not for us (though rest assured I and many of us will read whatever it is you write regardless!)
I’m glad to hear that. I feel really supported right now. I really feel like people are here for good writing in any form, and the usual newsletter best practices like “Find your niche”, “Be specific”, “Make your offering clear” don’t really work for the type of work I’m looking to make. That used to get me down, but I feel much better about it these days.
Well put question. To fiction or not to fiction? Sometimes, I feel like I'm betraying myself when I publish "it". But then, I find myself using a great time doing it. Maybe a middle of the road is the way to go (for me). Historical fiction, for example. But based on a real event. Is there a name for that style?
Well, I’m sure much of historical fiction is based on real events, whether trying to portray them realistically (Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel or Augustus by John Williams) or putting a speculative spin on them (like Eco’s Numero Zero, which presents an alternate reality where Mussolini had a double who was killed instead of him). So in my view it’s still historical fiction even if it’s not fantastic like Outlander, but based on real history.
Yes! I adored it. It’s not speculative in the oft-used sense, the way the literary community usually takes it to mean fantasy, SF, or horror, but it is speculative in the sense that we can’t ever know exactly what happened then, and the author “speculates” and takes some liberties with the relationships between the characters (all real people, but the author added his own characterization—it’s fiction after all). I think it would be fair to call it speculative fiction, yes.
Personally, I have always liked your essays and memoires, so my vote will go there to give you the input to work with. But I will say this: I think you should definitely do what feels right to write. I'm thinking recently for myself also about what to put out—i.e., not to make it too inconsistent, finding out what readers coming to gather from reading it, etc.—but in this medium, I guess all art, it always remains a bit of an elusive object. Putting yourself on the page is the only bet I can think of worth placing—wherever that leads.
Hugely agree with the last statement. I was afraid that mixing up my essays with fiction would be against the “newsletter best practices” which get promoted a lot on here, one of those being to keep one’s publication as niche and specialized as possible, in order to attract more readers. But I’m not about that at all. I’m an artist, not just a blogger, and I don’t care about growth at all if it comes at the cost of my creative freedom. I guess I’m lucky enough that a few hundred people have still given me a chance, even though my “newsletter offering” is messy at best.
You gotta publish what the heart wants to publish haha
Now that’s heartening!
I enjoy reading whatever you write, so if given the choice I’d have tapped on both answers, even though I tapped on Yes😉
Haha, awesomesauce!
I really enjoy everything you write, so keep going on writing the way you do 😉
🙏🏻🙏🏻 I feel so grateful having you as a reader, dear Sara!
Of course, Andrei! I'll enjoy anything you put out, but obviously I'm keen to read any fiction you write :)
Yeah! When you ask a question like this, it helps to figure out what you really want as you’ll instinctively start hoping that the results align with the answer you want them to. In my case, I was hoping for a yes, and it seems like that’s almost overwhelmingly the case at this point.
That's great to hear. But my advice would be write whatever you want! Follow your gut and desire. Write for you, not for us (though rest assured I and many of us will read whatever it is you write regardless!)
I’m glad to hear that. I feel really supported right now. I really feel like people are here for good writing in any form, and the usual newsletter best practices like “Find your niche”, “Be specific”, “Make your offering clear” don’t really work for the type of work I’m looking to make. That used to get me down, but I feel much better about it these days.
Go for it!
🤘
I love reading fiction.
Good to know, and so do I!
*having a great time...
Well put question. To fiction or not to fiction? Sometimes, I feel like I'm betraying myself when I publish "it". But then, I find myself using a great time doing it. Maybe a middle of the road is the way to go (for me). Historical fiction, for example. But based on a real event. Is there a name for that style?
Well, I’m sure much of historical fiction is based on real events, whether trying to portray them realistically (Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel or Augustus by John Williams) or putting a speculative spin on them (like Eco’s Numero Zero, which presents an alternate reality where Mussolini had a double who was killed instead of him). So in my view it’s still historical fiction even if it’s not fantastic like Outlander, but based on real history.
"Augustus". Is that one based on the Roman emperor Octavian? If so, that sounds like it could be a great speculative fiction. Did I get it right?
Yes! I adored it. It’s not speculative in the oft-used sense, the way the literary community usually takes it to mean fantasy, SF, or horror, but it is speculative in the sense that we can’t ever know exactly what happened then, and the author “speculates” and takes some liberties with the relationships between the characters (all real people, but the author added his own characterization—it’s fiction after all). I think it would be fair to call it speculative fiction, yes.
Option 3.
Do whatever the heck you want! Always!
With my support. 😊
Your support is much appreciated and valued! Thanks, Meg! (Side note: I voted too, for option 1, so that’s basically become your option 3😂)
Keep it varied!
The best approach.
Write what your driven to do.
Caveats toward fiction: Substack is oversaturated with essay and creative nonfiction.
Caveats toward essay and creative non-fiction: Substack audience both in-app and out don't read fiction as widely as essay and creative non-fiction.
Conclusion: write what you're driven to do.
That explains both sides pretty well. So if I write both from now on, I could potentially tap into both these audiences. Something to keep in mind!
listen to factorial zero, do whatever makes you happy not what i think you should be doing
Thanks for the encouragement! I’ll take it to heart.
Personally, I have always liked your essays and memoires, so my vote will go there to give you the input to work with. But I will say this: I think you should definitely do what feels right to write. I'm thinking recently for myself also about what to put out—i.e., not to make it too inconsistent, finding out what readers coming to gather from reading it, etc.—but in this medium, I guess all art, it always remains a bit of an elusive object. Putting yourself on the page is the only bet I can think of worth placing—wherever that leads.
Hugely agree with the last statement. I was afraid that mixing up my essays with fiction would be against the “newsletter best practices” which get promoted a lot on here, one of those being to keep one’s publication as niche and specialized as possible, in order to attract more readers. But I’m not about that at all. I’m an artist, not just a blogger, and I don’t care about growth at all if it comes at the cost of my creative freedom. I guess I’m lucky enough that a few hundred people have still given me a chance, even though my “newsletter offering” is messy at best.
🙏🏻🙏🏻