13 Comments

Thanks for your realistic answer about balancing life! It's something I think about a lot and wonder... how people with demanding jobs (and kids) are able to do so. The notion of it honestly scares me especially as I get closer to having kids, so I appreciate your honest insight!

Also, omg excited about The Lady of Charlotte. Experimental archeologist? FAKE FIANCÉ?? Yes please!!

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OH yay!!! I'm so glad you're excited! :D I'm nervous to share something so...unpolished, lol. But I think people will still have fun!

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This is so helpful! “Balancing” life + writing can be such a struggle and become more of an expectation rather than a useful tool. It’s good to hear that maybe the one way of balancing doesn’t need to work for everyone

I’m so excited for The Lady of Charlotte Omg cannot wait 🥹🥹

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Aaah, thank you!!! I am nervous but also excited to share!

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I also work in cycles so much better! This is really refreshing to hear, especially as a mom as well. 💜💜

Also YAY for short Sooz fiction!

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I'm glad it resonates for you. Some brains just aren't suited to the "work on each task for a set amount everyday!" approach!

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Oh gosh I feel so seen and heard right now! Im the same I need to be fully immersed in what I’m doing in order to draft I can’t pop in and out like some people can… seems like sorcery to me!

Also I’m feeling hyped for The Lady of Charlotte!!

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Total sorcery. 😂 I envy that ability, but I have also accepted it will never be me.

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Yesssss, I love this! The idea of immersion and working in long cycles feels a lot like when I lean into hyperfocus. From the outside my schedule might seem like chaos but if you zoom out things start to make sense, my brain just doesn’t work with the hour by hour type schedules they try to squeeze us into at school and jobs.

(I’m sure lots of people feel this way so for anyone familiar with hyperfocus I’m not at all implying everyone who works this way has ADHD like me!)

ALSO VERY EXCITED for Charlotte and her fake fiancés! Love that you’re willing to share her story with us even if it’s a bit nerve wracking — I’m certain it’ll be delightful!!

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Yes!! My brother-in-law is ADHD and also has the hyper focus--my sister was just telling me how my seemingly chaotic schedule is a lot like him. (We also both have a "bad" habit of binging games....HARD.) So it's fascinating to think about that!

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🥹 omg I’m with you on the binges — I once played Animal Crossing New Horizon for so long without stopping that I sprained a wrist. I still laugh out loud thinking about it — brains are weird and we all deserve medals for getting them to do the stuff we want every once in awhile 🎉

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Hi susan!! I've followed your work for years, so I'm super excited to be following you on Substack now as well. But also... God, I am sorry to be asking you here, but I couldn't find any answers anywhere and I thought maybe you wouldn't mind the help? (EMBARRASSING!) I've set up my own Substack, but I can't figure out how to make certain posts under certain pages. Like you have this post under "Writing and Publishing Insights", you know? 😬 Truly hope you don't mind this cryyyy for help. lol Thanks for your attention regardless!!!

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Haha, yes! So under the main settings, do a ctrl+F for "sections." That's where I set it up. :D

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