30 Comments
Aug 17, 2022Liked by Susan Dennard

I actually love the new format in Substack - I find it much easier to read! So great choice to swap!

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Aug 17, 2022Liked by Susan Dennard

I love the new format - it’s so clean and easy to read, so great choice to swap!

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author

Thank you! So glad it works for you! 🥰

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Aug 17, 2022Liked by Susan Dennard

After so many years of subscribing to the newsletter being able to say hi is so cool! I love the writing advice, and todays hit hard because I've recently learned I've got ADHD, and if writing was hard to begin with this adds a whole new layer of spice to the endeavour! A lot of advice just isn’t helpful to me, but I’m learning how to manage and bend craft techniques to suit my needs and who knows?! I might have a finished draft one day 😂

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Aug 17, 2022Liked by Susan Dennard

I feel this! I'm autistic, which carries similar executive functioning challenges to ADHD. Case in point: I just got up, it is time for me to draft, and instead I'm standing in the kitchen on my phone typing up this comment.

(And if you're wondering why I'm on my phone, it's because I have software installed on my computer to block access to websites in the morning, because initiation is a neurotypical superpower and without it I sit down to write and get distracted by the internet even when I know what I want to write)

But I have faith you'll have a finished draft one day because, well, I managed it!

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author

Oh boy, I have the same software and I too bypass it all the time. DARN DOPAMINE ADDICTION!

And thank you so much for weighing in!! I love that you're sharing your tips!

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Aug 17, 2022Liked by Susan Dennard

Right?? I had it turned off for weeks and last night I turned my computer on specifically to switch it back on because I need to focus and get this draft done ... and then got distracted by my emails on my phone :P

But I *did* get 1800 words written before work once I actually dragged myself to my computer and turned it on, so the app helped then!

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author

You 100% will!!! You really do just have to bend and manage various techniques to find what works best for your unique brain. I am STILL figuring those things out myself......

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Hiii! I love Substack, another author I follow uses it! And I love what you said about writing advice. It reminds me of how negative and chronically online some takes can be, like all the “the Star Wars sequels are objectively bad writing” type comments, and that kind of stuff always annoys me and messes with me head. Art is subjective and beautiful and it wouldn’t be so special of everyone didn’t create differently!

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author

Yes!!! 💯💯💯 Some of my FAVORITE games are the really weird ones that take risks, and we're so open to it in gaming, I feel like! But try to apply it to books or film.....

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Hello!! I love your Witchlands series and was wondering when the next installment is set to be released? **Trying to wait patiently***

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author

Thank you for waiting so patiently. 🥴 I know it sucks!! And my hope is to write that book as soon as Luminaries 2 is finished!! Meaning it would come out in 2024. I'm so sorry to make you wait, but please understand there has been SO much going on in my life since Covid hit...and the mental capacity needed to manage the Witchlands (as you know, that series is complex lol) is more than I've had to spare. But I do have childcare now, which is helping IMMENSELY!!

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Aug 17, 2022Liked by Susan Dennard

Thank you for your response! I don’t want to put any more pressure on you, I just want you to know how excited I am to continue reading the series! A little bit of cheerleading from the crowd, if you will.

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author

Thank you!! I am truly grateful to you for sticking with me during what I know is a long wait!!! 💕

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Really liking the new substack format - genius move. Less clutter/graphics on the screen = better for a brain overstimulated by the internet.

Not to put more work on your plate, but if you are ever at a loss for what to write, I would L.O.V.E. to read your analysis of Ted Lasso S2 and the character issues. I had the same issue with Walking Dead which (along with the insanely high level of gratuitous violence) led me to stop watching the show. How many times can they make Carol into a completely new character?!

I'm not entirely sure which characters you are referring to in Ted Lasso, but would really like to read more, especially before S3.

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author

HA! I 100% agree with the Walking Dead and that is also why I gave up on it. No one EVER acted according to character; it was always dictated by plot.

As for Ted Lasso....I shall not get into it. Namely because I *do* realize it's subjective. But I was disappointed by pretty much everyone. Ted especially. And definitely Nate. And then Roy and Keeley.......basically everyone. 😂 Okay, Coach was fine. And Sam.

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This new format is much easier on my old eyes. I used to have to zoom in to read your newsletter. Glad for the change...and free? Can't beat that!

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author

Oh no!! I am so sorry you had to zoom beforehand. 🤦‍♀️ But I'm glad this one is better!!

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This so so cool. It’s always nice to interact with authors I love.

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author

I agree!!! 😘

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I love this format how cool!

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author

Yay! Thank you for reading!

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I wish you had a podcast, I always find myself driving or with idle listening time not being able to sit and read and think, I wish I could listen to susan talk all that she writes about here...

so maybe that could get you out of your funk if you just did a little side bar chit chat...

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author

Ha! I have been thinking about turning some of these posts into audio versions, but...that takes time, which I don't have a ton of.

I would love to one day, though! Maybe when childcare is more consistent....🤔

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Hi Sooz! Thank you so much for taking the time to write to all of us, and share your invaluable advice. I am all in on Substack! All hail the free things!! : )

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author

Yay!!! Thank you, Kel!

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Sep 2, 2022·edited Sep 2, 2022Liked by Susan Dennard

This was incredibly encouraging to read as a writer who is struggling to write right now. Thank you!

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author

I'm so glad it was encouraging. 🥰

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Sep 17, 2022Liked by Susan Dennard

All the Misfits & Daydreamers are out here like whO doEs SHe thI!NK shE Is?! i Wou,LD gIvE iT ONE BILLION STARS!! 💖💖💖

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author

Hahaha, this made me laugh 😂😂😂😂

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