SubStack Magpies

those who chase the glitter of impatience

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the knowledge gained in regard to my writing. In joining SubStack, I’ve found new accounts/people who are exploring story-telling as a hobby for the very first time. Also, I’ve seen experienced writers learning how to promote and market themselves. It’s wonderful!

I’ve observed, however, a great many people who take advantage of the excitement and confusion of new hobbyists.

Courtesy of Midjourney

A person who is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed is a glittering silver ring to a SubStack Magpie¹. This doesn’t only apply to SubStack or writing. In many different areas of interest—-whether it be music, YouTube, fitness, life coaching, etc.—-there are people who tell you that you need to spend an inordinate amount of money to be improve your life in some way.

It’s just not the case.

A lot of information that someone claims to possess is readily available through independent research, experience over time, and at a fraction of the cost.

For example, if you want to learn to write, you can join a group at Meetup.com and spend $20 a year for people with editing backgrounds to look at your work. Or if you want to learn how SubStack works, you can go to their official page. Don’t spend hundreds of dollars for someone to give you common sense advice. All you need to do to be successful on SubStack (according to my observations/research) is be patient, be consistent, be interactive, and be sure to deliver good quality. That’s it.

Life is not as complicated as people make it. There is no “hack” for hard work. Any skill you want to acquire will demand dedication and consistency. People who demand your money are preying on your impatience.

Failure is the first step in being good at something.

That’s all from me!

Up next:

• Thursday - Part II of our Monthly Snippets (Eldritch Tales from the Jungle)

  • See part I

• Monday - Episode Six of the Stoney Hollow series.

  • previously…

For more works in progress, check out my Scribblings ❤️

1. A silver-attracted magpie is based on folklore. I felt I should clarify that I’m fully aware that magpies, in reality, are not attracted to shiny objects.