“I’ve reached a point with this newsletter where I need private feedback. Reach out to me via email or DM and talk to me about the weaknesses in my work. Where do I need to improve? What habits do I need to cut? What works and needs protecting?
Six months ago, I committed to a major shift in how I approached the newsletter, and the difference between the two is stark. The quality is so much better, and the work is meaningful.”
My honest feedback would be, following your last two sentences here, is that the opinions of others don’t matter. You have your true answer right there. In those words, I think you are saying “you are writing who you are, you are proud of both your writing and how you’re showing up here, and that when the surfacing and acquisition of meaning arrives, everything else is just noise.” Stay away from the noise.
This was a beautiful piece! I’ve read McCarthy, but not as much as you. Blood Meridian, I loved. The Road, much different from his other writing, but only in setting, not in his characteristic savageness and bleakness, I also enjoyed. He’s an acquired taste; but your writing makes me want to read more of him. So, see? You’ve arrived—don’t care about what other’s think. Your audience will find you.
Thanks for responding—I wasn’t sure how those words of mine would land. I truly believe the questions/advice you were asking of your readers came from a humble and sincere place in your heart. But, I don’t think you need the advice of others. Like I said, your are getting the answers from the only place that truly matters—your True Self.
A quote I love and try to live by seems apropos here and originated with Marianne Williamson: “Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightening about shrinking so that others won’t feel insecure around you.”
Don’t play small. To me, this equals “be loud, proud, and unapologetic when it comes to writing who you are.” There will be way too many critics and non-believers, even haters out here. You don’t need to invite them, especially as they (we) are strangers to you, to offer their critique.
As long as you are sincere, and proud of your own work, and don’t care about your analytics or paid subscribers (because then you have competing, artificial interests) then you are pleasing the only audience member, an audience of one, that matters: yourself.
Thaddeus, I love to read you comments on Cormac McCarthy, and your comments on books that you had to fight to get through, like CATCHER IN THE RYE. I think it's insteresting how we all have sweet spots in our brains that respond to different styles of writing. In high school, when we had to read THE GREAT GATSBY, I hated it and couldn't relate to any of the characters or understand their behaviors. Years later, I reread it and found that my brain had changed. I loved the book and understood what Fitzgerald was telling the reader. When I first read BLOOD MERIDIAN, I hated myself for reading such a violent and vicious book, but when I read it a second time, I tightened my mental belt and understood why the violence was there and how history sanforizes all of that for us. Two books that I read as a 12 year old continue to delight me; they are DANDELION WINE by Ray Bradbury and THE ONCE & FUTURE KING by T.H. White. They both satisfy my fantasy craving for heroes, a kinder world, and lofty ideals.
Great analysis! It strikes me that the style difference between the first two passages is that the first contains some passive voice, thanks to the things he has to work into it -- the stanchion and the guy's forehead. Whereas the second passage is all active voice. And also, I'm glad McCarthy ignored the common advice about filtering words. Two in a row!
This whole series on All the Pretty Horses has been amazing. I'd love to see you do more of his work.
I only discovered him last year, but he's quickly become one of my favourite authors. I haven't read No Country for Old Men yet. You doing an analysis series would be a good excuse to.
“I’ve reached a point with this newsletter where I need private feedback. Reach out to me via email or DM and talk to me about the weaknesses in my work. Where do I need to improve? What habits do I need to cut? What works and needs protecting?
Six months ago, I committed to a major shift in how I approached the newsletter, and the difference between the two is stark. The quality is so much better, and the work is meaningful.”
My honest feedback would be, following your last two sentences here, is that the opinions of others don’t matter. You have your true answer right there. In those words, I think you are saying “you are writing who you are, you are proud of both your writing and how you’re showing up here, and that when the surfacing and acquisition of meaning arrives, everything else is just noise.” Stay away from the noise.
This was a beautiful piece! I’ve read McCarthy, but not as much as you. Blood Meridian, I loved. The Road, much different from his other writing, but only in setting, not in his characteristic savageness and bleakness, I also enjoyed. He’s an acquired taste; but your writing makes me want to read more of him. So, see? You’ve arrived—don’t care about what other’s think. Your audience will find you.
Very wise words. Thank you
Thanks for responding—I wasn’t sure how those words of mine would land. I truly believe the questions/advice you were asking of your readers came from a humble and sincere place in your heart. But, I don’t think you need the advice of others. Like I said, your are getting the answers from the only place that truly matters—your True Self.
A quote I love and try to live by seems apropos here and originated with Marianne Williamson: “Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightening about shrinking so that others won’t feel insecure around you.”
Don’t play small. To me, this equals “be loud, proud, and unapologetic when it comes to writing who you are.” There will be way too many critics and non-believers, even haters out here. You don’t need to invite them, especially as they (we) are strangers to you, to offer their critique.
As long as you are sincere, and proud of your own work, and don’t care about your analytics or paid subscribers (because then you have competing, artificial interests) then you are pleasing the only audience member, an audience of one, that matters: yourself.
WRITE ON, Dude! You’ve got this!
Thaddeus, I love to read you comments on Cormac McCarthy, and your comments on books that you had to fight to get through, like CATCHER IN THE RYE. I think it's insteresting how we all have sweet spots in our brains that respond to different styles of writing. In high school, when we had to read THE GREAT GATSBY, I hated it and couldn't relate to any of the characters or understand their behaviors. Years later, I reread it and found that my brain had changed. I loved the book and understood what Fitzgerald was telling the reader. When I first read BLOOD MERIDIAN, I hated myself for reading such a violent and vicious book, but when I read it a second time, I tightened my mental belt and understood why the violence was there and how history sanforizes all of that for us. Two books that I read as a 12 year old continue to delight me; they are DANDELION WINE by Ray Bradbury and THE ONCE & FUTURE KING by T.H. White. They both satisfy my fantasy craving for heroes, a kinder world, and lofty ideals.
That's the second time Dandelion Wine has come up recently. I need to read it.
Yikes! I'm becoming a broken record. I didn't mean to bring it up again, it just fit in. LOL.
Was it you both times? 😆
Yup!
My tip for Ulysses would just be to flip it open an read what LOOKS COOL. It's enhanced by nonlinearity (NOT read front to back), I swear.
That's such a good idea.
"I have a rule. Reading is meant to be a joy. When the joy is gone, I stop reading."
I 100% agree, actually. Which is why I have a bookmark in about 8 books at the moment 😆
It's terrible!
Great analysis! It strikes me that the style difference between the first two passages is that the first contains some passive voice, thanks to the things he has to work into it -- the stanchion and the guy's forehead. Whereas the second passage is all active voice. And also, I'm glad McCarthy ignored the common advice about filtering words. Two in a row!
Good points! And good to see you. Keep the place in shape while I'm gone. 😆
This whole series on All the Pretty Horses has been amazing. I'd love to see you do more of his work.
I only discovered him last year, but he's quickly become one of my favourite authors. I haven't read No Country for Old Men yet. You doing an analysis series would be a good excuse to.