Getting my thoughts out there
Like most people, I have lots of thoughts about lots of things. I constantly have ideas about stories, essays, songs, and funny or interesting things that I notice in the world. My aim for this Substack is simply to share some of these things. That will probably look like bits of fiction that I write, ideas, and hopes and dreams. I conceptualize of this as a space meant for self-expression whatever that might look like and intend on using it as such.
I’ve been following several people for some time—a couple of musicians (Laura Marling and Colin Meloy) as well other writers (Lily Leiberman) and publications about the publishing industry (Sub Club). These other Substacks have given me a lot to consider and have inspired me in multiple ways, which I hope to do in kind and for anyone else who stumbles across whatever I happen to post here.
On creativity
One of the most important things that I endeavor to encourage and build in my daily life is the confidence and tools necessary to express one’s self. As someone who has spent a lot of time mentoring, tutoring, and teaching, creating a space that is encouraging, challenging, and inspiring is the ultimate goal. While a lot of my posts might simply be me going off at length about some momentary hyper-fixation, the hope is that whatever that content is might spark an idea in someone else that they can take and build upon or react to.
I used to post essays on WordPress that were supplemented by simple graphite illustrations done by me, which is something that I would love to be able to do in the future, but for the time being will have to be special occasion. I love the juxtaposition of the written word and art (not AI) and would be eternally grateful if one day I could write my own comic or illustrated novel.
Attitudes
I feel like I’m a little at odds with efforts like this one because my attitude towards self-promotion and my personal philosophy on content, artistic expression, and followers. I’ll likely get into this in another post, but I’m a terrible sales person. The customer service jobs that I’ve had over the years taught me that, while I have a knack for customer service and have been told that I could be a decent sales person, I’ve always felt icky when selling anything, including my own work, which is something I’m far from unique in, but feel strongly about.
My interest in creating has always been about exploring ideas and probing certain aspects of the human condition in some way. Having grown up in a place where traditional storytelling is the norm (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians), parents who are both relatively skeptical, and a tendency to dislike being perceived, the backdrop of my life has been one of socially aware allegory, critical observation, and creation for the sake of creation.
The issue of time
I wish I could say exactly how often I’ll be posting here, but I don’t. That very much depends on my workload between my jobs as a teaching artist and tutor and finishing my MFA, which I will need to take a summer class to finish. Once a week, even once every two weeks, feels ambitious at the moment, though the thought of setting that expectation for myself is tempting. For now, in lieu of making any firm promises in terms of frequency, I’ll say that I’ll post as often as I can, which will be at least once a month.
To pay or not to pay
For now, I have no plans for any paid content. I’m okay with the thought of posting what I post for free. I’m sure there will be a time when I realize this or that would make for good paid content, but for now you see what you get.
Finally, I want to thank you, whoever you are, for stopping by for a moment and I hope that if you decide to follow me on whatever this journey ends up being, that it inspires you in some way.
Sgi (thank you)