I've been around the social media block, as I'm sure you and many others here have as well, and I've learned that it's simply not worth the wasted energy. It's not about you or your writing. It's about an algorithm that we cannot see or predict. So, I learned a long time ago to keep my head down and just keep at it. Why not? I love to write. But I 100% understand where your journey has taken you. We (writers) all were there at one time or another - right? Looking for the audience or engagement. Writing is not for those who can't handle solitude, that's for sure. Because often times, when you're checking for comments, likes, or any engagement --- it's crickets.
Lisa, I totally get you. I went through that phase too, where I was trying to “figure out” the algorithm, as if it were some secret door to recognition. At some point, I just realized that it was draining more of my energy than the writing itself.
And yes, the silence can be deafening at times. But just as you say, if you love to write, there’s not much point in stopping.
Thanks. I write for myself, in a deep dark echo chamber that may never allow me to see another person, and I decided the lonely solo road was the one I had been placed on- might as well finish the journey
To find a reason to keep going is the toughest thing for writing on here. The way I do it for Haunted Media Palace: I keep asking myself if there's anything quite like what I do.
And to be clear and fair, there's more folks who walk their own pop culture beats, especially in horror. But...how many talk about video game stories? Go from an obscure neo-noir action thriller one week to a forgotten Twilight Zone episode the next?
Some would argue my pattern lacks consistency. But I just remember the joy I got out of reading the old magazine Video Watchdog, which pointed me to movies I never even knew existed. I want to give that same joy to others, especially with streaming once again drowning out the obscure.
My partner encouraged me to join in, but I kept finding excuses. Until one day, after dozens of excuses, I sat down and said, “Well, I don’t really have the right to write there. I’m not a writer; I’ve never written anything in my life. This place is for real professionals.”
I posted the text. Four reads. Then five. Then someone shared it without comment, just a link, no words. And I didn’t know if they liked it, or just found it interesting, or just sent it to a friend as a joke.
I've been around the social media block, as I'm sure you and many others here have as well, and I've learned that it's simply not worth the wasted energy. It's not about you or your writing. It's about an algorithm that we cannot see or predict. So, I learned a long time ago to keep my head down and just keep at it. Why not? I love to write. But I 100% understand where your journey has taken you. We (writers) all were there at one time or another - right? Looking for the audience or engagement. Writing is not for those who can't handle solitude, that's for sure. Because often times, when you're checking for comments, likes, or any engagement --- it's crickets.
Lisa, I totally get you. I went through that phase too, where I was trying to “figure out” the algorithm, as if it were some secret door to recognition. At some point, I just realized that it was draining more of my energy than the writing itself.
And yes, the silence can be deafening at times. But just as you say, if you love to write, there’s not much point in stopping.
Thanks. I write for myself, in a deep dark echo chamber that may never allow me to see another person, and I decided the lonely solo road was the one I had been placed on- might as well finish the journey
Elizabeth, what you’re saying sounds very familiar.
Sometimes it really does seem like a path that no one else can see, and yet you have to walk it all the way to the end because it’s yours.
I’m glad you haven’t given up on this path, even though it’s a lonely one.
Thank you. There's hope for all of us!
Insecurity is something the ego feasts on. I doubt we'll ever be truly free. This was a great read, thank you for sharing.
Seb, yeah… uncertainty is like that guest you never invited, but who always shows up first.
And yes, we’ll probably never be completely free of it but maybe we shouldn’t be. Sometimes it just reminds us that we care.
I’m glad your post resonated with you in some way.
This hit so hard, thank you for articulating the struggle so clearly 🫶
To find a reason to keep going is the toughest thing for writing on here. The way I do it for Haunted Media Palace: I keep asking myself if there's anything quite like what I do.
And to be clear and fair, there's more folks who walk their own pop culture beats, especially in horror. But...how many talk about video game stories? Go from an obscure neo-noir action thriller one week to a forgotten Twilight Zone episode the next?
Some would argue my pattern lacks consistency. But I just remember the joy I got out of reading the old magazine Video Watchdog, which pointed me to movies I never even knew existed. I want to give that same joy to others, especially with streaming once again drowning out the obscure.
Hey Tsetsy.
Thanks for sharing amazing article
Just highlighting this part
My partner encouraged me to join in, but I kept finding excuses. Until one day, after dozens of excuses, I sat down and said, “Well, I don’t really have the right to write there. I’m not a writer; I’ve never written anything in my life. This place is for real professionals.”
I posted the text. Four reads. Then five. Then someone shared it without comment, just a link, no words. And I didn’t know if they liked it, or just found it interesting, or just sent it to a friend as a joke.
Keep writing 💫