Jeffrey, Your gorgeous essays, your unfailing support of my writing have not only made you a virtual friend, but also one of my three or so favorite writers on this site. You are famous! You are valued, perhaps more than you think. You are a find. BTW, I need advice about turning on "paid" --as only my course is paid. Any ideas? from anybody. So far that makes 90% of what I post free --and I m not even good at percentages ... but that's a guesstimate ... xx Mary
On Sarah’s advice I added a clear call to action on going paid. It works. My posts remain free but those choosing to financially support my work has gone up. Let’s chat about it when we zoom x
Mary, I am touched by and humbly grateful for your kind words and friendship. As for turning on “paid” for your wonderful writing; going on what I have seen and experienced, a “hybrid” model is the one I’ve settled on, where the basic offer (weekly essays in my case) is free and will remain so, with an additional offer (the monthly “Snippets”) for a special group of supporters. I developed this with the brilliant @Amanda B. Hinton. For a serialised novel, it might be different. I saw one writer recently suggest making the first part of the book free and charging for the final part, presumably being clear from the beginning that was the deal. I don’t know what @Eleanor Anstruther would think about that?
As I mentioned, I agree with Kimberly wholeheartedly Jeffrey, your essays are inspired, intelligent and whilst I don't always recognise the subject matter by the title, it never perturbs me because I know that by the ned of the first paragraph I won't want to stop reading anyway! I have said this before I think, but I am in awe of the way you intertwine your own life experiences with historical events, characters, architecture, painting, words... the list seems endless and beautiful always. 🙏🏼
You are too kind, Susie! I'm thrilled that you trust in me enough to get past the obscure titles! It's wonderful to have you as a citizen of the English Republic of Letters!
I think you undersell yourself Jeffrey! You are a Sorcerer, at least to me, because when I read your essays each week, even if I think at first, “I don’t know if this topic really interests me,” by the second paragraph I’m caught in your spell. And wholly changed by what you’ve written.
Thank you, Kimberly. You're very kind, but I think you're the one whose sorcery creates those wonderful "In Defense of..." essays which are such a joy to read.
Thanks for this, Eleanor and Jeffrey - insightful and very helpful.
I always enjoy your essays, Jeffrey, and thanks for being a wide and engaged reader, too. Really appreciated your thoughtful comment on the miners’ strikes when I wrote about that.
Thank you, Wendy! I’m afraid some of my reading has slipped over the last few weeks because of my travels, but I’m looking forward to catching up with my favourite Substacks, yours among them.
I can't tell you how this interview delights me. I once worked on an indie film that never got made where the lead character spoke almost entirely in Milton references... It was so much fun. Lovely to see so many this morning :)
Jeffrey, I almost missed this! I can’t say that I ever saw Satan as a superhero, but now that you mention it, he is. Just one of the lovely surprises in this interview. (You are such a fine writer, it does make me curious as to what you were doing at the crossroads at midnight). It’s fascinating to learn about your experience on Substack. You bring more than erudition and experience to your work; you are able to evoke a world in which everything is rendered new and interesting, as you trace a line of thought across history, art, culture, place, language and your own personal life. I’m grateful that you found my little fledgling stack and helped me feel like it was something worth pursuing. And your posts are ones I keep returning to; there’s always some little gem that I didn’t see the first time. Thank you.
Thank you, Mary, for your generous words. We've both been flapping our wings towards the Substack heavens and I'm glad to hitch a ride in the slipstream of the magnificent vehicle that is your writing. If I arch my neck, I can see you amidst the bright lights above.
This is a great interview. It is encouraging because you thought of something or a lot of somethings you wanted to maybe compare or make sense of and started writing about them. I had never thought of Milton in quite the perspective from which you view him. Viewing heaven and the not really heaven or the state of falling out of heaven sort of wondering how to make sense of existence. It makes being human more relatable no matter who you are or what you have written or haven't written. As far as a longer form, that may show up some time when you least expect it. You don't have to believe it will, you just have to be ready to get going when it does. All your essays could be like notes or research for the longer more specific story.
Thank you, Larry, for your thoughtful comment. "All your essays could be like notes or research for the longer more specific story;" I found this a very helpful perspective. Much appreciated!
You're welcome. One last tiny thing that you could try to do to start your long story or novel is that even if you don't know anything, ask yourself how did it start, what happened that kicked it off. Your mind might not answer this question very quickly. But questions need to be asked of the mind so it knows it would be greatly appreciated if it would return some answers. After you've asked, let it go. Be okay with no answers. Just something to try.
"But questions need to be asked of the mind so it knows it would be greatly appreciated if it would return some answers." I love this formulation, Larry! Thank you so much.
Perhaps the most literary response to Eleanor's questions yet! Love the Milton. Now I'm imagining my own response reframed with Dante. "The Inferno" might hit closer to the mark for Notes.
Thanks, Josh! Milton just turned up, almost as an intrusive voice as I was drafting this. I think I first read Paradise Lost soon after I discovered Marvel comics and I guess Milton's depiction of Satan early in the poem made him sound like a superhero. So the language of the poet got tangled up with the vernacular, I guess. Anyway, I agree that Notes and the Inferno belong to each other!
Jeffrey, I’m glad we found each other here. What I appreciate most about your work is the connections you discover between seemingly disparate things. When things fly apart and the center cannot hold, this imaginative defense of coherence is a beacon. Xcx
Thank you, Rona. I'm glad too! The clarity and verve of your writing are qualities I wish to emulate. I've said before that the chance to learn from others is a key attraction of this platform. And you're one of my key guides and teachers.
One of the best interviews so far! Lived these responses and felt like not only did I get a glimpse into Jeffrey’s substack and stories but a bit more about him and his writing style. And what I like the most is how authentic his work is in the way that the personal background shared here seems very much in line with his work. No filters! No pretend. And that’s the winning formula. I winder what new things you are stay away from and what’s the reason you really are avoiding to try new stuff with your writing.
Thank you for your kind words! I think one of the things that holds me back sometimes is the fear of looking like a complete idiot. It’s a very English thing, but of course not uniquely so. It’s something I’m working on…
Well, isn’t it the case that the second you put your words in full view that there’s a risk people will think that? That goes for everyone. But it’s worth it - being able to express your thoughts and stories.
Jeffrey, Your gorgeous essays, your unfailing support of my writing have not only made you a virtual friend, but also one of my three or so favorite writers on this site. You are famous! You are valued, perhaps more than you think. You are a find. BTW, I need advice about turning on "paid" --as only my course is paid. Any ideas? from anybody. So far that makes 90% of what I post free --and I m not even good at percentages ... but that's a guesstimate ... xx Mary
On Sarah’s advice I added a clear call to action on going paid. It works. My posts remain free but those choosing to financially support my work has gone up. Let’s chat about it when we zoom x
Mary, I am touched by and humbly grateful for your kind words and friendship. As for turning on “paid” for your wonderful writing; going on what I have seen and experienced, a “hybrid” model is the one I’ve settled on, where the basic offer (weekly essays in my case) is free and will remain so, with an additional offer (the monthly “Snippets”) for a special group of supporters. I developed this with the brilliant @Amanda B. Hinton. For a serialised novel, it might be different. I saw one writer recently suggest making the first part of the book free and charging for the final part, presumably being clear from the beginning that was the deal. I don’t know what @Eleanor Anstruther would think about that?
As I mentioned, I agree with Kimberly wholeheartedly Jeffrey, your essays are inspired, intelligent and whilst I don't always recognise the subject matter by the title, it never perturbs me because I know that by the ned of the first paragraph I won't want to stop reading anyway! I have said this before I think, but I am in awe of the way you intertwine your own life experiences with historical events, characters, architecture, painting, words... the list seems endless and beautiful always. 🙏🏼
You are too kind, Susie! I'm thrilled that you trust in me enough to get past the obscure titles! It's wonderful to have you as a citizen of the English Republic of Letters!
I came here for Jeffrey and stayed for Milton. Wonderful to see Jeffrey and his thoughtful answers. Thank you for sharing!
😊 Thank you, Tiffany! Milton is always worth hanging around for!
I think you undersell yourself Jeffrey! You are a Sorcerer, at least to me, because when I read your essays each week, even if I think at first, “I don’t know if this topic really interests me,” by the second paragraph I’m caught in your spell. And wholly changed by what you’ve written.
Thank you, Kimberly. You're very kind, but I think you're the one whose sorcery creates those wonderful "In Defense of..." essays which are such a joy to read.
And I wholly agree Kimberly!
Thanks for this, Eleanor and Jeffrey - insightful and very helpful.
I always enjoy your essays, Jeffrey, and thanks for being a wide and engaged reader, too. Really appreciated your thoughtful comment on the miners’ strikes when I wrote about that.
Thank you, Wendy! I’m afraid some of my reading has slipped over the last few weeks because of my travels, but I’m looking forward to catching up with my favourite Substacks, yours among them.
Enjoy your travels, Jeffrey!
I can't tell you how this interview delights me. I once worked on an indie film that never got made where the lead character spoke almost entirely in Milton references... It was so much fun. Lovely to see so many this morning :)
Thank you, Alisa. It sounds like the best film never made.
Jeffrey, I almost missed this! I can’t say that I ever saw Satan as a superhero, but now that you mention it, he is. Just one of the lovely surprises in this interview. (You are such a fine writer, it does make me curious as to what you were doing at the crossroads at midnight). It’s fascinating to learn about your experience on Substack. You bring more than erudition and experience to your work; you are able to evoke a world in which everything is rendered new and interesting, as you trace a line of thought across history, art, culture, place, language and your own personal life. I’m grateful that you found my little fledgling stack and helped me feel like it was something worth pursuing. And your posts are ones I keep returning to; there’s always some little gem that I didn’t see the first time. Thank you.
Thank you, Mary, for your generous words. We've both been flapping our wings towards the Substack heavens and I'm glad to hitch a ride in the slipstream of the magnificent vehicle that is your writing. If I arch my neck, I can see you amidst the bright lights above.
This is a great interview. It is encouraging because you thought of something or a lot of somethings you wanted to maybe compare or make sense of and started writing about them. I had never thought of Milton in quite the perspective from which you view him. Viewing heaven and the not really heaven or the state of falling out of heaven sort of wondering how to make sense of existence. It makes being human more relatable no matter who you are or what you have written or haven't written. As far as a longer form, that may show up some time when you least expect it. You don't have to believe it will, you just have to be ready to get going when it does. All your essays could be like notes or research for the longer more specific story.
Thank you, Larry, for your thoughtful comment. "All your essays could be like notes or research for the longer more specific story;" I found this a very helpful perspective. Much appreciated!
You're welcome. One last tiny thing that you could try to do to start your long story or novel is that even if you don't know anything, ask yourself how did it start, what happened that kicked it off. Your mind might not answer this question very quickly. But questions need to be asked of the mind so it knows it would be greatly appreciated if it would return some answers. After you've asked, let it go. Be okay with no answers. Just something to try.
"But questions need to be asked of the mind so it knows it would be greatly appreciated if it would return some answers." I love this formulation, Larry! Thank you so much.
You're welcome. All the Best!
Perhaps the most literary response to Eleanor's questions yet! Love the Milton. Now I'm imagining my own response reframed with Dante. "The Inferno" might hit closer to the mark for Notes.
Thanks, Josh! Milton just turned up, almost as an intrusive voice as I was drafting this. I think I first read Paradise Lost soon after I discovered Marvel comics and I guess Milton's depiction of Satan early in the poem made him sound like a superhero. So the language of the poet got tangled up with the vernacular, I guess. Anyway, I agree that Notes and the Inferno belong to each other!
Jeffrey, I’m glad we found each other here. What I appreciate most about your work is the connections you discover between seemingly disparate things. When things fly apart and the center cannot hold, this imaginative defense of coherence is a beacon. Xcx
Thank you, Rona. I'm glad too! The clarity and verve of your writing are qualities I wish to emulate. I've said before that the chance to learn from others is a key attraction of this platform. And you're one of my key guides and teachers.
Great to see Jeffrey highlighted here. Wonderful interview.
Thank you, Matthew! It was fun to do.
Classic Jeffrey … just casually dropping Milton into a Q&A. 🙂 This series is lovely!
You're right about the series, Amanda. It's a joy to read and so informative. It's also fun to answer the questions 😊
A very enjoyable and helpful piece.
Thank you, Deborah!
I greatly enjoyed it!
It is lovely to get to see a bit more of Jeffrey in this essay. I always enjoy his writing.
Thank you, Michelle!
One of the best interviews so far! Lived these responses and felt like not only did I get a glimpse into Jeffrey’s substack and stories but a bit more about him and his writing style. And what I like the most is how authentic his work is in the way that the personal background shared here seems very much in line with his work. No filters! No pretend. And that’s the winning formula. I winder what new things you are stay away from and what’s the reason you really are avoiding to try new stuff with your writing.
Thank you for your kind words! I think one of the things that holds me back sometimes is the fear of looking like a complete idiot. It’s a very English thing, but of course not uniquely so. It’s something I’m working on…
Aha!
Well, isn’t it the case that the second you put your words in full view that there’s a risk people will think that? That goes for everyone. But it’s worth it - being able to express your thoughts and stories.
You're right. Thank you for the encouragement. I need a prod over the parapet from time to time! 😊