I agree this was a great interview. Ted Gioia is always paving the way.. His essay about the literary publishing world taking the same road as the music world was one of the first things I read on Substack and have loved reading him ever since.
“But my sentences soon started to change.” - This may be what fascinates me most on Substack: writers allowing their styles and forms to change for the medium. When enough people do this, we’ll have new forms or genres. As the rise of the magazine made short stories possible, so I like to speculate about what we’re cooking slowly here.
Love this -- rich answers and, true to form, steadfastly honest. Ted highlights one of the perennial questions about Substack for me, which is the shift toward the informal. In some cases, this can lean toward the inchoate, the hot and provocative take, rather than the honed or the fully-formed. And in that sense I wonder whether there might be some words to say in defense of craft and of some of those more formal venues for writing?
Also impressed that anyone can sustain the pace of three articles a week.
One of the most worthwhile reads on Substack. I love microfiction and experiment with it here but Ted is a macrosynth (my word) who pulls in and ties together ideas
The great philosopher Paul Feyerabend liked to teach an intro Phil course when he worked at Berkeley. I attended some of these large, enthusiastic classes as a grad student. He would tell the students when he asked them to write a paper that the style he was looking for wasn't to show a mastery of philosophical jargon, but for the students to write as though they were writing to a friend or even having a thoughtful conversation with a friend or neighbour. He thought that fancy jargon-filled language was the enemy of clarity, and that the biggest ideas could be explained in plain English. He made a great impression on me.
Ted, I would love to pay for a subscription to your and countless other Substack newsletters. But I'm already paying for several, and I can't afford to keep paying for more and more. I'll no doubt continue to read your letters along with those of numerous other authors, and I'll continue sharing them on social media. But, regrettably, that's the best I can do unless and until I win the lottery.
Eleanor caught the GOAT! Awesome interview. I am a huge fan of Ted's writing and am so happy to see him answer your interview questions. This entire series has been great. Wonderful job Eleanor.
My 2012 Dell laptop, with Win 7, has the same problems as does my 3 yrs. old HP laptop. I finally gave up and bought, on sale, an ASUS laptop with Win. 11. The computer is fine, Win 11 sucks.
You are in your happy place and made many people happy from your articles. My first encounter of you was a Rick Beato YouTube video and I haven't regret it since then. I haven't read so much in my life as a matter of fact. It's because of the content of your articles I keep reading.
As a writer, I know how risky self-editing is. My question is this: Do you self-edit or work with an editor? I ask because I have never seen grammar or spelling errors in your writing.
improvisation RULES. but to do it well time and time again, and I'm increasingly finding more and more parallels between music and athletics, you have to know "the rules" like the palm of your hand.
most interesting thing for me to read hear is that the informal style of Substack, with no intermediary bungling bureaucrats to please, has changed Ted's writing style.
I am so pleased with your work Ted. Every article builds the trust and appreciation I have for your brilliant mind. One of the most valuable subscriptions I have ever had in ANY format. Very cool.
Excellent interview, Eleanor! And thanks, Ted, for sharing your perspective. I do wonder if traditional publishing will ever change, especially as it relates to fiction, or if it will just go on life support forever. But I also struggle to see how indie authors can survive without someone getting their hands dirty inside the industry and bringing that knowledge out to those indie authors... to help them navigate an archaic system and prosper. It's a gamble all around.
What a great guest you have in your chair today, Eleanor! 👏 Thank you Ted for sharing your insights with those of us who are at the beginning of their writing journey. Lots to learn!
I agree this was a great interview. Ted Gioia is always paving the way.. His essay about the literary publishing world taking the same road as the music world was one of the first things I read on Substack and have loved reading him ever since.
“But my sentences soon started to change.” - This may be what fascinates me most on Substack: writers allowing their styles and forms to change for the medium. When enough people do this, we’ll have new forms or genres. As the rise of the magazine made short stories possible, so I like to speculate about what we’re cooking slowly here.
Wonderful interview!
I love this idea.
I wrote about what might be evolving online a few months back. For awhile it was my most popular post: https://open.substack.com/pub/tarapenry/p/newsletters-and-litletters?r=1mk0zn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web.
So interesting! Thank you for sharing.
I can’t say I’m comfortable linking posts in comments, but I do like the subject. Fwiw
Love this -- rich answers and, true to form, steadfastly honest. Ted highlights one of the perennial questions about Substack for me, which is the shift toward the informal. In some cases, this can lean toward the inchoate, the hot and provocative take, rather than the honed or the fully-formed. And in that sense I wonder whether there might be some words to say in defense of craft and of some of those more formal venues for writing?
Also impressed that anyone can sustain the pace of three articles a week.
One of the most worthwhile reads on Substack. I love microfiction and experiment with it here but Ted is a macrosynth (my word) who pulls in and ties together ideas
The great philosopher Paul Feyerabend liked to teach an intro Phil course when he worked at Berkeley. I attended some of these large, enthusiastic classes as a grad student. He would tell the students when he asked them to write a paper that the style he was looking for wasn't to show a mastery of philosophical jargon, but for the students to write as though they were writing to a friend or even having a thoughtful conversation with a friend or neighbour. He thought that fancy jargon-filled language was the enemy of clarity, and that the biggest ideas could be explained in plain English. He made a great impression on me.
Ted, I would love to pay for a subscription to your and countless other Substack newsletters. But I'm already paying for several, and I can't afford to keep paying for more and more. I'll no doubt continue to read your letters along with those of numerous other authors, and I'll continue sharing them on social media. But, regrettably, that's the best I can do unless and until I win the lottery.
Eleanor caught the GOAT! Awesome interview. I am a huge fan of Ted's writing and am so happy to see him answer your interview questions. This entire series has been great. Wonderful job Eleanor.
🙃
Ted is a treasure. How we all long for honesty like this. Thank you, Eleanor!!
So very well said Sir ! .
I to am an Elder and think your writing style is very good .
I too write but Technical Help articles on specific vehicles and jobs .
I try to write like I'm conversing with the person doing their D.I.Y. job in the driveway .
I'm on a fixed budget so I cannot afford to pay to join but I really enjoy your articles .
A note : this ancient (2001) Dell lap top's keys are beginning to fail, won't respond to cleaning even after prying them off .
My question : might there be anyone out here who has an old lap top that still works (I'm not a ggamer etc.) they'd be willin to sell me ? .
TIA,
Im in Los Aneles
-Nate
My 2012 Dell laptop, with Win 7, has the same problems as does my 3 yrs. old HP laptop. I finally gave up and bought, on sale, an ASUS laptop with Win. 11. The computer is fine, Win 11 sucks.
THANK YOU GEORGE SO VERY MUCH ! .
I'm fine with windows and have a current product key .
I need a 17" diagonal screen to see the details in my Tech works .
Co$t is a big factor here, I may have found a used laptop or two I can get very cheaply, wipe and load my programs on .
-Nate
You are in your happy place and made many people happy from your articles. My first encounter of you was a Rick Beato YouTube video and I haven't regret it since then. I haven't read so much in my life as a matter of fact. It's because of the content of your articles I keep reading.
Thank you, thank you!
As a writer, I know how risky self-editing is. My question is this: Do you self-edit or work with an editor? I ask because I have never seen grammar or spelling errors in your writing.
Thanks.
I just realized this went on Eleanor's Substack, not Ted's. The question is for Ted. (I haven't read Eleanor's work, so I can't comment on it.)
improvisation RULES. but to do it well time and time again, and I'm increasingly finding more and more parallels between music and athletics, you have to know "the rules" like the palm of your hand.
most interesting thing for me to read hear is that the informal style of Substack, with no intermediary bungling bureaucrats to please, has changed Ted's writing style.
I am so pleased with your work Ted. Every article builds the trust and appreciation I have for your brilliant mind. One of the most valuable subscriptions I have ever had in ANY format. Very cool.
Excellent interview, Eleanor! And thanks, Ted, for sharing your perspective. I do wonder if traditional publishing will ever change, especially as it relates to fiction, or if it will just go on life support forever. But I also struggle to see how indie authors can survive without someone getting their hands dirty inside the industry and bringing that knowledge out to those indie authors... to help them navigate an archaic system and prosper. It's a gamble all around.
Impressive guest! Might be the best interview yet, Eleanor.
So thrilled.
What a great guest you have in your chair today, Eleanor! 👏 Thank you Ted for sharing your insights with those of us who are at the beginning of their writing journey. Lots to learn!