My Creative Manifesto

Hey 2024, I have a plan for you.

Jan 28, 2024

The unhurried, the un-hustle. The tortoise, not the hare.

Online and offline, I’ve noticed that many are beginning this year at a slower pace. Many of us are seeking a more sustainable way of working and living.

Last week I shared my Word Of The Year (here) and I wanted to share more details about my plans for 2024.

What is forthcoming?

How am I building steadier foundations for life and business? How am I staying Grounded?

By just choosing One Goal.

This wasn't easy, but

Sarah Fay

ran a workshop on goal setting recently. This is what came out of it for me.

The Wild and the Quiet in 2024.

The Weekly Letter

I’ve been happy with my one letter each week, but often I’d be squeezing it last thing on a Friday before the weekend. This year, Sundays will be my letter day - when I send out a Substack post. You may read this via your email, or on the app. I hope you get more time to read them.

On the content of my letters, I’m working with an editorial calendar. Rather than being restrictive, I hope having a plan will free up my time and brain space because my primary goal for 2024 is to publish another novel.

Each month for the foreseeable you will get one of each of the following;

News. Learn about the behind-the-scenes of my writing and editing and any other publication news.
My experience of ADHD and being neurodivergent.
A super niche new series, on fungi and mushrooms in the media, literature, art, film etc.
A wildcard or two (because some months have five Sundays). This could be a personal essay, a voice note, a book review, an extract from a longer work, a video, or a flash fiction.

Notes

My time on Notes (Substack’s social hub, best on the app) will be more intentional.

On Mondays, I’ll be taking part in Macabre Monday which is where the horror community hangs out here on Substack. It’s great for building my network and wonderful to find new writers/readers. It’s like everyone in the horror community taking a break at the virtual water cooler.

Other social media

I’ve cut back a lot on my use of other social channels while I’m doing this deep work.

When I need to start promoting my new book, I’m sure I’ll find use for these spaces again, but currently, they are a distraction.

The Future

I've thought deeply about creating paid content for subscribers here, but the timing isn’t right for me yet. Doing so would add unnecessary pressure and hinder my bigger goal (the book, the book!)

I already have the option for readers to support me financially. It’s £5 per month or £30 for the year. There is one post behind the paywall; I’m not offering anything else as “extra” right now. Just a cosy warm feeling for those who choose to support me this way.

This will change at some point, but not yet. The book is the priority this year (the book, the book!)

Please know this Substack/letter will always be free. If and when I do have an offer of an “extra” it will be just that: something additional. You will have the choice to join without it affecting how you receive these letters.

In more frivolous news, I realised I have no decent headshots of me that are how I look now. I’m growing out my fringe (bangs if you’re in the US) and I’m cultivating the silver streak that’s appeared.

So hi 👋 this is me.

The Wild and the Quiet