I like that you write on a variety of topics that interest you. But the voice is always yours. I was thinking about that cartoon in the beginning of this post and how we highlight different aspects of our personality depending on who we're with. But the voice tends to remain the same.
But you have to explain why a taxidermist would be the best answer to get rid of a creep!
For sure. I think he's right that the opportunity really is small collectives working toward one small niche and goal, but I thought that 20 years ago too.
Agreed. I also think it's pretty hard to find four people that are all at the same level that have interest in the same topic and all have enough difference that they are all additive. Monica and I happen to be two people like that, one of which was specializing in wide retailers and the other in direct platforms, that amplified each other. It's hard to find one person that brings enough by themselves that 1+1=3, let alone 4 people.
A version of this question I've been learning to answer, as somebody masochistically trying to enter journalism, is 'what do you want to write about?' A difficult question made genuinely paralysing by not having a body of work to draw upon. In hindsight it actively inhibited me speaking about (and therefore aiding) my plans for quite a long time, even to close friends.
I am a writer, too, and I was a journalist, too. I still am - but since I quit my job as an editor at a local newspaper to start as al freelancer I always tried to find something else besides journalism, too. First, because journalism is very bad paid here in Germany as well, espacially for freelancers, and secondly because I want to do be more creative.
So, I totally feel what you said. I always feel creeped out when somebody asks what I do (although I think it is so nice for someone to be interested, most people just don't bother with this question at all) - and then I am very relieved when I can tell about a journalistic assignment. At least people know about this kind of work.
(And I have just opted for the paid subscription, because you are so talented and honest - and the world needs writers just like you. :-) )
This post spoke to me in a big way. The what do you do part. My "what do you do?" answer is terrible. It's my favorite question to ask and my least favorite to answer because I'm so bad at properly short winding my work. Sometimes I wish I could just say dentist, or dog walker, or trash man. Anything with a readily relatable box of things for someone to grasp, even if generic.
My favorite part was the graphic. My answer definitely changes depending on who I'm talking to and it felt uncanny to see that in a funny visual. And silly to feel it was uncanny. I know better than to think that's a unique feeling while it often also does! And I don't love that I do that. That my answer changes. Most of the time it's : I do consulting, social media, and websites. BLEH.
Also I did a big write about what I now think was your recent note about THIS post, and the comments in that thread. Now that I see the context for it, it would probably soften my position some. If it was about your i's not being capitalized, it's clear to me that was purposeful. I'm glad I wrote my piece without seeing this though. I think it lended to some broader interesting contemplations with the missing piece.
I'm new to Substack and you are one of the first people I have read. Thanks for being here.
Hey Anna, thanks so much for the honourable mention!
Your response and a few others gave me the idea (and confidence) to pitch the story to a football magazine. I've been commissioned to turn it into a 750 word piece! I'll be sure to share it once it's pubbed!
I hate that question, too!!
Anna, thanks for the shout-out.
I like that you write on a variety of topics that interest you. But the voice is always yours. I was thinking about that cartoon in the beginning of this post and how we highlight different aspects of our personality depending on who we're with. But the voice tends to remain the same.
But you have to explain why a taxidermist would be the best answer to get rid of a creep!
Great answer. Love the route to get there
Oh your recommendation I listened to that Ezra Klein interview and it was so good.
It gave me heart palps about the state of the media but also some semblance of hope as well??
For sure. I think he's right that the opportunity really is small collectives working toward one small niche and goal, but I thought that 20 years ago too.
I suspect that one of the reasons collectives don't happen as much as they should is cus journalists aren't particularly collegial!
Agreed. I also think it's pretty hard to find four people that are all at the same level that have interest in the same topic and all have enough difference that they are all additive. Monica and I happen to be two people like that, one of which was specializing in wide retailers and the other in direct platforms, that amplified each other. It's hard to find one person that brings enough by themselves that 1+1=3, let alone 4 people.
💯
A version of this question I've been learning to answer, as somebody masochistically trying to enter journalism, is 'what do you want to write about?' A difficult question made genuinely paralysing by not having a body of work to draw upon. In hindsight it actively inhibited me speaking about (and therefore aiding) my plans for quite a long time, even to close friends.
Dear Anna,
thank you so much for this.
I am a writer, too, and I was a journalist, too. I still am - but since I quit my job as an editor at a local newspaper to start as al freelancer I always tried to find something else besides journalism, too. First, because journalism is very bad paid here in Germany as well, espacially for freelancers, and secondly because I want to do be more creative.
So, I totally feel what you said. I always feel creeped out when somebody asks what I do (although I think it is so nice for someone to be interested, most people just don't bother with this question at all) - and then I am very relieved when I can tell about a journalistic assignment. At least people know about this kind of work.
(And I have just opted for the paid subscription, because you are so talented and honest - and the world needs writers just like you. :-) )
Thanks so much, Nina! Both for this thought comment and upgrading your subscription – it's how I sustain the newsletter :)
It's exactly as you say – people don't realise how loaded that small question can be!
This post spoke to me in a big way. The what do you do part. My "what do you do?" answer is terrible. It's my favorite question to ask and my least favorite to answer because I'm so bad at properly short winding my work. Sometimes I wish I could just say dentist, or dog walker, or trash man. Anything with a readily relatable box of things for someone to grasp, even if generic.
My favorite part was the graphic. My answer definitely changes depending on who I'm talking to and it felt uncanny to see that in a funny visual. And silly to feel it was uncanny. I know better than to think that's a unique feeling while it often also does! And I don't love that I do that. That my answer changes. Most of the time it's : I do consulting, social media, and websites. BLEH.
Also I did a big write about what I now think was your recent note about THIS post, and the comments in that thread. Now that I see the context for it, it would probably soften my position some. If it was about your i's not being capitalized, it's clear to me that was purposeful. I'm glad I wrote my piece without seeing this though. I think it lended to some broader interesting contemplations with the missing piece.
I'm new to Substack and you are one of the first people I have read. Thanks for being here.
Hey Anna, thanks so much for the honourable mention!
Your response and a few others gave me the idea (and confidence) to pitch the story to a football magazine. I've been commissioned to turn it into a 750 word piece! I'll be sure to share it once it's pubbed!
Thanks again.
!!! This has made my day! Please send me the link when it's published 🥹
Agreed-- Both David Alex are doing brilliant work on here.
As are you, Jason!! Excellent, excellent cartoons
Jason, I loved your Paris cartoons.
Thank you! I think I have one more sketchbook to share from the December trip. We're heading back in May to get more ☺️
Here is the full collection so far...https://www.newyorkcartoons.com/t/paris
This resonated for me, and helped me. You are so right, about the writing, questions, fear. Shame?
We're going to be in Paris 5/22 -5/25. Maybe we'll end up in our of your sketches.