I can't answer these questions, Anna, but I will say I always enjoy your posts, whatever they're about. I like them because you're so real. You make me laugh. You make me nod my head with sympathy. I don't count the weeks between your posts. I pay no attention to how productive/timely/useful your material is. I just like you! I think what you describe is a very common feeling among many writers. In fact, I just wrote a post about this what-am-I-doing, is-it-any-use, and who-cares-anyway myself, one I circled around for weeks, feeling ashamed of myself because life is busy and I wasn't getting to it and I dropped out of a conversation with a writer I respect and like in the middle of back-and-forth comments. It's a big club, I think. Why do we like someone? Probably everyone would have a different answer. I like genuine people, which is to say messy, uncertain, sometimes insecure, creative people who share their reality so we all feel a little less alone. And thanks for this post! On posting ...!
I'm reading this three+ weeks after you sent it, in bed with the flu, so the actual questions require too much brain power for me right now, but in response to 'What I'm trying to ask you is the writer’s version of why do you like me because I’m feeling insecure right now and need a boost!': I'm reading this three+ weeks after you sent it, because even when I'm not in the headspace for reading all the newsletters I'm subscribed to there are some that automatically get put in my UNREAD NEWSLETTERS folder to be read at a future date, because I know that, once I get to them, whenever that may be, they'll be interesting, insightful, funny, useful and/or nourishing in some way, and yours always and without fail make that cut. Just so you know <3
I like you and your newsletter because you are so honest and I can relate to everything you say about your working life. I am also a freelance (German) writer, since 2018, and I often struggle with the issues like: money or creativity, which is more important? So: if you just tell me about your life, about hurdles, difficulties and successes, I'm very happy. 😊
1) The post about creativity and productivity - it mentioned your grandad painting. From some time in 2022.
2) I forwarded this post to my writer friend because "I kept reading parts I wanted to share with you, and by the end realised I should just forward the whole email".
3) I'm no good at answering questions like this, sorry!
I enjoy your writing style, which is why I hang around. Personally, I don't mind if I don't get a frequent email from any one writer, so absence of any lenght needs no explanation. I've enjoyed your writing on Rory Gilmore (I'm also a writer who has a complex feelings about this character) and making friends with a kid in your neighbourhood!
This isn't the best post in the world. This is just a tribute.
1) I remember You're The Business the book. I think of your newsletter as one thing not a collection of posts. But I think of it as 'the black white and red coloured one written by Anna Codrea-Rado about freelancing that has illustrations they paid cash money for because they believe in supporting artists.' I think of it as one cohesive thing. Over time it has evolved so you can talk more broadly about anything. I read it because it's the same person rather than about one thing. But I admit I started reading because it was initially about freelance writer life.
2) I've never forwarded a newsletter to anyone. My brain's immediate response was: "Who does that?" But my brain is a jerk. I know people do that but I feel like people get enough email so why would I send them extra. Your newsletter was the first Substack I ever came across in the wild. It's definitely one I'd hold up to people as an example of what Substack can be at its best. I'd send someone a link to your page if asked for a Substack recommendation. In a heartbeat. But send someone a post unbidden? Never. I mean that in a good way.
3) My cultural references are so old they're carbon dated. So I can't answer this helpfully. It's the cartoon version of you. I can't think of a single show etc that's like a newsletter. Murder She Wrote? Let's go with that for comedy effect. But I'm just making things up at this point.
I remember vividly your pieces on grieving your dog, the art teacher one and the one about friendship with a 9 years old but I enjoy all them no matter what the subject.
I don't forward to friends. They're french and don't know about substack so I don't botter.
And I love the humour in you writing but also how you approach each subject.
You have a fresh voice, open and honest. You use simple words and you make writing seem easy (well aware it is not). I appreciate your articles on freelance writing, but not only. You are also a Romanian living abroad (extra points for this haha) so that can’t be easy at all times. I am always looking forward to your emails :)
Mulțumesc, Oana!! (That's about the extent of my written Romanian 🥲) An essay I keep swirling around in my mind is how I want to learn to love dill because it's such a central herb in Romanian cooking and yet I hate it.
Ohh, noo. My expectations that my English could eventually evolve to become as good as yours, with a lot of practice, just went out of the window 😂 dill is the Balkan’s coriander. You either like it or you don’t. Don’t force yourself 😂
I'm taking your questions very seriously, obviously:
– When I think of your newsletter, it's the Income Report posts (especially the one you wrote about journalism not paying) that I probably think about most often and have even reread, but I couldn't tell you exact details of them. I do vividly remember how I *felt* when reading 'My art teacher cut up my final project. Why am I still mad about it?' and 'My first boss busted me for skiving off work. I still don't regret it' but I'm not sure I remember what you said in them, and if I had to actually NAME one of your posts it would be 'On not being Rory Gilmore' (though I'm not sure I'd get it exactly right).
– I forwarded your 'How I made money in Q1 of 2023 as a freelance writer' to a client who I'm friendly after reading it myself, writing: "You've mentioned previously that you're always interested in how other freelancers make money, so I thought you might be interested in this! I have a lot of respect for how Anna has put the actual numbers behind a paywall, both because that's the boundary she's comfortable with, but also maybe as a slight 'tease' for getting people to subscribe to the paid version of her newsletter – which I have in the past and have done again so I could see the numbers and her Financial Feelings Analysis™️."
Quinn, you have my heart with this level of detail!! Also I love that you mentioned the Rory Gilmore piece, she's on my mind at this time of year; I was considering revisiting that piece because I'm researching the show rn. Thank you a million for being here ❤️
I think meta-posting is a great idea. In fact, just before I read your post I replied to a comment (on mine) in which I suggested that the person writes a story about someone writing a story. Anyway, it's nice to know that I'm not the only writer who sometimes feels that their work is not good enough to publish, though in your case I'm sure you were being too hard on yourself. In my case, I felt I was channeling a blues man called Bo Carter, who wrote a song called My Pencil Don't Write No More. I thought: yeah, I know the feeling, bro.
Brilliant to have your honesty Anna - and to see even rockstars like you have their moments of Substack doubt... carry on writing for yourself and we'll be along for the ride. I had a moment of doubt myself this morning about what on earth was I going to write today, got on the phone to my old college - ie reached out - and the blog post, about student mental health and what I can offer in my position as a mental health lived experience whatnot, kind of wrote itself. I'd say, don't worry about your readers, your readers find you, once you get to that tribe of people who advocate for you - and there are plenty of people out there doing just that for you. Hope it's ok to reach out with an extended reply, just that I'm cheered by your approach and want to say - thank you for sharing.
I can't answer these questions, Anna, but I will say I always enjoy your posts, whatever they're about. I like them because you're so real. You make me laugh. You make me nod my head with sympathy. I don't count the weeks between your posts. I pay no attention to how productive/timely/useful your material is. I just like you! I think what you describe is a very common feeling among many writers. In fact, I just wrote a post about this what-am-I-doing, is-it-any-use, and who-cares-anyway myself, one I circled around for weeks, feeling ashamed of myself because life is busy and I wasn't getting to it and I dropped out of a conversation with a writer I respect and like in the middle of back-and-forth comments. It's a big club, I think. Why do we like someone? Probably everyone would have a different answer. I like genuine people, which is to say messy, uncertain, sometimes insecure, creative people who share their reality so we all feel a little less alone. And thanks for this post! On posting ...!
Thank you so much, Jennifer! This has really, really warmed my heart. And you're so right, all of us writers have these feelings!
I love your writing! The dry humor (I liked the British comedies) is great. Keep it up!
Seconded.
🥹
🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
I like you because you are real and also I have been caught in a similar situation that you find yourself.
I'm reading this three+ weeks after you sent it, in bed with the flu, so the actual questions require too much brain power for me right now, but in response to 'What I'm trying to ask you is the writer’s version of why do you like me because I’m feeling insecure right now and need a boost!': I'm reading this three+ weeks after you sent it, because even when I'm not in the headspace for reading all the newsletters I'm subscribed to there are some that automatically get put in my UNREAD NEWSLETTERS folder to be read at a future date, because I know that, once I get to them, whenever that may be, they'll be interesting, insightful, funny, useful and/or nourishing in some way, and yours always and without fail make that cut. Just so you know <3
Thank you so much, Ella - this is so kind!
I like you and your newsletter because you are so honest and I can relate to everything you say about your working life. I am also a freelance (German) writer, since 2018, and I often struggle with the issues like: money or creativity, which is more important? So: if you just tell me about your life, about hurdles, difficulties and successes, I'm very happy. 😊
1) The post about creativity and productivity - it mentioned your grandad painting. From some time in 2022.
2) I forwarded this post to my writer friend because "I kept reading parts I wanted to share with you, and by the end realised I should just forward the whole email".
3) I'm no good at answering questions like this, sorry!
I enjoy your writing style, which is why I hang around. Personally, I don't mind if I don't get a frequent email from any one writer, so absence of any lenght needs no explanation. I've enjoyed your writing on Rory Gilmore (I'm also a writer who has a complex feelings about this character) and making friends with a kid in your neighbourhood!
Thank you!
This isn't the best post in the world. This is just a tribute.
1) I remember You're The Business the book. I think of your newsletter as one thing not a collection of posts. But I think of it as 'the black white and red coloured one written by Anna Codrea-Rado about freelancing that has illustrations they paid cash money for because they believe in supporting artists.' I think of it as one cohesive thing. Over time it has evolved so you can talk more broadly about anything. I read it because it's the same person rather than about one thing. But I admit I started reading because it was initially about freelance writer life.
2) I've never forwarded a newsletter to anyone. My brain's immediate response was: "Who does that?" But my brain is a jerk. I know people do that but I feel like people get enough email so why would I send them extra. Your newsletter was the first Substack I ever came across in the wild. It's definitely one I'd hold up to people as an example of what Substack can be at its best. I'd send someone a link to your page if asked for a Substack recommendation. In a heartbeat. But send someone a post unbidden? Never. I mean that in a good way.
3) My cultural references are so old they're carbon dated. So I can't answer this helpfully. It's the cartoon version of you. I can't think of a single show etc that's like a newsletter. Murder She Wrote? Let's go with that for comedy effect. But I'm just making things up at this point.
Hope that helps.
I appreciate you so much for the deep and thoughtful answers to all my questions. Thank YOU
I remember vividly your pieces on grieving your dog, the art teacher one and the one about friendship with a 9 years old but I enjoy all them no matter what the subject.
I don't forward to friends. They're french and don't know about substack so I don't botter.
And I love the humour in you writing but also how you approach each subject.
Hope this helps x
This REALLY helps because those are the pieces that I loved writing the most so I feel so seen by this comment <3
❤️
You have a fresh voice, open and honest. You use simple words and you make writing seem easy (well aware it is not). I appreciate your articles on freelance writing, but not only. You are also a Romanian living abroad (extra points for this haha) so that can’t be easy at all times. I am always looking forward to your emails :)
Mulțumesc, Oana!! (That's about the extent of my written Romanian 🥲) An essay I keep swirling around in my mind is how I want to learn to love dill because it's such a central herb in Romanian cooking and yet I hate it.
Ohh, noo. My expectations that my English could eventually evolve to become as good as yours, with a lot of practice, just went out of the window 😂 dill is the Balkan’s coriander. You either like it or you don’t. Don’t force yourself 😂
I haven't been a subscriber long enough to reply to any of your three questions, so I'll just say: keep writing!
:)
I'm taking your questions very seriously, obviously:
– When I think of your newsletter, it's the Income Report posts (especially the one you wrote about journalism not paying) that I probably think about most often and have even reread, but I couldn't tell you exact details of them. I do vividly remember how I *felt* when reading 'My art teacher cut up my final project. Why am I still mad about it?' and 'My first boss busted me for skiving off work. I still don't regret it' but I'm not sure I remember what you said in them, and if I had to actually NAME one of your posts it would be 'On not being Rory Gilmore' (though I'm not sure I'd get it exactly right).
– I forwarded your 'How I made money in Q1 of 2023 as a freelance writer' to a client who I'm friendly after reading it myself, writing: "You've mentioned previously that you're always interested in how other freelancers make money, so I thought you might be interested in this! I have a lot of respect for how Anna has put the actual numbers behind a paywall, both because that's the boundary she's comfortable with, but also maybe as a slight 'tease' for getting people to subscribe to the paid version of her newsletter – which I have in the past and have done again so I could see the numbers and her Financial Feelings Analysis™️."
Quinn, you have my heart with this level of detail!! Also I love that you mentioned the Rory Gilmore piece, she's on my mind at this time of year; I was considering revisiting that piece because I'm researching the show rn. Thank you a million for being here ❤️
Frozen year! I think about that a lot.
And, whew, you’re not alone in feeling this way! My insecurity with my newsletter is RAGING lately. Thanks for putting this out there.
I'm sorry to report that my shoulder is in fact still frozen!! But this message has warmed my heart ❤️
I think meta-posting is a great idea. In fact, just before I read your post I replied to a comment (on mine) in which I suggested that the person writes a story about someone writing a story. Anyway, it's nice to know that I'm not the only writer who sometimes feels that their work is not good enough to publish, though in your case I'm sure you were being too hard on yourself. In my case, I felt I was channeling a blues man called Bo Carter, who wrote a song called My Pencil Don't Write No More. I thought: yeah, I know the feeling, bro.
Thanks so much, Terry! I'm off to listen to that song now 🎶
Thanks for honest & to answer to first: money overview for a year!
Brilliant to have your honesty Anna - and to see even rockstars like you have their moments of Substack doubt... carry on writing for yourself and we'll be along for the ride. I had a moment of doubt myself this morning about what on earth was I going to write today, got on the phone to my old college - ie reached out - and the blog post, about student mental health and what I can offer in my position as a mental health lived experience whatnot, kind of wrote itself. I'd say, don't worry about your readers, your readers find you, once you get to that tribe of people who advocate for you - and there are plenty of people out there doing just that for you. Hope it's ok to reach out with an extended reply, just that I'm cheered by your approach and want to say - thank you for sharing.