Excellelent! As to the whole serialisation matter, I have been contemplating this for some time now, esp. with CARTER being close. Tricky. Substack isn't made for a serialised content experience. I will brood some more... maybe post it in instalments/parts rather than truly "serialise", e.g. Prologue. 6k etc. must ponder...
What is best is to Defrag, of course! But yeah, the platform could offer better options to navigate and present chapters but in the end, the writing is the deciding factor...
RE: trains, yes! And the sense of movement, progression forwards. Though oddly, it was my first time writing on one, I think. I will have to do it again, but that will mean I need to seek out longer train journeys. Perhaps a Shinkansen to Osaka, knowing that a delicious okonomiyaki awaits. 😋
Ahh, Foster Wallace. Long on my to-read list, esp. Infinite Jest.
There's an oulipo technique known as the metro poem. Use the moving parts of the journey to think of lines, and use the station stops to Write them down!
I don't know, I think the lovely thing about serialization is that all the previous chapters are none neat place to go back to if We Readers need to, and you can bind them all up in the end for your audience that likes to binge. It feels like a win-win?
That train description felt so familiar to me. From your soundtrack, to the awkward overheard convo, to the melancholy of student papers. My only question: will you really avoid the carriage next week? It’s like a novel read in installments! 😂 But maybe I’m a sucker for punishment!
😅 I've already forgotten what specific train/time it was!!
(Secretly, of course, I'd like to know whether they end up together ... I'll keep my eyes and ears open. But I thank them for the brief inspiration to write!)
Jun 16, 2023·edited Jun 16, 2023Liked by Nathan Slake
Hmm... I think that my Notes comment was somewhat misleading. I actually enjoy following you writing your two stories in parallel. These are the two serialised stories that I follow most actively right now on Substack, I'm missing only one episode of Precipice to be up-to-date with the reading.
My comment was meant to describe the experience of reading several serialised novels from different authors in parallel on Substack. It can be a bit chaotic, following the storylines, keeping up with the reading, keeping focused on Substack as a fiction reader (reading fiction is more demanding than reading an update post like this, it requires a different headspace, if you know what I mean).
But this is not something bad, it's not frustrating. It's just a new experience. I'm starting to enjoy it. It's a matter of getting used to reading in a different medium, at a different pace (I have to wait for chapters to drop in). Reading like this is also a form of sampling. I know which novels I'll read again once they are finished, just to have the full immersive experience.
Long story short, please go ahead and write three novels in parallel if you would like to and serialise them here, I'll follow along. As I'm sure many of your readers will. Don't. Stop. Writing.
Hmm, maybe I did misinterpret slightly, but your words here make a lot of sense (and btw, I simply love the newspaper analogy to inboxes that you made on Notes!) and that's some great insight from the reaading perspective. It's been interesting to sit and think on the process and whether I can do it any differently, though. Not sure if anything much will change, but we'll see.
I totally get the headspace thing. I think actually writing this update post was a headspace-clearing event, even if there's very little in it. It was necessary. I felt a weird sense of relief and enjoyment tapping away on my keyboard whilst on the train. I've been a bit shy in having my laptop open and writing in too-public spaces (trains being a prime example), but it was oddly freeing just doing it.
OK, for a moment I was worried that you'll rethink writing your two novels in parallel based on my comment. I wouldn't want to feel even slightly responsible for such a huge decision. 😅 And now that you're considering writing a third novel in parallel, I'm starting to wonder about my own writing strategy, since I have four novels waiting to be written... next to my collection of short stories...
Mostly, I'm reading serialized fiction or short fiction on Substack, with a mix of other random stuff. It takes a moment to get my bearings with serials, which is easier as time goes on, and as I become more familiar with each wrter. But yes, it's a different head space to give fiction its due attention on this platform, including short form.
Appreciate hearing your thoughts, Caz, that's really good to know that you find that it gets easier as you get used to each writer and (presumably) begin to sink into those stories that grab your attention.
I check who I'm reading and remind myself where we're up to, then I'm good.
If I'm not interested enough in the work, I tend to check out. If I'm not interested now, it's unlikely I'll gain interest some other time.
I marvel that some people subscribe to 100 or more stacks. For me, the saturation point is much lower. I'm sure there's a lot more great fiction, and nonfiction, out there, and I feel bad that I don't keep adding people, but we all only have the same number of hours in a day, only a fraction of which is available for Substack.
Yeah, absolutely. There's definitely a saturation point. I think there's an inevitable process of distillation once you've subscribed to a certain number and read a certain amount of posts.
I hope your upside down smile will downside up soon, Nathan! Hans' music is fire. I look forward to Dune part deux. Villeneuve is an amazing director, a Canadian in me is very proud. Btw, I like how you've been sharing your work in a serialized manner. Indeed, each part can be read as a standalone and then everything all together. It's also a little easier for people to get through in this manner. Trust me, reading overwhelm can happen and keeping things succinct is always the way to go.
Thanks Nadia, appreciate the thoughts. I totally understand that some will like to wait until things are finished and then read in one go, whereas others may like the slow tickle.
It's funny, you read posts about optimising your Substack and being narrow and niche and tight in what you post, but nah, I don't want to do that. I mean I do to a certain degree (I'm not going to write about economics or Bitcoin!) but I also am doing this for the fun and the freedom.
Either way, we love your work and are here for it however you want to present it to us! Oh yes, niche shmiche is my answer to that lol. Be free and write what you want to write! It's truly been liberating to write on whatever for me.
Excellent choice of noise cancelling! I second that. And in terms of fragmentation, the answer is clear. Defrag, defrag now!
It is good to see Jisa holds back, no rush, we need more answers. Cloud needs to be measured. Next time maybe.
And my gratitude for that most elaborate link!
I had to work it in there somehow ;) For the exploratory reader.
Cloud(s) will be measured, don't you worry.
I also enjoyed that footnote!
Excellelent! As to the whole serialisation matter, I have been contemplating this for some time now, esp. with CARTER being close. Tricky. Substack isn't made for a serialised content experience. I will brood some more... maybe post it in instalments/parts rather than truly "serialise", e.g. Prologue. 6k etc. must ponder...
It's partly the platform, perhaps. It could be optimised better for a serialised read.
Do what you feel is best. You have at least one guaranteed reader :)
What is best is to Defrag, of course! But yeah, the platform could offer better options to navigate and present chapters but in the end, the writing is the deciding factor...
https://media.tenor.com/Z051LDEyTYgAAAAd/defrag-defragmenting.gif
hehe, those white fixed clusters always irked me. GAIN won't stand for that!
Train rides make great writing material and the hum (and captivity?) are also useful.
And I really enjoy your use of the superscript-footnotes. Hidden extras, like David Foster Wallace.
RE: trains, yes! And the sense of movement, progression forwards. Though oddly, it was my first time writing on one, I think. I will have to do it again, but that will mean I need to seek out longer train journeys. Perhaps a Shinkansen to Osaka, knowing that a delicious okonomiyaki awaits. 😋
Ahh, Foster Wallace. Long on my to-read list, esp. Infinite Jest.
Now this is a good plan. (Both the oklnomiyaka and DFW reading!)
There's an oulipo technique known as the metro poem. Use the moving parts of the journey to think of lines, and use the station stops to Write them down!
Hah, wow, I love that!
Yay for train morsels with people watching!
I don't know, I think the lovely thing about serialization is that all the previous chapters are none neat place to go back to if We Readers need to, and you can bind them all up in the end for your audience that likes to binge. It feels like a win-win?
Tension mounts for Jisa!
Glad you feel that way, that makes me happy to be serialising.
Zimmmer is a master, especially with Dune! His Masterclass videos on Film Scoring are exquisite, worth every penny of a month’s subscription.
Oh wow, I did not know. I currently have a subscription so I will absolutely be watching that! Thanks, Renee. Glad to have you here.
you had me at : "But not yet. I can wait these moments longer. There are questions. Words and answers yet to be spoken."
endings are many times beginnings i guess (insert upside down smiley head emoji here)
Thanks for the comment and for dropping by, Appleton. I like that notion of endings being beginnings.
Here, I'll insert for you 🙃 😉
That train description felt so familiar to me. From your soundtrack, to the awkward overheard convo, to the melancholy of student papers. My only question: will you really avoid the carriage next week? It’s like a novel read in installments! 😂 But maybe I’m a sucker for punishment!
😅 I've already forgotten what specific train/time it was!!
(Secretly, of course, I'd like to know whether they end up together ... I'll keep my eyes and ears open. But I thank them for the brief inspiration to write!)
Nathan -
I do believe you are right - the desert-oboe - good ear.
I'm worried about Jisa.
A most strange and extraordinary adventure you are on with your concurrent serializations - I'm with you!
-T
It makes me very happy you're here for the ride, Mr Troy!
And phew, correctly identified the desert-oboe ;)
You might like the chatting up section in this: https://open.substack.com/pub/soaringtwenties/p/crossed-wires?r=18suih&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I've often thought of writing snippets myself. You do it well
Thanks Terry, I shall give that a read :)
Hmm... I think that my Notes comment was somewhat misleading. I actually enjoy following you writing your two stories in parallel. These are the two serialised stories that I follow most actively right now on Substack, I'm missing only one episode of Precipice to be up-to-date with the reading.
My comment was meant to describe the experience of reading several serialised novels from different authors in parallel on Substack. It can be a bit chaotic, following the storylines, keeping up with the reading, keeping focused on Substack as a fiction reader (reading fiction is more demanding than reading an update post like this, it requires a different headspace, if you know what I mean).
But this is not something bad, it's not frustrating. It's just a new experience. I'm starting to enjoy it. It's a matter of getting used to reading in a different medium, at a different pace (I have to wait for chapters to drop in). Reading like this is also a form of sampling. I know which novels I'll read again once they are finished, just to have the full immersive experience.
Long story short, please go ahead and write three novels in parallel if you would like to and serialise them here, I'll follow along. As I'm sure many of your readers will. Don't. Stop. Writing.
👋 Hi Claudia! Thanks for the comment.
Hmm, maybe I did misinterpret slightly, but your words here make a lot of sense (and btw, I simply love the newspaper analogy to inboxes that you made on Notes!) and that's some great insight from the reaading perspective. It's been interesting to sit and think on the process and whether I can do it any differently, though. Not sure if anything much will change, but we'll see.
I totally get the headspace thing. I think actually writing this update post was a headspace-clearing event, even if there's very little in it. It was necessary. I felt a weird sense of relief and enjoyment tapping away on my keyboard whilst on the train. I've been a bit shy in having my laptop open and writing in too-public spaces (trains being a prime example), but it was oddly freeing just doing it.
A third novel, you say... 🤔😆
OK, for a moment I was worried that you'll rethink writing your two novels in parallel based on my comment. I wouldn't want to feel even slightly responsible for such a huge decision. 😅 And now that you're considering writing a third novel in parallel, I'm starting to wonder about my own writing strategy, since I have four novels waiting to be written... next to my collection of short stories...
😅
Ah, but you are far, far more organised and careful in your planning and execution than I am. I have no doubt that you can pull it off.
But this leaves me very happy, for there will be a long long stream of your writing to grace my newspaper-inbox ;)
Mostly, I'm reading serialized fiction or short fiction on Substack, with a mix of other random stuff. It takes a moment to get my bearings with serials, which is easier as time goes on, and as I become more familiar with each wrter. But yes, it's a different head space to give fiction its due attention on this platform, including short form.
Appreciate hearing your thoughts, Caz, that's really good to know that you find that it gets easier as you get used to each writer and (presumably) begin to sink into those stories that grab your attention.
I check who I'm reading and remind myself where we're up to, then I'm good.
If I'm not interested enough in the work, I tend to check out. If I'm not interested now, it's unlikely I'll gain interest some other time.
I marvel that some people subscribe to 100 or more stacks. For me, the saturation point is much lower. I'm sure there's a lot more great fiction, and nonfiction, out there, and I feel bad that I don't keep adding people, but we all only have the same number of hours in a day, only a fraction of which is available for Substack.
Yeah, absolutely. There's definitely a saturation point. I think there's an inevitable process of distillation once you've subscribed to a certain number and read a certain amount of posts.
The biggest problem with Substack is being spoiled for choice. 😬
😄 I'll take that problem. It's a good one to have!
I hope your upside down smile will downside up soon, Nathan! Hans' music is fire. I look forward to Dune part deux. Villeneuve is an amazing director, a Canadian in me is very proud. Btw, I like how you've been sharing your work in a serialized manner. Indeed, each part can be read as a standalone and then everything all together. It's also a little easier for people to get through in this manner. Trust me, reading overwhelm can happen and keeping things succinct is always the way to go.
Thanks Nadia, appreciate the thoughts. I totally understand that some will like to wait until things are finished and then read in one go, whereas others may like the slow tickle.
It's funny, you read posts about optimising your Substack and being narrow and niche and tight in what you post, but nah, I don't want to do that. I mean I do to a certain degree (I'm not going to write about economics or Bitcoin!) but I also am doing this for the fun and the freedom.
Villeneuve is a master. He can do no wrong.
Either way, we love your work and are here for it however you want to present it to us! Oh yes, niche shmiche is my answer to that lol. Be free and write what you want to write! It's truly been liberating to write on whatever for me.