When I published my first post, I resisted the urge to wrap it up by asking what you wanted me to write about. Although the intention was (and remains) to foster a sense of community, I decided I needed to lay the foundation myself and let that concrete dry before attempting to build anything else on top of it.
Some of my long-term plans for this newsletter include monthly Q&As and discussion threads, but every time I consider introducing one or both of those features, I convince myself that it would be premature. I’m only two months in, after all, and a lot of this still feels like stumbling around in the dark trying to find a light switch.
Nevertheless, the concrete feels stable enough to walk on, so let’s take those first steps and try something out…
You’ve had a couple of months to get to know me, so now I’d like to get to know you a little bit. If you’re willing, I’ve got a handful of questions I’d love for you to answer in the comments below.
(If there’s any reason you don’t want to share your responses with the community, you can email them to me directly at chrisfightsdemons@substack.com. If you’re reading this in your inbox, just hit reply.)
1) What kind of art do you make?
2) Who are your biggest influences?
3) What is your current creative goal or project?
4) Is there anything preventing you from finishing it?
5) Are there any particular topics you’d like me to cover?
Answer as many or as few as you’d like. Even though this newsletter is geared primarily towards creators, I know that doesn’t describe everyone who’s reading it. If that’s the case, please feel free to just respond to the last question.
Whether you choose to participate or not (I get it, btw - I’m content just perusing most of the newsletters I subscribe to), I want to express my gratitude. I tend to question the value in just about everything I do. That’s especially true in the early days of any new endeavor. So I deeply appreciate the feedback, interactions, and support I’ve received so far. Even if you’re just opening up my emails, that’s sending a message. Thank you.
Take care, friends. Talk to you soon
1) Acrylic paintings, illustrations, and acting
2) Really depends on the project and my mood.
3) I'm really into this illustration project I'm working on, but I can't figure out what to do with it. Is it a coloring book? Am I going to write poems to match each illustration? Should I color the illustrations or will that ruin it? I can't keep creating things just to shove them under the bed.
4) Time and guilt. Any time I do find to work on it, I feel guilty. I can't concentrate because I keep telling myself I SHOULD be working, I SHOULD be cleaning, I SHOULD be exercising, I SHOULD be... etc. I feel selfish if that's how I'm spending my time.
5) Self esteem when we're always telling ourselves our art is crap. (as all artists do) Maybe some creative prompts to get the juices flowing?
1. Nonfiction writer. I have multiple niches, but my Substack newsletter focuses on mental health coping strategies and how changing our lives can help others change theirs.
2. Favorite writers who have influenced me include Anne Lamott and Brian McLaren (nonfiction) and Andrew M. Greeley (fiction), as well as several top writers on Medium.
3. Hope to create a workbook or other digital product related to self-care to sell on Gumroad soon. Also currently finalizing an article about Christians opposed to Christian nationalism for a Texas media outlet that will probably get
published this week.
4. Self-confidence and questioning if people will
find and be willing to pay for my digital products.
5. Mindset issues.