I’ve gotten a few new subscribers in the past several months so I’d like to say, welcome!  Ironically, you have come during a time when I am doing all of my writing work outside of the public eye. I think people often forget that this is a necessity for artists. Social media has created the expectation that we do nearly everything visibly even though artistic work naturally happens privately. There is simply too much noise right now. I’ve removed any goals to create on a schedule on Substack and am retreating from Instagram in an effort to not hear everyone’s feelings on everything that is happening all of the time.  I am tired.  I need space.  I am trying to maintain sanity as best I can.  I’ve just started working with a writing coach 1:1 after quitting the writing group I was in for a year. I left for the same sort of reason: noise. I can’t be in spaces where I’m hearing about one hundred people’s writing goals and submissions and acceptances and questions and fears and desires. I loved being there and I learned so much. And then it became exhausting. I am once again attempting the submission process and am sitting on probably 10-15 rejections at this point which is not that many in this world. It isn’t deterring me. It is simply annoying and time-consuming. I know these pieces are worthy and that they have a place. I just may have to wait a while to find the right one. Every so often I have to return to my reasons for writing because the noise gets in the way. I’m a writer to express myself. I care the most about that. I have things to say and if I don’t say them, I’ll become ill. I want to be a good writer more than I want a large audience. I’ll be going at my own pace. If this resonates with you, feel free to stick around. If not, go with Satan 🤘