Why I've Set Up on Substack

(Because the writing life is very quiet.)

I’m on social media but can’t always hear my voice in the din. It’s easily drowned out by headlines, breaking news, chatter, buzz and takes, hot or not. Sometime last year I noticed that the more time I spent online the louder I was getting. The voice I was speaking in was no longer mine.

In my offline hours I’ve been working on a book. As with my eight previous books, this one is taking me years to complete. I’m reconciled to this pace. The world isn’t suffering from a lack of books, after all. There are many good, and even great, books coming out every year—so I’d rather take the time I need to get mine just right.

Meanwhile, I have thoughts.

Sometimes I feel like sharing them.

I’m trying out Substack as a quieter, freer alternative to social media. I’ll be writing, here, mostly about the creative process.

I won’t be posting regularly. Most of my posts won’t be long. I promise not to clutter your inbox with emails if you subscribe. (Subscription is free).

I’ll be honest: I don’t know how this will go. But here I am.