This is an interesting medium for creative output. The money incentives and the readership incentives are different from just about everything else out there and sometimes pull us in different directions simultaneously, so all we can do is keep experimenting until we find something that works for us. If I try to make everything perfectly crafted, I tire myself out and it becomes very hard to justify putting so much into it, especially with such a short lifespan and so very much going on here.
nice one pexels, you might trick people into thinking I'm this talented! image link - not my art
With the exception of when I'm working on an idea that I still haven't fleshed out (in that case it's exciting and fun), it can feel like like work to put so much energy into anything on a daily basis. It comes when it comes. The most valuable ideas (any of ours) are worth more than a 7 day payout and deserve more than competing on each persons feed for our attention, so I believe it's only worth sharing the best of the best when it comes out naturally. The rest of the time, it's fine to share something else.
I just share what I'm thinking and feeling about every day. Sometimes I can sculpt that into something very polished and fine. Sometimes it's for me. Sometimes it's for you. I like to think of it as a creative scrapbook that doubles up as a diary. It's where I get the creative juices flowing and where I record some ideas and stories I'd like to use later somewhere that that doesn't have a 7 day payout. It's also where I can test ideas out on others and see what works and what doesn't work. This is how most of my favorite steemians use steemit as well.
As a creative scrapbook, I don't feel the need to tailor to anyone in particular, as long as I come at everything with a sense of integrity. While it doesn't always fit into the idea of being our own "brand" that is easy to "sell", you all know by now that I am very much averse to that kind of framing anyway. This mode of steeming allows us to share wisdom and creativity while also getting to know each other better.
Yesterday I felt like talking about video games :-D
So I did! It's a bit more of a niche topic, and while I may have a few followers who can relate, especially to retro RPGs which are not the most popular kind of game right now, most cannot. Whatever. Video games, while not a big part of my life now, are a big part of what influenced me as an artist and a thinker and so I'd like to share something about them. When I have the energy and focus for it, I'd like to share it in a way that even those who haven't played my favorite games could appreciate reading about them. I'm still fleshing out how to do that.
Sometimes I'm studying Spanish or Cantonese or practicing scales on guitar or people watching
I'd like to talk about these as well! I will try to find a way to make these interesting for casual readers or long time supporters as well, but it's a challenging task and sometimes I will fall short. Still when that is what I feel passionate about at the moment, that is what I'm going to write about. I won't feel guilty about it one bit. All I can do is search for a way to make it accessible, but when it wants to come out, it will come out. The only other option is that I post once a week or even less when I'm entirely focused on "political self help" (how I describe the writing I'm most passionate about sharing here). But as so much depends on the timing of a post, what else is going on in the world and on steemit, and even the weather, that doesn't seem like the most practical way of connecting with you all, OR making money and new followers, nor does it feel like a really honest expression of who I am.
I'm all over the place and get excited about things like a little kid and usually I like that about myself.
So welcome to my scrapbook/blog. If you have any ideas about how I can shift the focus a tiny bit to make something like video games or language study or obscure music or what's going on in my life more interesting for those who aren't here for that, please let me know!
Today will be another random day!
(I'll get back to replying to comments ASAP, and Deadpost!)
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Confessions of the Damaged - a collection of short stories
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by @skyleap
I've been pondering...
A writing challenge here on SteemIt inspired me to write a short story. Something I hadn't done since high school(decades ago). There is a complete novel in my head now, but I struggle how to get it out, especially in a way that might actually reward the time investment. I fear that if I "scrapbook" my vision, I will diminish the vision to garbage.Yet, I need to "publish" in pieces. A dilemma for me still. I can't seem to create any other blog material with this potential "book" obsessing my thoughts.
I "heard" some of the same conundrum in your post. Forgive me if I am wrong. If not, any suggestions?
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I came here looking to share my fiction, but I was really discouraged when those posts generate 0 comments, even when the upvote is high. I felt like no one was reading them but wanted to support me cause they liked my other posts and the idea that these posts took a lot more effort....
So now sometimes I write rough drafts and publish on steem before I edit. I don't mind that much if people don't read the rough drafts and I plan on sharing the stories elsewhere anyway. That may not work if you are looking for a publishing deal, but I am releasing my stories pay-what-you-want through patreon and maybe later on other platforms, but all pay-what-you-want and independent. If you want to release everything independently and trust people to support you (I think you can), you can do the same, even if it's not pay-what-you-want.
Steemians aren't likely to pay for your work because they already upvote you and most feel that's enough, but steemians are also less likely to read your novel because they are already reading so many things at steemit and spread thin so the patreon or other site could be for anyone who is not at steemit.
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Actually, I was considering upvotes to BE payment...lol.
It didn't take much writing to see the fallacy in:
"support me cause they liked my other posts and the idea that these posts took a lot more effort...."
For me at least, writing takes a lot of time and effort. Strange how something so clear in my head can be so challenging to put into type. Also to research the underlying technologies, ideologies and traits fictional characters have, in order to keep them realistic at all.
I will look into Patreon and also look at your site previous to Jan. when I came here.
Thanks
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I haven't had a hard time getting upvotes for fiction...just readers....it takes more energy to read, which is why I rarely read it either and why steemit is not always the best place for it, but there do seem to be a few people who have a readers, it seems to take a lot of persistence and mutual support with the writing community. I've opted instead to look for a more diversified reader base, although I'm taking it very slow and exploring essays and blogging on steemit in the meantime.
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I like the idea of a creative scrapbook @whatamidoing.
I have no idea how you can shift the focus a tiny bit to make something like video games or language study or obscure music or what's going on in my life more interesting for those who aren't here for that.
Maybe you can't make those things more interesting for those who are not here for that and maybe that isn't a problem.
We can pick and select which posts we want to read and which we don't.
The more you can post what you feel to post, without trying to please any sort of standards you've set up for yourself, the better I suspect.
If we don't do that we're just second guessing and that gets exhausting and not fun.
I think I've just started talking to myself at this point. 😁 😁 😁
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It’s true! You are not talking to yourself! Or at least you are talking to me too, I need to just be what I am and do what I do and stop overthinking it.
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Yeah. All the thinking, planning and working it out makes one very weary @whatamidoing. That's why I'm happiest when I'm on the unfolding path but I keep forgetting and keep trying to take back control, as I mentioned in yesterday's first post.
After taking a step back and letting go of what I'd unconsciously planned I had a lovely day in the end. Even wrote the post with pen and paper which is something I've haven't done for a long time and something I thoroughly enjoyed.
Wishing you a wonder full day! 💙
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Dear friend! Next time also use #artzone and follow @artzone to get an upvote on your quality posts!
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I like scrapblogs XD Write about all the things :D
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This is a really cool way to approach the platform. I've been on here all of three days, looking around at everything (there's so much everything) in an utterly confused state. It's all pretty overwhelming! Your post has helped give me an idea of how I might make use of it. I believe the best thing we can do for our creativity is establish a solid sense of consistency with the stuff we do, every single day. I'm thinking Steemit could perhaps provide a no-pressure, playful environment where one can achieve this... A kind of canvass to produce whatever you feel like without as much of the crushing expectation and judgement you heap upon on yourself when approaching other platforms.
Regarding your musings about making ideas more interesting to other people... I don't think you really need to try too hard at that. You have a wonderful, personable style of writing which I think others are easily drawn to. If you write about things you genuinely care about and have an interest in, people will happily lap it up if they already like the way you weave words together. In another post you wrote, you elaborated on what you believe your purpose is: helping others establish a connection with one another. Maybe you can think of your writing topics in a similar way. Aim for the link between a concept or idea with how it can relate directly to the lives of your target audience. If you've learned a lesson from playing a video game, with clarity, you can present it in a way that others will find enlightening, as well as entertaining. In that way, you'll be connecting people to new, exciting ideas and potential interests they may have never even thought of before! Approaching it this way will offer more of a challenge, as well as greater meaning and fulfillment in your work, as it solidifies your Why.
Anyway. I'm just rambling. Keep on creatin'!
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