I wrote a 60,000 word book on my phone in 5 months, sort of
The incredible power of consistency and what it can lead to...
Hi there!
It’s pretty mind blowing what consistent effort can generate.
Since launching this Substack publication 5 months ago, I’ve published 60+ essays averaging 1,000 words each. A large majority of those essays were written in a spontaneous flow on my phone in the naps and gaps of motherhood.
That’s like a 60,000 word non-fiction essay-collection book about creative life and creative business.
Not only that, those 60,000 words have ramped up a readership of 1,700 lovely souls which is incredible on its own (thank you!).
AND, as if that wasn’t enough, the amplifications of consistency outside of this little corner of the internet have been plentiful too.
In a Note a couple of days ago, I shared that since starting writing this newsletter-blog, I have:
Regained my creative energy that I lost through entering motherhood (x2) and international moves (x3),
Been able to create better work for my main art business (separate from Substack) and,
Showed up better for my family as the creative mum and wife I want to be
So, THANKS again for choosing to come along this beautiful gut-filled ride with me. Together we make this creative life more beautiful and less lonely.
By the way… The 60,000 word essay-collection book is actually not a joke
About 10 days ago, I launched my digital book-shop right here on the Substack platform.
Crazy, or clever? I guess we’ll all find out in due time.
This is how I see it right now…
Substack for me is a marketplace for writers and readers. And what better place to set up your own little book-stand than in the midst of the creative high street?!
As of right now, there’s only one mighty title in there When Will You Get a Real Job (which by the way, I think you’d love if you enjoy the idea of a creative memoir-entrepreneur-ish-book), but there are currently two (if not three) more in the works, one of which is AN ESSAY-COLLECTION with my best work from Follow Your Gut!
You read that right.
Why would I do that?
For simplicity, really.
When I upgrade to someone’s publication, I sometimes find it overwhelming to go through the archive because it’s too much work to untangle the red thread through it all.
As a result, and based on my mission to KISS more (Keep It Stupid Simple), I will continuously compile my best work infused with new splashes of sketch-art into downloadable kindle versions that can be read and enjoyed offline.
Voilá!
And like that paying members will no longer have to do the untangling work themselves because I’ll do it for them (you?!).
The compilation of the first essay-collection is not quite finished…
In the meantime, I will slowly but surely put selected essays from the past behind a paywall.
I enjoy to send out new letters for free (plus it serves my current goal of being read and spread), which makes adding paywalls to older pieces more aligned with my gut feeling.
As such, if there’s anything you’ve missed or a title below that peaks your interest (and you don’t have the desire or means to upgrade at this moment, no harsh feelings!❤️), I invite you to browse through the archive now before I get the chance to figure out the paywall settings…
Thank you so much for being here, this is quickly becoming my favorite spot to hang out, what about you?
Elin, xx
Browse by category:
Creative life (and life in general)
What makes success unbearable is your mistaken belief that there’s only one way to get it
You’ll be judged no matter what you do, so you might as well be judged for being you
Stop worrying about tomorrow, for tomorrow has its own worries
Why you shouldn’t care about the shoulds and embrace its literal meaning instead
Do you feel stupid sometimes? Then you’re probably quite brave too
More business/publishing
How to write what others want to read and still stay authentic
Time to reframe expectations around life as an artist; FULL book chapter
I put my head in the sand for nearly 2 years out of fear to be a sell-out
The perfect timing will never come; it’s for you to create it
If only I could pay my rent with exposure or products, I’d live for free
Substack-esque (borrowed headline from )
7 things I intentionally did in my hero post and why writers should pat attention
The honeymoon phase is over; honest reflections 2 months into Substack
116 people answered 9 questions about Paid Newsletters; FULL report
Touch of Motherhood
Hi there, new here?
I’m Elin, Swedish (expat) artist and mother of two who have plunged into the unknown of Substack as a new writing home. Despite having 500k+ across mainstream social media platforms for my embroidery art, I decided to start afresh here. It’s hard, thrilling, heavy and joyful all in ones. Come and join me for the ride if you haven’t done so already! You can expect writing about creativity, life and soulful art business with a touch of motherhood.
You can also check out the how, why, who and what in this post.
I need to reduce my phone usage as it's affecting my posture and neck. However, I have consistently written 1000 words every day for my first book for the past six weeks. I have two more weeks left on my trip to continue writing, and after that, I need to figure out how to turn it into a book :) So all yessss for consistency.
I'm tempted to try— that is writing on my phone. While, I'm actually trying to use my phone less and less, I just had the idea while reading your piece, that writing on my phone may actually serve me. I'm a hyper perfectionist, which makes me over-critical of my work and holds me back a lot in my writing. What if writing on my phone could somehow circumvent that inner critic? Because I don't see it as "official" as writing on a laptop.