Congrats, Mason! You’re the first substack I subscribed to, after stumbling across your books and loving the surprising sense of community and connection they offered. This newsletter is a wonderful extension of that. I look forward to getting them every time. Thanks for creating something lovely in this crazy world!
That Leiris quote is so spot on. After over a decade of false starts, my book was finally published in 2021 and I still don’t know how to answer the question: how is the book doing? I have learnt that it is one of thousands of books to be published that linger in the background for eons. Only a small number end up being the popular best sellers. The rest of our books fade away with barely a whimper.
Yeah, it can be pretty anticlimactic, which is maybe true of most big life goals? Achieving them turns out to feel a lot less spectacular than we expected.
Happened to see this Thoreau quote yesterday. A little cheesy, but I like it anyway: "What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals."
Not all life goals are less spectacular than the reality of publishing a book. (My latest novel came out 6 weeks ago and, surprise! my life hasn't changed.) Having children wholly exceeded my expectations, which were already high.
Congrats! Happy anniversary! I'm mega late to the party, which is a shame because three years ago would have been the perfect time to start exploring Substack... but hey, I've got lots of articles to go and read!
Zizek's advice is brilliant strategy. After many years I had begun working it out for myself, but he puts it so succinctly snd clearly. My "hats" always got seriously in my way.
When you have worked not only as a teacher of literature but as a critic, doing your own work is like having two nagging demons perched one on each shoulder: over-analyzing, critiquing, micro-managing every word, every sentence, paragraph, section. Always insisting on perfection every step of the way, and therefore damming yourself to a trickle of creativity. Zizek's approach suits me to a T. I know the finicky teacher and critic will show up...and I'll welcome them...but only when the person with the creative brain and voice lets them in the door and is ready to say: "Okay, here are
my golden nuggets, some roughed-out, some almost polished. Let's all work together now to get this filled-out, arranged, shaped, brought up to best arc and velocity." So much self-thwartedness avoided, less time and confidence wasted, and so much more joy! Thanks for drawing attention to this again, Mason, and congratulations and many thanks on your 3rd anniversary.
Thanks, Hadley — "self-thwarted" is a good way to put it; I know that condition well. Glad the Zizek method resonates for you. I've definitely found it a helpful way to get things moving.
I admire your putting out this newsletter while also working on your book. And you accomplish all of the best things with it. You help people feel less alone, you foster a sense of connection, and you help others find meaning in what we do. Happy 3rd anniversary! Sending you a tasteful, uh, leather gift telepathically, lol. xo!
The comment from Leiris reminded me that it's often not one book or project, but the stacking of work one on top of another.
I watched the Spielberg documentary and noticed there were several movies that weren't great that helped him do something else, like 1941 and Empire of the Sun.
It really is about the next book or the next project, not a singular work
Yes, that's such a good reminder! And I like that Leiris admits that each work, at the very least, marks "a stage in our progress toward a little more light." I think that's a good goal to aim for — not blinding brilliance but just a little more light.
Happy anniversary! Reading your newsletter has been such a pleasure. And I love Leiris. I came across his work because he was a collaborator of Georges Bataille, but Nights As Day, Days as Night is a great entry point. There's a nice, newer edition out by Spurl, who do a lot of great work if you aren't familiar with them: https://spurleditions.com/
Thank you for the kind words, Samm — and thanks for letting me know about Night as Day, Days as Night. I just read the Lydia Davis blurb, which describes it as a "forty-year-long collection of tiny, bizarre moments and longer weird narratives" — um, sign me up!
It also feels very autobiographical, so it might be a good litmus test to figure out if you want to dive into his whole autobiography. But I do think you'll love his writing -- there's some really beautiful moments.
Congratulations, Mason! It has been a true pleasure to be a part of this process, and community. So many times I find myself consoled, or inspired, by both your words and the conversation that follows. Thank you!
Hey, Mason. I’m a new subscriber, but I love what you’re doing. Seeing newsletters like yours still alive after three years gives me hope that I’ll be able to stick with mine as well. Your issues are a great companion for my writing journey. Cheers, man. I wish you luck!
Your book helped me confirm how far I must take my writing and how it's okay to be so obsessed with it. Both of your books came up this week in a creative writing class with Mexican author Martín Solares. It was great because I was one of three people who recommended "Daily Rituals" when someone asked about our own creative processes. All the best from Mexico!
Oh my gosh, that's incredible. Thank you for letting me know... I'm really flattered (and delighted) to know my book was coming up in this context. Very best wishes to you and your classmates!
Congrats, Mason! You’re the first substack I subscribed to, after stumbling across your books and loving the surprising sense of community and connection they offered. This newsletter is a wonderful extension of that. I look forward to getting them every time. Thanks for creating something lovely in this crazy world!
Thanks, Laurel! Flattered to be your first Substack subscription — and really appreciate the kind words!!
That Leiris quote is so spot on. After over a decade of false starts, my book was finally published in 2021 and I still don’t know how to answer the question: how is the book doing? I have learnt that it is one of thousands of books to be published that linger in the background for eons. Only a small number end up being the popular best sellers. The rest of our books fade away with barely a whimper.
Yeah, it can be pretty anticlimactic, which is maybe true of most big life goals? Achieving them turns out to feel a lot less spectacular than we expected.
Happened to see this Thoreau quote yesterday. A little cheesy, but I like it anyway: "What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals."
A tad cheesy but accurate.
Not all life goals are less spectacular than the reality of publishing a book. (My latest novel came out 6 weeks ago and, surprise! my life hasn't changed.) Having children wholly exceeded my expectations, which were already high.
Congrats! Happy anniversary! I'm mega late to the party, which is a shame because three years ago would have been the perfect time to start exploring Substack... but hey, I've got lots of articles to go and read!
Thanks, Nathan, appreciate it!
Happy anniversary!
Thanks, Ron!
Zizek's advice is brilliant strategy. After many years I had begun working it out for myself, but he puts it so succinctly snd clearly. My "hats" always got seriously in my way.
When you have worked not only as a teacher of literature but as a critic, doing your own work is like having two nagging demons perched one on each shoulder: over-analyzing, critiquing, micro-managing every word, every sentence, paragraph, section. Always insisting on perfection every step of the way, and therefore damming yourself to a trickle of creativity. Zizek's approach suits me to a T. I know the finicky teacher and critic will show up...and I'll welcome them...but only when the person with the creative brain and voice lets them in the door and is ready to say: "Okay, here are
my golden nuggets, some roughed-out, some almost polished. Let's all work together now to get this filled-out, arranged, shaped, brought up to best arc and velocity." So much self-thwartedness avoided, less time and confidence wasted, and so much more joy! Thanks for drawing attention to this again, Mason, and congratulations and many thanks on your 3rd anniversary.
Thanks, Hadley — "self-thwarted" is a good way to put it; I know that condition well. Glad the Zizek method resonates for you. I've definitely found it a helpful way to get things moving.
Thank YOU for sharing so much of yourself with us! It’s such a privilege to get your posts in my mailbox!
Also, your postscript made me laugh out loud 😂
Thanks, Jillian, always happy to receive your posts as well!
I admire your putting out this newsletter while also working on your book. And you accomplish all of the best things with it. You help people feel less alone, you foster a sense of connection, and you help others find meaning in what we do. Happy 3rd anniversary! Sending you a tasteful, uh, leather gift telepathically, lol. xo!
Thank you for these kind words, Courtney, they mean a lot!
The comment from Leiris reminded me that it's often not one book or project, but the stacking of work one on top of another.
I watched the Spielberg documentary and noticed there were several movies that weren't great that helped him do something else, like 1941 and Empire of the Sun.
It really is about the next book or the next project, not a singular work
Yes, that's such a good reminder! And I like that Leiris admits that each work, at the very least, marks "a stage in our progress toward a little more light." I think that's a good goal to aim for — not blinding brilliance but just a little more light.
One of the first newsletters I've paid to support! And one of the ones that inspired me to start my own on this platform.
Really, really appreciate the support!
Congrats on three years, Mason!
Thanks, Sara!
Happy anniversary! Reading your newsletter has been such a pleasure. And I love Leiris. I came across his work because he was a collaborator of Georges Bataille, but Nights As Day, Days as Night is a great entry point. There's a nice, newer edition out by Spurl, who do a lot of great work if you aren't familiar with them: https://spurleditions.com/
Thank you for the kind words, Samm — and thanks for letting me know about Night as Day, Days as Night. I just read the Lydia Davis blurb, which describes it as a "forty-year-long collection of tiny, bizarre moments and longer weird narratives" — um, sign me up!
It also feels very autobiographical, so it might be a good litmus test to figure out if you want to dive into his whole autobiography. But I do think you'll love his writing -- there's some really beautiful moments.
Thanks, just ordered from Spurl — looking forward to digging in.
Congratulations, Mason! It has been a true pleasure to be a part of this process, and community. So many times I find myself consoled, or inspired, by both your words and the conversation that follows. Thank you!
That really means a lot, Shelley — thank you for being a part of this community!
Hey, Mason. I’m a new subscriber, but I love what you’re doing. Seeing newsletters like yours still alive after three years gives me hope that I’ll be able to stick with mine as well. Your issues are a great companion for my writing journey. Cheers, man. I wish you luck!
Thanks, Andrei — good luck to you as well!
I scrolled down the list of comments thus far so all I'm going to say is "Ditto!" I'm glad you started this newsletter, too. :)
Thank you, LuAnn, I appreciate it!
Congratulations!! This is BIG!!
Thank you! ☺️
Your book helped me confirm how far I must take my writing and how it's okay to be so obsessed with it. Both of your books came up this week in a creative writing class with Mexican author Martín Solares. It was great because I was one of three people who recommended "Daily Rituals" when someone asked about our own creative processes. All the best from Mexico!
Oh my gosh, that's incredible. Thank you for letting me know... I'm really flattered (and delighted) to know my book was coming up in this context. Very best wishes to you and your classmates!