Recently, I reached out to one of my Substack newsletter subscribers via DM. I thanked her for subscribing, asked her what she liked about my content, and noticed she hadn’t opened my email in weeks. So, I gently asked what she wanted to see more of in my newsletter. Her response was honest and unexpected: while she appreciated the writing advice, she wanted to read more about my personal experiences overcoming writing fears.
Her words struck a chord. I’ve spent so much time focusing on giving practical advice that I didn’t realize how much my journey might resonate with my audience. It was a lightbulb moment—a reminder that connection often comes through vulnerability, not just expertise.
Bridging the Gap Between Platforms
When I thought about her feedback, I realized something else. My social media posts tend to be much more relatable than my newsletter. On social media, I share snippets of my struggles, my wins, and those messy, in-between moments that make people say, “Same here.” On the other hand, my newsletter has been more polished and advice-driven—valuable, sure, but maybe not as personal as it could be.
This disconnect made me think about how I show up for my audience. If I want aspiring writers to trust me, they need to see more than just tips and strategies. They need to see the human side of me—the writer who has faced fears, struggled to stay consistent and doubted her abilities but kept going anyway.
The Power of Personal Experience
Why does sharing personal experiences matter so much? Because aspiring writers need to know they’re not alone. Writing can feel isolating, especially when fear starts to creep in. By opening up about my own struggles, I can help others feel seen and understood.
I’m not perfect, and I don’t have all the answers. But I’ve found ways to face my fears and keep writing, and I want to share those lessons. Not from a place of “I’ve got it all figured out,” but from a place of “I’ve been there too, and here’s what helped me.”
Helping Others While Growing Together
One of my biggest goals is to help writers who are just a few steps behind me. I don’t want to create a gap between us—I want to close that gap and bring others along for the journey. It’s not about one of us winning; it’s about all of us growing and succeeding together.
When I think about my writing journey, I realize how much I’ve learned from others who were generous enough to share their experiences. Now it’s my turn to pay it forward. If my stories can inspire or encourage even one writer to keep going, then I’ve done my job.
Moving Forward
Moving forward: my newsletter is going to get a little more personal. I’ll still share practical writing advice, but I will also pull back the curtain and share more of my writing journey. I’ll talk about the fears I’ve faced, the lessons I’ve learned, and the moments that have shaped me as a writer.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by everything writing-related, know that you’re not alone. I feel it too. But together, we can navigate this journey, lift each other, and keep moving forward.
Let’s Talk
I’d love to hear from you: what fears are you facing right now in your writing journey? What’s holding you back? Feel free to share in the comments or reply to this email. Let’s have an honest conversation about what it means to be a writer—struggles, fears, and all.