Keep doing what you're doing the way you are doing it. You don't need a paywall. Your excellence has won you subscribers both free and paid. This is the new world we live in. You are a rock star within it.
Thanks, love. You, too, are a rock star within it. Richard and I were recently interviewed about new paradigms in publishing, and we mentioned you and your stack as part of this alternative wave.
I live with a man who has essential tremor and heart failure. I've thought he was dead a dozen times, I've called the EMTs dozens of times. He wants to live. I do the best I can to help him and the least little kink in the rope makes me insane. Don't know how this is going to end, but it will, and of course I could drop dead tomorrow! But meanwhile, he's alive, I'm alive, and the house is peaceful. No one else I ever lived with has made it easy for me to write whenever I want to.
PS I love Sally Mann. And I remember being one of those girls . . . I was shocked that she was attacked for her so true visions.
Sally Mann has and remains one of my favorite authors and photographers, her first book was absolutely beautiful and such a teaching guide for anyone that thought her images “just happen”. She shot until she got her shot and I cannot wait to read her next words. Thank you for highlighting her because I had not heard of the new book yet!
As for the paywall, seeing more authors ask if their work would be considered “more” if behind a paywall, even extending to the comments. I don’t think it creates anything more than the perception of value, and I usually don’t subscribe.
Appreciated your vulnerability in this piece, we don’t often control our own emotions when those we love are under duress. I’m so glad you both continue to nurture not nurse one another!
I hate coming across a paywall in the middle of an essay and persist in believing people respond better to generosity and openness -- at least enough people. Wonderful piece and thank you for introducing me to Sally Mann.
Yes! I am not going to impose a paywall, and thanks so much for being a voluntary paid subscriber. It helps when supporters of the stack spread the word through recommendations, especially to others who could possibly pay. Paid subscribers receive special benefits. That's the way I decided to make payment an incentive. xxL
I felt this in my bones as a caregiver - “Why get angry at a person who can’t help himself? It’s stupid, but that’s my response to my own helplessness to bring him back.” Thank you for expressing it in your perfect way.
i love sally mann. i read HOLD STILL and remember loving her documentary, WHAT REMAINS...that part where she visits the site where they study decomposing bodies was so fascinating and beautiful. that she can take such photos AND write AND be so gorgeous is pretty mind-boggling. thanks for the heads up on the new book!
There was so much in this post, from blood sugars to Sally Mann. I listened to HOLD STILL and even without the images it was riveting. I support your plan to keep your SS without a paywall. Mine is "forever free" but luckily or unluckily, I support myself by working as a nurse plus SS so don't need to earn money from my painting - although it would be nice. But I am a very slow painter. Some paintings take me years to make even one painting. I'm wondering if life has improved with Continuous Blood Sugar Monitoring?
It entirely transformed R's life as soon as he had the first pumps available . . . you may be interested in his wonderful new stack "Every Twenty Minutes," which is written through the experience of being a type-1 diabetic. He will have a new post tomorrow. Here is the link to his stack: richardtoon1.substack.com/p/it-aint-me
So excited to hear there’s a new Sally Mann book on the horizon. Years ago the Corcoran art gallery (when it still existed) in DC had a big SM show which blew me away…I also loved her memoir with photographs, Hold Still.
Low blood sugar et al... At first sign take something salty....olives....crackers.....or just salty water. Always does the trick if I get it in me before it's too late. Try it. I just bought a bottle of olive juice to be used for dirty martinis.....and, apparently, low blood sugar.
Keep doing what you're doing the way you are doing it. You don't need a paywall. Your excellence has won you subscribers both free and paid. This is the new world we live in. You are a rock star within it.
Thanks, love. You, too, are a rock star within it. Richard and I were recently interviewed about new paradigms in publishing, and we mentioned you and your stack as part of this alternative wave.
I live with a man who has essential tremor and heart failure. I've thought he was dead a dozen times, I've called the EMTs dozens of times. He wants to live. I do the best I can to help him and the least little kink in the rope makes me insane. Don't know how this is going to end, but it will, and of course I could drop dead tomorrow! But meanwhile, he's alive, I'm alive, and the house is peaceful. No one else I ever lived with has made it easy for me to write whenever I want to.
PS I love Sally Mann. And I remember being one of those girls . . . I was shocked that she was attacked for her so true visions.
Thanks for this wonderful note. Holding your hand.
As I'm holding yours! Hold on. Let us do whatever we do with grace.
Sally Mann has and remains one of my favorite authors and photographers, her first book was absolutely beautiful and such a teaching guide for anyone that thought her images “just happen”. She shot until she got her shot and I cannot wait to read her next words. Thank you for highlighting her because I had not heard of the new book yet!
As for the paywall, seeing more authors ask if their work would be considered “more” if behind a paywall, even extending to the comments. I don’t think it creates anything more than the perception of value, and I usually don’t subscribe.
Appreciated your vulnerability in this piece, we don’t often control our own emotions when those we love are under duress. I’m so glad you both continue to nurture not nurse one another!
Thanks, dear Liz, and please do jump in if you can to join our zoom conversations. What a great addition you would be. xxL
I hate coming across a paywall in the middle of an essay and persist in believing people respond better to generosity and openness -- at least enough people. Wonderful piece and thank you for introducing me to Sally Mann.
You are so welcome, dear Jan. You are one of the reasons this project feels rich and exciting. Thanks for your generosity in all ways. xxL
I’m with you on the going naked (weather permitting). Have found nudist spaces much like you describe—a clear I am in charge of my body.
And thanks for the intro to Sally Mann! 💕
I forward your posts more than any other I receive. I love your strong, personal quirky voice.
Thanks, dear Donald.
I am a paid subscriber, but if possible, I hope you continue to write without a paywall. I find myself unreasonably irritated by pay to read writers.
Yes! I am not going to impose a paywall, and thanks so much for being a voluntary paid subscriber. It helps when supporters of the stack spread the word through recommendations, especially to others who could possibly pay. Paid subscribers receive special benefits. That's the way I decided to make payment an incentive. xxL
I felt this in my bones as a caregiver - “Why get angry at a person who can’t help himself? It’s stupid, but that’s my response to my own helplessness to bring him back.” Thank you for expressing it in your perfect way.
i love sally mann. i read HOLD STILL and remember loving her documentary, WHAT REMAINS...that part where she visits the site where they study decomposing bodies was so fascinating and beautiful. that she can take such photos AND write AND be so gorgeous is pretty mind-boggling. thanks for the heads up on the new book!
PS again. Go! Richard!
There was so much in this post, from blood sugars to Sally Mann. I listened to HOLD STILL and even without the images it was riveting. I support your plan to keep your SS without a paywall. Mine is "forever free" but luckily or unluckily, I support myself by working as a nurse plus SS so don't need to earn money from my painting - although it would be nice. But I am a very slow painter. Some paintings take me years to make even one painting. I'm wondering if life has improved with Continuous Blood Sugar Monitoring?
It entirely transformed R's life as soon as he had the first pumps available . . . you may be interested in his wonderful new stack "Every Twenty Minutes," which is written through the experience of being a type-1 diabetic. He will have a new post tomorrow. Here is the link to his stack: richardtoon1.substack.com/p/it-aint-me
Yes I subscribed from the start.
You are a darling, many thanks, L
So excited to hear there’s a new Sally Mann book on the horizon. Years ago the Corcoran art gallery (when it still existed) in DC had a big SM show which blew me away…I also loved her memoir with photographs, Hold Still.
This is indeed an exciting book. Her aesthetic as a photographer is so in tune with mine as a writer. xxL
❤️❤️❤️
Low blood sugar et al... At first sign take something salty....olives....crackers.....or just salty water. Always does the trick if I get it in me before it's too late. Try it. I just bought a bottle of olive juice to be used for dirty martinis.....and, apparently, low blood sugar.