List: This Is The Writing Life | Curated by Kris Downey

Feb 25, 2025
23 stories
This Is The Writing LifeThe good, the bad and the just plain annoying experiences of being a writer.
In
Ask an Editor
by
Roz Warren, Writing Coach
Here’s My New Medium StrategyIt Could Become Yours Too.
Feb 25
47
Feb 25
47
 This story is no longer available
Evan Kelly
3 Types of Essays You Must Write (If You Want to Grow an Audience)These work like gangbusters!
Jul 4, 2024
39
Jul 4, 2024
39
In
The Partnered Pen
by
Karen Banes
All the Things That Made Me Money in the First Half Of 2024I feel like my plan is slowly coming together
Jun 30, 2024
9
Jun 30, 2024
9
In
The Startup
by
Zulie Rane
If You Want to Be a Creator, Delete All (But Two) Social Media PlatformsIn October 2022, during the whole Elon Musk debacle, I finally deleted Twitter from my phone. Around the same time, I also logged out of…
Apr 19, 2023
1654
Apr 19, 2023
1654
In
Practice in Public
by
Karen Banes
A Few Cool Things I Learned About Substack This WeekTargeted emails, subscriber incentives, and a self-building community
Jun 7, 2024
40
Jun 7, 2024
40
In
The Write Brain
by
Shaunta Grimes
Ten Steps to Being a NovelistIt’s not easy, but it’s pretty simple.
Jun 5, 2024
28
Jun 5, 2024
28
In
New Writers Welcome
by
Kristina God
New Writers, You Shouldn’t Start a Newsletter in 2024If you want to start a newsletter and build an email list, better reconsider.
May 28, 2024
14
May 28, 2024
14
In
Practice in Public
by
Karen Banes
How I Earn Money From My Free Substack NewsletterGiving stuff away can be surprisingly lucrative
May 22, 2024
10
May 22, 2024
10
In
The Write Brain
by
Shaunta Grimes
How to Use Your First Chapter to Edit Your Whole BookAll of your writing issues are right there.
May 23, 2024
20
May 23, 2024
20
Kris Downey
Forgive Yourself the WhiningTake a deep breath and read your past journals
Jan 6, 2020
2
Jan 6, 2020
2
In
Mac O’Clock
by
Kris Downey
Ever Experience File Angst?That annoying and irritating time suck
Jan 9, 2020
2
Jan 9, 2020
2
In
ILLUMINATION
by
Kris Downey
How Nike’s Famous Slogan Helped Me Get My First BylineMy first regular byline resulted from a Nike-inspired decision to Just Do It, sweaty palms, queasy stomach, dry mouth, and all. That…
Feb 25, 2021
2
Feb 25, 2021
2
In
SYNERGY
by
Kris Downey
When Your Work is Stolen Right Under Your Nose, is a Meltdown a Good Idea?When this happened I was upset, hurt, and mad, but most of all I was absolutely ineffective.
Mar 23, 2021
Mar 23, 2021
In
ILLUMINATION
by
Kris Downey
One-Day-At-A-Time Inspiration Helps Until It Doesn’tAnd then it’s guilt-inducing
Apr 14, 2021
2
Apr 14, 2021
2
In
MuddyUm
by
Kris Downey
No $500 Smackeroos From Medium for Me, but I Hope My Claps Helped You Get YoursCongrats to the 1000 April fancy pants
May 7, 2021
12
May 7, 2021
12
In
The Haven
by
Kris Downey
How To Tell if You’re the Jerk Who Overuses the Thumbs-up Emoji?Good intentions aside
May 7, 2021
4
May 7, 2021
4
In
Feedium
by
Kris Downey
A Long-Awaited Goal Finally Happened — My Medium Article Went Viral!
May 11, 2021
5
May 11, 2021
5
In
SYNERGY
by
Kris Downey
How Does a Single Clap Feel to the Anxious Writer?This is my take on the single clap, I get it if your take is different, albeit wrong
May 11, 2021
9
May 11, 2021
9
Kris Downey
Dear Writer, Your Hard Stories Won’t Kill You — I PromiseAnd your neatly organized bookcase won’t save you.
Oct 9, 2021
3
Oct 9, 2021
3