19 Comments
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Sarah K. Butterfield's avatar

I love your thoughtful insights into the writing life! Your last point about writing abundantly really spoke to me; I'm trying to learn how to show up with my whole self. Also, I just discovered Grace's writing the other day, and she is a gem!

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Drew Brown's avatar

Sarah I am such a fan of yours and so grateful for this comment! Thank you for taking the time to read, and thank you for being an example of someone writing abundantly online :)

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Janell Downing's avatar

Here here! 🍻 And I love Grace's writing!

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Drew Brown's avatar

GRACE IS SO GOOD (and so are you!!!)

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Grace Leuenberger's avatar

Thanks so much for the shoutout, Drew! I was having a conversation with another writing friend over the weekend and said to her, “the Holy Spirit doesn’t operate with a publication calendar.” I so appreciate the posture with which you approach writing!

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Drew Brown's avatar

Oooh that's a great line! Okay I am going to try and keep that in mind when it's been three weeks and I haven't written anything ha. So grateful for you!

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andy bondurant's avatar

Thanks - these are great thoughts. I appreciate it!

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Drew Brown's avatar

Thanks so much Andy!

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Jennie Robertson's avatar

Amen! This wasn't what I thought it would be from the title, but it was so much more. Thank you!

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Drew Brown's avatar

Aww thanks Jennie--that really means a lot for me!

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Tohru Inoue's avatar

“Expansive” writing…

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Thomas Allbaugh's avatar

Great guidance! Thank you for the insights as you navigate this terrain!

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Drew Brown's avatar

Thank you so much Dr. Allbaugh! I'm grateful for you!

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Garrett Struwe's avatar

I was bummed I couldn't make it to your writing workshop, but these thoughts are so helpful, especially the piece about writing what you know and knowing that it's enough.

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Drew Brown's avatar

Thanks so much Garrett! I'm grateful for you and your voice!

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Peter Martin's avatar

Both an inspiring and freeing piece, thank you!

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Joellen Kemper's avatar

So deeply encouraged by this- thank you! 💗

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Rayanne Robison's avatar

Is there a distinctive difference between writing a blog on Substack and writing a blog on an independent site?

Also, I've been seriously considering publishing some of my essays and short stories in actual publications, but hesitate, mainly on the grounds that I'm not convinced that publications can even properly compete with online avenues. They certainly don't seem to be competing online. But when contrasted with the private blog, does that still hold true?

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Kimberly Phinney's avatar

Hi, Drew. Great read and advice. Love your use of Wendell Berry. Thank you. 🙏🏼

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