I also started my Substack in the beginning of January and was pleasantly surprised to find the divergence from traditional social media—both the longer-form content and the genuine stories (as opposed to the picture-perfect images of life curated on other platforms).
My dream was to be a published author, and while I'm now a published author of two (hopefully soon-to-be three) books, it's not all it's cracked up to be. Marketing is hard; getting noticed is harder.
I've found an understanding and empathetic group of indie authors along the way, and writing books has given me the courage to strike it out online. If I had never published, I probably never would have started my Substack.
Now I help other aspiring authors with writing, editing, and publishing tips.
And I completely understand the challenges of marketing and being discovered. It is a big part of being an indie author — and has been a steep learning curve for me.
I am so grateful to have met one another on Substack and to cheer each other on as we grow.
The better you know yourself, the clearer your dreams get."
Yes. This line hit home. I’ve been learning that so much of dream reclamation is actually self-reclamation. The more I peel away who I was told to be, the more vivid and alive my real dreams become.
I write a Substack focused on helping women do exactly that—untangle themselves from expectations and finally listen to the life that’s been whispering underneath.
Thank you for putting such powerful truth into words. This was beautiful.
The change to Substack has been one of the wisest things I’ve done in the last few months. I resisted it for so long. Everything in divine timing, the writers on here offer so much inspiration. There’s a freedom I’ve been gifted here (even if I’m sometimes overwhelmed by emails) that is going to excel the transformation I’ve been waiting for. “Transformation” happens to be my word for this year. Thank you for your writing!
You are so welcome! And I love that transformation is your word for the year. That promises big change in your life! Substack is definitely worth it. I've been inspired by all of the amazing writers, too. It's lovely to be surrounded by people who care about what you care about. I'm excited to see what you write!
Thank you! 🙏 it’s unfolding in a way I didn’t expect. Now I have two publications that reflect to aspects of my authenticity. I look forward to any reflections you may decide to offer. Before this I didn’t think I was a writer.
Thanks. This 70-year-old dreamer is heading to the land of your ancestors for Ireland’s Publishing Show: On the Wild Atlantic Way 2025 from March 18-20. I read about it on Reedsy, the platform I use for writing my stories, and I decided to go find some fairies and little people to help me dream bigger.
Oh you are 100% headed to the right (or maybe write?) place! Ireland is built on stories. And its people speak myth, magic, and archetype. I loved being there and I hope you do, too! Your comment sparked an inspired wish to return. Also, the fairies are real. I am telling you…they love being tricksters! 🧚♀️🥰
Thanks for the shout-out 🫶🏻 What a beautiful piece! I deeply resonate with the belief that not every dream is meant to come true but each is an essential part of shaping our evolution and growth. Here's to keeping the Dreamer community hopeful on the hard days!
You are most welcome! 🙌 And thank you. I love how many people feel this — and see how one dream might morph into another. Or open a doorway that we were meant to walk through all along. I am forever grateful for my screenwriting dream that led to me writing novels. I am so thrilled to have found this bold dreamer community!! 🫶🏻🔥
Thank you so much for the shout-out! I'm honored. It means a lot to me and I think shouting out other writers is such a kind thing to do. Thanks for spreading positivity!
This was such a lovely post to read. It's really encouraging, and my spirits were bolstered :)
I've just subscribed to you and I look forward to reading more of your writing!
You are so welcome! And I completely agree - shouting out other writers is kind and such a fun thing to do. I'm delighted that this post encouraged you. I'm really loving your posts and I look forward to reading more!
I am meeting the best people on Substack. One of the experiences that I've missed most about the film biz is the collaborative spirit. And I feel like I've found that here!
Kate, I love how you capture creative dreamers' vulnerability and determination. It's one thing to imagine and hope for something, it's another to go after it and put your heart on the line. Dreamers can have a ferocious drive! I agree that some dreams are not meant to be fulfilled; perhaps it's the difference between what we think we want and what we don't realize we need.❤️
Oh Maria! That is so well said. Yes! I feel like in the pursuit of one dream, I got clearer on what my true heart's dream is. And also what I was willing to sacrifice and what I was not. These are real, brave choices that we dreamers face. I am so honoured and happy to be with you on the dreamer's path!
Totally agree that you can have many dreams in your lifetime. And that some are meant to simply teach you lessons. Glad to hear you made the leap to novel writing and happy to find you on Substack. I’m a dreamer too!
Thank you so much! I am delighted to meet another dreamer. And I love writing novels and books. It's been such a joy -- and so liberating to write the stories that light me up. I'd love to hear about your dream. Plus, how beautiful is it that our dreams evolve as we do?
I started writing again last year after putting that passion to bed for 30+ years. That’s my new dream….to be a successful writer. And yes, I love that dreams can change and grow along with us.
Love this. As I sit here bathing in the glow from reading another chapter of Blue Moon (which is brilliant by the way my friend) I'm grateful you made that dream switch! The older I get the more I feel the difference between the dreams our ego and our soul have.
Oh I love this distinction, Michelle! Yes!! And I'm am SO delighted you are loving Blue Moon. 🌕
I feel like my dream evolved and got clearer as I matured. The longer I was in the film biz and was writing stories, the more I discovered that writing stories about women finding their power was my joy & soul calling. Making the leap to novels was the best move ever!
Thanks for the shout-out!
I also started my Substack in the beginning of January and was pleasantly surprised to find the divergence from traditional social media—both the longer-form content and the genuine stories (as opposed to the picture-perfect images of life curated on other platforms).
My dream was to be a published author, and while I'm now a published author of two (hopefully soon-to-be three) books, it's not all it's cracked up to be. Marketing is hard; getting noticed is harder.
I've found an understanding and empathetic group of indie authors along the way, and writing books has given me the courage to strike it out online. If I had never published, I probably never would have started my Substack.
Now I help other aspiring authors with writing, editing, and publishing tips.
My pleasure!
And I completely understand the challenges of marketing and being discovered. It is a big part of being an indie author — and has been a steep learning curve for me.
I am so grateful to have met one another on Substack and to cheer each other on as we grow.
The better you know yourself, the clearer your dreams get."
Yes. This line hit home. I’ve been learning that so much of dream reclamation is actually self-reclamation. The more I peel away who I was told to be, the more vivid and alive my real dreams become.
I write a Substack focused on helping women do exactly that—untangle themselves from expectations and finally listen to the life that’s been whispering underneath.
Thank you for putting such powerful truth into words. This was beautiful.
Oh I love this! And I see you doing this every day. I love your notes - and your encouragement to be our truest selves. That really is the dream! ✨
Thank you!
A lack of certainty is a good sign. Find it comforting. Anything that claims to offer certainty is a lie
The change to Substack has been one of the wisest things I’ve done in the last few months. I resisted it for so long. Everything in divine timing, the writers on here offer so much inspiration. There’s a freedom I’ve been gifted here (even if I’m sometimes overwhelmed by emails) that is going to excel the transformation I’ve been waiting for. “Transformation” happens to be my word for this year. Thank you for your writing!
You are so welcome! And I love that transformation is your word for the year. That promises big change in your life! Substack is definitely worth it. I've been inspired by all of the amazing writers, too. It's lovely to be surrounded by people who care about what you care about. I'm excited to see what you write!
Thank you! 🙏 it’s unfolding in a way I didn’t expect. Now I have two publications that reflect to aspects of my authenticity. I look forward to any reflections you may decide to offer. Before this I didn’t think I was a writer.
Surrounded by dreamers. I love this. I'm new to Substack and not quite sure about it, but this makes me determined to stay.
Oh I am so delighted! And I completely understand. I felt that way, too. I have found really lovely people. We dreamers are a determined bunch! ✨
Thanks. This 70-year-old dreamer is heading to the land of your ancestors for Ireland’s Publishing Show: On the Wild Atlantic Way 2025 from March 18-20. I read about it on Reedsy, the platform I use for writing my stories, and I decided to go find some fairies and little people to help me dream bigger.
Oh you are 100% headed to the right (or maybe write?) place! Ireland is built on stories. And its people speak myth, magic, and archetype. I loved being there and I hope you do, too! Your comment sparked an inspired wish to return. Also, the fairies are real. I am telling you…they love being tricksters! 🧚♀️🥰
Thanks for the shout-out 🫶🏻 What a beautiful piece! I deeply resonate with the belief that not every dream is meant to come true but each is an essential part of shaping our evolution and growth. Here's to keeping the Dreamer community hopeful on the hard days!
You are most welcome! 🙌 And thank you. I love how many people feel this — and see how one dream might morph into another. Or open a doorway that we were meant to walk through all along. I am forever grateful for my screenwriting dream that led to me writing novels. I am so thrilled to have found this bold dreamer community!! 🫶🏻🔥
Thank you so much for the shout-out! I'm honored. It means a lot to me and I think shouting out other writers is such a kind thing to do. Thanks for spreading positivity!
This was such a lovely post to read. It's really encouraging, and my spirits were bolstered :)
I've just subscribed to you and I look forward to reading more of your writing!
You are so welcome! And I completely agree - shouting out other writers is kind and such a fun thing to do. I'm delighted that this post encouraged you. I'm really loving your posts and I look forward to reading more!
I am meeting the best people on Substack. One of the experiences that I've missed most about the film biz is the collaborative spirit. And I feel like I've found that here!
Substack is such an amazing place and the people here are the best. Thanks for being awesome :)
Kate, I love how you capture creative dreamers' vulnerability and determination. It's one thing to imagine and hope for something, it's another to go after it and put your heart on the line. Dreamers can have a ferocious drive! I agree that some dreams are not meant to be fulfilled; perhaps it's the difference between what we think we want and what we don't realize we need.❤️
Oh Maria! That is so well said. Yes! I feel like in the pursuit of one dream, I got clearer on what my true heart's dream is. And also what I was willing to sacrifice and what I was not. These are real, brave choices that we dreamers face. I am so honoured and happy to be with you on the dreamer's path!
I feel the same way, Kate! Kindred spirits✨
Totally agree that you can have many dreams in your lifetime. And that some are meant to simply teach you lessons. Glad to hear you made the leap to novel writing and happy to find you on Substack. I’m a dreamer too!
Thank you so much! I am delighted to meet another dreamer. And I love writing novels and books. It's been such a joy -- and so liberating to write the stories that light me up. I'd love to hear about your dream. Plus, how beautiful is it that our dreams evolve as we do?
I started writing again last year after putting that passion to bed for 30+ years. That’s my new dream….to be a successful writer. And yes, I love that dreams can change and grow along with us.
Love this. As I sit here bathing in the glow from reading another chapter of Blue Moon (which is brilliant by the way my friend) I'm grateful you made that dream switch! The older I get the more I feel the difference between the dreams our ego and our soul have.
Oh I love this distinction, Michelle! Yes!! And I'm am SO delighted you are loving Blue Moon. 🌕
I feel like my dream evolved and got clearer as I matured. The longer I was in the film biz and was writing stories, the more I discovered that writing stories about women finding their power was my joy & soul calling. Making the leap to novels was the best move ever!