This may sound strange coming from me, but I think a void you would fill well is the whole modern manhood from a progressive Christian perspective. That space is filled with the conservative angle. It would be a gift to all of society. I’d also love to read your memoir and any fiction. I believe you to be a gifted writer.
Vic, buddy. You have a gift! Readers are moved by your writing, especially when your writing is personal, introspective, and universal. As someone who has penned a piece or two in my lifetime, I have told you on numerous occasions how touched I am by your writings about your family.
We know each other as golfers. Some know you from church. Others know you from your volunteer work. Writing about any one of these subjects can be limiting to the other readers who have not been with you in those journeys.
But when you write about family...about fatherhood...about being a good husband, these are universal experiences for all of us. When you write about your son, I think about my own relationship with my son. When you write about your brother, memories of growing up with four younger brothers flood my mind.
You are good enough to write about anything but for me your thoughts about family and the inherent values give me pause to reflect. Our families are all different. Our families are probably all dysfunctional in some ways. But...we can all relate to stories about a father and a son or daughter. I think that's your wheelhouse buddy.
But whichever direction you decide to go....we will read it. Because you're good at it and you'll find a way to make us all happy!
You are unquestionably one of the best writers I know. And there are several, dozens, hundreds...of successful 'professional' writers who don't write nearly as well as you.
How does that work? I don't know the formula yet, but often read that consistency is perhaps the most important ingredient. You say George Saunders writes twice-weekly...
I read a Twitter thread recently that gave some numbers regarding the average time or number of posts it took for people to get noticed, suffice to say it can take a long time.
Consistency and regularity are the keys. Add them (and much patience, apparently) to your quality and your audience will grow - slowly perhaps, but surely.
In my experience putting bits of myself and my stories online, people really do sense what you’re passionate about and gravitate toward that—especially because that passion encourages you to put more work into it. It’s scary to make yourself vulnerable on the Internet, but it’s also what allows people to connect to you. So don’t be afraid to put pieces out there that you think only you would be interested in; the emotions of your family stories might hook others as they consider the nuances of their own childhood, and how things have changed since then; your opinions on world events might provide a new perspective; your thoughts on manhood might open a conversation about what it means to others, and how to approach that meaning consciously instead of passively. If you want a frame or ongoing thread to string these thoughts together, I think recommending albums new and old that match your state of mind would be an excellent way to do so. Whatever path you take, I trust you to do it thoughtfully and I can’t wait to see what you write next.
Write about the things you love. I enjoy reading your musings. A few have brought tears to my eyes. Music, sports, food, travel, family. Between our family and Em’s you should never run out of ideas. I’d skip political shit sense there are too many critiques and no real winners.
Relevance, the handmaiden of meaning, is part of the struggle. If you write your truth and nobody responds, does it remain truth? If so, then you are writing for yourself and that will be enough; if not, you’re writing for the reader and you will need validation to sustain the effort. To be pedantic, know why you write and who you write for and what you write will become obvious.
Vic, glad to see you’re getting back in the “saddle”. I’ve enjoyed your writings and look forward to more. I agree with Carl’s comments and would love to read your perspectives on this. Also travel and sports in general. Look forward to reading your musings!
I'm one of your avid fans who delights to hear from you. Yes, I give a damn. Yes, I have been and am now again wear you in that writer's funk. but you are getting out of it, as writing is good for our mental health. I'd like to see you write on faith, manhood, travel, serialized memoir. Go for it.
Vic! As a sports wagering veteran writer please expose the lunacy of the young male demographic betting midtly hopeless parlays. That is exactly what the sportsbooks want them to do. Worse is sportstalk on-air prrsonalities who damage their credibility by encouraging the behavior.
Also, APGA Tour and Pickleball noise pollution problem.
Keep writing, Vic! I love family stories and reading more about yours would not be a waste of my time at all. I also suggest an article on “Churches not at all like those more infamous!” (Where certainties are questioned, questions are welcome, and all kinds of people are welcome.) Make me think new thoughts. Expand my world. Touch my heart. We need more good minds and good hearts…like yours!
This may sound strange coming from me, but I think a void you would fill well is the whole modern manhood from a progressive Christian perspective. That space is filled with the conservative angle. It would be a gift to all of society. I’d also love to read your memoir and any fiction. I believe you to be a gifted writer.
Vic, buddy. You have a gift! Readers are moved by your writing, especially when your writing is personal, introspective, and universal. As someone who has penned a piece or two in my lifetime, I have told you on numerous occasions how touched I am by your writings about your family.
We know each other as golfers. Some know you from church. Others know you from your volunteer work. Writing about any one of these subjects can be limiting to the other readers who have not been with you in those journeys.
But when you write about family...about fatherhood...about being a good husband, these are universal experiences for all of us. When you write about your son, I think about my own relationship with my son. When you write about your brother, memories of growing up with four younger brothers flood my mind.
You are good enough to write about anything but for me your thoughts about family and the inherent values give me pause to reflect. Our families are all different. Our families are probably all dysfunctional in some ways. But...we can all relate to stories about a father and a son or daughter. I think that's your wheelhouse buddy.
But whichever direction you decide to go....we will read it. Because you're good at it and you'll find a way to make us all happy!
Memoir and the west!
You are unquestionably one of the best writers I know. And there are several, dozens, hundreds...of successful 'professional' writers who don't write nearly as well as you.
How does that work? I don't know the formula yet, but often read that consistency is perhaps the most important ingredient. You say George Saunders writes twice-weekly...
I read a Twitter thread recently that gave some numbers regarding the average time or number of posts it took for people to get noticed, suffice to say it can take a long time.
Consistency and regularity are the keys. Add them (and much patience, apparently) to your quality and your audience will grow - slowly perhaps, but surely.
All great topics I think! I'd love to see the return of "The Tale of the Traveling One Iron."
In my experience putting bits of myself and my stories online, people really do sense what you’re passionate about and gravitate toward that—especially because that passion encourages you to put more work into it. It’s scary to make yourself vulnerable on the Internet, but it’s also what allows people to connect to you. So don’t be afraid to put pieces out there that you think only you would be interested in; the emotions of your family stories might hook others as they consider the nuances of their own childhood, and how things have changed since then; your opinions on world events might provide a new perspective; your thoughts on manhood might open a conversation about what it means to others, and how to approach that meaning consciously instead of passively. If you want a frame or ongoing thread to string these thoughts together, I think recommending albums new and old that match your state of mind would be an excellent way to do so. Whatever path you take, I trust you to do it thoughtfully and I can’t wait to see what you write next.
I’d love to see your travel recommendations, Grandpa adventures, beer and spirits experiments, and always FOOD.❤️
After all, we are descendants from the Salem Witch Trials. Tap into those powers and how (some) family members carry the traits!
Most of your pieces are based on things that are tangible. How about some fantasy, horror, sci-fi. Love you😊
Write about the things you love. I enjoy reading your musings. A few have brought tears to my eyes. Music, sports, food, travel, family. Between our family and Em’s you should never run out of ideas. I’d skip political shit sense there are too many critiques and no real winners.
Relevance, the handmaiden of meaning, is part of the struggle. If you write your truth and nobody responds, does it remain truth? If so, then you are writing for yourself and that will be enough; if not, you’re writing for the reader and you will need validation to sustain the effort. To be pedantic, know why you write and who you write for and what you write will become obvious.
Vic, glad to see you’re getting back in the “saddle”. I’ve enjoyed your writings and look forward to more. I agree with Carl’s comments and would love to read your perspectives on this. Also travel and sports in general. Look forward to reading your musings!
I'm one of your avid fans who delights to hear from you. Yes, I give a damn. Yes, I have been and am now again wear you in that writer's funk. but you are getting out of it, as writing is good for our mental health. I'd like to see you write on faith, manhood, travel, serialized memoir. Go for it.
If I like someone, as I do you, I want to read what made you the person you turned out to be, family, golf, a relationship, whatever that may be.
Vic! As a sports wagering veteran writer please expose the lunacy of the young male demographic betting midtly hopeless parlays. That is exactly what the sportsbooks want them to do. Worse is sportstalk on-air prrsonalities who damage their credibility by encouraging the behavior.
Also, APGA Tour and Pickleball noise pollution problem.
Godspeed.
Keep writing, Vic! I love family stories and reading more about yours would not be a waste of my time at all. I also suggest an article on “Churches not at all like those more infamous!” (Where certainties are questioned, questions are welcome, and all kinds of people are welcome.) Make me think new thoughts. Expand my world. Touch my heart. We need more good minds and good hearts…like yours!