17 Comments
User's avatar
Monica Hebert's avatar

Hey! thanks for the mention. And BTW, I earned my red scarlet letter "A" when I chose to divorce the preacher I was married to. OMG> That's when I learned that wichtes energy live within the church!

April ❦ The Narrative Nest's avatar

Oh wow! Now that’s a story. I need to check it out. I’m sure it’s on your Substack. Do you have a link directly to it, Monica? I need to read it!

Monica Hebert's avatar

I’ve mentioned it slightly,peppered among some articles, but have not yet tackled the whole story.

April ❦ The Narrative Nest's avatar

Oh, okay. Well, I want the full story. I love a good saucy memoir. Let me know if you make that happen. 😁

Adam Fraiel's avatar

Yes, yes, and thrice yes!

Superb post April. While I inherently try and address most of your points while writing, it was awesome to have your perspective and reading approach laid out so clinically.

I know from experience, I get so wrapped up in my writing that I presume everyone has the same time, energy and devotion to the topic as myself. But, even if they don't, it's not difficult to make it accessible for all.

April ❦ The Narrative Nest's avatar

It’s such a different writing style from cranking out a novel or even a University paper, right?

I think you have to write it first and then do all these things afterward to grab attention. It’s like writing and marketing at the same time. I don’t always remember it all. But I try.

It certainly helps me as a reader, though. 😊

Florence Acosta's avatar

I love this perspective. Sometimes the smallest details in how we present our writing make the biggest difference in whether someone stays to read.

April ❦ The Narrative Nest's avatar

It’s true. Little things can make a big difference.

Crosswind Chronicles's avatar

This is one of those where I started reading and immediately began mentally auditing my own publication 😂 The Great Wall of Text section especially got me. I’ve definitely learned that writing something good and making someone actually want to stop and read it are two completely different skills. And I’m with you on the AI debate. A tool can help with the process without replacing the person doing the creating. Really useful piece, April!

April ❦ The Narrative Nest's avatar

I know, and I almost didn’t write it, but I decided it was coming from a place of what gets my attention as a busy mom who gets constantly interrupted. So I thought it might have some value.

I got to do more audio listens on Substack. That will get me through my saved content.

Now, let me ask you a question I’ve never asked a pilot before. Do you guys chat the whole time in the flight deck, or do you ever get to read? I mean, I know you’ve got to fly the plane. But I also know you come out for bathroom breaks, so is it just all small talk even when it’s smooth sailing? Men aren’t the conversationalists women are. Or do you get some time to do your own thing?

Crosswind Chronicles's avatar

Out of sterile…🤣 make sure that’s established and honestly it really depends on the person. Some are chatty and others are just….not 😂

I get to read some trips and some I get the latest and greatest rumors and others I have therapy sessions.

April ❦ The Narrative Nest's avatar

🤣 I bet. I do remember one pilot who would NOT stop talking. Then he wanted to go to dinner with everyone. There are a few out there worse than teenage girls. 😂

So, yes, it’s just like us as flight attendants. 😂 Lots of jumpseat therapy. Usually me listening to the younger ones. So many of the young FAs seemed to be running from something. Poor kids.

Crosswind Chronicles's avatar

Yeah, I mean you got to find your own way somehow I think it CAN be a great thing, but also detrimental to people’s mental wellbeing and they also turn to substance abuse I’ve seen that way too many times. In that case yes poor people.

April ❦ The Narrative Nest's avatar

That’s is definitely true! Flying is kind of like joining the circus. It takes in all kinds of orphans.

Crosswind Chronicles's avatar

So true! Actually makes me wonder that there’s story behind this hat statement 😂

The Educating Parent's avatar

I only found out about the voice-over a couple of weeks ago. There isn't an option for an Aussie voice so I selected a British one, I think the name was Victoria. It will have to do!

This is a really great summation of how to present a Substack. Works for me anyway! Although I'm not 100% of using bold in fiction, but I'll probably come around... :-)

April ❦ The Narrative Nest's avatar

😂🤣 Yes, I get that about the bold words with fiction.

None of this is natural. It’s a whole way of writing and formatting for screens that we’ve had to learn.

You’re so right about the voice options. I should have mentioned that there were only a few. I noticed someone on here who is actually Scottish had to choose the British voice. 🤞🏻 I hope they’ll expand those.