I'm glad to see the evolution of Tai Tales, and how you move closer to what you enjoy sharing on this platform. I think we're doing our readers greater service when we move in sync with our internal rhythm and inspirations. Personally, I often feel a sense of resistance toward "rule-based" promises of fame and fortune, the way Substack has often been proselytized to aspiring writers. I, too, have been exposed to a lot of marketing BS and tried most of them "tricks" and "hacks," ha! When I decided to call my Substack a "blog," I just really wanted to free up my creative energy from all that guilt and pressure of performing, you know. So, instead of standing on the stage performing ballet (which I actually did not so many years ago), I want to sit among my readers in a circle with a bonfire in the center. I haven't really given much thought about "de-gating" (thanks for that word). My old newsletters are still behind the paywall (after six months), but people haven't asked to read them (will they ever?) so I chose to do nothing, LOL!
I really think that your theme of learning Chinese through watching Chinese drama is an interesting one that will attract like-minded people who want to learn the language. In fact, I may be able to find some readers for you next year ;-)
P.S. The pink slip is also my nemesis and source of anxiety.
About the pink slip, tell me about it. As if we don't have enough pressure from that, we have Substack "numbers" to worry about and add pressure too.
PS: I have been reading your newsletters btw, it's just that I've been very exhausted lately, mentally, due to work, and my routine of commenting on newsletters have just fallen off the wayside. I plan to get back on soon, and hopefully with a more sustainable routine.
Thanks for your reply and I totally get it. My goal is to release unnecessary pressure and live in the presence. That means letting go of any artificial scheduling or goals imposed from outside of my own volition. I was very exhausted toward the end of the year, too, and taking a break from the screen really helped reset my nervous system. I hope you allow yourself the spaciousness to reset yours as well. And don't worry about not commenting. Let's let go of the pressure for that too.
I enjoy your writing about Malaysia even if you post once a month.
One of my brothers watches every Chinese film but he likes the ones with fights.
I wish Substack would include an option where we can pay for a piece we like, and not commit to paying all year round. The way we’d buy a magazine from the newsstand. I bet it would help.
I know right? I don't think it's sustainable, nor fair especially for those with weaker currencies to support writers at US$5 per month. But if it means anything, I at least have a tip jar option haha.
And thank you for reading me, truly. I hope to give better, more colourful, fun stories about Malaysia in 2025 :)
Elizabeth - Echoing Neena. I, too, enjoy reading your writings on all things Malaysia and look forward to more of such! Happy holidays and wishes for a wonderful 2025.
Thank you so much Gee Chua! I feel guilty for not writing enough, but the final quarter at work was pretty tough ;P Thank you for reading and being patient with me.
I hear you... I am mainly personal essays as well and determining how the gate keeping / "paid" model may work - never figured it out! lol may just ungatekeep everything except for some highly personal stories. Best wishes with your endeavors!
I do the same - my TMI section is mostly highly personal stories that only those who deign to pay me can access. It kinda provides an extra layer of "security" for me when I share the stories, I suppose. Not all people would treat my personal stories fairly or with respect, so might as well reserve that for the most dedicated readers.
Honestly, "free" has a lot of benefits too. Before Substack, I'd use Mailchimp to send readers of my blog updates, and when I transferred it to Substack I was very grateful for the ease of use and the free price tag :P So, we shouldn't pooh pooh setting our newsletters "free". It's a great promotional and cost-effective tool.
Really looking forward to the Chinese drama writing. This is a whole world that so know is rich and poignant, but that I can't access easily. Thanks for being a bridge / an ambassador and bringing that to us.
Oh, I'm glad someone is interested! The world of Chinese dramas can be complex, especially when it comes to accessing them and finding where to watch legally.
Chinese dramas are something I'm passionate about since I was a kid, and it's been very instrumental in helping me preserve my Mandarin skills, limited as they may be.
Super-keen to hear about those dramas! Bring it on! I know a minuscule amount about Indian cinema and that's been helpful to me in understanding a bit about India; French TV serials have helped my French language skills. I am sooo here for the Chinese drama infodumps and analysis!! (As is my friend who is learning the language, I've already shared the news with her and she'll be subscribing). I think you have a world of readers out there.
Very nice! I do follow @K-Culture with Jae-Ha Kim too and love her newsletter ;) FYI I do keep a Chinese drama blog with the same type of index ;D https://dramatea88.wordpress.com/review-index/
I have to say that I’m not as good as @K-Culture with Jae-Ha Kim in keeping it updated tho lol
I've removed the archives paywall, but still publish articles for paid subscribers only. Not sure if opening up the archives has had much effect, but still. Maybe you could do the same, as a middle way kind if thing.
For now I've decided to reserve the category "TMI" for paid subscribers. My ultimate ambition is to have an section where users can download special ebooks. But that's such a long time away as one ebook takes forever to make. ;D
I'm glad to see the evolution of Tai Tales, and how you move closer to what you enjoy sharing on this platform. I think we're doing our readers greater service when we move in sync with our internal rhythm and inspirations. Personally, I often feel a sense of resistance toward "rule-based" promises of fame and fortune, the way Substack has often been proselytized to aspiring writers. I, too, have been exposed to a lot of marketing BS and tried most of them "tricks" and "hacks," ha! When I decided to call my Substack a "blog," I just really wanted to free up my creative energy from all that guilt and pressure of performing, you know. So, instead of standing on the stage performing ballet (which I actually did not so many years ago), I want to sit among my readers in a circle with a bonfire in the center. I haven't really given much thought about "de-gating" (thanks for that word). My old newsletters are still behind the paywall (after six months), but people haven't asked to read them (will they ever?) so I chose to do nothing, LOL!
I really think that your theme of learning Chinese through watching Chinese drama is an interesting one that will attract like-minded people who want to learn the language. In fact, I may be able to find some readers for you next year ;-)
P.S. The pink slip is also my nemesis and source of anxiety.
About the pink slip, tell me about it. As if we don't have enough pressure from that, we have Substack "numbers" to worry about and add pressure too.
PS: I have been reading your newsletters btw, it's just that I've been very exhausted lately, mentally, due to work, and my routine of commenting on newsletters have just fallen off the wayside. I plan to get back on soon, and hopefully with a more sustainable routine.
Good morning and happy new year!
Thanks for your reply and I totally get it. My goal is to release unnecessary pressure and live in the presence. That means letting go of any artificial scheduling or goals imposed from outside of my own volition. I was very exhausted toward the end of the year, too, and taking a break from the screen really helped reset my nervous system. I hope you allow yourself the spaciousness to reset yours as well. And don't worry about not commenting. Let's let go of the pressure for that too.
I enjoy your writing about Malaysia even if you post once a month.
One of my brothers watches every Chinese film but he likes the ones with fights.
I wish Substack would include an option where we can pay for a piece we like, and not commit to paying all year round. The way we’d buy a magazine from the newsstand. I bet it would help.
I know right? I don't think it's sustainable, nor fair especially for those with weaker currencies to support writers at US$5 per month. But if it means anything, I at least have a tip jar option haha.
And thank you for reading me, truly. I hope to give better, more colourful, fun stories about Malaysia in 2025 :)
Elizabeth - Echoing Neena. I, too, enjoy reading your writings on all things Malaysia and look forward to more of such! Happy holidays and wishes for a wonderful 2025.
Thank you so much Gee Chua! I feel guilty for not writing enough, but the final quarter at work was pretty tough ;P Thank you for reading and being patient with me.
I hear you... I am mainly personal essays as well and determining how the gate keeping / "paid" model may work - never figured it out! lol may just ungatekeep everything except for some highly personal stories. Best wishes with your endeavors!
I do the same - my TMI section is mostly highly personal stories that only those who deign to pay me can access. It kinda provides an extra layer of "security" for me when I share the stories, I suppose. Not all people would treat my personal stories fairly or with respect, so might as well reserve that for the most dedicated readers.
Honestly, "free" has a lot of benefits too. Before Substack, I'd use Mailchimp to send readers of my blog updates, and when I transferred it to Substack I was very grateful for the ease of use and the free price tag :P So, we shouldn't pooh pooh setting our newsletters "free". It's a great promotional and cost-effective tool.
yes!! completely agree :)
Thanks for sharing this.
Really looking forward to the Chinese drama writing. This is a whole world that so know is rich and poignant, but that I can't access easily. Thanks for being a bridge / an ambassador and bringing that to us.
Oh, I'm glad someone is interested! The world of Chinese dramas can be complex, especially when it comes to accessing them and finding where to watch legally.
Chinese dramas are something I'm passionate about since I was a kid, and it's been very instrumental in helping me preserve my Mandarin skills, limited as they may be.
Super-keen to hear about those dramas! Bring it on! I know a minuscule amount about Indian cinema and that's been helpful to me in understanding a bit about India; French TV serials have helped my French language skills. I am sooo here for the Chinese drama infodumps and analysis!! (As is my friend who is learning the language, I've already shared the news with her and she'll be subscribing). I think you have a world of readers out there.
Also ... A quick comparisons of themes and motifs etc, this could be a fun post sometime ...https://open.substack.com/pub/jaehakim/p/jae-ha-kim-reviews-kdramas-and-films-index?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=p3krk
Very nice! I do follow @K-Culture with Jae-Ha Kim too and love her newsletter ;) FYI I do keep a Chinese drama blog with the same type of index ;D https://dramatea88.wordpress.com/review-index/
I have to say that I’m not as good as @K-Culture with Jae-Ha Kim in keeping it updated tho lol
You offer quality reviews and that’s more important than quantity, Elizabeth!
Ah, it's not about completion, it's just about graciously offering the world what we can. Very grateful for your work!
Thanks for including my newsletter, Caroline!
Thanks for sharing, Liz and here's to a fab 2025 for all of us on Substack!
Have a great 2025 too, Sharm! Kiss the fuzzies for me!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I am looking forward to more of your content; I might finally pick up some mandarin after decades of meaning to :)
Join me in my slow journey! It'll be good to have company along the way haha
I've removed the archives paywall, but still publish articles for paid subscribers only. Not sure if opening up the archives has had much effect, but still. Maybe you could do the same, as a middle way kind if thing.
For now I've decided to reserve the category "TMI" for paid subscribers. My ultimate ambition is to have an section where users can download special ebooks. But that's such a long time away as one ebook takes forever to make. ;D
It's hard going, Elizabeth, that's for sure. I hope it works out well for you.