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Jul 5, 2023
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Michael Edward's avatar

Thanks for the comment Eric.

And it’s good to know you feel the same way.

Substack feels like a good spot.

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Jul 6, 2023
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Michael Edward's avatar

I completely relate Eric. I mean, what I said in my piece was true in that I really did just plan to put my writing online and not really engage with the Substack community. But once I started and I came across so much good writing, I got sucked in. And, like you said, then I found myself inspired to try new things with my writing based off some of the stuff I was reading. In fact, the piece I wrote was somewhat inspired by Alex Dorbenko’s humorous pieces, he writes the Substack page ‘Both Are True’ if your interested.

Either way, yes I think it is helpful to draw inspiration from others and Substack seems to be good for that.

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Priya Iyer's avatar

Very relatable, especially the part about finding amazing writers!

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thanks for taking the time to comment Priya. I’m glad you related to my piece. And I know right, there are sooooo many good writers on here.

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Maybe it will all be fine's avatar

"Come for the writing, stay for the reading!" should be the substack motto, except that it would obvioulsy scare off all the writers who are too busy (i.e ALL the writers)

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Michael Edward's avatar

That sounds like a very fitting motto indeed.

But yes, your right I think that would scare off many writers before they began.

Also, thanks for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it.

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Alexx Hart's avatar

Right?! I mean...write? Crap. I came here already requiring clones to accomplish even half of the things on my passion project plate. I need several more now just to read Substack. 🤪

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Michael Edward's avatar

I know it’s such a dangerous rabbit-hole... but damn it’s a good rabbit-hole to go down haha

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Alexx Hart's avatar

I will happily invest in more clones for this endeavor.

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Maybe it will all be fine's avatar

I fear I'd become increasingly insecure that my clones were younger but still somehow accomplishing more and waste even more time figuring out ways to subtly undermine them

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Alexx Hart's avatar

🤣 Oh no!! WWHRED? (That would be His Royal Efficiency. All your nicknames are so awesome BTW.) Ahhh, my Queendom for younger, more efficient clones of myself, all of whom are fully synchronized. I would order them without all my injuries so sheesh! As a fully synchronized hive-mind, to have the skills and knowledge I possess now on my body from back then?! See, we don’t order autonomous clones around here. I think you’re right. That would breed competition. 😜

It’s kinda concerning how much thought I’m putting into this scenario. 🙃

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Michael Edward's avatar

Hahaha if you put much more thought into it, you might have to employ a clone to help you 😂

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Michael Edward's avatar

Hahah yes, good point, Maybe it will all be fine, it does seem like the clones thing could divulge into an infinite regress where now I’m trying to out-do my clones instead of benefitting from them.

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Renee Mureithi's avatar

Haha I was just thinking this the other day... SO MANY great writers that I want to read... Not enough hours in the morning the catch up. Was just thinking about how I'm going to need to limit my reads if I want to get anything done lol

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thanks for taking the time to comment Renee. Yeah it really does start to feel like there just isn’t enough time to read all the good writing that’s on here.

I am faced with the same dilemma, I’ve gotten to a point where I have to start limiting my time on substack just so I can get other things done.

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Renee Mureithi's avatar

P.s. Props for the hand drawn platypus!

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Michael Edward's avatar

Hahaha thank you, thank you 😊

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Donna McArthur's avatar

You wrote what is in the mind of every one of us! I want to read all the writers, I want to support every publication with a paid sub, and I want to engage on (almost) every note.

I am so thankful to be here, to stand in the arena (OK wobble around the outskirts of the arena) with the big names. To engage in a meaningful way with brilliant minds that want to hear what I have to say, most days I can't even believe it.

Thanks for another great article and well done creating the platypus logo!

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thanks for commenting Donna.

I know right; there are so many great publications and wonderful writers on here and I want to engage with all of them but I just don’t have the time to read everyone.

But yes I wholeheartedly agree, I think Substack is a great place to be and I’m very happy to be here. It feels so wonderful to be able to not only read other writers work, but to also have them engage with mine.

Thanks Donna.

And P.S - you do way better than wobble on the outskirts, your right there in the arena with the best of em.

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Evelyn Fox's avatar

This is very very funny. You're a funny guy. I really enjoyed this.

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thank you Evelyn! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment and I’m glad to hear you found it funny.

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Jenovia 🕸️'s avatar

Ha! This was wonderful, Michael!!!

I don’t let anything get in the way of writing but I have been neglecting my books because of Substack! 😭

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thank you Jenovia I really appreciate you saying so.

And yes, I feel the same way. I mean, I wrote the piece as a bit of a laugh, but at the same time Substack’s allure is real. So much so that, like you, the books in my ‘to-be-read’ pile are not getting the attention they deserve. And that’s just not right.

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Veronica's avatar

Such a great piece/essay here--l just loved it. So, so spot on re the engagement experience I am also having/navigating etc. Substack is far exceeding my expectations and my curiosity is kind of in overdrive, which is good, I think, because all that I am reading/exploring/exploring is just such fanatastic, inspiring, and diverse writing. [Kind of makes me believe even more in all if that good human potential all around us and within each of us.]

And, this is my first social media experience, meaning, I’ve never engaged with other platforms and do not intend to, so I am just kind of finding myself delighted with all the good stuff/ideas/thoughts/writing etc. Looking forward to reading your work and really appreciate your humor and perspective. I hope you continue to enjoy your reading and writing journey here in the realm of Substack and I’m very glad that you’re here! 🤓

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Michael Edward's avatar

Wow thank you for such a lovely and thoughtful comment Veronica!!

I’m really glad you enjoyed the piece and it resonated with your experience, I think many of us here on substack feel a similar way. There is just such a depth and diversity of good writing on basically every topic that it can be almost overwhelmingly exciting.

I love what you said about it helping you believe in all the good human potential all around and within us - that is beautiful! And I think it’s amazing that a platform like substack can have such an impact. I’m certainly happy to be here.

Thanks again for such kind words and I look forward to engaging with you further in the future. Until then happy substack-exploring.

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Veronica's avatar

One last thought,…

the language and sentiments/feeling etc. that you included in your welcome email (for new subscribers etc.; just read it now) is lovely. I most appreciated your authenticity and how you emphasized your commitment to both cultivating and honoring your curiosity and writing. I’ve subscribed to a boatload of great writers in my ~6 weeks here in this Substack realm/experiment and your email was again, just lovely (meaning, genuine, honest, funny etc.). Good luck with all that is ahead of you and I hope that you continue to keep writing all about it. 🤓

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thank you so much Veronica! You are awesome - you seriously just made my day. Your the first person to have ever said anything about my welcome email. And I am genuinely so happy that you liked it. I figured it was important to be open and honest with anyone who was kind enough to subscribe. And it’s so nice to know you took the time to read that.

Thank you for the good luck wishes and the encouragement it is much appreciated and I definitely intend to keep writing all about whatever captures my curiosity.

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Camilla Sanderson's avatar

I echo what Veronica said - I love your welcome email too!✨🌟💖🙏🕊️

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thanks Camilla, I’m really glad you liked it.

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Shire Jansen's avatar

Fabulous, you captured the essence of everything, including a new subscriber! 💗

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thank you Shire! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. And thank you for subscribing that means a lot.

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Emmett's avatar

Substack meets Chatgpt - Oooohh Baby - skirt the middle-man and go straight for the Doritos

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Michael Edward's avatar

Hahaha skirt the middle man indeed!

Thanks for taking the time to comment Emmett I really appreciate it.

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Michael Edward's avatar

Hahaha skirt the middle man indeed!

Thanks for taking the time to comment Emmett I really appreciate it.

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thanks for re-stacking my post Tre! I really appreciate it.

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Liz Medford - lizexplores.com's avatar

Beautifully written, Michael, and I am honored to be among the Substacks you are reading! 😁

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thanks Liz I really appreciate that. And I’m happy to be reading your Substack.

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Leo Hepis's avatar

The current article is very much case-in-point. I was supposed to be writing today, yet I'm jumping around from article to article on The Curious Platypus. Keep writing 😀

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Michael Edward's avatar

Thanks for such an awesome comment Leo! You just made my day.

And I hope you getting back to writing today very soon. :)

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Simon Sørheim's avatar

This is so true...I find that if I am ever going to write anything then I have to start the day off-line and without substack open...it is like every day I am coming several new and interesting voices...before that might happen once a month, if even that

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Michael Edward's avatar

Yeah, these days I do all of my writing before I go on Substack or any other online platform - its the only way not to get sucked into the time suck that is the online world (for me anyway).

Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment Poodle Chef!

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