The Lovers, the Dreamers, and Me

Substack warm fuzzies and the magic of human connection

Dream Big is about my writing journey. Approximately every two weeks, I post about: finding writing in my 40s, embracing a creative life, writing my first novel, and the everyday moments that inspire me as I juggle family life and my dreams of becoming a published author.

I’m beyond grateful for your company on my writing journey, and I love hearing from you. Please hit reply or comment below if you’d like to connect.

As always, thank you for sharing this publication with anyone you think may enjoy it.

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First, I’d like to welcome new readers. There are quite a few of you this month! We all have full, busy lives, and I’m grateful you’ve chosen to spend some of your time here at Dream Big.

Something wild happened this week, friends. I don’t know what defines a “viral” post, but a note I posted here on Substack has garnered more attention than I’ve ever received… on anything I’ve posted ever on any platform in my unremarkable social media history. (For those who receive Dream Big via email, Substack Notes is a Twitter/X-like running thread of thoughts, commentary, writing tidbits, etc. on the app/website.) Within hours, my Substack notifications were exploding.

Exciting, right? Sort of?

This was my note:

Notes are short, but you can imagine how long one might spend composing a pithy comment that stands out. I don’t have much patience for this kind of work; many of my notes are restacks of others’ writing I enjoyed and whatever comes to mind quickly. Sometimes it lands, but many times not so much. I didn’t think too much about this one; it was a simple observation of my truth, and for some reason, it resonated.

Part of that reason was that I tried something new.

For the first time, I joined

Sarah Fay

’s Notes Boost, which is a cooperative, ongoing effort to help fellow Substackers gain wider circulation. Find a note that resonates with you, restack or like it. Easy, right? I didn’t know what to expect, but I can honestly say I was shocked by the results. I’ve been hanging out on Substack for nearly two years, just chugging along on my novel and sharing my thoughts on the process with all of you. I’ve never had double-digit notifications.

Suddenly that little bell icon kept lighting up. I was delighted, of course—and also rattled by the attention. Why? A dear friend once told me we all have a gremlin and a cheerleader sitting on our shoulders, one shouting louder than the other depending on the day. Let’s just say my gremlin wrangled the microphone for a moment. You wanted readers? Here they are! Now what, smarty pants?

I’m glad I didn’t listen, because every single comment was kind, positive, encouraging, perceptive, inspired and inspiring, and relatable. Every heart, restack, and comment came from a real person, reading my words, connecting, and sometimes subscribing (thank you!). Two fellow Substackers have generously mentioned Dream Big in recent posts, which made my writer’s heart swell with gratitude. Thank you so much,

Michelle Hickey

and

Kate Tremills

.

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Michelle is also writing a novel and has a flair for visual expression; you’ll see it in her visionboards, photographs, and the home decor that sneaks into the background of her photos.

Kate writes about nurturing a joyful creative practice, and you can’t help but smile at her warmth and positivity. No tortured artists here! 

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As many of you know, “finding your readers” is a constant thread in the wider conversation surrounding author platform and marketing, but subscriber count doesn’t feel like a true indicator of growing an audience. To me, success feels like those moments when words on the page connect people, readers and writers alike; it’s when we see ourselves and each other with greater clarity. This is where we find the real magic. 

“We know that it’s probably magic.”

And if that’s not what you’re feeling? By all means, make some space in your inbox! I wish you well, truly. Maybe I’m not supposed to say that, but I think most creators understand their work isn’t for everyone. It’s only when it is that a writer has found her readers—and it doesn’t matter if it’s 10 or 50 or 2000, or even more. What matters is the connection.

Here’s another note that resonated:

Back to this Notes Boost. I don’t know why it surprised me. That was the point, right? I am the first person to cheer on anyone with a big dream, so why would it throw me when part of mine begins to take shape? 

My mind is always swirling with what I aim for, but the next step isn’t always clear when doing something for the first time; it’s easy to forget that you are still moving forward when you’ve got your head down working. This foray into Substack Notes has been the best reminder to trust the process, myself, and you, my readers. You are all wonderful (you too,

Sarah Fay

!).

Speaking of that human connection, and in case it appears that I dream big in all my notes, I’ll leave you with one more from this week.

Thank you for reading. I’m so glad you’re here.

✨I had to do it.😊 Does anyone else love this song as much as I do?✨