When writing about writing became uncool
Finding my voice in a crowded space
Over the past few years, I’ve been really let down by mainstream media. I’ve noticed the news we’re fed is more and more biased, or there’s a whole PR campaign behind the stories we read. I was craving authenticity, purity, and just real talk. So I found Substack. Some news outlets were born on this platform, and I was drawn to the journalistic ethics they upheld. But then I expanded beyond just news and began exploring a variety of voices. Authors, psychologists, teachers, poets, cooks, and people simply writing through life. I’ve found myself diving into a lot of philosophy and research here, too. I used to joke that “Substack is where the smart people are.”
As you know, less than a year ago, I decided to start writing, too. I’ve always had blogs throughout my life because I really enjoy writing. I thought I could share my journey as a Mexican screenwriter in Hollywood. But as I said in my welcome post, I’m not a screenwriting guru and I’m not here to teach anyone how to write. I’m just here to share a bit of my process and my experience.
But as I looked around, I realized that the number of Substacks about writing is… quite overwhelming. Everyone and their grandmother is doing it. I subscribe to some of these publications, and a few are fantastic. But if I’m being honest, most of them are repeating the same advice I’ve heard a hundred times already. It’s rare that I come across something truly new, useful or inspiring. Not because I know everything (I certainly don’t), but because most of these publications have become repetitive and, frankly, uninspired.
What’s interesting is that many of these publications are run by aspiring writers, so writers who want to break-in or are looking for different processes are most likely going to seek advice from successful writers. People subscribe to George Saunders, Diablo Cody, or John August because they are George Saunders, Diablo Cody, and John August. We want to know how they did it, and how they continue to do it. This is why I never wanted to offer advice. I’m a mid-level writer in Hollywood, and I don’t feel I’m in a position to tell anyone how to write, what the common mistakes are, or how to land a manager. What the hell do I know?
All I know is my story and my process. And that’s all I can write about. However, to my surprise, writing about writing isn’t as fun as I thought. This is getting way too meta for me.
Even if a publication about writing is great, the reality is that every screenwriter’s career is different. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to getting repped or staffed. It’s hard for me to say “you should be a writer’s assistant to get promoted to staff writer” when that was not my path, or when I’ve seen friends who are writer’s assistants stuck in the same position for years without getting promoted.
It’s also tough to give advice in an industry that’s still trying to find its footing post-strikes. Nobody knows anything and especially right now. But what I know is that I am definitely tired, drained and bored with the endless stream of repetitive writing blueprints and advice. Writing is one of the most wild and unpredictable artistic expressions out there, and I think it deserves more than the cookie-cutter “tips and tricks” that flood so many publications.
Last year, I started writing poetry, and to my surprise, those pieces have gotten the most reads and have gained me more subscribers. So it’s not just me, right? We’re all a little tired of writers who only write about writing.
So, friends. I think it’s official. Writing about writing has become uncool.
The only non-poem post that blew up was my “Eleven Years in Hollywood” recap. And I think that’s because it’s deeply personal, and it’s more about conquering a dream than about writing itself.
My old blogs (which I’ve since deleted and sort of regret) were written in Spanish and if you’ve ever wondered why I have so many followers on Twitter (RIP) or Instagram, that’s why. My blogs were so well received. I wrote essays about life, love, and our existence, as well as short stories. I didn’t fully have a brand at the time, or if I did, I couldn’t see it clearly. It was a simpler time. You have to have a “brand” now so people know exactly what they’re getting from your publication… and I get that. But what happened to writing just for the sake of writing?
I started this Substack with that intention: to write more than just scripts. I said from the beginning that I’d write about more than just my journey in Hollywood. I wanted to try short stories and, as I’ve already started doing, poetry. I want to write less about writing and more about everything else. I want to get philosophical, cheesy, and deeply personal.
I’m not saying I’ll never write about writing again, but it won’t be the core focus of my Substack. I’ll do it if I find a deeply personal angle. After all, if you want screenwriting stories or advice, there are thousaaaaaands of other publications for that.
It’s incredibly freeing to be able to write this and share with you all that it’s a pleasure to be figuring this out. The first thing I said about The Luna Tales is that it’s “an honest diary about writing.” And honesty is something that will always remain at the core of it.
♥
Well thought out and stated, Lucy. You and Matt certainly share devotion to honesty. And that's not always easy. Good thing you have each other.