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I read you and Nancy and any new writers that Marie curates. I too skip when writers insist I have to pay to read or comment. I enjoy your posts immmensely.

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Hi Susan,

I am so glad you remain such a loyal reader. You even comment! I know you read Beth's Substack, too. I always check the articles Marie curates, too. And yeah, why would a writer limit who can comment? I don't get that. Must be a reason.

Thank you so much for saying you enjoy my posts. That means the world to me. Please know this, I appreciate you. hugs.

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It's a great question! I struggle to keep up to be honest and I don't know the answer to how many I've subscribed to even!

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Hi Marie,

I've lost count, too. Substack keeps track for me, but I have many others I've subscribed as well. I don't always read them all, but I keep telling myself being a subscriber in and of itself is a form of support. I should have a spread sheet or a system of some sort. But, of course, I am not that organized.

Thank you for your continuing support, my friend. It means so much. I appreciate you. x

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Good Morning!

I have just over a dozen.

I am drawn to matters of the heart and how the words land on the page.

So often, though, they happen to arrive in my inbox on the same day, Sunday.

I get overwhelmed and prioritize, often skipping the ones with too many words.

What is true, what is genuine will usually grab me from the start.

I suppose what I read twenty, even thirty, years ago is different than what I read today.

A common thread seems to run through the authors that I follow.

Perhaps when others see with eyes of wonder or find the extraordinary

in the ordinary, I am pulled in because that is the desire of my own heart.

If it is in your heart to write, just write. I’ve heard it said,

“It doesn’t have to be good, it just has to be true.”

I’m not sure, then, if the number of followers will matter.

Often I am not sure how I “stumble” upon certain articles...call it algorithms

or call it spirit, but I am usually grateful for the discovery.

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Hi Nancy,

I am also drawn to matters of the heart - which can be anything, really. Authenticity is what I look for and like you, I sometimes get overwhelmed. I keep wondering if subscribing to someone still matters even if you don't always read their articles. I mean, it's still support. But is that enough? So many great writers on the internet today. I guess that's not a bad problem to have! Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate you,

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These are good questions Nancy. There are so many good Substacks, blogs, and podcasts. But there is limited time, and I have become more protective of my time. So I tend to stick with the folks, like you, that I already am familiar with and know I am going to be glad I took the time to read/listen. Thanks! Write on!

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Hi Lisa,

It's wonderful to hear from you. I have also become more protective of my time. I wish I could spend more time browsing here on Substack and reading more articles than I do. But then I'd never get my own writing done!

Your ongoing support through the years means so much to me. I appreciate you. Thank you for commenting on this piece. Enjoy the fall!

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Hi Nancy,

What a great post because I ponder over the same issues. Like you, I love to read and have discovered some amazing writers on Substack. I subscribed to many at first, and I occasionally subscribe to others here and there. When they all hit my inbox, I have pressure to get through all of them -- although they are excellent writers, and a huge part of me is looking forward to reading them. I am trying to not subscribe to any more for now because I can't humanly get through all of them.

Yours is one that I'll always try to get to first. I've been following your wonderful blog for a long time now, so we have a history.

The strategy I use to read all these blogs is basically, I star them and then set aside two or three hours on a day with a lighter work load and devote myself to reading and commenting on others' Substacks. I do enjoy reading other writers' works.

What makes me unsubscribe? I've unsubscribed to those writers who want their readers to be paid subscribers in order for them to be allowed to leave a comment. That really irks me, as I look at writing as a community, so not being able to leave a comment is a bummer. I also unsubscribe if the writing is consistently way too long and sometimes confusing.

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Hi Beth,

We do have quite a long history! I can't believe how long you and I have been at this online blogging/writing thing. You have been one of my staunchest supporters for years, and

I'm so grateful.

There are so many wonderful writers here on Substack, and it's fun to surf and bit and discover new ones. Finding that balance is hard. I like your strategy of starring posts and setting aside a few hours on your lighter days to read them. I tend to want to click and read right away. Not a very practical strategy.

Like you, I am irked when only paid subscribers can comment. I've been thinking about opening up a paid option for my Substack, but I would never make comments accessible to only paying subscribers. But to each their own.

Thank you for chiming in on this topic, and for always being so supportive. I appreciate you.

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There's at least 1 other Substack that I subscribe to. I usually at least glance at the emails/blogs. It depends on my day's schedule. Cancer and/or spiritual ones are what I usually subscribe to

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Hi Esther,

When you take that glance, what makes you keep reading or decide not to? I am fascinated by what motivates people to read, keep reading, or opt out. so just curious.

Thank you for sharing what topics pique your interest and get you to subscribe. I appreciate you.

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I don’t read much, but what I do read is cancer-related. I LOVE your photo!!! Thank you for growing the food we eat🥰

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Hi Lessly,

I need to check out your list of reads to connect with a few more cancer people here on Substack. Though I've broadened topics I write about since moving here, cancer and grief will forever remain topics close to my heart and will always be ones I will continue to write about.

Thank you for sharing what you read and for saying you love the photo. I don't actually do the work of farming, but the land is mine, and I'm very proud to be part of community of farmers who feed the world. There are not a lot of things more gorgeous than a wheat field ready to be harvested.

Thank you for being here with me. I appreciate you.

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I don't know how many I read--it varies. I hate to admit it, but if the posts are way long, I seldom stay with that writer and end up unsubscribing. Sometimes the Substack titles are misleading--although I don't think they're meant to be. This morning a got a big email about fashion--who, me?--and I don't know how or why. It's interesting, though, isn't it?

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Hi Liz,

I agree about titles sometimes being misleading. I think it is super interesting to ponder about how and why folks get interested or decide to subscribe to a particular Substack. I have not yet opted to become a paid subscriber for anyone, but I'd sure to.

Thank you for reading and taking a few moments to share some thoughts. I appreciate you.

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Less than a dozen but I just started coming here. I'm sure I will have more soon

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