Holy shit ballz. Okay few things, your opening had me GASPING. Two if I had a binder of things I want to go back highlight, reference, remember I would print this out and reference it again and again. Thank you for this.
Also- the part about wondering why your mom was always rushing around... doing things... i just had this thought this week. Like I'm ALWAYS moving when I'm w/ the girls, why can't I just BE WITH THEM. Thanks for bringing something to my attention that you probably didn't even intend your readers to relate to on this one.
Hahaha thanks, Emma! It's awesome you found this helpful.
And omg, YES to the constant rushing around. Sam came out of the shower the other day and just played with the kids on the floor, meanwhile I did everything BUT just sit with my kids. The reason I can't just be with them is because I feel like there is too much to do, all the time, and if I'm not catching up then I'm trying to stay ahead of it.
But, there is hope yet. After reading your comment, last night I sat with my kids and read books and played with them with these things called Wikki Stix even though there were dirty dishes and I KNOW that just my presence sitting beside them... you know, SOMETIMES, means a lot to them. And I know that's important. I just have to remind myself.
Charlie, if you ever teach a classes, please do it on how to write suspense. Set ups, payoffs and the breakdown on different ways to do it here… so valuable. Sincere thanks for sharing.
The Sandra Schnakenberg interview was excellent as well! Well done. Loved that you researched the pronunciation of her name and she had no idea about the publicist’s error. You were class on that.
Ah, thanks, Camilo! Glad it helped. I'm always hesitant to write these types of posts, but in this case it was very helpful for me, so I guess that should always be my barometer.
The dumbwaiter door story sort of shocked me into a different state of mind. Gruesome, unthinkable things can just happen in a flash.
Then the story about Dinitia hit me so hard, like: There are no easy answers sometimes.
And then the final story about your brother brought the tears. Somehow, even in the midst of all of the fear and tragedy, the world is still right in some mysterious way.
Holy shit ballz. Okay few things, your opening had me GASPING. Two if I had a binder of things I want to go back highlight, reference, remember I would print this out and reference it again and again. Thank you for this.
Also- the part about wondering why your mom was always rushing around... doing things... i just had this thought this week. Like I'm ALWAYS moving when I'm w/ the girls, why can't I just BE WITH THEM. Thanks for bringing something to my attention that you probably didn't even intend your readers to relate to on this one.
Always so good!
Hahaha thanks, Emma! It's awesome you found this helpful.
And omg, YES to the constant rushing around. Sam came out of the shower the other day and just played with the kids on the floor, meanwhile I did everything BUT just sit with my kids. The reason I can't just be with them is because I feel like there is too much to do, all the time, and if I'm not catching up then I'm trying to stay ahead of it.
But, there is hope yet. After reading your comment, last night I sat with my kids and read books and played with them with these things called Wikki Stix even though there were dirty dishes and I KNOW that just my presence sitting beside them... you know, SOMETIMES, means a lot to them. And I know that's important. I just have to remind myself.
Charlie, if you ever teach a classes, please do it on how to write suspense. Set ups, payoffs and the breakdown on different ways to do it here… so valuable. Sincere thanks for sharing.
The Sandra Schnakenberg interview was excellent as well! Well done. Loved that you researched the pronunciation of her name and she had no idea about the publicist’s error. You were class on that.
Thanks so much, Matt! Glad you found it helpful. There is certainly more to write about suspense!
And thanks for listening! Lol about the pronunciation of her name. That was so funny.
Absolutely love this format Charlie. Torn on whether the personal story you told should come with an up front disclaimer for parents with weak hearts.
Awesome, Rick! Love that you loved the format. I'll keep it in mind for future learnings.
And lol I know! I ask my mom to tell me this story all the time. It never gets old, especially now that I have kids.
Really enjoyed the stories and found your commentary super valuable.
Amazing, Claire! Thanks for letting me know.
This was so good and helpful Charlie!
Ah, thanks, Camilo! Glad it helped. I'm always hesitant to write these types of posts, but in this case it was very helpful for me, so I guess that should always be my barometer.
This is the most impactful Substack article I’ve ever read. Tears are streaming down my face right now.
“There’s no time — only love.”
Thank you, Adam! Curious, which story made you cry?
The dumbwaiter door story sort of shocked me into a different state of mind. Gruesome, unthinkable things can just happen in a flash.
Then the story about Dinitia hit me so hard, like: There are no easy answers sometimes.
And then the final story about your brother brought the tears. Somehow, even in the midst of all of the fear and tragedy, the world is still right in some mysterious way.
yesss definitely. All these stories were powerful in their own ways.