Thoughts

Firstly, thank you to everyone who has been in touch either by commenting here, or privately on Instagram. I know many of you have been reading since the Mitenska days, and it’s gratifying to know that my little updates have given people so much pleasure.

I really struggled with the idea of giving up blogging, so naturally I’m already having second thoughts.

Not necessarily about the blog; keeping two Squarespace accounts isn’t really an option and in terms of websites, the photography has to take priority. I’m passionate about it and am determined to forge a career in it, albeit a freelance, part time career.

But I’m also a writer. It’s part of me and it’s something I have to do. That form of creative expression provides a necessary outlet. My mum was a writer and I am too.

Of course, I also work in the bookshop and I adore it. But having several strings to my bow is both sensible and right. Books, photographs, words.

Longer term, I have a project that’s slowly forming in the background: a book. My words, my photography. I know that I can do it, as I published the Journal singlehandedly and am confident I can write a book.

But there’s always the danger of spinning too many plates at once. So I need to both simplify and diversify, and that’s tricky. My job as a bookseller is already in place and a reassuring constant which needs no further planning. The photography, I put my website together and have a workshop this week. I’m looking at dates for a photo walk later in February. My portfolio is slowly growing, and I’m doing some brand photography work tomorrow.

Which leaves the writing/blogging aspect.

I can’t let it go completely, and I don’t have to. The choice is entirely mine. So it’s time to evolve.

As of 16th July, this website will be gone. I’m still looking at ways to save my posts and images.

Instagram is about pictures, not words. I love to share my photographs on there but it doesn’t lend itself to written content.

So I had a sudden thought: Substack.

I’ve heard of it but didn’t really know what it was until this morning. Sitting in my usual spot in the library, I did a bit of research and set up a rudimentary site. I found that:

Readers subscribe to view content (the lowest I can get it to is £3.50 a month)

I pay a percentage of any income to Substack and to Stripe, the payment method

I’d need to figure out what I offer and a schedule.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts: things have been tough for the past 18 months or so. We’re making real progress in terms of resolving the issue, and it doesn’t feel hopeless any more. I’m still very stressed, but not defeated. But I can’t devote the huge amount of time and mental effort to producing the Journal, or to writing meandering blog posts with countless images.

Instead, perhaps shorter, more regular pieces. I’d need to look into incorporating some photography into them. If not, then just words - complemented by the Solt Photography website and Instagram. Lots to think about. In a good way.

My first realisation was, this all looks like a cynical plan to put my writing behind a paywall. But it really isn’t. I’m a) not that devious and b) not in the least bit opportunistic. It’s simply an idea, a change of direction and hopefully a new way to continue with my writing.

Interesting times ahead.

Thanks for reading, and for your well wishes. They brighten my day and help lift the winter gloom.

PS - if you’re local, we may well bump into one another. Things (I) have changed over the past few years. Most noticeably: I ditched the dye! Still not sure whether I’ll go back or not… I’d prefer to be brunette but it’s such a bind.

Apologies for going off on a tangent.