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Linda Ann Robinson's avatar

Did you tell the writer “ I’d miss her if she threw in the towel?” In the immortal words of the goddess Joni Mitchell, “…you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone (Big Yellow Taxi song).

From the four Canadians I know through their compositions (you, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young) or through friendship ( the husband of a dear friend), ya’ll have that illusive quality of ‘heart.’

This was an informative piece. Thank you.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

I didn't tell her I'd miss her if she threw in the towel because her paid substack is doing well enough that it's her income now. She's not going anywhere. But I did go click the heart on all her stories. lol. And I do need to do better at showing appreciation, for sure!! You list me in good company, wow. Thanks, Linda. :)

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Robin du Plessis's avatar

Now that you mention it, I find myself guilty of not commenting too, frequently.

Sometimes it's because I don't feel like I have anything to add. And, commenting "Thanks for sharing your story" is, well, nothing more than clapping or hitting the ❤️ icon. However I might add that as the last line of a longer comment.

Interesting numbers you have pointed out!

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Linda Caroll's avatar

It is interesting for sure. The real kick in the butt was realizing I was doing it too. lol

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David Gaskill's avatar

Jeez, sorry for most of the time not clicking at the end. I'll try to do better.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Oh heck, that's okay, I am guilty of the same. But hey, if we all try to remember a little more often, that's a good outcome I think.

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Tree Langdon's avatar

I always read your posts, even if I don't click the heart....

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Yup, that's me too, Tree. The ones I subscribe to I always read, but I kind of suck at remembering to click the heart much less leave a comment. I've done the same to you, too. You always surprise me so I open as soon as they come in but I've sucked at liking and commenting. My bad!

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Tree Langdon's avatar

Oh, glad you read them, I send mine out so randomly that I assumed only a few people read them. I'm hoping to get into more of a routine, but travel is beckoning.....

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Lizzie Merrill's avatar

I always read and enjoy your emails, Linda. But I’m also guilty of not always clicking the heart.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Thanks, Lizzie. We all do it, me included. I'd just never thought about it before. lol

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Bev's avatar

I always click the heart and then have trouble getting Substack to authenticate my email address. This is actually the first time the email has arrived. It's hoop-jumping that deters me. But here I am to say thank you. I read your articles on Medium and always read your newsletters. Your writing is always informative and entertaining. So... thank you.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Thanks, Bev! Glad the system finally put the hoops away, too. Hope it stays that way for you. :)

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Jim the Geek's avatar

I think it depends on the platform. On Medium (still a member, but only for a very few that I like) I used to issue claps with abandon until I learned they mean little to the author in the way of money. For those I support via subscription here on Substack, or via Patreon, I try to always tap the like button (if I liked it) and comment. All too often I'm the only commenter. Sometimes I'll wait a day or two to let others have a chance, but that rarely happens. Maybe it's partly due to the hypersensitivity that is rampant these days, and nobody wants to hurt feelings, or worse say something that gets them cancelled. When I tap the heart, it's from the heart. And those that I pay deserve to know how I feel about their work. Some may think that just paying for a publication is feedback enough, until you realize that $50 a year (which is generally the highest) doesn't go very far to offering up a living wage unless there are a LOT of subscribers. Writing is definitely not a path to riches, Stephen King et al notwithstanding. You do it because you love it, and maybe have to do it. However that doesn't get you anything at the grocery store. As one of the few I subscribe to here on Substack, know that if/when you choose to put a price to your work, I'm in.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

I think I might bring my history stuff over here, Jim. And fyi, on Medium claps don't pay anything for sure, but Medium uses them as a quality indicator so if I like a piece, I clap heartily to try boost the exposure.

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Jim the Geek's avatar

Good to know, thanks for that!

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Kelly Eden's avatar

Will you make a history Substack? That would be fantastic.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

You bet -- already started on it! I will share as soon as it's ready. :)

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Kathryn A. LeRoy's avatar

Oh Linda, I know that feeling of a draft that just doesn't work on the day I send out my newsletter. I do appreciate how you framed writing what resonates at the moment, the conversation only meant for this day and time. I also know the silence that comes after hitting publish. Your reflections today remind me that we never know the length of our reach. We want measurable proof of the worth of our words. Leaving a little heart or a few claps serves as one more way we can be good literary citizens. The smallest gestures can inspire and strengthen the resolve of our fellow writers and readers. Kindness shows up in many forms. Here's an extra ❤ just because!

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Thanks, Kathryn. Little gestures mean so much, you know?

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Gwen Irwin's avatar

I usually click on the heart or clap 50 times but I'm not a big commenter--I feel like I need to say something that adds to the conversation. But come to think of it I always appreciate when someone comments just to say they liked the story, that it resonated in some way. So if I appreciate it, I bet others would too. All that to say, I liked this story Linda, and thanks for the reminder! :)

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Thanks Gwen, I'm trying to do better at it, too.

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tokyoterri aka Antaidian's avatar

you’re right.

thanks for the reminder😊

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Linda Caroll's avatar

I needed it, too. :)

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Sara K.'s avatar

I've been writing long enough that I know that crickets doesn't mean a lack of appreciation. Would I prefer a response, even a 'like' (or the equivalent)? Yes, for sure. But it bothers me less now than it did years ago.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

That makes sense, Sara.

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Carole Marples's avatar

I will if you will x

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Carol Seymour's avatar

Thanks Linda. Shouldn't we be writing for our own self-satisfaction? It does feel good when we connect with someone who "understands". Right?

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Tim Dibble's avatar

In this world of electronic tracking, it just seems risky to comment or click on hearts. You never know how that opens a door to getting more unrequested emails, etc. I probably spend half of every Monday morning unsubscribing or blocking senders who use my propensity to comment and click as authority to then market me.

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Andria's avatar

You know, if you grew up reading magazine articles, you read one and turned the page. Comments were made to friends, not the author. That said, I have, indeed, come to enjoy clicking on the little hearts and hands. I'd encourage everyone to do it.

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