Thanks for sharing this, Julie! I’ve always struggled with writing non-timely pieces — without the forced deadline, I often find my idea fizzles out and I never get around to finishing it. I may need to revisit some of my half-baked pieces and try to see them through!
Great view into your process, Julie! I think I split the difference between immediacy and long-term incubation.
Typically, my first idea for a topical humor/satire piece is kind of obvious, so I don't like to chase the news. If I let things fester for a few days or weeks, however, I usually find a unique angle and then I know it's time to dig in. After an idea sits idle for more than a month or so I almost never return to it.
I find it useful to have a drawer for each theme, into which I keep slinging sudden scribbled thoughts, or discovered quotes, for future episodes, which are usually weeks or months away, sometimes longer. Then I sift thru prior to first draft. The act of handwriting is so much better than staring, numbnecked cum brainfogged at a screen !
I have a very linear and step-by-step brain (neuroquirky over here lol) so I can't tell you how helpful this behind the scenes peek into the process is. I LOVE seeing these specific steps, and how you do it. Also...this idea and this piece are freaking hilarious. Congrats on another McSweeney's!!
So useful to see the process behind this, especially details like the list of possible titles. And my standard answer to “how do you do it all?” is “Slowly.”
I cannot believe how long it takes me to write a bloody Substack. I’m shocked because on usual circumstances I’m a fast writer. Between coming up with something clever to write and then to actual write it, takes a helluva lot of time and energy. Don’t even et me started on the rewriting and proofreading!
Its funny how the process you described is the same as what I do. I just do it twice a week. 😄
That being said one of the benefits of satire news is you just have to scroll through the news. Wholly unique posts are the hardest to write which is what you did.
I feel like I'm still working on my headlines as well. It's by far the hardest part of writing these for me.
I am impressed you can do it twice a week! But I also can see what you mean about satire news being a little different. Completely agree on headlines -- I feel like they are so important but still one of the most difficult things for me too.
Thank you for this, Julie! As someone who has honed the ability to identify a funny premise from years on Twitter but who is trying to strengthen my ability to fully develop those premises, this was very interesting and useful!
As a father with a toddler at home, I can guarantee you she is keeping track of people that are jerks to her.
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Not sure if this is helpful, but I have multiple pieces running at the same time. I jot down whatever ideas come to me, in different notes, and only sit down to write the full piece once I have enough ideas to connect.
I do always have multiple ideas going too but my problem is probably I have too many (and then constantly get distracted by new ones!). It’s usually just the prioritizing what to work on that gets me.
Super nice piece Julie. As someone who struggles with slow writing in general, it was interesting. But more importantly, your process was super informative. Thanks so much.
I tend to be a slow writer as well. And so much yes to needing good critique partners.
I love the baby essay; what a genius way to illustrate the baby-crying-in-public situation. It's witty. It's true. It calls on all of us to maintain better thoughts when we allow babies or little children to frustrate us, and to take action in the form of helping parents out rather than passing judgment. That's a lot of work for a short piece, and one that makes us laugh to boot.
Loved this piece and really enjoyed the behind the scenes peek at your process. Especially as a fellow slow writer! (my current record is 4 years for a 700 word piece)
I love that! You may be the current record holder. I have this one idea I have been wanting to write for years that is tied to back to school but I somehow never get around to it. Maybe this year is the year?
9 months to write a piece about babies seems perfect
I didn't even think about that but you are right, ha!
The delivery didn't have many complications luckily
Thanks for sharing this, Julie! I’ve always struggled with writing non-timely pieces — without the forced deadline, I often find my idea fizzles out and I never get around to finishing it. I may need to revisit some of my half-baked pieces and try to see them through!
I get that. I think sometimes things fizzle for me too if I lose the momentum on them but some things are worth revisiting too.
I am also impressed with how fast you can write pieces and appreciated the Substack post you wrote a while back your process for writing fast!
Agreed, me too. I tend to impose my own deadlines if I know it's an objectively important piece.
Having said that, letting go of ideas doesn't have to be an entirely negative thing, we change, as do our ideas.
I’m so glad to know I’m not the only one to write short pieces slowly! I recently published a short humor piece I’d started working on in 2021. 🫠
High five! It’s always nice to finally get it out there though.
Great view into your process, Julie! I think I split the difference between immediacy and long-term incubation.
Typically, my first idea for a topical humor/satire piece is kind of obvious, so I don't like to chase the news. If I let things fester for a few days or weeks, however, I usually find a unique angle and then I know it's time to dig in. After an idea sits idle for more than a month or so I almost never return to it.
I think that is smart and I do think that often the first idea I have is too obvious so I need to think of other angles (which often takes time!)
I find it useful to have a drawer for each theme, into which I keep slinging sudden scribbled thoughts, or discovered quotes, for future episodes, which are usually weeks or months away, sometimes longer. Then I sift thru prior to first draft. The act of handwriting is so much better than staring, numbnecked cum brainfogged at a screen !
I have a very linear and step-by-step brain (neuroquirky over here lol) so I can't tell you how helpful this behind the scenes peek into the process is. I LOVE seeing these specific steps, and how you do it. Also...this idea and this piece are freaking hilarious. Congrats on another McSweeney's!!
Thank you and I'm glad to hear it was helpful!
So useful to see the process behind this, especially details like the list of possible titles. And my standard answer to “how do you do it all?” is “Slowly.”
Glad to hear that and glad I'm not the only slow writer :)
Possible titles are worth Some agonizing over - bearing in mind that theoretically they start to flow as you go, n'est ce pas !`Maurice
I cannot believe how long it takes me to write a bloody Substack. I’m shocked because on usual circumstances I’m a fast writer. Between coming up with something clever to write and then to actual write it, takes a helluva lot of time and energy. Don’t even et me started on the rewriting and proofreading!
I get that. I have some post ideas I keep putting off because I know they will take me a really long time to write!
Its funny how the process you described is the same as what I do. I just do it twice a week. 😄
That being said one of the benefits of satire news is you just have to scroll through the news. Wholly unique posts are the hardest to write which is what you did.
I feel like I'm still working on my headlines as well. It's by far the hardest part of writing these for me.
I am impressed you can do it twice a week! But I also can see what you mean about satire news being a little different. Completely agree on headlines -- I feel like they are so important but still one of the most difficult things for me too.
Thank you for this, Julie! As someone who has honed the ability to identify a funny premise from years on Twitter but who is trying to strengthen my ability to fully develop those premises, this was very interesting and useful!
Glad to hear that and you definitely have the funny premise honed well!
I was very drawn to this article title !
Glad to hear that!
As a father with a toddler at home, I can guarantee you she is keeping track of people that are jerks to her.
---
Not sure if this is helpful, but I have multiple pieces running at the same time. I jot down whatever ideas come to me, in different notes, and only sit down to write the full piece once I have enough ideas to connect.
The toddlers are definitely keeping track too!
I do always have multiple ideas going too but my problem is probably I have too many (and then constantly get distracted by new ones!). It’s usually just the prioritizing what to work on that gets me.
Super nice piece Julie. As someone who struggles with slow writing in general, it was interesting. But more importantly, your process was super informative. Thanks so much.
Of course -- thanks for reading!
I tend to be a slow writer as well. And so much yes to needing good critique partners.
I love the baby essay; what a genius way to illustrate the baby-crying-in-public situation. It's witty. It's true. It calls on all of us to maintain better thoughts when we allow babies or little children to frustrate us, and to take action in the form of helping parents out rather than passing judgment. That's a lot of work for a short piece, and one that makes us laugh to boot.
Thank you for the kind words about the piece! Good critique partners are really helpful.
This was both validating and useful! I'm definitely one who needs time to let ideas percolate, so 9 months seems right on to me. :)
Thank you! And glad you can validate the 9 months timeline :)
I love this piece, Julie. So funny. Thank you for sharing your process!
Of course! Thanks for reading :)
Loved this piece and really enjoyed the behind the scenes peek at your process. Especially as a fellow slow writer! (my current record is 4 years for a 700 word piece)
I love that! You may be the current record holder. I have this one idea I have been wanting to write for years that is tied to back to school but I somehow never get around to it. Maybe this year is the year?