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Samantha Chong's avatar

such a clear eyed look at this; thank you for being so vulnerable with us and for sharing! fwiw one thing I've thought about a lot in the last few months Making Content On Social is how it's less about trying to set up a Brand or sell something, but more as either making friends or trying new things that I want to try anyway (formats, series, stories). it's taken a lot of edge off, bc I get to be silly and know that I'm trying stuff! it doesn't matter! and hopefully some of that freedom translates for you too.

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Clare Osongco's avatar

thank you for reading 💜 and that’s a great way of looking at it!

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cas's avatar

I love how you separated this into different ways of feeling like a failure! There were parts of this that really resonated, despite not having published a book (yet). Something that's helped me is the thought that as long as I can write something that someone else feels connected to emotionally, then I will have succeeded? In any case, I really loved Midnights With You and can't wait to read your next book. <3

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Clare Osongco's avatar

thank you so much, cas! 💜💜 i do feel like that's what it's all about, at the end of the day

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Christine L. Arnold's avatar

Clare this was wonderful and is it weird to say, made me feel somehow hopeful? LOL No matter what happens, no one can take our writing away from us <3 Thank you for sharing!!

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Clare Osongco's avatar

ahhh thank you christine! and that’s not weird at all, i’m so glad it’s hopeful! (that idea makes me feel that way too 💜)

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Elora Cook's avatar

Thank you for writing this vulnerable and thoughtful post.

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Clare Osongco's avatar

thank you for reading! 💜💜

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Jerrel's avatar

So, so insightful. I appreciate you breaking down the different types of success, and shedding light on the raw feelings that come with the post-debut.

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Clare Osongco's avatar

thank you jerrel! 💜

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Gayle GM's avatar

i read this last night and had to just let all the big *whoa* feelings sink in, this was so honest and insightful! so many good takes about managing the different things that come up when setting out to write a book, and how that can morph into so much more as you progress. and i relate to that dog metaphor so much!! (i totally vote +1 for big magic, her version of the dog is like a well-meaning backseat driver). i love and appreciate your generous vulnerability on here and truly look forward to each post. and i'm so hype we get to see you play around more online!

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Clare Osongco's avatar

thank you so much gayle! 💜💜

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Natalie Kikić's avatar

I love how genuine you are in your newsletters! I'm currently reading Big Magic for a book club and the bit about Zero/ghost dog made me think of what Gilbert says about fear and creativity - she acknowledges fear will always be there, so she makes room for it, trying not to let it rule her creative decisions.

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Clare Osongco's avatar

thank you! 💜💜 ooh and i should give Big Magic a try!

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Natalie Kikić's avatar

It's a little woo-woo with some concepts, but so far interesting!

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