I’m tired of y’all’s think pieces

Iconically this might be a think piece I think

Let’s face it — Substack doesn’t seem to care about fiction writers and poets. Everyone here seems to want hot takes and shock-value think pieces. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I wish short stories, poems, and books on this app were praised too.

When I started out on Substack, I began with short stories that received zero engagement. I then decided to include my poetry, which does fairly well now, but it wasn’t like that two years ago. I came onto this app from Wattpad, thinking I’d find writers who loved to get lost in the world of stories — people who wanted to explore what it’s like to be a different character. But that’s not what I saw. Even today, there’s always a think piece thrown into your face like a piece of paper the wind slapped you with.

I eventually removed my short stories and left only my poetry up. I threw in the towel and tried writing what some writers call “think pieces.” This did not come easily to me because I kept wondering: what topic could I write about that was up for debate or that could create shock value? I started writing for an audience that didn’t even exist. After all, when you start on any platform, you don’t have an audience yet. Writing became a chore, and in my quiet moments, my mind would wander to new short story ideas. I’d smother those thoughts and force myself to think about debatable topics instead.

That made writing a chore for me. And I’ve come to realize I’m not a “think piece” writer — I wish I was, though. I’ve read some really good pieces here that made me wonder why I couldn’t think the way those writers do.

It’s not that I don’t have opinions — I definitely do. My friends even call me a yapper because I always have something to say. But for me, those thoughts come out more naturally in a rant on my finsta or in casual conversations, not in polished essays. Sitting down to write a formal “think piece” feels like trying to force my voice into a mold that doesn’t fit.

Maybe for some writers, writing their rants and opinions down does feel casual. Writing, after all, feels and means different things for each of us.

For me, writing is an escape to a fictional world a world where I’m not me, a universe where I can be a different character just for the fun of it. That doesn’t mean I hate myself or dislike my life. I don’t. But I love to connect with people through stories.

I wish Substack would push more short stories into my feed. Yes, I know there’s a whole “Fiction” category, but is it enough? Instead, we’re constantly hit with unsolicited advice about:

1. How to grow on Substack

2. How to lose weight

3. How to not give a fuck

4. How to do this and that

And if it’s not the how-to’s, it’s the endless debates:

• Women versus men

• How one gender is oppressed by the other

These topics are important, yes. But I dare writers: write a short story and use those social commentary themes.

Here’s the thing: stories can also hold all the social commentary you love, but they sneak under your skin in a different way. Debates and think pieces can bring the message across too, but storytelling and poetry help people feel and truly connect with the experience in ways arguments often can’t.

Maybe I’m just being a dickhead by writing this, lol, but I really want to see more stories here. Even personal stories are my favorite.

Tell me about a time you got stuck in an elevator. Tell me about when you got revenge on someone who deserved it.
For instance, I once saw this note left by

Faraja K Manyara

And I couldn’t agree moreeeee.

I do think think-piece writing is valuable, don’t get me wrong. But I’m tired. This year, I’ve read more think pieces than I have books. And I find myself getting sick of Substack. It’s not just the flood of think pieces overshadowing stories — it’s also that Substack is a social media app. People love to say it isn’t, but… uh, yes it is.

We have Notes, which remind me of Twitter.
We have short videos, which remind me of TikTok.
We can even upload long-form videos here, which reminds me of YouTube.

Substack has just copied and pasted features from other platforms. And since it’s basically social media for writers, I get tired of it too. The algorithm seems to love it when we complain about low engagement or when we tell people how to get 10 billion subscribers. It feels like the majority are obsessed with chasing numbers. I won’t lie — I have those days too. But I’ve realized having subscribers without an engaged community sucks way more (that may be a rant for another day).

Nevertheless, I think I just need a break from Substack.

I really wish Substack had a proper short story corner, with subgenres like:

• Young Adult

• Romance

• Fantasy

• Mystery

• Thrillers

• Comedy

Right now, in my opinion some categories seem out of place. A category such as fashion already exists however now Substack has added another category called clothing & apparel…. Wouldn’t that just fall under the main umbrella of fashion…

As well as accessories?? Also the category
“Aesthetics” Aesthetics of what though houses? People? Clothes?

Next thing they’ll add a category called pots and pans

Garden hose and flowers ( okay I do think the plant one would be nice I mean someone giving advice on how to grow plants and the different types of plants they are would be great. )

I guess I just wish it was little bit more organised category wise.

That being said, I think a little break from this orange app is needed. And to the writers that write short stories, poems, and personal essays keep writing . I will be sharing my stories back up here too.

And to the writers that love to write think pieces or rants idk what they actually called to be honest keep writing them. Keep doing you.

🫵🏾Be honest

Do you think I’m being overdramatic ?

I finally wrote a short story and this time I won’t remove from substack

I hope you guys give it chance

Btw here’s a lil poem

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