Fantastic essay. Living in dark resonates with me on deep levels. Actually made me feel better about not having a 5 year plan, especially since I'm focused on living the present day-to-day.
People talk about the distinction among writers between planners and pantsers (and I've always hated the second term for some reason, as it just feels silly to me). As indicated by what I said in this entry, I think the same binomial taxonomy applies much more broadly and articulates a divide among people at large.
Discovering your work Matt, feels like a homecoming.
I bumped into your interview on Weird Studies (after tossing and turning in bed last night, until I finally said F it, just listen to a podcast until you fall asleep). Of course I was then up for another hour and a half, fascinated by your pointed insights combined with your humility — a combo one rarely encounters today with figures and folks online.
For tomorrow’s eclipse in Scorpio— long-considered astrology’s ‘darkest’ sign—I’ll be sharing this post of yours. With little extrapolation— what more could I add to it? You present your thesis so completely.
Thank you for the fine comments, Frederick. I'm glad my Weird Studies interview connected with you, and I'm likewise glad that what I'm doing here at The Living Dark has made a similar connection. I've just spent some time browsing your own Substack (and your other online presences), and I must say, you have a fascinating thing going on. So I'm doubly glad to have connected with you.
Thank you as well for the shout-out of this post in your newsletter.
Btw, which Weird Studies interview was it? "The Daemon Speaks"? If so, be advised that I also did another interview for Phil and JF a couple of years earlier on the subject of speculative fiction, as related to a chapter on fantasy and horror in the 1960s and 1970s that I had then recently contributed to a lavishly illustrated book.
I listened to your most recent Weird Studies interview the other night, but then last night I discovered your first interview with the guys and jumped into that discussion (again, around 3AM -- I'm not sure why I always wake up at that hour. I hope its not my demon’s preferred work schedule! 😂)
So, I ended up retooling my Scorpio eclipse post and highlighted both your Substack and also your PDF, A Course in Demonic Creativity. I know many of my readers will jibe with your approach:
I'm finding your guide a rich asset for the writing process of my new novel, which is *quite* an odyssey, given the controversial nature of the subject.
If your email address is on your site I will drop you a line this coming week as I would love to discuss having you join the roundtable on our Rage of Aquarius podcast. I'll include more details in that missive. If not, please drop me a line at woodruff.astrology@gmail.com
I'm glad my other WS interview proved similarly engaging for you. Thank you much for the shoutout in your post. I received your email today and replied a moment ago.
Well, this is really quite interesting ... just a few days ago I finished a rough draft of an introduction to my Artlandia Substack, which still exists only as a title and an idea. The thrust of the essay is that I’m inclined to not spend any more time planning what I’m going to do on Substack, I’m not going to do any more workshops with Substack coaches, and instead just start writing it, with no plan. Stumbling upon this piece feels like an affirmation of that instinct.
David: I just realized that I never replied to your comment. I'm glad the viewpoint and way of life that I describe in this post resonates with you. And I hope your Artlandia Substack is prospering and fulfilling your desires for it as you approach it in this way.
Coming to this some years after publication, but just to say it resonates a great deal. I went a slightly more Jungian approach with my Substack title, but my point of attack feels very aligned with this. Even the semi-regular forays into upbeat productivity tips!
I know it’s terribly rude to barge into someone’s house and start telling them about your own, but the idea of living in the dark is a fantastic way of articulating what I wrote briefly about here: https://www.nobt.co.uk/p/intentional-living-is-overrated
Thank you for directing me to your post, Dan, and to your writings in general. The post resonates with its autobiographical illustration of the point in question. I also just spent a while browsing through your archive, and I found much there that is likewise resonant with my own interests and directions. It's a pleasure to meet you!
A beautiful essay. It is such a simple concept, in some ways, especially for someone like me, who has never really been a planner. Thank you, Matt.
I'm glad the thing connects with you.
Fantastic essay. Living in dark resonates with me on deep levels. Actually made me feel better about not having a 5 year plan, especially since I'm focused on living the present day-to-day.
People talk about the distinction among writers between planners and pantsers (and I've always hated the second term for some reason, as it just feels silly to me). As indicated by what I said in this entry, I think the same binomial taxonomy applies much more broadly and articulates a divide among people at large.
Discovering your work Matt, feels like a homecoming.
I bumped into your interview on Weird Studies (after tossing and turning in bed last night, until I finally said F it, just listen to a podcast until you fall asleep). Of course I was then up for another hour and a half, fascinated by your pointed insights combined with your humility — a combo one rarely encounters today with figures and folks online.
For tomorrow’s eclipse in Scorpio— long-considered astrology’s ‘darkest’ sign—I’ll be sharing this post of yours. With little extrapolation— what more could I add to it? You present your thesis so completely.
Thank you!
Thank you for the fine comments, Frederick. I'm glad my Weird Studies interview connected with you, and I'm likewise glad that what I'm doing here at The Living Dark has made a similar connection. I've just spent some time browsing your own Substack (and your other online presences), and I must say, you have a fascinating thing going on. So I'm doubly glad to have connected with you.
Thank you as well for the shout-out of this post in your newsletter.
Btw, which Weird Studies interview was it? "The Daemon Speaks"? If so, be advised that I also did another interview for Phil and JF a couple of years earlier on the subject of speculative fiction, as related to a chapter on fantasy and horror in the 1960s and 1970s that I had then recently contributed to a lavishly illustrated book.
Hi Matt
I listened to your most recent Weird Studies interview the other night, but then last night I discovered your first interview with the guys and jumped into that discussion (again, around 3AM -- I'm not sure why I always wake up at that hour. I hope its not my demon’s preferred work schedule! 😂)
So, I ended up retooling my Scorpio eclipse post and highlighted both your Substack and also your PDF, A Course in Demonic Creativity. I know many of my readers will jibe with your approach:
https://woodruff.substack.com/p/you-want-it-darker
I'm finding your guide a rich asset for the writing process of my new novel, which is *quite* an odyssey, given the controversial nature of the subject.
If your email address is on your site I will drop you a line this coming week as I would love to discuss having you join the roundtable on our Rage of Aquarius podcast. I'll include more details in that missive. If not, please drop me a line at woodruff.astrology@gmail.com
A lovely weekend to you and your partner!
FW
I'm glad my other WS interview proved similarly engaging for you. Thank you much for the shoutout in your post. I received your email today and replied a moment ago.
Well, this is really quite interesting ... just a few days ago I finished a rough draft of an introduction to my Artlandia Substack, which still exists only as a title and an idea. The thrust of the essay is that I’m inclined to not spend any more time planning what I’m going to do on Substack, I’m not going to do any more workshops with Substack coaches, and instead just start writing it, with no plan. Stumbling upon this piece feels like an affirmation of that instinct.
David: I just realized that I never replied to your comment. I'm glad the viewpoint and way of life that I describe in this post resonates with you. And I hope your Artlandia Substack is prospering and fulfilling your desires for it as you approach it in this way.
Coming to this some years after publication, but just to say it resonates a great deal. I went a slightly more Jungian approach with my Substack title, but my point of attack feels very aligned with this. Even the semi-regular forays into upbeat productivity tips!
I know it’s terribly rude to barge into someone’s house and start telling them about your own, but the idea of living in the dark is a fantastic way of articulating what I wrote briefly about here: https://www.nobt.co.uk/p/intentional-living-is-overrated
Thank you for directing me to your post, Dan, and to your writings in general. The post resonates with its autobiographical illustration of the point in question. I also just spent a while browsing through your archive, and I found much there that is likewise resonant with my own interests and directions. It's a pleasure to meet you!