It's like you were reading my mind. I often get asked about using AI in writing, but I love to write so why would I give that up to AI? At the same time, I feel like I should understand AI and what it is being used for.
Dan, I absolutely love this story about Sip 'n Soda! I get the sense that more people are wanting to return to a time of life when things were simpler. Some may call it nostalgia and say we need to "get with the times" about the inevitability of AI takeover, and at the same time, everyone I meet is longing for - starved for - human connection that happens in tangible, meaningful interactions like what you described here!
It really does encourage me with the work I do to welcome everyone in my Substack space so that they receive a personal response from me and to share the stories of ordinary moments that remind us we can still choose to pay attention and engage with life!
I appreciate this both as a novelist, but also as a former high school teacher. Over my 26 years in the classroom, there were so many changes to the practice of teaching. We were constantly learning new online platforms, only to have them become obsolete and replaced by something "better"; ditto with methods of assessment... it got quite exhausting. And as helpful as many of those innovations were, the reality was that putting your entire focus on the trends meant overlooking the magic that lies at the core of good teaching. As a former colleague of mine used to say, good teaching is highly idiosyncratic: everyone will do it differently, and it's a matter of leaning into your individual strengths, even if they are not quite what is trending. So much truth in that.
Thanks for this post (and as a writer of twentieth-century historical fiction, oh my goodness: how I would LOVE that diner.)
Thank you, Dan, for this evocative and pointed piece. I'd like to see it published more widely.
It reminded me of the tiny fluctuating communities we had in the diners and lunch counters in New York's Greenwich Village and Chelsea way back in the '70s and '80s. There were Hy & Mel's Luncheonette on W. 15th; the Courtney on W. 14th; Homer's on Waverly Place; and the grilled cheese and chocolate egg cream counter tucked in the side of Bigelow's Pharmacy, which is still on Sixth Avenue. Artists, writers, dancers, stars, neighborhood eccentrics, tourists in off the street — all were welcome and, if not huddling close for privacy, we might talk from table to table. The only phone was on the wall and needed a quarter to use.
Great reality check. The whole idea you present is perfect for summer: slow down, enjoy life, enjoy writing and let sales happen one happy customer with cash at a time.
I used to approach promotion in terms of social media strategies and content creation with great hooks and punchy reels and engaging carousels. Unsurprisingly, this approach led me to procrastinate promotion. I'd create content calendars with detailed lists of assets and captions and hashtags, only to never action it. When I started posting what I felt like posting without focusing on performance, it started feeling more fun. I've started posting regularly again and it feels authentic. My readers will find me. I just need to keep showing up so that I can be there to meet them.
Love this, Dan. It's all about the human connections for me. AI could speed things up or make things easier for me, but what would I be sacrificing in the process?
Hi Dan. LOVED this one! What struck me is that although Mark never imagined that he would be doing that job, there he was. The diner is part of who he IS, in his core. With writing, (and painting, and shout out to E for his domino structures!), it's part of who we ARE first; money and fame may come later, or they may not, but it doesn't change the fact that our souls are wrapped up in creating in the first place. Thanks Dan, as always.
I have a retail and customer service background. I have a substacks. So far I am keeping it natural, transparent, and real. I am having a hard time getting subscribers. I am consistent and post every Monday. I am afraid of falling into an AI trap. But, I am going to with being real and consistent like the diner owner. In the end, cash is king. And, handwritten in the best. Computer entry and password with every transaction and email capturing is only keeping the customer waiting longer.
This newsletter is particularly relevant for me, as I've been seeing numerous Instagram ads for "ways to improve my reels" and gain 10,000 views. Or "500 prompts for authors to promote your book", and I feel like I should sign up, or I'm missing out. It feels good to know that people are being successful in their own way, on their terms, and your newsletter validates that.
Dan, as always your examples are entertaining. I’m sure the fact that this diner exists in a tourist area is a big part of its success. That said, they are defying the get big or go bust mantra. It’s perfectly acceptable to stay the same size year after year as long it’s sustainable for the owners.
As writers we have a choice too. I’ve found self published or Indie authors who are commercially successful, by this I mean make a living at writing, almost always treat their writing as a business with all the profit and loss and growth metrics of any company. Nothing wrong with that, but it’s a choice. I’m retired and if I never make a dime from my writing it’s okay. I write and connect with readers for the joy of doing it. I can certainly follow your advice in this article as it won’t impact me financially either way. I can and want to focus on the fundamentals of good writing and human connections. I’m fortunate that I don’t need to or want to use AI to maximize any part of my writing or selling my work.
Thanks for an interesting visit to a simpler past and encouragement to take the road less traveled, though more enjoyed.
It's like you were reading my mind. I often get asked about using AI in writing, but I love to write so why would I give that up to AI? At the same time, I feel like I should understand AI and what it is being used for.
Aw, thank you Victoria!
Dan, I absolutely love this story about Sip 'n Soda! I get the sense that more people are wanting to return to a time of life when things were simpler. Some may call it nostalgia and say we need to "get with the times" about the inevitability of AI takeover, and at the same time, everyone I meet is longing for - starved for - human connection that happens in tangible, meaningful interactions like what you described here!
It really does encourage me with the work I do to welcome everyone in my Substack space so that they receive a personal response from me and to share the stories of ordinary moments that remind us we can still choose to pay attention and engage with life!
Yes! Thanks Jeannie.
I appreciate this both as a novelist, but also as a former high school teacher. Over my 26 years in the classroom, there were so many changes to the practice of teaching. We were constantly learning new online platforms, only to have them become obsolete and replaced by something "better"; ditto with methods of assessment... it got quite exhausting. And as helpful as many of those innovations were, the reality was that putting your entire focus on the trends meant overlooking the magic that lies at the core of good teaching. As a former colleague of mine used to say, good teaching is highly idiosyncratic: everyone will do it differently, and it's a matter of leaning into your individual strengths, even if they are not quite what is trending. So much truth in that.
Thanks for this post (and as a writer of twentieth-century historical fiction, oh my goodness: how I would LOVE that diner.)
So well said! Thanks Ginny!
Thank you, Dan, for this evocative and pointed piece. I'd like to see it published more widely.
It reminded me of the tiny fluctuating communities we had in the diners and lunch counters in New York's Greenwich Village and Chelsea way back in the '70s and '80s. There were Hy & Mel's Luncheonette on W. 15th; the Courtney on W. 14th; Homer's on Waverly Place; and the grilled cheese and chocolate egg cream counter tucked in the side of Bigelow's Pharmacy, which is still on Sixth Avenue. Artists, writers, dancers, stars, neighborhood eccentrics, tourists in off the street — all were welcome and, if not huddling close for privacy, we might talk from table to table. The only phone was on the wall and needed a quarter to use.
Thank you for the tour of NYC lunch counters Elena!
Great reality check. The whole idea you present is perfect for summer: slow down, enjoy life, enjoy writing and let sales happen one happy customer with cash at a time.
Thanks Christine!
Love love this post!! đŸ’–đŸ¥¤đŸ˜ƒ
Thank you T.R.!
I used to approach promotion in terms of social media strategies and content creation with great hooks and punchy reels and engaging carousels. Unsurprisingly, this approach led me to procrastinate promotion. I'd create content calendars with detailed lists of assets and captions and hashtags, only to never action it. When I started posting what I felt like posting without focusing on performance, it started feeling more fun. I've started posting regularly again and it feels authentic. My readers will find me. I just need to keep showing up so that I can be there to meet them.
Love that. Thanks Cecilia!
Love this, Dan. It's all about the human connections for me. AI could speed things up or make things easier for me, but what would I be sacrificing in the process?
Thank you Tiffany!
Hi Dan. LOVED this one! What struck me is that although Mark never imagined that he would be doing that job, there he was. The diner is part of who he IS, in his core. With writing, (and painting, and shout out to E for his domino structures!), it's part of who we ARE first; money and fame may come later, or they may not, but it doesn't change the fact that our souls are wrapped up in creating in the first place. Thanks Dan, as always.
Thank you Lori!
This is amazing, but also, Captain Underpants?? Yessss. Your kiddo has great taste.
Ha! Thanks Sarah!
This gives me the courage to keep going and to do exactly what I have in mind with my projects. Yayyy.
Thank you, Dan.
Thanks neena!
I have a retail and customer service background. I have a substacks. So far I am keeping it natural, transparent, and real. I am having a hard time getting subscribers. I am consistent and post every Monday. I am afraid of falling into an AI trap. But, I am going to with being real and consistent like the diner owner. In the end, cash is king. And, handwritten in the best. Computer entry and password with every transaction and email capturing is only keeping the customer waiting longer.
Thanks Geralyn!
Practical, excellent advice. Thanks, Dan!
Thanks T.K.!
Love eating at places like this. It's very relaxing.
Yes! Thanks Alford.
This newsletter is particularly relevant for me, as I've been seeing numerous Instagram ads for "ways to improve my reels" and gain 10,000 views. Or "500 prompts for authors to promote your book", and I feel like I should sign up, or I'm missing out. It feels good to know that people are being successful in their own way, on their terms, and your newsletter validates that.
Indeed. Thanks Doreen.
Dan, as always your examples are entertaining. I’m sure the fact that this diner exists in a tourist area is a big part of its success. That said, they are defying the get big or go bust mantra. It’s perfectly acceptable to stay the same size year after year as long it’s sustainable for the owners.
As writers we have a choice too. I’ve found self published or Indie authors who are commercially successful, by this I mean make a living at writing, almost always treat their writing as a business with all the profit and loss and growth metrics of any company. Nothing wrong with that, but it’s a choice. I’m retired and if I never make a dime from my writing it’s okay. I write and connect with readers for the joy of doing it. I can certainly follow your advice in this article as it won’t impact me financially either way. I can and want to focus on the fundamentals of good writing and human connections. I’m fortunate that I don’t need to or want to use AI to maximize any part of my writing or selling my work.
Thanks for an interesting visit to a simpler past and encouragement to take the road less traveled, though more enjoyed.
Thank you Bruce!