141 Comments

I can’t help but notice that the negativity in some of these comments comes from those who did not in any way listen to this interview. It’s about the serialization of a novel on Substack and an excellent one at that. I’m honored to have done it.

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And Sarah! You did a brilliant job interviewing Mary, Jen and me!

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And I’m honored to be a paid subscriber and happy to participate in the creativity, intelligence, and humor of this group!

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Thank you, Kathryn!

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I am not a writer, and I appreciated hearing about the process of writing the book in installments and having a friend edit. I am more of a knitter than Mary, and her choice of pattern for us to follow was thoughtful. I love being a small part of a group to share a developing story, interests, strengths, ideas and of course some humor!

I was so surprised to see all of the critics here. I stay away from this on social media.

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Knitters ROCK!

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Loved this interview. Learned so much. Thank you!

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Yeah, what on earth? It's so jarring to see a Substack comment section suddenly overrun with the vitriol I'd expect from YouTube or Reddit. Which, when I put it that way, is a huge compliment to the Substack platform and its usual ethos.

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So true!

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"I have absolutely no intention of listening to these ladies in conversation, and I NEED for you the know because I never developed past my dependency on attention and tantrums are the best way to get what I NEED!"

Note the quotes, please.

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you couldn't pay me all the money in the world to listen to these shrill, talentless women speak for 41 minutes

get better guests

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Not for all the money in the world, Mr. Brunet? Really?

This is such a blow! Mary will never leave her house again! Jen will take the veil! And I shall turn my face to the wall.

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Try to get over yourself.

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I have tried to get over myself, Running Burning Man, but I am too tall.

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He's burning, E. Let him.

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Hmmm ... middle school humor. So devastating.

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Don’t tease us.

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Here are talented, strong women who would make much better interviews: Jennifer Sey, Peachy Keenan, Dr. Naomi Wolf, Sasha Latypova, Helen Dale.

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Lol

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Yes! I agree, they would be "better interviews!" And I will gladly listen to them!

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Perfectly said! Unsubscribing now.

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Adios, Ms. Desmarais! May your unsubscribing continue in good health!

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Ah, jealousy. Thy name is woman.

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Omg, a sexist white guy on Substack. What a surprise!

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STUNNING!

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go back to Reddit

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He's right. He's not criticizing them because they're women - THAT would be sexist. Maybe learn the definition of "sexist". Why is his skin color an issue? You're a pasty White guy yourself🤷‍♀️oh, wait, White Supremacy! 😂😂😂

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What was the criticism? That they’re “shrill?” If you can’t read between those lines, I can’t help you!

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None of these ladies has a high-pitched voice, which is the definition of "shrill."

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🎶🎶🎶🎶

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You myopia is leading to your confusion b

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Mirror much?

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You’re not a shrill, talentless, entitled middle class white woman with neurosis therefore you’re not the target demographic and no one cares what you think. Stop being such a misogynist.

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Same. Unsubbing.

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Soooooooooo Long, Jessica!

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I would pay all the money in the world (sorry, I don’t have any amount that would twinkle into any notable glitter) to listen to these wonderful, magnificent, lovely, and mega-talented women speak way beyond 41 minutes. You all go you beautiful kool women, you who are making this sad and insane world less and less so.

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I condemn you to sit through 41 minutes with Stephen Miller, Steve Bannon, and The Donald (without blowing lunch). Bless your delicate conservative soul.

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An opinionated journalist is an oxymoron.

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Prissy Chrissy is just another lonely incel.

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Oh Katrina, they’re not going to let you sit with them at lunch.

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The TDS industrial complex is lucrative. I support free speech for all, but we should be able to criticize blatant grift. Here is a satirical fiction about stunning and brave progressive activists: https://yuribezmenov.substack.com/p/how-to-write-a-sex-diary

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Thank you, Yuri----I didn't know how to "write a sex diary" till I read this.

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I'm sure the comment threads on this article will be extremely mature, well reasoned and definitely not a battle of male egos.

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^^^^^ LOVE this! (and agreed)

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Wow, dear ladies, you certainly hit a nerve here! Congratulations! Trumpists calling anybody a liar -- how more revealing can it get? Projection, anyone?

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Too bad you’re not intelligent enough to realize they are liars sucks to be you

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😂😂😂

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Thank you ladies! It’s wonderful hearing three intelligent writers speak. Keep them coming!

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Thank you, indeed, Ms. Fanning!

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The dyspeptic gastric sensation is great to realize that E. Jean is permitted to further disgrace the digital sphere

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I hadn't realized I could disgrace THE DIGITAL SPHERE, but if I am, it's fabulous!

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I am old enough with adequate time to enjoy fantasy and the contrivances that arise from the stretching of the cranial neuronal activity. I gaze upon a flood plain prairie to do my daily exercise. BUT. AS is YOUR habit, when fantasy and contrivance are converted to the historical Constitutional Republic of USA Legal System, then the culture we live in becomes an authoritarian cesspool. Enjoy your time in the Banana Republic of the USA. You are a founder.

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July 27, 2023
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We've removed your comment. Substack is founded on the belief that writers and their work deserve respect. We ask that you keep conversations civil in the comments of this publication. Respect one other’s perspectives and life experiences in your conversations, and refrain from cruel or derogatory language. You can learn more about how we approach decisions for this publication here: https://on.substack.com/p/community-guidelines

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Poor Ray. His memberships in boy cults have all been revoked. So, attack women instead.

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I loved Jen’s reference to pace in writing as it relates to gauge in knitting and how individualized that is. Mine is a little looser than patterns require.

The same seems true in art. A few years ago I took an extended set of art (acrylics) classes in which we four students created six artworks. No matter how hard I tried to modify the style that I displayed in my first two pieces, I couldn’t.

The same might be said of cooking.

I love Backstory Serial, though I admit I’m a few episodes/installments behind.

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Knitting right now as I listen

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I really enjoyed the podcast! Packed as it was with the humor and intelligence of the four of you. Full disclosure: I’m biased.

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O, really, Cande?????

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ZERO INTEREST. NO ONE CARES.

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Zero fucks that you have zero interest.

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Thanks for your concern.

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Well, you cared enough to respond. There’s that.

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😂

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And yet, you were interested enough to post ...

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And give my opinion. I guess you are not interested in opinions - but you read mine. Why bother ?

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lazy boy...if you don't care, why are you commenting?

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You guys should invite Elon Musk to your podcast. Now that would be something to listen to. Or Ice Cube for being silenced.

https://open.substack.com/pub/raisini/p/the-impact-of-elon-musks-trauma-on?r=aegif&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post

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Good idea, Raisini!

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Wow, the trolls are hungry tonight! #camehereforthecommentsandwasnotdisappointed

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🥰

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Anyone who ascribes themselves as a liberal and "pro democracy" clearly has not done much of a study on the effects on society of a pure democracy and makes the misguided assumption that voters in a pure democracy have society's best interests at heart when voting. Even ancient thinkers recognized the danger of a pure democracy when stating "society will collapse once over one half of voters figure out they can vote themselves the wealth of the other half".

This reason alone justifies the actions of our nation's Founders who set up a Republic as a check to preserve the property rights of all our citizens.

With all the evidence of liberal policies ruining every city, state, and country where they have been implemented, it's hard to understand how anyone who actually cares about societal improvement would support such demonstrably destructive policies.

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Did I miss something, Mr. DeVane? Sarah's podcast is about writing a ROMANCE NOVEL.

What the hell are YOU talking about??

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So many words, signifying nothing.

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Incredibly boring.

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Romance can be exciting -- so sorry you are bored

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Well, at least we were not "Incredibly tedious."

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Marty, Marty, not so smarty. Guess your daddy never taught you that if you are bored, it's your fault.

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This comments section is a mess. Grateful to these accomplished women for sharing their insights here!

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Thank you, Ms. Ericson-Hua!

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It's nice to see more of a spotlight on fiction serialization in Substack. While the content isn't the most appealing to me, I do like this change in focus.

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Myinc! Thank you!

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Sarah, this is quite a coup! Congrats, and also thank you for helping me find so many people to mute.

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Har!

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