What is a "writer ecosystem" and how do you make it your own?
forget about platform and weave a majestic realm of elven dreams, magic spells, and language that sings
As a writer, you have to develop a strategy for attracting readers, those who will benefit from your work and enjoy your published pieces, free offerings (like this newsletter), and the four memoirs you will publish before you perish. Language is power, so I threw a dash of manifestation right there.✨ Honestly, I think the following concepts apply to any passion project, side hustle, or influencer pursuit (gagged on that word!) in today’s landscape but I’m mostly addressing writers.
I’ve always bristled at this concept of “platform” because it smacks of marketing, branding, and self-promotion. I once heard the author Lily Danziger say: “I’m a fu***ing human, not a brand”, which perfectly sums up my feelings. Unfortunately, such aversion and resistance has stymied my progress in this critical area (so have a slew of Herculean life tasks, but storms don’t stop, and neither should we).
Long gone are the days of writing high concept, well crafted books and getting published without a preexisting platform (what we will refer to as an ecosystem moving forward—aaahh, now doesn’t that feel better?), especially in the genre of memoir and nonfiction. Even if your personal story, voice, and message are compelling AF—don’t matter—you need to prove there’s people out there eager to read it. A strong ecosystem serves many functions and being a proof of concept for your pitched book is one of them.
But how can we make it joyful and not dread every part? After doing a deep dive with my current mentor, Chelene Knight, I’ve been offered a model to make my own ecosystem, with my own language, imagery, and rhythm. She is your go to source if you’d like to learn more. Freaking monumental for breaking up the adhesions and tension I’ve built around this process!
Initially, I thought I’d make it into a Healing Music Festival, to commemorate music’s influence on my life and its prominence in my writing, but I kept fumbling with it.
Soooo, what does that look like?
The Reggae stage is where we explore nature, systems oppression, black liberation (a prerequisite to our collective liberation), and spirituality?
The Metal stage is about where we embrace the shadow, rage, and intensity (“strongest steel is forged in the hottest fire” vibes)?
The Hip Hop stage centers sociopolitical activism, humor, and sensuality?
It all grew too unruly for me in the end and I couldn’t make it work, but was definitely a stepping stone and where I needed to start.
Lately, I’m going on how I want to feel as a guide for my choices, so I asked myself: What do you love Shosh? What lights you up? What’s inspiring? Uh…magic?!?
I’m a fantasy, mythology, and magic geek, not as much as some (No D&D Dungeons Master over here, although…) but I try to rewatch the Lord of The Rings Trilogy every winter break (and own the extended DVD editions, but of course). If I could marry one fictive character it would be Legolas (not Orlando Bloom–don’t get it twisted). I still love the Harry Potter books, movies, and, yes, even The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where wands chose Luca and me, and we almost got slammed by the Whomping Willow in 2023. I love it all despite the author being an absolute TERF terror.
These majestic worlds built on energy, reciprocity between creatures (the unlikely bond of an elf and a dwarf), reciprocity with nature, elemental forces, and the victory of good over evil, give me warm fuzzies and they always have.
Why not use all that nostalgia and reverence in a constructive manner? In this spirit I call my writer ecosystem a Mystical Healing Labyrinth (an ode to one of my top five childhood films: The Labyrinth, 1986). I won’t share all translations, because the ecosystem has 7 Realms, but here’s a fairy dusting.
Instead of “Lead Funnels” I have Entry Portals (this newsletter is one, which is why if you think it would benefit anybody in your circle, please share it)
Instead of “Collaborators” I have a Coven of Allies
Instead of “Content” I have a Literary Owlery (where my published pieces can soar off to prospective readers, then return to their perch)
Instead of ‘Readers/Clients” I have Synced Voyagers
Do I think creating a magic healing labyrinth of an ecosystem means it will be easy? Conclusively not! Implementation and execution is always the hardest part.
I adore this phase: visioning, ideating, and planning. But that’s not where the traction happens. We don’t get data and feedback from that place, we get it when we put ourselves out there and observe what comes back to us with an open, curious heart. Some may say: “Aren’t you still doing the same ole’ hustle and just slapping a different name on it?”
I’m an N of 1 and can only speak from my experience but coming upon this has radically altered how I feel about it. I’m legit excited to learn more about my labyrinth’s evolution and care, and, to be real, if that were the only gain it offered, it’s enough for me.
How about you my fellow voyager? What experimentation, play, and discovery could you pursue around a dream or project? How can you envision it’s structure in the most affirming and enlivening way possible? What might that look like? Drop it below if you’re so inclined!
In Solidarity,
💜 Shosh oxox
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Astro Angle: We have a glorious full moon in Aquarius (fixed air) on deck this Saturday, August 9th. How apropos since Aquarius is considered nerd #1 in the Zodiac, with it’s emphasis on innovation, keen intellect, progressive ideals, and humanitarian orientation. It’s a great lunation to penetrate stale patterns and carve something new in your psyche—creative solutions are sparkling among the celestial beings right now, seize them.
I couldn't love this more!! Excited to get to know your labyrinth more. I love the idea of putting your own language & imagery around the ecosystem... gonna have to journal more about this!