I started this Substack in the earliest stages of discovering that cancer was living inside my body and trying to kill me. Overwhelmed by what I read on my “Patient Portal” about possible Leukemia, I was pretty certain I was dying. Considering what might lie ahead and knowing how financially-crippling medical care can be in our fine country, I decided to offer paid subscriptions to this Substack.
It felt unnatural to ask/offer up the opportunity for individuals to pay for my words. Having given decades of “free” entertainment, the audacity of accepting moneys from people who undoubtedly work harder than I do was overcome by the potential of having to pay tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of dollars to “get better,” physically. I’ve never felt under-compensated for my work on the radio in Tampa Bay, but even with a satisfactory salary…I feared going under due to the cost of keeping a cancer patient alive.
So, I set a price that I believed was reasonable, then began writing about my thoughts, fears, and feelings about the Cancer Journey. Some of you opted to pay, while more of you didn’t. That’s totally cool with me. I’m flattered and honored that anyone chose to part with their hard-earned money to read my words when they could hear them at no cost on the radio every weekday. To be fair, I have the freedom to go into more introspective territory and greater depth via my written word. Is this of value? That is for you, and solely you, to determine.
Along the way, I ventured into some non-cancer-related content. Some musings on pop culture, a bit of parenting insight, and occasional documenting of my adventures with my incredible girlfriend (Sarah). It’s been therapeutic to write all of it. Often, I’ll sit down with no plan, plot, or purpose other than to write what is on my mind and see where it takes me. I’d call it “free jazz,” but that would insult Miles Davis and everyone who has picked up an instrument with the goal of improvisational brilliance.
After I’ve crafted one of my countless social media posts that drone on at length about radio and other stuff, sometimes someone will comment, “You should write a book.” I’ve always resisted it, as doing so requires something I lack when it comes to writing: discipline. I write because I enjoy it, and doing it for a purpose feels uncomfortable and kinda wrong. Or, at least, it did for a long time. I don’t doubt that there is at least one book in this brain of mine, but getting it from my cerebrum to my phalanges is the sticky wicket.
That’s not to say I won’t try. I’ve taken steps in that direction. I’ve been able to do so due in no small part to the subscribers and supporters here who give me positive feedback regarding my written words. It’s finally given me that necessary nudge in the right direction when devoting the time to write with a purpose in mind. I am so grateful for that. Does that mean a book is imminent? Shit, I don’t know. It’s closer to reality than ever, which is progress.
I just realized that my first free post to you is little more than me writing about writing. How fucking boring is that? I highly doubt that will motivate you to dig not-so-deep into your pockets and throw your spare change at me. Actually, I’m not even certain that’s my goal. Sharing my words has never been about money, for me. I’m grateful to be in a position in which people care enough to consume my words, whether spoken or written, and I try to send a positive message. Sharing my perspective while battling cancer has hopefully helped others find gratitude and/or positivity in their lives. That’s far more rewarding than adding zeros to my credit union account.
I’ll try to offer up more free content for those of you who opted for the free (rather than paid) subscription here on Substack. With the worst hopefully behind me, I intend on exploring other avenues to write about. Perhaps you’ll find some of it enlightening and/or helpful. It may even elicit a chuckle or three. Regardless, I appreciate you signing up to read some of my words and I hope you have a spectacular day. Let love rule.
Since Day 1. Can't think of anyone better to support. To me, this is like "another side" of how you communicate. Sure, you wax poetically, emphatically and vernacularly on the airwaves, but I think your use of interloping words together here - for lack of a better phrase - hits different.
NEVER boring, btw. ♥️