Dave Griffin

The Prodigal

What Next?

Dear Overly-Patient Readers, Fans, Friends, Colleagues, Internet Strangers, NSA Watchers, MAGA/FOTF Spies, and whatever other folk I’ve forgotten to include….

I have had so many thoughts swirling for so long and not really known how to process or triage them in any way that’s been productive for the last month or so.

The election of 2024 went precisely how I thought it would and hoped it wouldn’t.

And for much of the last few weeks I’ve been feeling despondent and defeated that my efforts here have felt rather useless and as though I’ve exposed myself for what will amount to nothing in the end except my own potential persecution.

BUT.

I hear you. Some of you have reached out to me to say that this work still matters to you and that it still provides some enlightenment or encouragement for you in your deconstruction processes. And that helps me to feel that there is still some value here to be mined or cultivated and it’s not entirely a waste of time.

And… dammit the completionist in me really fucking hates starting something and not finishing it… an unfortunate byproduct of OCD perfectionism.

I admit I’m very worried about my safety.

I genuinely fear the MAGA cult.

They are violent and we will see people being…

I
don’t
even
want
to
think
about
it.

After consulting a friend I trust in the political intelligence world, I was told that we should be ok here in California for at least the next 2 years. And this person strongly encouraged me to finish The Prodigal during this time.

That there is value in finishing this and leaving it here for people to find as they become disillusioned as time goes on. A sentiment echoed yesterday by 2 new readers (waves to TJ & Lynnie).

I would like to complete this project.

Standing in the way of that goal are 2 significant hurdles:

  1. I am still struggling to find a suitable writing space and poverty is kicking my ass. I’ve been unable to write since this summer’s writer’s retreat.
  2. I’m utterly terrified that Social Security is gonna be killed as soon as T-bag takes power and my measly $900 a month will be vaporized and my economic situation becomes even more dire.

Sooooooooooo….

I need to make some fucking money so I can fucking write this fucking blogject before the fucking fascist fucking government fucking fucks my fucking life the fuck up.

And it is here that I want to ask you, dear readers, whether you would have any interest in working with me on a paid platform of some kind… in the hopes I can write content that will pay me enough money that I can keep putting out The Prodigal for free (at least the rough draft version).

1,000 readers giving $5 a month changes my life.

And so what I’m envisioning is perhaps starting a separate writing blog/content platform that would be unaffiliated with The Prodigal and do my more Mark Twain-esque essays which will be a mish mash of whatever I happen to be thinking of that day NOT related to politics or deconstructing Fucking Evangelical™ cults.

It might be funny.

Poignant.

Absurd.

Or

a 3 line

poem that day.

And if I can make enough money doing that, then I believe I can keep putting out and finishing the rough draft of The Prodigal in a more timely regular manner.

My question(s) to You:

  1. do you have any interest in following paid content I would make in this vein?
  2. what platforms do you currently pay to follow other content creators you support? (looking heavily at substack but open to ideas)

I feel silly asking for this kind of input. But my depression brain really struggles with valuing my own work enough to charge for it and PR/marketing stuff is impossible for me (any helpers welcomed). And so, I’m genuinely seeking your input and support.

If the demand is there I’ll do it. If not… then I guess we’ll all have to wait for me to find a benefactor or win the lottery which will probably never happen.

I appreciate any and all ideas or thoughts you can share in the comments.

Lastly… oof.

I’m really depressed AF. And stressing hard economically.

And if you got any kind words or encouragement or could share your stories down below in the comments…

that would be really helpful
to get me
going
again.

I love you all.

dave g

dave

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7 responses to “What Next?”

  1. Keith T Kinser Avatar
    Keith T Kinser

    Have you thought about a podcast? Obviously you’ve done voice work before. Record whatever/whenever you want. Thoughts, musings, etc. I’d keep the alerts on and listen when I get notified. Then eventually compile it into a book or something.

    Reply
  2. Amy Marshal Avatar
    Amy Marshal

    I am so excited you are looking at ways to finish your story! I started a small monthly donation through WordPress earlier this year—is that the best way to provide regular financial support?

    For myself, I don’t need any additional content, but in general, I’ve always appreciated a sort of window into whatever is comfortable to share from your life. One creator I follow does quick video/written updates simply sharing a high and low of the week. So, maybe the hassle of having to change internet providers and an awesome new hummus recipe, for example.

    Finally, you are an amazing person to even be willing to put your story out there for the benefit of others. The vulnerability of sharing what you have experienced—the wonderful, the terrible, the inhumane—helps others of us who have been harmed in Evangelical spaces engender we are not alone, we are not to blame, the system and those who perpetuate it need to be held accountable. While that’s not necessarily your job, I have so appreciated what you have written so far. You may not see your posts as very “good,” but in their raw honesty they are amazingly powerful. And, you are an excellent writer—even the rough drafts you shared are extremely well written.

    Reply
  3. Zach Metzger Avatar
    Zach Metzger

    I would absolutely support!! I have used Substack before to support/follow writers, and I liked that experience. But honestly, whichever platform you end up on I’ll use. I also have used Kofi, though I’m not sure if that’s as geared towards writers as Substack is.

    Reply
  4. Jessica Taylor Avatar
    Jessica Taylor

    I pay monthly/weekly to follow a number of different authors on Substack

    Reply
  5. Cindy Miller Avatar
    Cindy Miller

    I think that the substack route is what most writers do, but I also like the podcast idea that the top poster recommended. Since you clearly have recording and voiceover experience, doing a podcast would be a natural fit. And then you can introduce paid supporter options. I’m sure someone would even be able to donate or offload some old recording equipment. I got a complete lighting setup that way, from a friend who had gotten a different rig.

    Reply
  6. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    Dave,
    You posted a link to your blog on an Exvangelical Facebook group on Friday. I started reading that night and read through the entire blog. Start to finish. Every single word. First, you are an incredible writer and if you ever published book(s) I would buy them in a heartbeat. Or really, any kind of content you put out, I would gladly become a patron.

    Secondly, there is so much of your story that I can relate to. Not the child actor, but the growing up in Evengelical world. Experiencing the lack of compassion or help of you weren’t falling in line. The blind eye to mental health needs. The Lack of listening. Etc. Etc.

    I’m now a therapist, and I work mostly with kids and teens. And I’m hopeful the work that I do helps kids in your situation feel less alone, supported, and loved during super scary experiences. I’ve studied the effects of religious trauma on kids, and am still really trying to figure out how to get that message out to religious parents. It recently occurred to me that I became the adult I so desperately needed when I was a kid. Your story is heartbreaking, and so unfair, and highlights so many things that’s wrong with America/Evengelicals.

    Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for sharing your story. I know it didn’t stop the country from electing someone super scary into office. To get Evengelicals/MAGAS to actually listen is going to be TOUGH and LONG process.

    Take good care of yourself. We need you.

    Jessica

    Reply
  7. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    I have been reading for about a little over a week and have quite a ways to go yet. I have lots of thoughts to share, but I’ll keep this comment to your question about support.

    First, your writing is excellent and engaging.

    Second, you can do some good things with Patreon.

    Third, Substack is a good current option.

    Fourth, absolutely you should bind this blog into a book exactly as presented here – especially the formatting, and sell it. Either self publish or get a publisher; you could very well do much, much better financially with self-publishing. You could also do your own audio version which would be awesome.

    Fifth, you could also either do your own podcast or pitch to be on others’ podcasts and use that to promote your book/Patreon/Substack and whatever other revenue streams you choose.

    I have more ideas for revenue I’ll share later, but per writing specifically, I encourage you to pursue doing more of that in a paid format.

    Reply

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