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:
- 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.
- 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:
- do you have any interest in following paid content I would make in this vein?
- 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
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