"AN INTERVIEW WITH DIANA VAN EYK" + "NOW HERE's A THOUGHT" + 'NOTHER T.C.A. SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE.
"AN INTERVIEW WITH DIANA VAN EYK" + "NOW HERE's A THOUGHT" + 'NOTHER T.C.A. SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE.
T.C.A. #8
SOooo, Our Very First Interview on This Creative Adventure !! Let’s dive straight in…. ENJOY !
Q1). Thank you, Diana, for agreeing to this interview. There is so much to be done to Heal our World. Climate change is frightening, the internet equally full of panic and wisdoms…. You choose to focus on war as a major driver of climate disaster, which I find highly commendable. May I ask you, please to give our readers, in two sentences, what is your deep Personal Motivation here?
A1). Thank you for interviewing me, Maurice. It’s wonderful to have an opportunity to provide what motivates me. Although I’m an environmental activist, the situation in Palestine is deeply concerning for me. I want to do what I can to bring awareness to it, and support others who are trying to stop the genocide in our censorious and propagandized media environment.
Q2). How do we in the West do our part, in terms of solidarity, compassion, authentic reporting and what else?
A2). We speak out, and make sure we get our facts straight. We boycott, we elevate Palestinian voices, and stay alert to meaningful actions that may arise. We support each other, build solidarity and take care of ourselves so we can be in this for the long haul. I direct people’s gaze to the political and economic structures that cause these problems. Our governments have been deregulated to the point that tax dollars are flowing to the very wealthy at the expense of everything else, including our life support systems.
Q3). How do we self care & remain strong during these extremely difficult times?
A3). This will vary for each of us, but for me writing on Substack is an act of self care. I think I’d go crazy if I didn’t have this outlet. Also spending time with friends and family, doing artwork, eating well, getting enough sleep, singing and being in nature. My furry friends give me lots of support too !
Q4). It is a great responsibility, this challenge you undertake...you authored an article about staying sane (24th Sept). Would you say that the act of writing such a piece provided an emotional purge ?
A4). A purge ? I’m not sure, but definitely an outlet. My hope is that it helped others to maintain their sanity as well. I find it so rewarding to write in a way that helps me and helps others at the same time.
Q5). Did the responses to that same article help to spur you on ?
A5). Yes, and I have to say that so many folks on this platform have spurred me on since I started with it just over a year ago.
Q6). Have you ever been trolled ?
A6). Not very often. I can count the number of times I’ve been trolled on Substack on one hand. Generally I take the ‘Do Not Feed the Trolls’ advice to heart.
Q7). How did /would you deal with such an unkindness ?
A7). If people are at all relatable, I will respond kindly, but when they demonstrate their intent to try to berate or intimidate, I block them. If they’re really malicious, I report them.
Yes, that’s a sound attitude…..
Q8). I believe that it is vital to encourage greater consciousness of the issues involved here. Ergo - what is your best advice, Diana, to new and prospective writers on related topics ?
A8). Being yourself, and writing from the heart without being preachy is what I think people relate to. There are so many gimmicks out there, so when we express ourselves authentically, people connect with us. Being a kind, clear, honest voice amidst all the noise attracts people. I also think it’s important to promote trustworthy news sources. We can’t afford to believe mis/ disinformation – and there’s so much of it ! -- when genocide is being committed. Also, it’s helpful to draw attention to the structures that support this genocide, and discourage people from blaming already vulnerable people for hard times. Fascism is on the rise, and is a tool of those who benefit from our system. I try to make a point of acknowledging the Jewish people who often lead the protests. This genocide is causing a lot of anti-semitism, and we have to make sure we differentiate between Jewish people and supporters of Israel.
Q9). What other peaceful, concrete actions would you suggest to concerned citizens of Our Planet? Boycotting perhaps ?
A9). Boycotting, speaking out, attending demonstrations, connecting with others who are likeminded, countering misinformation: all of these things are effective. As is taking care of ourselves and each other so we can keep going.
Q10). If you could create an influential caring community of authors, what parameters would you set, and what incentives (other than the obvious) would you ask them to discuss ?
A10). That’s a bit of a tricky one since, especially on sites like Substack, this happens organically. We’ll be drawn to people’s writing and viewpoints that resonate with us, and they’ll usually be drawn to ours. I think kindness, respect and authenticity go along way. I also think that globally we’re at a very important turning point, and we need to work together to bring about a peaceful and fair world.
Q11). I am well impressed, Dianna, with the number of restacks that you do for authors whose work has overlap with your own. Is there another mutual Substack mechanism which you would recommend as effective at expanding one's readership ?
A11). The best we can do, I think, is provide valuable content, and comment on and restack other people’s posts if they speak to you. I occasionally use the cross posting function. This can be overused though, so I use it very rarely. When I find a non-Substack link of importance, I will often share it as a note.
Q12). Apropos, what further mechanism could Substack's Executive introduce to improve the chances of small publications achieving better financial benefits ?
A12). Substack provides great tools. I’m still learning about them since I hit the ground running, and am figuring things out as I go.
Q13). Which author has inspired you the most ?
A13). I’m a huge fan of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. I also love Donna Leon’s Guido Brunetti series. Her mysteries are set in Venice, and they beautifully express so much about the human condition in the present time.
Q14). Do you have any further comment or links to add ?
A14). It’s important to know one’s audience, and to write accordingly. Mine is mostly people who want to stop the genocide in Gaza. People are traumatized by what’s going on there, so I keep my sentences and paragraphs short, and make sure there’s lots of white space, for ease of reading. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when witnessing the effects of genocide on social media. Also, most of our readers on Substack are also writers, so it’s important to edit carefully. People can be put off by sloppy writing. I’ve never shown my art publicly, so people appreciating it has been heart warming for me. Recently someone asked to use one of my paintings in an article she’s writing. That was a wonderful first. Also, I love to add the footers I use in my posts. I like to provide people with tangible things they can do to help the situation in Gaza. Here it is: I love the BDS campaign and the effect it’s having on Israel’s economy.
Here's an excellent list of products from Israel: https://boycott.thewitness.news/browse/1
Here’s a way to help others not in your bubble to boycott Israel: https://www.cjpme.org/stickies_2024_en
Here's where you can support Palestine by buying a keffiyeh: https://www.hirbawi.ps
Lots of big Green thankyous Diana, for taking the time to participate, Maurice.
My pleasure, Maurice. Thanks again for this opportunity, Diana.
SOooo Dear Readers, if you have any thoughts, questions, comments, feel free to shout out to myself or to
NOW HERE’s a THOUGHT, or two…..
On LIKES:
“Likes are not just a great and easy way to show your support, they also help your own profile achieve greater visibility… Especially when you add a sincere comment…. See clicking a few hearts a day as doors to engagement”. https://309.substack
“Likes are both Free and Priceless”
“Getting into the heart habit soon self-elevates into a source of Inspiration” Anon…
On GURUS:
No Single Guru is capable of delivering it all. Ergo, one needs to read many. There is a simple 8 point system to find the GURUs that YOU need….. (See next weeks Tipsheet).
N.B.
“Now Here’s a Thought” is the title of the General Mentoring Programme at This Creative Adventure. Usually followed up by Tipsheets and Articles in subsequent posts. All of which remain Free until 30th November. From that date onwards Main Article Posts will be paywalled. Pledging $30 before that date for the whole of the ensuing year, saves $20.
‘NOTHER T.C.A. SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE:
Terms of Service for the Scholarship Pilot Scheme:
In addition to all stated benefits, Free Subscribers may gain access to the Scholarship Programme, which functions as follows :- This Creative Adventure purchases Four seats from a Leading Substack Educator, which are then offered to accepted Scholarship applicants for a guaranteed period of no less than Four Months. In some instances this period may be extended for a total of upto Twelve Months. In this way the Scholars receive all posts from This Creative Adventure for a 30% discounted rate - PLUS - posts from the Educator, at no extra charge.
Applicants need send no payment until they receive an individual acceptance message. Please indicate your interest in this Generous Scholarship Offer via a Direct Message. Feel free to ask any questions.
Priority will be given to Newbie writers on Green Issues, with between 25 and 100 Subscribers. Thankyou for your interest, Maurice.
NeXt Posts on This Creative Adventure. (Most Fridays except December).
T.C.A. #9, 22nd Nov. “The value of using Quotes and Humour” + “Tipsheet” + “Further Scholarship Update.”
T.C.A. #10, 29th Nov. “Hallo Goldie, An Introduction to Douglas McCleneghan” + “Now Here’s a Thought”.
NeXt Posts on (Some Wednesdays). (Dates corrected)
Crosspost from T.C.A., 20th Oct Nov. “Vision, Goals, Focus, Niche:”
Ancient Legend #14, 27th Oct Nov. “Dragonships”
Many thanks for accompanying me on my writers journey. It’s appreciated. Yes I do it for me, as well as for you. Please encourage me, Scroll back up to “Now Here’s a Thought”, to understand the value of Likes. Thanks again, Maurice