There’s a prevailing narrative these days that “niche-ing down” is unhealthy and unwise. I wholeheartedly agree and support this. If you have expertise in a specific area, go nuts. But you run the risk of limiting yourself from other opportunities. You can be an expert and still talk and write about other things. It’s allowed.
Isaiah Berlin used animal metaphors to describe this generalist-specialist distinction: ""The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing."
Indeed. Generalists provide options. It’s always good to have options. More than one way to skin a cat, as it were. (As the owner of 2 cats now, I don’t like this saying 🙂)
Not much, honestly. Just enjoy writing about an eclectic mix of things (fiction and nonfiction) and Substack has been a good place for that for the past two years.
I like this. It also aligns with my hate of "writers must find their niche"
"Micro niche" "superniche"
They'll never be able to put a label on me and stick me in a box.
There’s a prevailing narrative these days that “niche-ing down” is unhealthy and unwise. I wholeheartedly agree and support this. If you have expertise in a specific area, go nuts. But you run the risk of limiting yourself from other opportunities. You can be an expert and still talk and write about other things. It’s allowed.
I know your story, JD. There’s a lot in there. Many takeaways for people. Where’s the best place for someone to get familiar with you?
good luck with your new Substack, Andrew.
Isaiah Berlin used animal metaphors to describe this generalist-specialist distinction: ""The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing."
You'd be a fox, presumably.
Indeed. Generalists provide options. It’s always good to have options. More than one way to skin a cat, as it were. (As the owner of 2 cats now, I don’t like this saying 🙂)
Always despised that saying. So I say,
There's more than one way to cook a dog. Lol.
Just as horrible.
Nup. Gotta get rid of the animal analogies altogether!
agreed. lol.
What’s your story, Robert?
Not much, honestly. Just enjoy writing about an eclectic mix of things (fiction and nonfiction) and Substack has been a good place for that for the past two years.