Introducing: Raw Material

...for a vanilla soft serve with cherry dip

Friends!

I’ve gotten so much feedback about TNT lately—more DMs, emails, texts, etc. than I can count. Every bit of love or like (tap that ❤️!) keeps me showing up. But your engagement has me feeling a bit like a hoarder: you’re all so funny and honest and tender. You’d love each other.

I’ve decided to evolve TNT to include a more intimate space fostered by short, personal and hopefully encouraging emails I’ll send on Sunday nights. I’m calling them “Raw Material.” The emails will be a little half-baked, with cheesy questions at the end designed to inspire reflection and hopefully, some talking. I must confess: reader prompts almost always make me cringe. “Who would ever be so obvious?!” I’ve wondered. This is the surest sign I need to add them. If you’re so moved, please answer, pose your own, or challenge mine.

I appreciate how weird it feels to reveal yourself on the Internet. Every time I publish an essay I hit the “send to everyone now” button with one hand covering my eyes. But sharing on Substack—even, and sometimes especially as a commenter on other peoples’ work—has also brought me many new relationships and unexpected satisfaction. I’d love to see TNT become a place where your creative acts are seen and taken seriously….creativity being anything that requires deep, sustained purpose & attention. I’m drawn to parenting, writing, faith & culture, and I welcome all of your interests and lenses.

Here’s my plan: the first email will arrive next Sunday evening, and it’ll be free. If you like it, buy me a vanilla soft serve with cherry dip (ie subscribe for $5/ month) and you’ll get one every week, except when I put out a longer-form essay.

If you’re satisfied with TNT, don’t change a thing. Keep your status as a free subscriber and you’ll still get a personal essay every month. No matter what plan you choose, I’ll remain grateful for your eyeballs, likes, shares & comments, both public and private.

It goes without saying (though I’ve never said it): if you know somebody who might appreciate TNT, please share.

Also, if you’ve started a Substack, or are considering it, please let me know. In the last two weeks almost a dozen of you have launched newsletters and they’re all exquisite. You can count on me for likes, comments, re-stacks and shares and, when you’re ready to ask, the moolah, too.

With love,

Isabel

PS: Human nature—