57 Comments

It's fascinating to hear about the journey that got you to this point, somewhere you weren't even trying to get to when you started because it didn't exist yet. It really puts into perspective the things we're doing today without really knowing what we're doing. Who knows where they will ultimately lead!

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Am glad you enjoyed the piece. 😊

You just never know where things will lead, just keep all doors open for when opportunities might arise.

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CONGRATULATIONS! So very deserved. Thank you so much for making this place such a fun, inspiring and connected place. Keep sharing your learnings and words of wisdom. It’s a joy to read and a pleasure to have met you! Here’s to the next 1k! I’ll be cheering you on!! X

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Aaah thanks so much Michaella, likewise, am very much enjoying your Italian adventures and can't wait for you to be back in Blighty to organise the next meet-up, so I can hear all about it IRL! 😘

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Congratulations! I thought the Grayshott Gazette was going to descend into "Wicked Little Letters' territory, but alas... I do remember the days of floppy disks and boxy-looking computers. But my screen was definitely bigger than yours. To answer your questions:

Who first encouraged you to take a risk and do whatever it is you’re doing now? No one. I think it was just me being a writer and wanting to go from a notebook journal to a digital journal.

Was your first work computer the size of a convection oven? BWAHA ! Yes, it was.

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Oct 5Liked by Kate Darracott

Congratulations, Kate! I'm so happy to see how far you've come along and your story is always inspiring (and your voice is hilarious). Keep it up! You're so creative, prolific and excellent and what you do :)! Cheers!

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Awww thank you so much Alice, I count you as one of my early cheerleaders on Substack, it's been lovely growing our Substacks together! 👏 😘

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Oct 5Liked by Kate Darracott

Absolutely! you inspire me ;)! and make me laugh!! To think I knew you way back when... congratulations!!

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I tend to read magazines back to front so it makes full sense that I just learned of your Substack genesis/gap year origin. In this post you referenced A.A. Gill, Wham!, Jeremy Clarkson and Carrie Bradshaw. I dig all of those people, confirming our semi-international, long lost TV twin status, literary and musical overlaps. My grandmother actually went to see Wham! in concert---I remember hopping around with her to "Wake me up, before you go, go." (I was age 10 if that explains the hopping dance moves.) Anyway, I hope you can "dick around trying to amuse and delight people" with your written words beyond this gap year trial. You have the alchemy.

Ironically, we just started watching I Love Dick (with Kevin Bacon and Kathryn Hahn). If you have seen this series you'll nod along when I type, "Dear Dick..."

Congrats, glad to be part of your 1,000, Kate!

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Sep 4Liked by Kate Darracott

OMG CONGRATULATIONS!!! 🎉🎊 Your newsletter is so fun and joyful and hilarious! I've never met you but you make me feel happy when I sit down to read your pieces. That's such an amazing feat and I can't wait to see you hit 10,000 subscribers-because you will! 💖

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Thank you so much Sandra! I literally felt a bit giddy thinking about the 10,000, but if I keep at it, which I'm sure I will, I will get there one day.

As will you, I'm sure! 👏 😘

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Sep 8Liked by Kate Darracott

Oh, you will definitely get there! You are too much fun and everyone loves a party!

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Sep 4Liked by Kate Darracott

Gutted I never had a newspaper front cover written by you.....😂. Seriously, this is a cracking article and hopefully inspires a few more people to realise their dreams and potential.

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Awwww, thank you! 😘

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yay yay YAY! Huge congratulations, Kate - so happy for you - and all your lucky subscribers (including me).

So, here's my responses to your q's:

Who first encouraged you to take a risk and do whatever it is you’re doing now? - my husband, who is always super-supportive and sees in me what I struggle to see/believe

What is holding you back from starting? - myself *haha* too much in my head, not enough space to just get "doing"!

Was your first work computer the size of a convection oven? - nearly. I remember the pain of the floppy disk. The joy of typing on something that I could amend easily any typos (not so easy on an electric typewriter)!

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Thanks Callie! 😘

You've just triggered a memory for me... the invention of the mouse!

Did we all end up right at the edge of the desk or was that just me? 😂

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*hehehehe* yes, the mouse ... and nope, it wasn't just you ... and I STILL hover right at the edge of the desk with my mouse, even now! As if its going to escape ...

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Sep 2Liked by Kate Darracott

Congratulations @katedarracott for hitting that coveted 1000 subscriber milestone 🥳

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Thanks Catherine! 😘

Must admit I'm quite envious that I didn't think of 'The Jotting Shed', what a great name!

Hurry up and launch so we can all hang out there! 👏

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Sep 2Liked by Kate Darracott

Ah thank you! Hoping that’s given me the impetus I need to crack on and get round to actually writing something😅

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Sep 2Liked by Kate Darracott

Congratulations, Kate! So, so, so deserved! In 9 months, that is some record-breaking action. Onto the next thousand, it should be even faster if you keep amusing us.

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Thanks Jana! 😘

Got my crash helmet and knee pads on for the next 1,000, we're picking up speed now! 🎉

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Congratulations on reaching 1,000 subscribers, Kate!

I just noticed that a lot of good writers used Substack, realized it was free, and started writing. I've blogged in various places at various times, but I love the camaraderie here on Substack.

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Me too, the connections you make here are quite the unexpected surprise, it's a lovely space! 🥰

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Congratulations Kate! That’s fantastic progress.

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Thanks Liz, I feel you've been with me all the way! 😘

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Congratulations! 🥳 Cool back story too👍Love how much you're enjoying it and I do love reading your stuff.. always makes me chuckle 😉 Keep up the good work 👏😄

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Thanks Eva, it's so much fun over here, I only wish I'd discovered it earlier! 😘

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Congratulations Kate, so well deserved and more to come I hope. I love your publication and would have been beside myself with joy to get a newsletter in the post! You make me laugh, thank you 🤩

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Thanks so much Han, see you next week at the Geek Out, I can't wait to meet you properly! 😘

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You too!!

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My congratulations. I can see 1000 in the future somewhere, which is surprising to me as I said when I started that I would be thrilled to get 100. I look forward to meeting in person when there is a meet-up next.

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Thanks Ann, I'm sure you'll get there, the secret is to keep showing up, either upright or on your head. 😉 😘

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Sep 1Liked by Kate Darracott

Congratulations! Inspiring stuff.

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Thanks Tania! 😘

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