An Introduction

Welcome to Argonautilus Ink

Hi! This is my first Substack post and I’m still figuring out the platform but I wanted to introduce myself:

I'm AJ. My name is Alanna, but AJ is what I go by.

I’ve been blogging about creative writing on my website and email newsletter for several years now, but I’m coming back to my online writing after almost a year hiatus. I’m making the switch to Substack because I’ve been on the hunt for a platform that allows me to share my writing in a social setting (and the Substack community seems so supportive!) and because I need a way to streamline my digital presence. I’m looking forward to connecting with other creatives!

A bit about me:

~I’m painfully shy online and will agonize over what to post or how to reply.

~I am insatiably curious and pursue many different passions (I’ve tried everything from raising chickens to coding to scuba diving).

~I battle depression and anxiety, but am generally a bubbly, uplifting sort of person.

~I adore the creative process and I’m a nerd for writing craft.

~I write science fiction, speculative fiction, and occasionally romance.

~I have a Diploma of Diagnostic Medical Sonography and a Bachelor of Health Science and I’ve trained/worked in hospitals for 16 years.

~I’m a graduate of The Writers Studio.

~I was diagnosed with PTSD and ADHD in my 30s (which I consider my superpower, not a drawback).

~I’m an Editors Canada Certified Structural Editor and I have proofreading certification through Proofread Anywhere.

~I got married. Had kids. Got divorced (in process). Struggled with depression, anxiety, and panic.

So why am I coming back to my online writing now?

This past year has been hard. It's left me with the bare bones of what I had. In some ways, I'm grateful. It allowed me to see what really matters to me—forced me to slow down and re-evaluate what I'm doing with my life.

I took almost a year off from blogging. In that time, I've drafted newsletters and blogs, but didn't send or publish them. I had many false starts of “Maybe now I'm ready to come back to my writing platform?” But I never did. I needed the time.

I think I'm ready now.

Recently, a fellow creative asked me what my goals are for the future, and what my plan is to get there. And what I realized was that I wasn't on a trajectory to achieve the goals I really valued. So, I made the terrifying decision to actually chase after what I want in life.

It turns out, the things I truly value in life are my kids (of course) and creativity. To me, creative output is one of the reasons for living. And what I’m passionate about is helping other writers achieve that soul-fulfilling goal of writing a book (and I mean like reason-I’m-on-this-planet kind of passion).

So, I signed up for the Author Accelerator Book Coach Certification program in Fiction.

While I’ve worked with book coaches as a writer, learning to be a book coach is a big leap for me, and I've had to wage war against my inner critic as I battle thoughts like: What if I get this certification and no one hires me? Will anyone want to work with me when none of my books are published (yet)?

I’ve had to remind myself that this is work I already do (for free) and I love doing it. I’ve helped multiple writers along each step of the creative process—from idea generation, to plot and character development, to accountability while drafting, to manuscript evaluations—and I want this to be what I actually do.

So, I’m taking a leap, studying how to coach writing, showing up as my authentic self, and following a dream I’ve had for years—and part of that means I’m coming back to sharing my writing online.

What Can You Expect from Argonautilus Ink?

I’m still in the process of discovering what my Substack will look like in regards to how frequently I intend to post, but you can expect to find thoughts about creativity, writing, book coaching, and books.

My intention is to show up as my authentic self and I’m hoping to connect with other creatives who are doing the same.

It’s nice to meet you!