I don’t think I ever really said why I am writing this newsletter. I hope, dear reader, that I have told you that I appreciate it your being here, and that I make it worth your while with bit of a the “behind the scenes” more intimate look at The Barracks than you would on the Instagram or the Blog, but maybe I missed the bit of the long-term plan, or the “what does Ben get out of it” part.
I did say, I hope, that it gives me some connection and context and I do remember saying somewhere that it helps me believe that I am not all on my own in this big adventure and that I like to feel that I am not entirely shouting into the void.
That is all true, but there is a Big Dream as well.
That one day is to write the Book of the Barracks.
(I can already feel this post getting too long and thinking that it might go better on the blog.. )
This newsletter is where I practice the art of writing, where I try to find my voice, where the very slight discipline of publishing regularly is helpful in teaching me something about writing for an audience.
Over the last 12 weeks, I’ve seen that audience grow from the original 10 recipients to almost 120. I’m not sure of the maths, but 10 to 120 in 12 weeks seems pretty damn awesome to me. Thank you!
If this keeps on growing, one day, I will be able to go to a real life publisher of books and say “looksee… there really are people who want to hear about this stuff.”
(Free subs will always get the same access to content as paid subscriptions. Paid subs go directly into pig bellies!)
And so to work; for the coming week.
Chop wood
Trudge forwards and backwards through the snow
See if I can track down that straw which was promised to me by A Local
Make plans and drawings and blog posts for next year
Reorganise the pig food room
So, at the end of this year, thank you most sincerely for being here. Thank you for helping me grow this little thing. Through the cold, dark days of winter, it really does help me stay a little bit sane and motivated.
Please, help us to sign up your friends and colleagues. This growing thing really does have a purpose. And, I believe in reading. We should all probably do more of it.
Current book: