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Ask HN: Where do you write?

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Re: Ask HN: Where do you write?

#41

Post by tzfld »

tta wrote: post #23
tzfld wrote: post #21

If I would start a blog, right now I would use Gatsby + Markdown + own domain. Using free repository hosting and static cloud hosting which in many places is also free. Basically for 10$/year and occasional backup you would have a platform and service independent blog which can easily be migrated wherever you want. Aware that for these you need some basic tech skills indeed.

Do you work on React/etc. on a regular basis? I attempted to use Gatsby for a personal blog/knowledge base-style setup and was immediately turned off by the seemingly immense overhead involved (React, CSS-in-JS, GraphQL). I ended up with Vuepress instead and I'm happy (so far, anyway); a big draw is that it doesn't really require any Vue knowledge to get up and running.

Of course, Gatsby is just a choice. Using markdown gives you more flexibility. Almost every static site generator support markdown content.

Re: Ask HN: Where do you write?

#43

Post by tmaly »

I just use Hugo and generate static html that I rsync to my web host. I have found this much easier to deal with and much less prone to hacking than something like wordpress or other CMS platforms.

Re: Ask HN: Where do you write?

#44

Post by livre »

The important thing is not where but how. What matters is a platform that doesn't get in your way. You need something that helps you focus on writing while keeping useless distractions (such as colors, formatting or html) away. Medium is good for that and so is the distraction free mode of WordPress. You can always write on Word and copy and paste the text later too. You can even use notepad or wordpad. I generally use metapad for this.

In my personal case I find markdown very useful when I absolutely need some formatting but don't want to waste time with HTML, toolbar buttons or having to remember keyboard shortcuts. The great thing about it is that it doesn't break the flow, I can just keep writing.

For publishing (which I do rarely as I mostly write just for my own amusement) I use Neocities because it's just old school HTML and doesn't get in my way, GitHub pages work for that too. The good thing about those two is that backups are basically hassle free, you always have a local and a remote copy and don't have to worry about having to backup a database or export a blog (as is the case for Medium or WordPress). Since you asked for cons too: static site generators and GitHub commands not only are something else you have to install, learn and keep up-to-date, they also break the flow so only use them once you've finished writing.

So here's my summary: choose whatever platform you feel that doesn't get in the way of your writing.

Re: Ask HN: Where do you write?

#45

Post by AndrewLiptak »

I've found Duotrope is useful for tracking down science fiction and fantasy outlets if you're looking to place stories in a professional setting.

I've written a bunch of short stories over the years. Some I've trunked after they didn't go anywhere. In a couple of instances, I've published them on my newsletter (andrewliptak.substack.com), and then republished them at Curious Fictions.

Re: Ask HN: Where do you write?

#47

Post by ge96 »

asdfman123 wrote: post #38

Serious question: have you considered writing for just yourself? I've found in this age of online sharing my motivations and enjoyments of things is more pure if I just do it for myself, and maybe share with one or two appreciative people. In addition, I find that not telling anyone your goals or ambitions is extremely underrated. There's research that shows that if you do that, you get some of the reward for having…

> you get some of the reward for having done something worthwhile without nearly as much of the work

I think it's ego satisfaction or something? I personally have started to tell myself "get it done/build it first before you share it". Like buying a domain before the site/app is ready.

Re: Ask HN: Where do you write?

#50

Post by 1337shadow »

There are plenty of static site generates that you can have on gitlab for free: gitlab.com/pages

Just clone an example repo and push a commit, it should generate your site.

You can still add a custom domain in gitlab project settings.

I really wonder how it could be easier (fork a repo, push a commit) or cheaper (given that it's free).

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