Hello friends! This is Peregrino, a newsletter about the journey. Welcome to the first anniversary edition! A year ago, I published several posts to get the party started. Most of you joined during the second half of the year, so it makes sense to take a moment to look back, reflect on where we are, and think of where we’re headed.
And if you’re new here, welcome! It’s good to have you. If you haven’t subscribed, I will make it easy for you to do so.
How did we get here?
Back in November of 2022, my buddy Gustavo and I had decided that the Barbatus Catholic Podcast would go on hiatus indefinitely. We had been podcasting for about two years, and it was a great experience, but it was time to stop. Not having the podcast led me to think of what my creative outlet should be. Writing was something I had been interested in for a while.
I inconsistently published in the minimalistic blogging site bearblog.dev, but this was like putting messages in a bottle and throwing those bottles into the ocean. The first Substack I came in contact with was
via Instagram. Substack looked clean and straightforward and allowed people to build an audience, something that I had yet to be successful in doing with a DIY WordPress blog and Mailchimp. So, I put all my eggs in one basket and committed to Substack.The first few months were interesting. I was figuring out what I wanted to write about and developing my style. If you have been around long enough, you probably can tell I mainly write about Catholicism, fatherhood, and alcohol. I realized that what I bring to the table is my worldview, which makes me, me–as cheesy as that sounds.
Then, around April 2023, Substack released Notes, which coincided with me starting “40 Before 40,” a series of essays I intended to write before I entered midlife (in a few more days), but I will complete in Q1 2024. Notes brought a lot of good things, among them a significant boost in subscriptions to Peregrino. Before, a dozen of my friends subscribed because I begged politely asked if they would read my blog. Now, strangers were reading my stories, which felt like a commitment to step it up a notch or two.
On top of helping more people find my publication, Notes also helped me find a plethora of folks with their own quirky ideas and niche interests. For example, Substack’s unofficial chess club ‘Stack-mate, was born out of interactions in Notes. I would say the community built around Substack is one of the main reasons Peregrino is the longest blog I’ve consistently written out of all my attempts at blogging. I’m not naming names because I’m afraid I’ll miss someone, but I appreciate everyone who routinely reads, comments, shares, and re-stacks any of my pieces. You know who you are. And also, to my friends who diligently read but never liked or commented but sent me text messages letting me know they enjoyed what I published, thank you.
I’d also like to thank my wonderful wife,
, for allowing me to escape for a couple of hours on Saturday or Sunday afternoons so I can write in some of the best coffee shops in North Phoenix. That little ritual has helped me feel refreshed, creative, and ready to return home and tackle whatever chaos ensued in my absence. I’ve found that most times, I’m excited about writing a piece, and with the right amount of caffeine, I can enter a state of flow and smash my laptop’s keyboard for a couple of hours without feeling like it has been that long.Where are we going?
I wanted something I could offer you weekly that would be a staple of the newsletter in aeternum. Following
‘s advice in “Steal Like an Artist,” I took a page from ‘s book and started Smorgasbord, a self-service buffet of ideas. Smorgasbord will be served to you every Friday, containing at least two sections: This week in bullet points and Mixing. My intention with this would be twofold: document highlights from my week–so I don’t forget, and maybe share something that inspires, helps, or makes you laugh. When it comes to the mixing section, I’ve made known my obsession for craft cocktails, and why would I keep all the fun to myself when you could be raising a glass as I do on occasion?As I mentioned, I’ll publish the last nine essays of 40B40 during Q1 2024. I might get crazy during the Christmas week, as I’ll be off my nine to five and finish early, but I want to under-promise and over-deliver so I don’t run into the same problem twice.
I’m still debating if my next series of essays, The Tortilla Stack, will have its section or if I’ll use Peregrino’s main section and differentiate each delivery by each piece’s title, i.e., TTS #1 Tacos al pastor. I will also publish ad hoc essays on Peregrinos’ main section.
I’m also thinking about turning on paid subscriptions soon, but I am having difficulty deciding what to put behind a paywall. If you were to consider becoming a paid subscriber, what extra content would you be interested in? I have enjoyed writing for free, but I do think that your patronage would be that kick in the pants that would make me hone my craft even more since now there would be a monetary exchange for the words that I write, and I would want to give your money’s worth for what I’m offering you. Let’s all sleep on it and think about it.
Will you join me?
Thank you for coming along for the ride and walking with me. I imagine all of us on pilgrimage; some might be ahead of us, some behind us, but we’ll all need a place to stop and rest, get some food and drink, and maybe socialize a bit before we get up and start walking again.
Hopefully, Peregrino will become a virtual refuge where you can meet others walking along the same path, exchange stories and experiences, and even get some encouragement.
Before you go
I have some questions for you
What’s your favorite kind of cake?
Have you read stuff you wrote a while ago? Did you also cringe?
Do you know what an albergue is?
Favorite snack to bring on a hike?
Will
be summoned to sing a birthday song?
*I will be summoned*
Don't put anything behind a paywall. Not yet--turn it on and keep growing. Once you get 5 paid subs--start thinking about it. Once you get 10--start doing it! But don't stress about differentiating the paid content until you have grown your paid subs.
Congratulations Walther on a well deserved one year of writing. God bless you and yours and thank you for sharing your voice with the world!