It's time to focus on something
What to expect from this Substack from now on.
Earlier this year, when I decided to start a Substack, I envisioned it as a platform to explore ideas I’m reluctant to write about. Ideas that I didn’t feel were worth any kind of compensation, to be honest, or ideas that I’ve been too scared to pursue in my work.
The lack of a financial commitment, along with a tiny readership, has meant that this Substack is at the bottom of my list of priorities—but it shouldn’t be.
There’s one subject I would really, really prefer not to write about—especially from my own POV. Writing reported pieces on architecture and design is fairly easy, because I can conceal my own opinions behind those of actual experts. So far, I’ve only written two op-eds on these topics, one for CBC and one for The Sprawl.
But I do have opinions. A lot of them, actually.
Ironically, the story that made me “famous” (and a persona non grata in some circles) has also made me fearful.
When I wrote my opinion on High Park—the third story I had ever written, and my very first op-ed—I didn’t know I was actually going to stick to writing and become a freelance journalist, so I felt free to express my thoughts. I also didn’t know that, to succeed in this city, one has to steer clear from disturbing certain people’s sensibilities.
As a result, I would prefer not to write about architecture and design. I don’t want to bite the hand that feeds me, so to speak. Having some access to power is, after all, what allows me to write most of my stories.
“My sources are my bosses” has been my mantra since I began freelancing almost three years ago.
Because I’m a freelance journalist, sources—whether it’s city administrators, real estate developers or academics—could just refuse to talk to me. Editors would then hesitate to take my pitches. And I would end up without work.
While I obviously don’t write fluff pieces to appease the egos of powerful Calgarians, I have successfully avoided sharing my own thoughts in my work. (The website formerly known as twitter is the only medium where I share my ideas and opinions, veering between the personal and the professional.)
Few journalists happen to have spent a decade of their life studying architecture, urban design and urban planning, however. This means I have some sort of duty to my readers. I can see things that others can’t—and it’s harder to feed me buzzwordy bs.
For this reason, against my better judgement, I have decided to focus the content of this Substack on architecture and design in Calgary.
Feel free to unsubscribe if this isn’t your cup of tea, or to become a paid subscriber if it is. All content will remain open to everyone, though.
Now, I hope I can pique your interest by disclosing the project my first “official” post will delve into…
[drumroll]
I anticipate I’ll be writing one Substack per month. If you have any suggestions about any Calgary projects (completed, proposed or in progress) you’d like me to cover, let me know in the comments.
Reluctantly yours,
Ximena
Stuff I’ve written this month:
Crowdfunding takes a piece of Calgary office-to-residential conversions
The Globe and Mail
As Edmonton fights sprawl, will vulnerable residents suffer?
The Tyee