It took me the longest time to realize that creators I come back to on social media are the ones who care about their topic and about their readers or viewers and who keep putting out great stuff—I used to think it was eccentricity or expertise that drew me to them. And I now believe Seth Godin (one of those creators) when he says that in this age, caring is the best marketing.

Some people believe that it’s luck—the magic of internet chaos that picks favorites. I don’t believe that.

When I see Hank and John Green make funny, educational, and heartfelt videos year after year as comments erupt in flame wars, while Hank and John also raise kids and deal with mental health problems, I don’t see luck. I just think it takes guts and kindness and a work ethic to succeed on the Internet, and few have it or are ready to pour it into unpaid work.

I’m certainly not that passionate about blogging, but I do love writing fiction and care about the readers. So I guess I’ll keep tossing stuff into the great void until people decide to settle around it.