10 Most Painful Truths You Ever Heard About Writers
A theory about the singularity.
The key to good decision-making is not knowledge. We are swimming in the former. We are desperately lacking in the latter.- Malcolm Gladwell
This photo of a shiny, beautiful girl writing at sunset shows a peaceful and harmful panorama about a writer, doesn’t it?
What you don’t know is that the light is artificial. Usually, writers don’t work sitting on a couch. Few writers are beautiful models (sorry girls- I love you all). And fewer are with that relaxed smile from a tropical beach tourist.
Let me be straight with you. Writing is damn hard.
It will not happen as you wish, and it will not happen as you dreamed.
Successful writers are few. And they wept with growing pains each step they took. 95% of them didn’t even last 3 months.
Imagine a US marine campus, where you’re training in the mud, freezing cold and biting rain for the first 6 months.
That’s the life of a writer until he or she finds voice, rhythm, and audience.
On this platform, only 6.2% of all the 170,000 writers make $100 or more.
Why do you think you’ll be one of them?
#1 If you don’t write 1,000 words a day, you’ll never be a writer.
When I started my Medium journey in April 2020, my first articles were nasty pieces of writing. And that’s the normal first-step-newbie behavior. I knew, as a non-native writer, I would be struggling in the beginning. The only thing I was sure of was that I have tons of imagination, I’m a reading and researcher addict, and have the patience of a Tibetan monk.
I thought those attributes would fit into Medium’s profile. All the top writers said the same thing: write at least 1,000 words every day. And that was what I started to do. They also said that consistency is the most essential attribute of a Medium writer. I thought to myself, if I’m a patient guy, I can be consistent too.
I write for almost one year straight. Never had a viral article. But being a patient person made me follow the advice of consistency. My maths showed me that I’d reach a 4-figure monthly earning rate this summer. So, I quit my 9 to 5 job in November 2020 and started a full-time writing job in December 2020.
I don’t look at stats until the last day of each month (I promised myself to focus only and exclusively on quality work). But between March and April this year I will reach 4 figures for the first time, right before summer.
I write at least 2,000 words a day, so I guess consistency works.
#2 If you can’t be 6 months in non-stop writing mode, you’ll never be a writer.
I explain it better: when we start to write, we have difficulty finding the right words for our thoughts. It seems that the circuit between the brain and the fingertips has some broken cables.
This is only due to the lack of fluency in writing. Hence the importance of writing every day. Only with consistent training can we start to gain traction in our work. Today I can spend six hours writing content, non-stop, working with good writing fluency and well-coordinating deep thinking.
There is no point in believing in the guardian angel. No magic entity will touch you with the magic wand, making your article catapult you to the stage of a Coldplay concert. Forget it; it won’t happen. And even if it happened, it wouldn’t change the fact that you still don’t have a voice on this platform.
Your followers are all that matters. They are the main reason you reach the end of the month and earn a few more pennies.
Don’t expect to be heard before 6 months of hard work. Fine-tune your voice, and read lots of articles on Medium. But read also books, magazines, and even toilet paper labels, if that’s enough to inspire you.
One of the most famous short stories in history was written by Malcolm Gladwell about ketchup.
Yes, you heard me- ketchup.
#3 If you can’t understand and follow Medium’s Guidelines, you’ll never be a writer.
When you pick up your car and go somewhere, you have to stop at the intersections. Certain traffic signs force you to follow specific rules.
Here at Medium, there are also rules. If you don’t follow them, it’s like Bonnie and Clyde. And you already know that the precipice is the last place you see yourself stopping.
Don’t be a moron and start reading everything about Medium before start writing.
If you don’t read Medium Guidelines, you’ll feel those painful minutes of writing from the first few months.
I read many comments from beginners on social media and realize they don’t read the rules. I know, it takes work and our eyes hurt, but it’s life.
#4 If you don’t read at least 3 to 4 articles from another content creator, you’ll never be a writer.
If you understand the flow, you’ll know that some days your brain is on vacation. Even yesterday was one of those days. I recognize late in the morning, the first minute I put my feet on the floor. Don’t worry, you’re not a robot.
Let me explain what I do in those days. Yesterday, my brain took a trip to the high mountains. So, I sat down at my computer and reviewed the structure of the article I had prepared the day before. I realized that my brain was already miles away. What did I do?
I opened four articles by some of my favorite writers and start reading them. As I was reading, new ideas for articles appeared. I wrote them down with references and links for future research.
Then, I went to have my breakfast and the much-desired coffee.
I opened the window, and it was a fabulous day. Here in Portugal, it’s Spring, so I got dressed and went for a long walk.
The best advantage of choosing a full-time writing job is freedom. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want.
During the walk, more ideas came to my mind. I took the cell phone and wrote them down. I met friends by the trail, near the river. The plane trees are starting to bloom. The colors of Spring are so beautiful that they inspire. We become more spiritual, and for a writer, there’s nothing better than that.
Vulnerability in a writer is a potent trigger for inspiration, believe me.
I got home, took an invigorating shower, and sat down at the computer. I smiled because I felt endorphins’ energy was pumping up. It was the perfect time to start writing another article. I finished writing yesterday’s piece in less than thirty minutes. I knew I had to take advantage of the momentum. But I also knew that this energy would not last long because my daily flow was low.
The rest of the day, I spend it reading a lot. I also saw a movie on Netflix and let myself be rocked until the end of the day.
Today I woke up, and it’s a typical day. And regular days correspond to writing one to two articles. I also read six to eight articles on Medium, analyze magazine articles, look over my quarterly goals, and attend two online courses. By the end of the afternoon, my work is finished.
At 6 PM, I turn off the button and don’t think about writing until the following day.
#5 If you don’t create daily habits into your routine, you’ll never be a writer.
Routines will help you with your consistency. And you already know consistency is everything in a writer’s success.
My energy and brainpower are concentrated in the morning. I write from 6 AM until 11 AM. Then I go for a walk, read a book, or help my daughters with their homework.
After lunch, I start at 3 PM until 6 PM. Sometimes, I can do all my job in the morning. Of course, in the afternoon, I take the opportunity to read and research. So, I turn off the button and be with friends talking about things that have nothing to do with my job.
Yet, I don’t risk changing these routines. From an energetic point of view, it’s the most efficient way for me to work with my head always fresh and my heart open.
Routines have an advantage. They allow us to work longer, leaving free time to do other things that we also love to do rather than writing.
#6 If you don’t write your long-time goals on your whiteboard, you’ll never be a writer.
On my whiteboard, one phrase does appear highlighted:
Do as Little as Needed, Not as Much as Possible
Tim Denning wrote one of my favorite articles ever (I love all Tim’s pieces- he rocks) with the title Do as Little as Needed, Not as Much as Possible.
I loved all the philosophy behind this article. If the time of leisure is our ultimate goal, why do people kill themselves working long hours? Shouldn’t they organize their lives to work fewer hours?
As Tim says: The harder a goal is to achieve, the less likely you are to pursue it in the first place.
I choose to be a full-time writer, not to do as much as possible. In fact, I want to do as little as needed.
Michael Thompson writes two articles per week, but I write seven. Why? Because Michael worked harder to get his freedom. Now, he can do less as needed and have more time to do other things he loves.
He earned that freedom. But I will conquer my space one day too. That’s why I do my homework every single day. That’s why I look to my long-time goals every single day.
My long-time goal is to work in the mornings. When I earn my freedom in the afternoons, I’ll have time to spend on my farming project. Most recently I bought I beautiful farm in the mountains, twenty minutes from home. And my focus is to write in the morning, farming in the afternoon.
Visualizing our long-time goals makes us find efficient strategies to get to our goals.
#7 If you only write to yourself about yourself, you’ll never be a writer.
Do me a favor, don’t share your pains, not without having something to teach to your audience.
Do me another favor, don’t share your achievements, not without making a good story with references that support what you have to say.
Remember, you’re not writing your personal journal. You are producing content for an audience.
Those people on the other side of the screen are eager to read content that moves them. Content that makes them reflect tremble and vibrate.
Your life isn’t that much interesting, not much as mine. We’re ordinary people, with our pains and our good memories. But that’s not what readers are waiting for. They want to be challenged; they want more questions than answers. They want to feel vulnerable with your way of seeing things.
They want to pick your brain because you make them think about the other side of the moon.
#8 If you don’t assume your uniqueness, you’ll never be a writer.
You can’t replicate Amardeep Parmar, Jessica WildFire, Niklas Göke, or Genius Turner. You know why? They are unique. They are non-copyable.
Why the hell would Medium want to have two writers with the same style talking about the same stuff?
The number of beautiful brains producing unique content is what makes this platform a digital fortune.
You’ll find it unique what your brain has to tell you after going through the storms of the first months.
Writing has the magical power to fetch memories and thoughts from the past. And as we write, we are listening to our avatar from ten years ago. But the exciting thing is that we are no longer the same person anymore. In fact, having the ability to hear our avatar and laugh, mock and play with our past makes it an enjoyable exercise.
Our uniqueness exists in these inner observations.
#9 If you’re constantly looking for your stats instead of the quality of your work, you’ll never be a writer.
I spend three stupid months looking at numbers instead of focusing on my writing. Three months lost.
Forget stats. They’re not going to tell you anything.
Top writers have their articles get viral six months after they publish them. You’ll ask them why, and they don’t know the answer. Nobody knows how the algorithm works. And frankly, that doesn’t matter because you’ll never be able to control it.
What you can control is your writing singularity.
Successful writers don’t waste time on things rather than writing. They want to write without typos, improving their structure, tuning the grammar, and finding their unique voice.
Creating a good relationship with other writers will also help you learn quicker. Experienced writers are eager to share their knowledge with younger writers. And sometimes you even make great friends.
It’s a win-win situation.
#10 If you don’t think of yourself as a writer, you’ll never be a writer.
It takes some time- believe me.
When I told my mom and sister that I would quit my 9–5 job and become a full-time writer, the next week, I had my whole family calling me.
My aunts are all teachers, so they were super excited and proud that I dared to become a writer.
However, with my uncles, the conversation was so much different. Writer? You? You mean you’re an intellectual now? Look, the writers all end up living on the street and attending anonymous alcoholics’ sessions. That was what I heard on the masculine side of my family. Cool.
It’s not easy to say your friend you turned into a full-time writer. But after you explain what you do- the incredible digital platform you work in- they understand and give you the motivation to go further.
People know the future is digital. Thus, apart from my uncles, society has already realized that the next decades will be written in algorithms. And those who expect to work in the digital industry are more likely to have a bright future than in a classic job.
When I started to tell people that I’m a content producer, I was also listening to myself. It was a process. I came from the real estate business. Now, I’m a writer. It was a radical change.
The more time that passes, the more I am proud to say I am a writer.
It also makes me realize that the world of brand journalism and content production is growing exponentially. The potential for personal fulfillment is just beginning.
Being a writer is a pride.
As much as it costs you, you’ll feel that you belong to a local group of exceptional individuals.
When you feel that little star inside your heart, it’s a sign that you have been summoned to go to the game.
And as soon as the game starts, you know you’re ready to win.
Final Thought
I know I was in a little rush with you in the intro. But at least I was honest. Things are not easy. Even top writers are constantly being challenged.
But this is a unique activity.
The platform is constantly changing, trying to improve. This project has been an immense success worldwide. Barack Obama frequently writes on Medium, did you know?
You’ll need the willpower to fight the first storm. Be focused on writing, just on your own words, nothing more, and nothing less.
Do little things every day. Don’t try to do everything at the same time. Focus yourself only on the platform. Forget social media; forget other platforms. Focus on the quality of your work. At the end of each month, go see what Medium is left under the cushion.
Consistency is king. Step by step, word by word.
Pick a mentor, someone who can help you with grammar, structure, and style. Choose an editor or an English teacher you know that can support your work. It’s crucial to have someone else reading your articles before publishing.
Several writers are earning a bunch of money on Medium. So, it works.
Take your first year on this platform to understand it well. Take a year to improve your skills and to get to know other writers. Take a year to listen to classes from the most experienced writers on YouTube. Take online courses with one of those top writers.
Invest in Medium without expecting anything back.
Sooner than you think, Medium will look at you and smile.
Sign up for my email list and join the happiest readers on Medium. (This is where you get exclusive access to my daily activities, experiences, and daily thoughts)
