10 Quick Questions About My Writing Experience on Medium Answered
What is my secret recipe?
I have been thinking a lot about my writing these past few days and wondering which direction I want it to take. More often than not, I am an in-the-moment writer who doesn’t like to spend a second overthinking what she writes.
When it flows, it flows. Period.
On the bright side, writing is one part of my life that doesn’t drain me for which I am grateful.
I guess that is why I write so much, daily. Not as much on Medium, no as I like to pace myself to avoid burnout and burning out my readers😛
In addition to Medium, I also write on a news app called NewsBreak and on my brand new Substack “Yana’s World.”
Writing has been exceptionally fulfilling not to mention therapeutic as I get to lasso my thoughts when they get the zoomies and put them down on paper.
A blessed respite indeed.
Prompts are a great way of getting those creative juices flowing and I’d like to thank Subhi Najar and Pamela Oglesby for inspiring me to participate in the Deep Dive Into Writing Prompt (link at the bottom) so here goes!
🎈How did you hear about Medium? If there is an interesting story behind it, please share it.
Yup, there is an interesting story behind it. A guy I once dated had a Medium profile all set up but hadn’t posted a single story. I think he always wanted to write but never got around to it. Since I already knew about Medium thanks to that guy, it was my first choice when I decided to give writing a try.
I sometimes wonder whether the reason he came into my life was to call my attention to Medium. I mean apart from being an incredible kisser, I don’t recall much else of substance🤷♀️
Life is full of surprises that way.
🎈How long have you been writing on Medium?
A little over 2 years now. Time flies so fast!
🎈If you have to choose one of the articles you wrote on Medium, which one will it be and why? ( Please don’t forget to share the link.)
For me family is everything. Recently, I have been sharing about the difficult road both I as well as my elderly parents are navigating as the parental roles get reversed with age.
🎈How do you measure success on Medium?
Not monetarily for sure.
It wouldn’t make much of a dent in a city like mine where the average rent (alone) is an outrageous $4K!
However, it does pay for some cool perks!
I like to connect with my audience. I measure success in my being able to write content that the audience can relate to and in turn share their experiences.
🎈How do you choose your publisher(s)? Any secret recipes?
I roll with the small pubs simply because this is where I built my base.
To be honest, I am very selective and there aren’t too many of them to begin with.
For example, there are two pubs I go with for my short forms, 2–3 for my personal stories, 2 for my writing-based articles, and 2–3 are those owned by my close friends that I love to support.
A perfect example is Trisha Faye’s Good Vibes Club — it’s a pub that I highly recommend so do check it out — you won’t be disappointed!
🎈What is your strategy: a big publisher leads to more visibility, or a small publisher leads to more focus and real interaction?
Writing for big pubs has its advantages. However, I mainly write personal stories some of which tickle the sensibilities😋and thereby are not a good fit for them except perhaps for The Post Graduate Survival Guide owned by Tom Kueglar. I learned a lot from him.
🎈If you can give one single piece of advice to a newcomer to Medium, what will it be?
If your goal is to get noticed, then barring overnight success, it is up to you to do the legwork. Comment and clap on other people’s articles as well as interact and build friendships with other writers.
Do make an effort to acknowledge readers who take the time to leave a comment. I have come across many new writers who publish article after article but ignore the comments of readers. I don’t know if this is some sort of new strategy but I don’t think I would want to read someone who is not interested in investing in their readers with a clap or a response.
Remember, Medium is not a one-way street.
🎈What is the most pleasant experience you have had on Medium?
The friendships and connections, of course. I am happy to be part of a supportive community that has been with me through some rough times.
Also, I’ve had a few writerly crushes, and a number of writers crushing on me as well😉
What can I say — I find writers to be incredibly sexy🔥
🎈What is the least pleasant experience you have had on Medium?
Ahh — I have detailed my experiences in the article below — a must-read for sensitive people, HSPs, or empaths about the harsh realities of writing on public platforms.
🎈In one word, how do you describe the experience with Medium and why?
Not just one word but a quote: “Often what may appear as a detour in life is actually the most direct and empowering path to your destination.” ~ James Arthur Ray
In other words, it’s completely changed my life — for the better.
🎈 You write on Medium because writing provides you with something special. Could you share the fruits of your experience so far?
Let me share an excerpt from a short form and no, it’s not about $$$ or stats or that sort of thing but instead to demonstrate how much writing on Medium has given me.
My name is Juliyana. Most of you know me only as Yana which is fine because Juli is an introvert and shies away from attention.
Juli is still in the process of waking up from a deep sleep, a prolonged bad dream where she lost her identity, her sense of self.
Yana emerged from that chrysalis.
Juli is getting used to her new freedom, relearning how to flap her wings and fly while Yana is always raring to go, go, go!
Yana has the energy and passion of two Julis!
Sometimes Juli goes into a funk thinking about experiences past that are deeply embedded in her psyche.
Yana amazes Juli. Yana is brave, brooks no bs, is decisive — and fiercely protective of Juli.
“Are you really me?” Juli asks in wonder.
That’s it for me folks! If you want to join in, please see the link below👇