Writing | About Me | Medium
A Deep Dive Into My Writing
A Q&A session — plus a list of Medium writers I like!
Adrienne Beaumont kindly mentioned me in her answer to Subhi Najar’s Deep Dive into Your Writing.
More recently, LizBitMac also tagged me in this story.
So here is my response to the same questions.
1. When did you start writing? Is there a specific story?
Initially, I put “Don’t worry — my other answers are shorter!” But then I answered question 10…
It’s quite hard to pin down when things started.
As a child, I wrote plays for my teddy bears using my mum’s manual typewriter. I was excited to do that, even though the plays were not very good.
At school, I wrote one or two amusing stories for English. But most of my school and college writing was non-fiction.
At work, I wrote reports and procedures. It was nothing especially creative, but I took pride in doing the best job I could and explaining things clearly.
For most of my life, I have written in diaries and journals about the events of each day.
In 2004, I wrote help files and information on my website about some software I had written. None of my customers asked for additional help, so I guess I explained it quite well!
In 2012, I published some music and started blogging about music-related topics. Then I expanded into writing about my life and how I lost my wife because of breast cancer.
A few years later, around the time I was seeking an autism assessment, I contributed a chapter to a book about autism. Then I started writing about autism and grief on Twitter, Facebook, Blogspot, and eventually Medium.
I don’t use the other platforms much these days. But I’m still here.
(Late last year, I started writing on Substack.)
2. Do you have rituals in writing? If yes, then please share them with us.
I cannot think of anything that might resemble a writing ritual.
I write in the living room using my laptop, and it’s rare for me to write anywhere else. If the windy and rainy weather is disturbing me, I will wear my noise-cancelling headphones — I need silence for writing and do not listen to music.
In contrast, when I used to write software for a living, I would have the radio on. Perhaps I found software development easier than writing. 👇
3. The ugliest monster that writers are afraid of is writer’s block. If you have a recipe to deal with it, kindly share it with us.
In some ways, writer’s block can feel a bit like burnout.
In the past, I used to worry that I’d never write again. But my time on Medium has given me more experience.
Rather than trying to force myself to write, I rest or do other things for a while.
It varies as to what works best. I might need silence, music, people to talk to, the noise of a coffee shop, or the satisfaction of getting something done like clearing out the garage.
Reading other people’s articles often helps me get back into writing, too.
4. Describe the process of finding ideas for your stories. Please elaborate
I write about my life experiences — mostly things from the past. So I rely on my memory, old diaries, and journals.
These days, I respond to a lot of writing prompts. Some are easy, and others are very difficult.
Prompts are a mixed blessing. They save me the trouble of thinking up new topic ideas, but they keep me so busy that I rarely write any new Weird Workplace Stories anymore.
5. As humans, we suffer without knowing it by choosing not to move outside our comfort zone. Do you have a “comfort zone” in writing ( i.e a topic that you always like to write about)? Have you tried to step outside your comfort zone and write something drastically different?
My comfort zone is real life and true stories.
Sometimes I write about imaginary things, such as this response to a scam email, and it can be a lot of fun.👇
I don’t enjoy writing dialogue, which is one reason I avoid fiction. And poetry takes me far longer than other forms of writing.
Perhaps I should push myself a little more!
6. Besides Medium, do you use other writing platforms? Please share our experiences.
Medium is where I have had the most success so far.
I used to have a few WordPress sites, but I spent a lot of time installing updates, backing them up, and dealing with SPAM comments etc.
I also used Blogspot but found it rather limiting. As with my WordPress sites, the difficult part was getting views.
There was a time when I was quite active on Twitter and would get a good number of responses. But after years of neglect, I barely get any replies there anymore.
In late 2022, I created a Substack account. But I only have about a dozen or so followers there.
7. Have you published a book? If yes, how and where…etc. Plz, feel free to share your links with us.
I contributed a chapter to a book about autism. But I did that under a different pseudonym, so I can’t really share it here.
I sometimes wish I could go back and edit what I wrote.
8. You write because writing provides you with something special. Could you share your experience?
My parents told me stories about their life when I was young, and I regret not capturing them when they were fresh in my mind.
So one reason I write is to leave behind a record of my life experiences for future generations — perhaps my children will read my stories one day.
Another reason is that it’s a way to connect with people. I have come across so many kind and friendly people all over the world!
It’s interesting to read about those with very different lives. And it’s great to hear from those who have had similar experiences to me.
9. Do you write a paragraph, a chapter, or a story with the end in mind or not? plz explain
Most of my articles are short, and I don’t do much forward planning with those. I just write down everything I can think of, rather like I’m having a one-sided conversation. Then I edit until it makes more sense.
For longer pieces, I try to break things down into section headings, almost like I’m writing several short articles. However, editing can be a nightmare for longer articles, especially when certain paragraphs seem to belong in multiple different sections.
10. Every writer has an idol. Who is yours? And what do you find inspiring in her/his trajectory?
Rather than choosing one writer, I copied Adrienne’s idea of talking about multiple Medium writers. (I’m still blown away that she included me in her list!)
I think highly of so many writers here on Medium that it’s impossible to list them all. But I will start with some I have known for quite a while.
- Rather than tagging everyone (so they get notified), I will just mention them quietly by linking to their profiles.
Adrienne Beaumont and her daughter Keeley Schroder write in an open and honest way about their lives. And I’m glad to feel part of Keeley’s writing challenge group.
J.R. Spiers writes touching and meaningful stories about chickens. He also writes about art and shares some great advice about writing.
Bernie Pullen was widowed at just 25 years old. She has written many stories about grief that resonate with me greatly, as do her comments.
Jan Sebastian had a stroke, but that did not stop her! Through her enthusiastic and entertaining articles, she inspires me to keep trying and keep going.
Sandra Jasionowska has been a good friend here. She gets my sense of humour and her encouragement stopped me from giving up. More importantly, I enjoy her stories about life in Poland.
Natalie writes deep, meaningful, and touching stories. And she leaves such kind and thoughtful comments.
Kerry Purvis has written articles about ADHD that make me think she’s a mind reader! I also enjoy her other articles.
Victoria Suzanne is not afraid to share her opinions, and I respect that.
David Perlmutter is a prolific writer and highlighter. Medium would not be the same without him.
I’m running out of space, so I will add “one or two more” below. These are mostly people who have been on my radar a fair amount in recent months. Please do not be offended if I left you out!
TzeLin Sam | Michele Maize | Lu Skerdoo | Ann Christine Tabaka | Julie KingGood | Pamela Oglesby | Jenny Lane | Klara Jane Holloway | The Sturg | Madison Sasser | Linda Ng | Trisha Faye | Brett Jenae Tomlin | Cee Arr | Katie Michaelson | NancyO | Annie Trevaskis | Yana Bostongirl | Carly Newberg | Heather Lee | Michelle Teheux | Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles | Patricia Hamlett | Patricia Timmermans | Misty Rae | Lisa Beth Wright | Karen Schwartz | Crystal Guthrie | Bev G 🧙♀️ | Denise Kendig | Michelle Scorziello | Worrickjk | Brandon Ellrich | Bruce Coulter | Dawn Ulmer | Julia A. Keirns | Leigh-Anne Dennison | Rachel Thomas | Rachella Angel Page | Randy Pulley | Ruby Noir | Susie Winfield
11. Does being on a writing platform like Medium help your writing plans? Plz, elaborate.
Medium has allowed me to gain experience and confidence.
However, I often regret using a pseudonym because it means I cannot use my Medium articles as a portfolio.
Also, I spend so much time writing here that I don’t have time to explore new things.
