A Month on Medium.

Summary

The author, initially doubtful of their writing abilities due to past criticism, found solace and a newfound passion for writing on Medium during quarantine, leading to personal growth, a modest income, and a dedicated readership.

Abstract

The author of the article, who once considered writing a private endeavor, has shared their journey of overcoming a significant lack of confidence in their writing skills, instigated by a discouraging remark from a teacher. After years of avoiding writing, the author rediscovered their interest through Medium, influenced by a cousin's engaging writing on the platform. The extended period of quarantine further motivated them to explore writing professionally. This exploration resulted in earning a small amount of money from their work, gaining followers, and receiving positive feedback, which has been both surprising and encouraging. The author's writings cover a diverse range of topics, reflecting their varied interests and thoughts, and they have since pursued a Creative Writing minor and engaged with local journalists. The author expresses a desire to document historical events and personal experiences, finding joy in writing as a form of conversation and self-expression.

Opinions

The author initially did not view themselves as a professional writer or someone worthy of an audience.
A negative comment from their ninth-grade English teacher significantly impacted their self-esteem regarding writing.
The author's passion for writing was reignited after encountering Medium and being inspired by their cousin's work on the platform.
Quarantine played a role in the author's decision to invest time and money into Medium, which led to unexpected rewards.
The author values the intimate connection with their audience and is grateful for the support they have received.
Despite the advice to find a niche, the author prefers to write about various topics that reflect their current interests and thoughts.
The author has taken steps to further their writing career, including adding a Creative Writing minor and reaching out to local journalists.
They see their writing as a way to document the world around them and find fulfillment in being able to "paint the present day" with their words.

A Month on Medium.

I am here because I was bored.

To be honest, I never considered myself a writer. While I have journaled since I could write, at age five, writing for a professional website or an audience was unfathomable. Even when English was my favorite subject, I never saw myself as objectively good or worth reading.

This insecurity was compounded by my ninth grade English teacher pulled me aside after class and told me my writing would “never be capable of reaching an advanced level”. She would deny me from honors classes three years in a row, despite my journalism course at Columbia University and the acceptances from my other teachers. While comments from my teacher at my small private high school in Kentucky should not have mattered to me in the long term, that comment destroyed my love for writing for three years. I would pursue other passions, such as politics, but I would never see myself with the same innocence that was molded in all the wrong shapes.

Now, with nearly a hundred days in quarantine, I rediscovered this site. I had posted a few articles here a year ago, in part because I saw my cousin using this platform and admired his articulate style of writing and sought to do the same.

All of this to say, I was bored.

Photo by Kenrick Mills

This boredom brought out the best in me. I paid for the five-dollar Medium membership and started reading other people’s writing. I never thought that it would be possible to get any money from this site, but last month I received $0.73. It’s not a lot, but it’s a sustainable portion of the membership, and the fact that I earned more than a cent from my writing gave me confidence and appreciation.

I also see that I have 27 followers. I often imagine us in a local coffee shop here in Kentucky, surrounded by a warm fireplace all exchanging stories. I am grateful for all those who tune in to listen. There is something warm and intimate about having a small but loyal audience. With nearly 500 views, I am shocked and humbled by the feedback. I try my best not to obsess over the stats page, as I have always strived to create art for myself first, but I am only human.

I also do not have a niche. I have read a handful of articles about new Medium writers, but my page has never had a certain direction. It would probably do better if it did, but my mind often wanders into different rooms. I have talked about myself, my favorite reality TV show, love, and politics. Normally whatever train of thought I have inspires me to write.

This is a conversation. I write with integrity that this is what is truly on my mind. Personally, in the last month, I have added a Creative Writing minor, as well as reaching out to local journalists. Studying and writing as a journalist still puts a smile on my face. Also, with the world opening up, I am finding true, grateful happiness seeing people once again.

Before I turned twenty, I have already observed many historical events. I want to be able to record it, in my own words, with my thoughts. To be a brush painting the present day is what fulfills me.

I will check in again soon.