A place to open up your mind

Medium’s such a distraction and a bit addictive, but I’m loving it

As I write, I’m smiling. That’s got to be a good thing.

I’m taking it on board as a positive.

It’s 7.35am already and I haven’t started my ‘To do’ list or touched my journal.

It’s a dilemma…

I wasn’t aware of it until right now, but today, I’m operating freestyle. I’m running with it.

I was up at 6:00am; I’ve had my water; a cold shower (okay, tepid, it’s not compulsory); and I dressed in the dark having laid out my clothes last night.

It’s been going well. The only trivial downside, noticed by my wife actually, is that occasionally my rather unstylish boxers are inside out.

Obviously, I recognise the need for focus and discipline. But we also need to have the ability to shake things up a little and not get too prepossessed with our morning routines.

So, give yourself a break and don’t feel bad about it.

Careful, it’s a bit addictive

That’s one of the things about Medium that’s been so enjoyable in recent months and so enlightening. I’ve mixed things up a little and it seems to be working for me.

It started last year, reading half-a-dozen stories a month and increased from there.

At the risk of sounding a little bit like an addict attending the weekly group session, it is actually a bit addictive — But in a good way.

Even reading on my various devices, a MacBook Pro, iPad and iPhone, I was soon reaching my ‘free story’ quota on each device, well before the end of the month.

Medium’s programmed digital shutters came down, or rather popped-up, and locked me out with ever such a polite offer to subscribe and continue enjoying unlimited access. All very clever.

I decided to invest. By that, I mean I parted with my annual subscription and signed up.

A multitude of writing styles

Medium’s opened up my mind in lots of different ways. It feels as if I’ve discovered an exciting new destination or a new friend.

It’s such a distraction, but I’m loving it.

I’ve learned a lot and discovered the work of an abundance of extremely talented and intelligent people through their writing.

Of course, there’s a lot of mediocre material residing on the platform, but you can choose to follow the writers you enjoy most and the publications that offer the topics that are of genuine interest to you.

You don’t have to delve too deeply to discover some inspiring and innovative articles on a host of subjects and in a multitude of creative writing styles.

It’s a treasure trove for readers. There’s something for everyone and I believe it’s going to evolve into something even bigger. Much bigger.

Immerse yourself

It’s an exceptional knowledge bank for aspiring writers too. I’ve found it to be an extremely valuable resource. I’ve still got so much to learn and believe we stop doing so at our peril.

Totally unexpectedly, I’ve also received considerable encouragement, support and advice from some talented writers and editors dotted all over the world. It’s been fun connecting with them.

Some of the feedback has bowled me over and spurs me on to read and write even more.

I have to extend particular thanks here to Illumination Editor Liam Ireland, an ageing hack (much like myself). Liam’s got vast experience, great stories to tell and a generous nature. He’s been a tremendous source of encouragement.

During my various undistinguished writing careers, there aren’t many mistakes I haven’t made. There have been some real howlers.

So, a creative forum for readers and writers on this scale is a wonderful place to immerse yourself and remind ourselves, that we’re just work in progress.

It’s particularly relevant too because it’s part of a transition that’s been going on in my life in recent months coinciding with all the reading I’ve been enjoying on Medium.

Inner writing spirit

My normally sensible, if less exciting, commercial head’s saying: “This is no way to run your business. Get on with your proper day job and earn some money.”

Unusually, my much more reclusive inner writing spirit is having none of it this morning. It’s outright defiance.

Early signs of a personal internal uprising of some sort. It could be the onset of a breakdown. I’d call it a mid-life crisis, but unless I live to be 120, I’m probably beyond that.

It’s bizarre. It hasn’t happened previously. I’m convinced Medium’s played a part too during these past months re-igniting a long-held desire to write more creatively — Not for my clients, but for myself.

And, not for money — But because I enjoy it.

From humble beginnings as a trainee reporter on the local weekly many years ago, I had visions of hitting the big time as a leading national writer or branching out into a lucrative freelance writing career. Ambition’s a good thing.

The reality for me at the time though was the local horticultural society show results (usually to sixth place), the weekly chemists’ rota or meeting the deadline for one of the most widely read and eagerly anticipated pieces in the paper, the births, marriages and deaths column.

I can hear the Editor clumping up the stairs to the newsroom now demanding the copy I’d been hurriedly typing with two forefingers on a clunky old Imperial typewriter the size and weight of a Belfast sink.

A mistake here was always going to land you in the Editor’s office to explain how one of the hatches had appeared in the matches, or worse still, the despatches. It happened and a retraction appeared the following week.

A Jack of all writing trades

I won’t be relying on Medium to meet the monthly bills which is probably just as well. Current remuneration levels from this source aren’t going to sustain the cat who already looks disdainfully at whatever we put in his bowl.

My fluctuating income over the past four decades has come from all manner of editorial, PR, marketing, copywriting and client writing assignments, submissions, plans and reports. A Jack of all writing trades — Master of none.

A living made largely from trying to keep often unappreciative clients happy with submissions appearing in countless publications, everything from The Times and The Telegraph to Plastics & Rubber Weekly (the reputable one).

Millions of uninspiring words — Perhaps. But they served a valuable purpose for me and, most importantly, my family.

Final thought…

Today, my rebellious inner writing spirit is rejoicing in a small victory over my ‘Mr Sensible’ business persona.

Should this draft survive the Editor’s spike and encourage just one person to take the plunge and discover the joy of writing on Medium and find the courage to push the publish button, then my morning’s been well spent.

Either way, I’m still smiling and may even attempt another outpouring tomorrow.