A Writer’s Musings: Reflections on Writing, Stats, and Community
How to be Productive on the Toilet
Your weekly writer’s musings are brought to you by me. All smutted out… for the time being. A bit different this week. Life slowed down and I have the manor to myself. No, I am not typing this naked. Sorry to disappoint.
My mood is reflective. You know, the state that can only achieve when people fuck off and leave you alone? Mostly, I am questioning the Medium gig. Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.
Last week I posted 6 stories — I’m king of the world! But the results are in. Assuming Medium hasn’t been screwing with the system (would they?), I haven’t made any more coin than I did the week before — a 4 story week. Story length might be a factor too because readers seem to gobble up 2–3 minute stories and I wrote meatier content — experimented with personal essays. So there was plenty to devour.
The stories aren’t shit. Well, no more shit than usual… I believe I forced myself too much on my supportive readers. I want my readers to miss me and stalk me. Not roll their eyes, “Tannille again”. And I get it. I’m feeling swamped myself.
Like so many writers are admitting, keeping up is a struggle. We want to be supportive of fellow writers. Is it me? Or did the platform changes encourage us to pump the volume? I haven’t been around long enough to tell.
I’ve had to remind myself what I want from Medium;
- An audience who genuinely likes my shiz. Let’s face it, I’m a bit warped.
- Engage with the c̶o̶m̶m̶u̶n̶e̶ community.
- Have fun. This is why I keep my story “One Blogging Rule to Rule Them All” pinned. It may or may not be my bestest best story, but I need a reminder — have fun.
Notice how there is nothing about stats. Yet, watching the $$$ became an addiction. And the push, write one more story. This is my ego talking. What’s best for my cult? Writing more dilutes the value of my stories. I want each story to be valuable for a couple of days. As they say, only your last story matters. Medium does have a longer shelf life but I like the fresh stuff. Don’t you? Readers have other commitments. Time is limited.
I’m aware some writers are killing it posting daily or multiple times a day. You bastards… That’s code for Tannille is jealous. Maybe when I am bigger I can pull off more posts? Or perhaps it isn’t fair to judge output on one week. Too many considerations. It’s tough being genetically blonde.
Three months ago, a lifetime ago, when I started Medium the “rules” to play were simple.
- Write quality shiz.
- Engage like a crazy extrovert and beg your way to 100 followers. Hump legs if you have to.
The platform is loaded with “how to straddle the Medium beast as the new kid on the block” stories. But once you win that game, the next level is largely uncharted. More stories. Bigger Audience. Same hours in the day. Crappy notification system…
Solutions to Keeping Up
The Hit List
I’ve started using the email sign-up as a hit list and have added writer friends slowly. I feel there are so many posts from friends and potential buddies I am missing… must refrain from another Medium bitch out. The emailed stories are easy to locate and nag my phone spasmodically. Fantastic for on-the-go or the 5 minutes here and there. How to be productive on the toilet. Now there is clickbait!
The Bugger Off List
On the flip side, I will create a bugger off list 🖕. I can’t tell you how many people leave comments to suck you onto their page and they never reciprocate again. Screw them. I don’t have time. I refer to repeat offenders here, I’m sure you’ve faced a few. I’m no angel in this department, I stupidly relied on my “following” tag which is as useful as a condom with a hole.
It’s simple —
You support me, I support you.
Poke me if you need to. I might have to go back to story for story reading but I don’t think it’s about tit-for-tat. Some stories are long, some are short. Some aren’t for us. We all get busy. Friendship isn’t about keeping score. [insert friends with benefits joke]. Where to draw the line?
Anyone on this list can redeem themselves. It’s not a hate list. More a case of these peeps need to k̶i̶s̶s̶ ̶m̶y̶ ̶a̶r̶s̶e̶ earn my time.
I’m sure I have enough time to service everyone if I cut loose the deadweights and maybe you should too. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t join Medium to read for the sake of reading. But everyone is welcome to play with me or just read my quality s̶m̶u̶t̶ stories.
On that note, I’ll leave you, my wonderful reader, with links to this week’s stories. And don’t be tight; clap, highlight, and comment. It costs nothing and strokes The Muse’s ego. She’ll purr like Dion Groove’s Lady D!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Previously on A Writer’s Musings…
This Week’s Quality Stories
Weekly Writer’s Tip
My Naughty Disclaimer —
The Muse returns with some gross ideas —
