Happy Holidays to the Lot of Ya

Summary

Angie Smartt pens a heartfelt holiday greeting to the diverse Medium community, extending warm wishes to all its members, from new writers to avid readers, and acknowledging the various challenges and triumphs they face.

Abstract

Angie Smartt, nestled in a cozy holiday setting, composes a love letter to the Medium community, celebrating the spirit of the season with a broad embrace. She sends holiday cheer to new and seasoned writers, those who find success and those still seeking it, and the readers who support them. She recognizes the dedication of writers who juggle multiple responsibilities, those who write under difficult circumstances, and those who dream of writing but haven't started. Smartt's message is one of inclusivity and camaraderie, honoring every member's unique journey in the Medium village, regardless of their level of engagement or success.

Opinions

Smartt expresses admiration for new writers striving to establish themselves and for the perseverance of regular contributors.
She commends those who have managed to monetize their work on Medium and offers encouragement to those aiming to get curated or achieve recognition through claps.
She appreciates the diversity of engagement on the platform, from those who frequently clap and interact to those who are more reserved or even silent observers.
Smartt acknowledges the often invisible labor of writers who may not receive views or those who consume content without creating their own.
She empathizes with writers facing personal challenges, such as health issues, family dynamics, or solitude, and praises their resilience.
Smartt celebrates the creative process, regardless of whether one has abundant inspiration or ample time, emphasizing the value of talent, desire, and determination.
She extends her well-wishes to poets and dreamers, valuing their passion and artistic struggles, including the quest for the perfect rhyme or form.
She gives a nod to the editors and publication runners who keep the Medium ecosystem thriving, recognizing their tireless efforts and the challenges they face.
Smartt's letter is a tribute to the collective experiences of the Medium community, reflecting on the shared joys and hardships of writing and reading in the digital age.

A love letter to my Medium folks

Dear Readers,

From the fortress of my quilt-laden bed, bedecked with my finest holiday jammies, and behind my dollar store readers, I send out this greeting to old friends, new acquaintances, and to readers and writers around this Medium village, whatever your circumstance.

Happy holidays to new writers trying to find their way. To regular writers plugging along, checking stats too much, and relishing their interactions in the comments. To those who are actually making money on Medium, who have unlocked the code and found a solid readership! And to those trying to get curated, or just get their 100 claps.

Happy holidays to those who clap often and much and to those who don’t clap. Happy holidays to the one clappers!

Happy holidays to those who write stories that get no views. And to those who view often but write no stories. Happy holidays to those who do not write at all but secretly want to. To those who have pieces saved but are afraid to push publish. Happy holidays to those who post daily. And to those who aspire to.

Happy holidays to mothers and fathers finally sitting down to read and write after their last child has fallen asleep. Especially to those nursing moms who are reading and dare I say writing while feeding their babes! To grandparents far from their grandchildren and to all who are missing their loved ones deep in their hearts even more so at this time of year.

Happy holidays to workers who toil all day and then write works of magic at night after all the house chores are done. To those who write from nursing homes, from shelters, from sick beds. To those who write from the battlefield of broken families, recalcitrant teenagers, or loneliness.

Happy holidays to those with a wealth of inspiration but no time and those with no inspiration but a wealth of time. To those with talent and those with desire and grit.

Happy holidays to poets! To dreamers, to believers, to those who make their anger known with curse words and passion. To those who count syllables and rack their brains for rhymes. To those who can write sonnets and to those who have to google what a cinquain is.

Happy holidays to people who run publications. To those who edit and tirelessly send reminders of publication rules. To those who send out regular prompts and set up competitions. To those who only publish their own work. To those who gave up out of sheer burnout.

Happy holidays to you all and I shall read you in the new year!

Sincerely and with love,

Angie

(This letter was inspired by a piece by E.B. White that appeared in The New Yorker, December 20, 1952 P. 23)

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