7 Timeless Rules About Writing on This Platform

Stop pretending to be perfect.

This month will be my first anniversary of consistent writing on this platform.

I couldn’t feel prouder to be surrounded by as passionate and dedicated writers and readers like you.

To mark the anniversary of a personal milestone, I wanted to share practical and powerful rules for building a portfolio, audience, and craft on Medium.

Never Give Up.

I have recently watched Jennifer Lopez’s documentary on Netflix. It struck me how determined and persistent she was in chasing her goals.

People told her she was too fat, too exotic, not smart enough, and not skilled enough. It did not stop her from remaining true to her roots or ambitions.

It applies to everything in life.

If you want to be successful in a specific area — do not give up.

The world may tell you that you don’t fit, that your writing sucks, that you won’t make a living off it. Persist either way. If you feel the calling, it will take you somewhere special.

Today, you may have zero subscribers and zero articles published. That is the point. You have to be a beginner to become an expert.

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and starting on the first one.

— Mark Twain

With daily writing, you learn. You make mistakes, but you also polish your craft. Writing tempers the soul. Writing is a self-discovery tool.

A year from now, you will be in a completely different place. It is an encouraging thought for a young writer.

Hit that “publish” button, even if your work does not feel perfect to you.

Perfection is not the point of writing. Perfection is not relatable. And readers want to connect with your words. Relatable writing is a gem.

Don’t overanalyze what somebody else might expect. Write with your heart. Tuning in with your readers’ expectations will come later. It will be natural.

Don’t Compare Yourself To Others.

Other writers are here to inspire you, not bring you down.

You cannot become somebody else than you already are. And it is futile to try.

Comparison kills the joy, while creativity is all about spontaneity and fun.

When you are preoccupied with imitating the success of others, you fail to observe yourself. The best expertise comes from self-awareness.

Following the beaten path is boring. Success is anything but boring.

When you follow your intuition and make unprecedented choices, you are awake to opportunities society is blind to.

If you are a writer, it means you are also an explorer. Writing is your adventure researched on paper. Create from your angle, not through copying the style of others.

The Best Writing Happens When You Are Not Writing.

When you feel stuck with your writing and lack ideas, step away from the keyboard.

The best ideas found me during mundane activities like doing the dishes, strolling through the forest, in the shower or when falling asleep.

Books, forest bathing, mountain hikes, conversations with strangers, and exploring the city = experiences and inspiration.

Walking creates space between your thoughts and the keyboard. By the time you get home, you will craft better headlines and points to make in your article.

Get lost in an activity that brings you joy and energy but is not connected to writing.

In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.

— John Muir.

Bigger Doesn’t Mean Better.

Don’t be fooled by the appeal of big publications.

In fact, each article I republished gained a wider audience in smaller publications.

Big pubs mean ample followers, but there is a chance your article will lose itself in the sea of other writers.

What I have found out is that smaller pubs have more dedicated readers, a supportive audience and the crucial component — the soul for a writer to thrive and get inspired.

The fact that your piece wasn’t featured in a prominent publication doesn’t make you a bad writer. It means you need more experience.

Keep writing. Keep learning. Keep publishing.

As Stacey Lynn Klug pointed out in her article: “the algorithm rewards consistency”.

Enjoy the Process More Than the Actual Outcome.

Money, fame, and approval are fleeting. If financial benefits are your sole fuel for writing, you will burn out quickly.

Respect money but don’t make it your motivation. Money serves its purpose when you aim to express yourself with it.

When you love what you give your energy to, the payoff from your work will be tremendous.

Care more about the journey of creating than about getting it done. It is a delicious place to be in. It gives you the freedom to shape your work without chasing approval.

Don’t let the pursuit after the next paycheck strip you of enjoying the actual moment.

If you enjoy writing, juice it out. Money will come later.

Keep It Flexible.

Don’t take yourself too seriously. It is the best advice you can get in life.

It goes well with writing. Be playful about it.

When you feel good about writing, it becomes authentic.

Experiment. See what catches up with readers. Go against the rules. Deviate from your niche. Dig up new information on the uncharted topic.

Apply your idea of fun to the process of creation.

Support Other Writers.

Engagement will get you far in life.

When you clap or comment on the works of others, you also boost your success through building connections and making yourself visible on the platform.

One day you will look upon your accomplishments and the road you have travelled, and you will be glad you took that first step.

Each article adds up to your writing career.

Cherish the journey of writing!

If you are a seasoned writer, add a comment on your advice for a younger self.

Thank you for being here, — Kate