How Do Writers Hit a Moving Target?

Summary

A writer reflects on the journey of publishing articles on Medium, grappling with the evolving benchmarks of success and the pursuit of a personal "sweet spot" in story count.

Abstract

The author shares their initial infatuation with writing on Medium and the goal-setting process influenced by reading other Medium stories. Initially aiming for 100 stories as a milestone for success, the author finds the target moving as they encounter suggestions for higher story counts, such as 150 or even 600. Despite the shifting goals, the writer remains focused on their personal inventory of stories, currently at 99, and is preparing to publish their 100th piece. They have compiled their work into a free PDF sampler and a non-free collection of 52 stories, questioning their creative approach and the potential reception by the Medium community. The author acknowledges the uncertainty of their endeavor, including the possibility of being removed from the platform, but maintains a resilient attitude, ready to start anew regardless of the outcome.

Opinions

The author values reaching 100 published stories as a significant milestone but is aware that this number is not universally agreed upon as the benchmark for success.
They express a preference for following advice from trusted, proven sources rather than chasing after every suggested goal.
The writer is pragmatic about the creative process, acknowledging it as messy and not always aesthetically pleasing.
There is a level of self-doubt and introspection as the author questions whether they are producing content correctly and whether it will resonate with readers.
The author is experimenting with different methods of content distribution, including free and paid PDFs, to gauge reader interest and engagement.
Despite the uncertainties and potential for failure, the writer is committed to continuing their writing journey on Medium, indicating a strong dedication to their craft.

You need to Joseph Heller your Medium goals.

When I started writing with Medium, of course, I fell in love immediately.

As I began writing semi-furiously, I was reading at an even faster pace, trying to soak up the ins, outs, and eccentricities of this wonderful platform.

Early on, I read several stories that pointed me toward a plateau of 100 published stories. It was at the point the magic would kick in. The afterburners of journalistic (and monetary) success were ignited at that point.

Not to be beeping my own Renault horn, but, with this story, I am on number 99, and yesterday, I read another story that pronounced 150 to be the sweet spot.

Today, I read Kristina God was delighted she had hit 600 stories but said that 400 might be a good spot for your story inventory.

I need to tell you right now that I don’t follow the ideas of those I am unsure about. I only listen to proven sources. So I know I am not just chasing my tail here. I trust these people.

I will not hit an asset inventory of 600 or even 400 by the end of this month. But I will knuckle down and head to 150. Then toward 600.

I mentioned a good while ago that creativity is not pretty.

So here I sit, filthy and sweaty, about to finish my 99th story and start on my 100th in a few minutes.

In passing, I have assembled a free PDF sampler of a handful of stories by me writing about me writing, to see if anyone cares, or if I am doing it right, or if I get banished from the platform.

I have put together 52 of my stories in PDF form that is NOT free to check if that works according to Hoyle, too.

(And I am not sure whether my email process is working correctly, either.)

So here’s what I look forward to in my journalistic skeet shooting.

I will or will not find the sweet spot as per number of stories. I will or will not be accepted vs grating on everybody’s nerves. I will or will not get kicked off the platform for crass commercialism.

The worst thing that can happen is that I’ll start a new story. And I was going to do that anyway.

How Do Writers Hit a Moving Target?

You need to Joseph Heller your Medium goals.

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