How I Stopped Writing on Medium for a While

But there’s every reason to return

Almost two years ago I started writing on Medium, and three top writers (do they still have that?), some bonus payments, and 702 followers later, I stopped.

I didn’t stop writing, no, I make a living out of writing now, which is my dream comes true. But I might have been running before I could walk.

Here’s what I have learned on the journey of being a professional writer, and why I return to Medium. Heart-to-heart chat to all my Medium writer friends.

A great starting point

If only there was a Youtube-like platform for word-lovers — that’s my starting point when I joined Medium in 2019. In this day and age, everyone is thinking to make money on the internet, looking for a way out of my corporate sadness, this platform was where I turned to.

A place where personal experience and vulnerability are well balanced with research and information. Medium was literally my calling.

I dabbled in video editing over the years, but writing is much quicker to deliver a message (although since then live streaming has become even more instant), and I literally just can’t stop writing.

But then I left

When I reached a certain point on Medium — with a few beloved publication friends, earning some bonuses, getting some viral articles out, I thought I should walk away from it.

The reason was just one casual comment from a nobody:

Medium writers aren’t real writers.

In hindsight, this is a desperate shout of pride from traditional publishers. When was the last time you buy a magazine? Do you go to the library to look up something or Google? My habits as a typical millennial should have informed my decisions better. Medium, and the internet, are the way to go.

Ironically, in my interview with Generation Tribe, they asked me what would I say to my younger self. And I want to remind everyone, including myself, again of this valuable truth:

Separate people’s opinions from facts.

Just because someone persuasive and loud say something they firmly believe in, doesn’t mean it’s true. The Earth is not flat, Allah doesn’t authorise genocide. Where an article is published says little about its quality.

Where did I go? Why am I back?

I don’t regret the branching out though. I wrote for a few magazines, set up my own newsletter (subscribe here!) and set up my own website as a professional copywriter. I have also participated in story competitions (still waiting…).

Here’s what I learned: Rome wasn’t built in one day. But a career in Medium is generally built faster than the others. I think I’ve made money from the first article I published here with a publication.

You must ask yourself what do you want as a writer

• Do you have a message your want more people to hear about? Then use a platform like Medium, or other places if you find it works for you.
• Do you want to make money? Medium doesn’t pay big bucks initially, but other means could take much longer. It’s a balance.
• Do you just want to rant about something? Well, I’m not sure Medium fully supports that, but technically you can publish it to your Medium blog anytime you want. Otherwise, there’s always Twitter 🙊

Think about your intention, and announce it by commenting below. I want to know what it is and once it’s out there on the internet, we can keep you accountable.

Obstacles are just detours in the right direction

I wouldn’t even say my detours are a mistake or even obstacles, I will keep writing in other places because experiencing other means of publishing helps me to know what really should I write on Medium (and on other platforms).

For example:

• Wattpad is great if you want to write fiction for young people (and for me, it’s precious because they love stories with a people of colour protagonist)
• Magazines are great if you have very niche and geeky knowledge (like trains or tax or plumbing…)
• Newsletters are great if you treasure the community you build (this is also the primary reason, not to sell stuff, honestly, don’t use your readers)
• Competitions are great if you are competitive, and some of them do pay a lot of prize money, although many charges an extortionate amount to enter…
• Setting up your own freelance website is a good idea if you are ready to be a proper entrepreneur. There’s a word now — authorpreneur. It’s a slow burn though.

No one will know you’re gone, it’s the internet!

It’s important to remember that we have our own journey, and the Earth really does still run if we leave and take a break.

The only thing I notice from my inactivity on Medium is obviously the drop in earnings (!) I still get something, but Medium is a platform you need to cultivate and participate in.

I guess by writing this article I am keeping myself accountable to my Medium friends that I will read, clap and comment on yours. I hope you like mine too.

Onwards and upwards, I am looking forward to writing some even higher-quality pieces here now I have seen the written world out there!

Follow me at this instance!