avatarElin Melaas

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Abstract

2e">This first month of writing has been a learning experience. I expect this to continue in the coming months as well. As someone who loves to learn and finds gaining new knowledge satisfying, I’ll keep on writing, reading and publishing.</p><h2 id="2b70">Timeconsuming</h2><p id="d9b0">Meet <a href="https://www.thesaurus.com/">Thesaurus</a> — my best friend. I spend a lot of time looking up words.</p><p id="ec8c">In my story <a href="https://readmedium.com/do-i-have-to-apply-for-a-day-job-3be7a5d69841"><i>Do I Have to Apply for a Day Job?</i></a><i> </i>I challenged myself to write 3 stories each week. This is a goal I will not be able to reach this point in my writing process. Writing, editing, and formatting take me forever. Besides, life happens and disturbs my plans. For June, I have adjusted my goals to writing 2 stories each week.</p><h2 id="4daf">Overwhelming</h2><p id="d6ce">There is so much to learn in such a short time. Don’t get me wrong, I love learning. I want to be better at both writing and understanding Medium as a platform. Since I’m impatient, sooner rather than later would be great. My expectation must be reasonable, so I have to be focused and trust the process.</p><h2 id="5960">Frustration</h2><p id="9b17">I get annoyed when I’m struggling to find the right words and shape the sentences to express what I want. Fortunately, there is help available. I’d like to give a shout-out to the dictionary <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/">Merriam-Webster</a>, who keeps saving me.</p><h2 id="9e69">Publications</h2><p id="19d8">Thanks to the publications which publish

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my stories. It is such a huge encouragement and inspiration. Receiving an email with the announcement “<i>Title of my story</i> has been accepted into <i>the name of the publication”</i> is utterly amazing.</p><h2 id="6676">Stories</h2><p id="7b27">I published 8 stories in May. My most viewed story was <a href="https://baos.pub/get-out-of-hibernate-mode-and-start-producing-content-89143e6931ec"><i>Get Out of Hibernate Mode and Start Producing Content</i></a><i>. </i>The most honest and vulnerable was <a href="https://readmedium.com/20-helpful-tips-for-the-next-generation-fa326f3b95c4"><i>20 Heartfelt Tips for the Next Generation</i></a><i>. </i>And I finally managed to write the intimidating <a href="https://readmedium.com/about-me-elin-melaas-89e9ad11432e"><i>About Me — Elin Melaas</i></a><i>.</i></p><h2 id="f8b1">Goals for June</h2><p id="9463">8 stories is a reasonable goal for me. Hopefully, I will be more efficient in writing, editing and formatting.</p><h1 id="763a">Final Thoughts</h1><p id="d4bc">May has been a fascinating month. Beginning to publish stories is scary, time-consuming, and satisfying. To keep publishing stories through an entire month is for me quite an achievement. I will continue and I look forward to gaining wider experience and becoming more confident.</p><h2 id="8f9a">My message to new writers</h2><ul><li>learn by reading and writing</li><li>keep experimenting</li><li>keep growing</li><li>trust yourself</li><li>just do it</li></ul><p id="57cd">I want to get to know more beginner writers at Medium, so please feel free to reach out to me.</p></article></body>

I’ve Completed My First Month as a Writer

For me, that’s quite an achievement

Having a cup of coffee and reflecting upon my first month as a writer. Photo courtesy of Elin Melaas.

I never dreamed of becoming a writer. Truth is, the thought of writing scared the crap out of me. I joined Medium to read, learn, and be inspired. However, reading tons of stories made me change my mind. I started insecure and doubtful. One month in I’m more experienced, but still struggling to get past beginner’s doubt. But mostly I am delighted I´ve persisted this first month.

“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” — John Bingham

Reflections

Excitement

I’m excited because I now have a writing journey. One month ago I would never have believed that I would be on the path to becoming a girl who regularly publishes stories. I’m celebrating this achievement with pride.

Grateful

I’m surprised and grateful for the direction my life has taken. How I spend my days has changed radically in a short time. I’m also grateful for the many talented writers who share their knowledge and captivating stories.

Learning

This first month of writing has been a learning experience. I expect this to continue in the coming months as well. As someone who loves to learn and finds gaining new knowledge satisfying, I’ll keep on writing, reading and publishing.

Timeconsuming

Meet Thesaurus — my best friend. I spend a lot of time looking up words.

In my story Do I Have to Apply for a Day Job? I challenged myself to write 3 stories each week. This is a goal I will not be able to reach this point in my writing process. Writing, editing, and formatting take me forever. Besides, life happens and disturbs my plans. For June, I have adjusted my goals to writing 2 stories each week.

Overwhelming

There is so much to learn in such a short time. Don’t get me wrong, I love learning. I want to be better at both writing and understanding Medium as a platform. Since I’m impatient, sooner rather than later would be great. My expectation must be reasonable, so I have to be focused and trust the process.

Frustration

I get annoyed when I’m struggling to find the right words and shape the sentences to express what I want. Fortunately, there is help available. I’d like to give a shout-out to the dictionary Merriam-Webster, who keeps saving me.

Publications

Thanks to the publications which publish my stories. It is such a huge encouragement and inspiration. Receiving an email with the announcement “Title of my story has been accepted into the name of the publication” is utterly amazing.

Stories

I published 8 stories in May. My most viewed story was Get Out of Hibernate Mode and Start Producing Content. The most honest and vulnerable was 20 Heartfelt Tips for the Next Generation. And I finally managed to write the intimidating About Me — Elin Melaas.

Goals for June

8 stories is a reasonable goal for me. Hopefully, I will be more efficient in writing, editing and formatting.

Final Thoughts

May has been a fascinating month. Beginning to publish stories is scary, time-consuming, and satisfying. To keep publishing stories through an entire month is for me quite an achievement. I will continue and I look forward to gaining wider experience and becoming more confident.

My message to new writers

  • learn by reading and writing
  • keep experimenting
  • keep growing
  • trust yourself
  • just do it

I want to get to know more beginner writers at Medium, so please feel free to reach out to me.

Writing
Self Improvement
Inspiration
Advice
Creativity
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