Summary

An author on Medium found inspiration and a creative outlet through writing, leading to increased confidence and success on the platform, as evidenced by growing view, read, and fan statistics.

Abstract

The author began writing on Medium in October 2020 with the initial intention of discussing political matters. Over time, the platform became more than just a forum for expression but a source of inspiration and motivation. The author's journey on Medium was marked by significant milestones, including getting published in ILLUMINATION and joining Politically Speaking, which were pivotal in building the author's confidence. The support and assistance from the Medium community, including fellow writers and publication editors, played a crucial role in the author's development, culminating in a substantial increase in both the quality and quantity of their writing. The author's publication history reflects this growth, with a notable tripling of views, readers, and fans from April to June. Despite not yet achieving Top Writer status or significant earnings, the author remains motivated and is focused on fewer topics to enhance the depth and impact of their work.

Opinions

The author values the Medium community for its role in providing support, assistance, and inspiration.
Medium is seen as a platform that offers a creative and artistic outlet beyond traditional publishing avenues.
The author expresses gratitude towards specific individuals and publications for their encouragement and guidance, such as Dr Mehmet Yildiz, Scott Tarlo, and Samra.
The author acknowledges the impact of personal and professional challenges but emphasizes the resilience and motivation gained from the Medium experience.
There is a sense of optimism for continued growth and improvement in writing, with aspirations for Top Writer status and increased earnings in the future.
The author believes that their story can serve as motivation for others

Here’s Why I’m Now So Inspired to Write on Medium

It didn’t start out that way, but on the journey I found a home and inspiration at Medium

Photo by "My Life Through A Lens" on Unsplash

I have a strong creative and artistic side. But I can only do highly amateurish water color paintings, and am even worse with oils and acrylics. I can’t sing or dance, though these are two of the things I might ask God about, as I wrote in an article several months ago called Memo to God: Three Things I’d Like Just for Me. My usual vegetable and herb garden I’ve not been able to do since 2019. I needed a creative and artistic outlet.

Finding a voice, then learning to sing

I began writing on Medium in October 2020. I had a specific purpose at the time: some things I thought important to say regarding Donald Trump and the election coming in November. Initially, I was not really thinking about Medium as a forum much beyond that. In fact, although I knew I wanted to be writing — and had some historical fiction and also some nonfiction underway — I was still thinking like I had to find a traditional brick and mortar publisher (virtually impossible) after I found an agent (also virtually impossible).

During my Medium journey I learned that what I had done was find my voice in starting to write and actually publish. But the consideration and assistance and support of many people on Medium helped me to find that I might be able to sing through writing.

And that changed everything. Here’s how:

Writing and reading with publications and people who want us to succeed — building confidence, being inspired and motivated, and getting help from more experienced writers

Fairly early on I started getting published in ILLUMINATION. Dr Mehmet Yildiz was especially kind and helpful, clapping for my articles and also giving positive comments. This was a huge confidence builder for me, and convinced me I should keep writing. I was also accepted as a writer in The Ascent, but have never been able to crack their walls. I haven’t given up, though — I just decided to keep working and that at some point I’ll get there.

Later I really became interested in Politically Speaking, reading many articles by a great group of writers there — some of the best articles I’d seen. I asked, and the then-new chief, Scott Tarlo welcomed me. Scott has been so very helpful, and (thankfully) patient, and a pleasure to work with. My writing in Politically Speaking is largely where results started coming for me.

In February I started reading articles by Samra; and then later read of her own publications Write to Inspire and Love in the Air. So many helpful and inspiring articles have made their way into my Reading List. Quite a few writers have also commented on a couple things directly to me, which was much appreciated and also helpful.

Throughout most of my time on Medium in 2021, so many writers have also reached out with a friendly word, a figurative and e-version pat on the back, and helpful suggestions. Here, there are too many to mention, but Samra, Annelise Lords, and Carol Burt come to my mind with ease.

The result: a dramatic increase in quality and quantity of publication, focusing on fewer topics

Here is my publication history so far, a total of 121 articles to date. Also, some commentary and my view/read/fans story stats over time:

Oct — 6 articles.

Nov — 6 articles.

Dec — 0 articles. Health issues, holiday guests and unusual “work” burden kept me away.

Jan — 1 article. About the January 6th insurrection. I did not have the heart to write any more than I said in that one article.

Feb — 4 articles. This is about when I discovered Samra and several others. 2/14–3/7: 59/19/16

March —13 articles. 3/12–4/10: 252/158/56

April — 33 articles. 4/11–5/10: 339/183/63

May — 22 articles. 5/11–6/9: 1,193/895/274

June — 25 articles. 6/10–7/9: 3,833/2963/559

July — 11 articles as of 7/13

I’m not yet where I want to be, as Top Writer status is still out there; and earnings are just now starting to increase. But overall it seems that tripling views, readers and fans from April to June is not a bad spot to be in when looking forward.

Final thoughts

So, there you have it: why I am now so inspired to write. In large part it is because Medium — the community of writers and editors and publications that has come to feel like home — inspired me. I hope this article inspires and motivates someone else out there, even just a little bit.

Take care and stay healthy and strong. Take care each other as much as you can.