I'm Gobsmacked! 1K Followers!
I'm incredibly thankful for readers, followers, publishers, subscribers, and friends.
March 1 was a super special day for me; I hit the 1K follower mark.
I know there are a ton of Mediumites out there that have attracted way more followers than that — and in a shorter time — but for lil' ol' me, it's a huge accomplishment.
I'm a Mom and a nurse/teacher. I didn't ever envisage myself being a writer. I discovered my ability thanks to the Pandemic. Hospitals stopped student nurses — and anyone — from entering their facilities. I was stuck at home, absolved of teaching in-house — or even online initially because we weren't set up for such diverse thinking.
I was lost, bored, and stir-crazy.
If you have read my bio, you'll know my intro to writing was purely by chance. A year later, my fear of exposing my life, thoughts, and opinions has rendered me a strong following.
Pushing the 'submit' button now happens at least once a day. I do it fearlessly — for the most part. If I don't write, I feel empty. I've too many things to share and can't keep my mouth shut or fingers from a keyboard.
Have I been brainwashed?!
My first anniversary of writing on Medium is forthcoming (April 6), and I'd like to share at that point some more facts and figures to help new writers. But, with this milestone, I want to extend thanks to many people who have been solid supporters of my writing, and many of them from day 1.
I honestly wouldn't be here if it weren't for Katie Michaelson. She scooped me up like one of her many plants that needed nourishing. I didn't know Katie from a bar of soap, yet she saw something in me long before I did.
She was a perfect stranger who just plopped me under her wing. Katie is one of the most generous souls I have ever come across. I've learned so much from her; I'm already indebted more than I can give back.
Katie encouraged me to follow my dream of having my little pub and helped me set it up Nursing Notes. BTW, you don't have to be a nurse to write for my pub. It's niche — there aren't a lot of nurses that are writing — but it's a home for my rants at least.
Some other wonderful souls have also been instrumental in my success; they're religious supporters, publishers, clappers, and commenters. They're in no order of significance; everyone has contributed to getting me to where I am today.
Please don't be offended if I missed you off my list. I've tried to do my best, yet I know I'll have missed someone.
- My Snapshots crew: we were weekly buddies for a good six months! Dennett, Anne Bonfert, Kim Zuch, Erika Burkhalter, Susan Alison, Ellie Jacobson, Diana Lotti, Pene Hodge, Barbara Radisavljevic, Jane Frost (Jane Grows Garden Rooms), Kris Bedenian, Shruthi Sundaram. FYI, the weekly contributors now submit via Weeds and Wildflowers.
- My Medium bitching go-to: J.J. Pryor and his awesome pub Feedium
- My Montréal sounding board: BichoDoMato
- My Medium bestie: Karen Schwartz
- My bow-to inspirational writer: Tessa Schlesinger
- My "I get you" people from 'down under': Adrienne Beaumont, Cd Ross
- My musical gurus: Rui Alves and Chris Zappa
- Incredibly lovable and religious supporters: Thief, David Perlmutter, Rodrigo S-C, Raine Lore, Freda Savahl, Vidya Sury, Jparton, Lucy Dan, Adelina Vasile; CARMEN F MICSA, Michael Burg, MD, Mark Tulin, Anthony O'Dugan, Christopher Lovelace, Hudson Rennie, Will Hull, Warren Patterson, JM Heatherly, Hollie Petit, Shameem Anwar, Graham Cooke, Michelle March, Sahil Patel
Last but certainly not least is many family and friends who subscribe to my rants. They're not writers. They often have no profile picture and zero stories, so I'm always mindful Medium may see them as bots. They most definitely aren't. You know who you are — and I do too! I cannot thank you enough for your support. It means the world to me.
Now let's see how long it takes me to break the 2K barrier! ❤️
Bisoux, everyone!