In Writing, Be the Tortoise, Not the Hare

I started writing again on February 2018. This is my story and I’m sticking to it

I’ve squeezed a year of writing into three years. Yes, you read that right. The beginning of my journey on Medium was more of a gentle saunter than a sprint.

I found the Medium platform through The Angry Therapist. I don’t remember how I found John Kim, but you can find him here. He is most definitely worth reading and following.

He inspired me to be more clearly myself. First as a therapist, and then in reclaiming my identity as a writer.

My first story on Medium was “What the F Do I Do Now?” Sounds like it has to do with starting writing again, huh? Not exactly.

I’d spent months reading the top writers, especially the funny ones. My goal was to write vulnerable, funny personal stories. As Joe Duncan points out often, vulnerablity leads to success here and in real life. Humor is the topping on the ice cream sundae of vulnerability. I found my comedy voice, and was so ready to push off from the starting line and regale the online reading world with my humor.

Then, #metoo happened, and I realized I had a lot to say about being female in the workplace, dating, and life. I had stories from other women, plus stories and opinions of my own. So many opinions.

So my first piece has snarky humor, but it’s not about writing. It’s subtitled, “A guide for men in the #metoo era.” It got 19 claps from one person: Jessica Wildfire. I consider that a high compliment, a claim to fame, and it makes Jessica my very first fan. I didn’t make any money, but baby, I felt like I’d arrived. Bless her, she still reads me. Of course, I will always continue to read her.

Back then, we were paid by the number of claps received. I probably posted three or four stories that first month. I’ll let you do the math.

The not making money part went on for a very long time. So long many people who have come here to write since would have given up. Lots of them did. If they were only here for the rumors of big money, perhaps that’s for the best. Even those who started recently, made good money right away, and are now upset that their earnings are going down, would have quit very quickly if they did it my way. Slowly.

I didn’t even read my stats for a long time. Not until my best performing piece began getting more and more applause. That’s when I did a study of how my pieces were doing, and came up with my first “formula” of writing more of what did well. Sex, parenting and humor. Sometimes all three at once.

Except, part of my reason for writing here is to take all my random thoughts and explore them further. To use the flotsam and jetsam of my morning inner dialogue and put it all down on paper. Those thoughts range over a LOT of topics. Plus, I’ve lived long enough with a life’s goal of gaining experiences, that I have lots to tag #This Happened to Me. Hence, that’s one of my Top Writer statuses.

Maybe the lack of focus on a niche is an excuse for not lighting up the Medium night sky right out of the starting gate, or for quite some time after. Plenty of successful Medium writers preach, “Niche, niche, niche.”

On the other hand, plenty of other successful Medium writers say to write whatever you have something to say about. Write whatever pops into your pretty little head. I’ve thrown in my lot with them.

My topics range from penises, to trolls, to plump vaginas. From parenting, to civil rights, social justice, and equality. From psychology and mental health to downright silly humor, satire and snark. I’m all over the track, and in several publications large and small, including my own, New Choices.

Even though John Gorman told us all early on to write every day, and every day I silently promised him and myself that I would, I do have a day job as a psychotherapist. I’m also determined to have a balanced life and a social life. Unlike many writers, I’m an Extrovert. The struggle is real.

My first year I’m guessing I published a couple of times a week. Eventually that became two to three a week. Currently I post eleven to eighteen a month. When I hit twenty-four to thirty, I’m throwing a party and inviting John Gorman, Shaunta Grimes, and Jessica Wildfire. My success in doing so will be due as much to their inspiration as my diligence.

Currently I’m on track for about twenty articles this month. I broke into the top 7% of earners in December 2019, dropped right back out, and finally got back in, where I’ve mostly remained since, in December 2020.

Writing isn’t all about the money for me, and I understand that for many people it is. However, I didn’t save for retirement, and this is my retirement plan, so I take it as seriously as a humor writer can.

Moreover, in my saunter to the finish line, cool stuff has happened along the way. I’ve gained some influential cheerleaders mentioned above and below. Several of my articles have made the first page of Google and Duck Duck Go searches. Human Parts sought me out to add as a writer.

A lot of Hares have passed me by in this Medium race. A few of them have flamed out and retreated to the sidelines. I keep plodding along. After three years here, I’m approaching the home stretch. I no longer doubt my abilities and I now make time every day for writing.

I’ve started networking more, with Yael Wolfe, Richie Crowley, Marley K., Neil Mathew, Tre King, Susan Brearley, Roz Warren, Joe Duncan, James Knight, and in person with Kerry McAvoy, PhD and Nicole Akers. Through them and other writers, I’m experiencing the support and camaraderie I had not sought out before. They are all making my little turtle legs churn faster as I close in on the goal.

What’s the goal? The same as in the beginning. To win hearts and minds by sharing my experiences, thoughts, and stepping stones I’ve found on the path to enlightenment. If that also translates into becoming one of the top earners, I will throw my little turtle arms up in jubilation as I cross that finish line. And I’m not leaving the race. Tortoises are nothing if not persistent.

My advice

Stay the course. Hares stop and start. They burn out and flame out. They’re over confident. Tortoises keep going without worrying about the result as much as we enjoy the journey. We are in it for the long haul, as well as rewards others don’t always value as much as money. We seek out advice from better writers and we constantly learn. We interact. And someday we reach that pot of gold at the finish line, if you’ll forgive my mixed metaphor. Be the Tortoise.