Introspection, Whimsy, and Catharsis

Reflections on My First Month of Writing

When I started writing on the platform a month ago, I swore to myself that I would not write about writing. The idea seemed too self-indulgent and too meta. Moreover, I felt like there were too many articles about writing on the platform. What additional value could I possibly provide?

Nevertheless, it is my reluctant observation that articles on writing tend to focus on how to be successful on the platform, which is narrowly defined in terms of how to foster greater reader engagement, attract more followers, secure a higher percentage of curation, etc.

Such an approach holds little appeal to me. I don’t like reading articles by writers whose main objective is to be successful on the platform. It is obvious when an author is (and is not) creatively, intellectually, and/or emotionally invested in his/her work. I want to read articles and essays that are informed by experience and insight, and infused with perspective and soul. Above all, I want to feel like I am better off having read an article than not. I want anyone who decides to spend a few minutes reading my work to feel the same way.

MY MOTIVATIONS FOR WRITING

I decided to try my hand at writing on the platform mostly out of boredom. I recently left my job and have a lot of time on my hands. I write for the enjoyment of it, not external rewards like views, reads, claps, and earnings.

My motivations for writing, which have evolved since I started, can be distilled into the following:

• To Support My Learning. As part of a career change, I am studying to become a certified personal trainer. Writing about what I’m learning helps me internalize the course content. The bulk of my writing has consequently been on health and fitness.

• To Experience Something New. I did a lot of writing in my last job, but they were mostly policy papers with little room for self-expression. I finally have the freedom to write whatever I want, no matter how ridiculous or whimsical. My favorite might be the very first article I published, written from my dog’s perspective.

• To Better Understand Myself. The little steps toward self-discovery have been the most satisfying part of my writing journey so far. Before this, I have not given that much thought to the events in my life that have contributed to me being so messed up today. To be able to sort out my unresolved issues and analyze them in my writing has been a cathartic experience.

• To Create and Share. There is no point in writing on the platform if I am not interested in cultivating an audience. I can capture my thoughts in a notebook instead of spending my time thinking of a title/subtitle and searching for an image that might catch the reader’s eye. My ambition is to create pieces that effortlessly meld personal experience with research and insight, and that resonate with as many readers as possible. (Note: The article below has the fewest views/reads of all my published articles so far. It is probably because it was one of my earliest pieces and I did not publish it on a major publication. Perhaps this article might give it a second life.)

REFLECTIONS

It is far too early to draw any conclusions about my experience with writing on the platform. Here are some preliminary and hopefully counter-intuitive thoughts:

• Unpack your motivations for writing. The motivation (e.g. earnings, audience, self-discovery, enjoyment, etc.) should shape how you approach the writing process.
• Keep an open mind. There is no need to restrict yourself to certain topics or writing styles. As humans, we are gifted with curiosity and adaptability. Our writing, even on an individual basis, should reflect the full range of the human experience. Look back into your history, no matter how uncomfortable. Read widely, and not just on the platform. Talk to people. Keep a journal, whether physical or digital, to store your thoughts and ideas until you are ready to give form to them.
• Don’t write for the imaginary reader. The universe of readers too infinitely diverse to be targeted effectively. Focus on finding something interesting to say and the most interesting way to convey that message.
• There is no right way to write. There is too much advice out there emphasizing the need to be simple, direct, and succinct. This is not bad advice per se, but that is not the sum of what it takes to be a good writer. Following this advice may help get more readers to spend 30 seconds reading your article. However, I think it would be more meaningful to have fewer people spend 5 minutes reading the same article. I believe that there is an audience for writing that is thoughtful yet visceral, clear yet nuanced.
• Stay true to yourself. I have been told that my writing can be too convoluted and I use obscure words that would alienate readers. There are always ways to improve one’s writing, but I respectfully disagree with the suggestions. If someone is dissuaded from reading my work because it contains words like “obviate” or “sophistic”, then they are unlikely to be interested in my work in the first place.
• Have processes, not targets. It can help to devote a certain amount of time per day or week to writing. These should ideally be the hours when you tend to be most creative and productive. However, I also firmly believe in quality over quantity. There will be days when neither ideas nor words seem to flow. Any draft you produce would not meet your — let alone the reader’s — standards. Please do not inflict sub-par work on the world. Put it aside and come back to it another day when you’re ready.
• Curation should not matter. It seems like far too much energy is being spent on how to improve one’s chances of getting an article chosen for further distribution or, better yet, receiving the coveted “your story has been recommended” email. I think it is more meaningful to focus on producing good content and then having that content published in an appropriate publication to reach the right reader. Curation should be a perk, not an objective.
• Above all, have fun!

FINAL THOUGHTS

I have loved my first month of writing. It has given my daily life a new focus. I am constantly on the lookout for new ideas for my writing, regardless of whether I’m studying, walking the dog, listening to a podcast, working out at the gym, cooking lunch, or catching up with friends. There have been some dark periods when I peered a little deeper into my past, but it also allowed me to emerge much happier than before.

I leave you with this quote:

“Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.” ~Barbara Kingsolver