Just One Medium: and an Idiot (It’s Fine)

Summary

The author reflects on their experience and approach to writing on Medium, acknowledging past mistakes and outlining a new strategy to share more authentic and process-oriented content.

Abstract

The author begins with a casual greeting, emphasizing the personal nature of their writing. They admit to previously sharing only polished work, which they liken to exhibits in a museum, devoid of the human element. Realizing the importance of authenticity, the author decides to embrace a more conversational and informal style, including the "unpretty" aspects of the writing process. They aim to engage with readers in a dialogue rather than a monologue and to remind themselves not to be an "idiot," which seems to symbolize being inauthentic or overly polished. The author concludes by expressing satisfaction with their new approach and looks forward to future interactions with their audience.

Opinions

The author believes in the value of sharing the writing process, including its imperfections.
They have a critical view of their past writing style, considering it too sterile and detached.
The author expresses a desire for genuine connection with their readers, shifting from speaking "at" them to speaking "to" them.
They see their previous focus on only sharing "pretty bits" as a mistake, indicative of a lack of authenticity.
The author is self-reflective, using this post as a means to hold themselves accountable to their new writing principles.
They are optimistic about the future of their writing on the platform, suggesting a sense of personal growth and excitement for continued engagement with the audience.

What I’ve Learned… And How Not to Use This Platform.

“Hi.”

That seems a casual enough tactic to begin this blog post. This journal entry. This comfy-hat, faded jeans (same-old) conversation…

Why am I highlighting those terms, you ask? It’s for myself, really, to be a constant reminder that I can just talk!

So I’m talkin’ here!

I’ve seen others doing it: saying their piece, their certain stuff about stuff; stuffing nutshells full of simple, authentic fodder. And I like it, mostly.

So Here I Am.

So, Hi! Hello. I’m still quite new here on Medium, and many of you don’t know me from the mole popping out of a notch in the barn board… or from Adam (my brother, and we seem worlds apart). But still: it is a pleasure to meet you.

I’ve been an idiot. (And stuff — my nutshell overfloweth.)

I have only published the pretty bits so far. The finished work (the good brain farts, as I’ve never called them) and nothing else — as if this was my own little corner exhibit at the renowned Intergalactic Arts and Literature Museum. Only impressive, shiny things to see here… nothing inside the ordinary.

Lame.

And that’s me. I can speak like a human being — I’m not some freak who saunters sideways, stares at wayward plastic bags and recites poetry outside the liquor store — but my writing style would suggest otherwise.

Sorry about that. This is about as untuned and informal as I’m gonna get…

But I have learned a lot, and this blog post — this journal entry, this conversation — is my first step towards not losing touch completely. I have a short list of things too (stuck to my fridge, scrawled on construction paper in kids’ kiwi lip gloss) that I would love to share.

It’s for myself, really… a constant reminder to:

Write the process, and the unpretty pauses in between (if need be). It’s all good. I repeat — for myself, really — it’s all good.

Talk TO the readers sometimes, and not AT them. This is a blog.

Not be an idiot!

How do I like them apples? Time tells all… At the very least, I’ve enjoyed talking to you (for a change).

Let’s do this again soon!