Lessons I’ve Learned After Publishing Over 1400 Essays on Medium

My observations since beginning to write here in 2017.

Lessons I’ve Learned After Writing Over 1400 Essays on Medium

1. I still get the most joy during the writing and crafting process. Getting a new ‘idea’ is the most magical part of creativity.

2. Success on Medium means different things to different people. To me, it still means the same thing it always has: I discipline myself to show up at the page. If I’ve shown up to do the work I’ve had a successful writing day. Thank you Stephen King and Steven Pressfield.

3. I still believe the connections and friendships I’ve made outweigh the money on Medium.

4. Everyone has their own idea of what it means to be a “good” writer. You know what they say about opinions — they’re like assholes, everyone has one. Opinions on quality vary, depending on who you ask. If someone deems your writing good or valuable by clapping it’s just their viewpoint. Just like chocolate, vanilla, strawberry flavors. I know everyone has a different flavor preference. So be it. I might be the pistachio nut anyway.

5. Talking about writing isn’t writing. Planning to write isn’t how you get better. The only way to get better is to actually do it. Thank you Jeff Goins.

6. I’ve grown to expect a few gutter balls every week. I don’t fear them. Stories that die a slow or fast death are just part of the writing life. (Since I post quite often it makes sense that I am bound to get some clunkers, but just like in bowling you don’t put your ball and shoes away. You throw the next ball down the lane hoping for a strike or spare next time.)

7. I’ve read enough ‘How to make money on Medium’ stories to last the rest of my life. If I never read one more I’d be happy. I incorporate maybe 20% into how I write on Medium, and I’m still doing just fine and dandy — thankyaverymuch. Doing it my way works best for me. (Thanks Sinatra!) I’ve always done better following my own path. This quote is my favorite by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail…”

8. When I’m having a totally shitty day of writing I keep my fingers moving anyway. I never know what might come out of my brain. I’ve surprised myself a few times!

9. Since beginning to write here in 2017 I feel the same. I really only compete with myself. I stay in my own lane. Writing is my sacred happy place so I protect it as much as I can from the negative fray.

10. I never ever expect curation — so I’m never disappointed. If it happens it always comes as a big surprise, but it hasn’t happened much. This was the last one curated. Who knows why? It could be that I put it in P.S. I love you pub.

I don’t believe it gives me any more credence or worth as a writer. I knew I loved that piece and that I wrote it from my heart, so I had my own feelings of pride in it before it was curated. I’d opt for authenticity over curation anyway. Curators are not gurus and don’t hold a writers worth in their hands. (By the way, some of my personal favorite posts were not curated. Also, some of my non curated stories made more MPP payments — in case you are gauging success on money…)

11. I still love being eclectic and experimenting often with different styles or subjects. Hey, why the heck not? Medium is a perfect place to practice.

12. I try not to write too many deep personal angst filled stories in a row, too often. Ha-ha. I like to break it up with lighthearted poems or essays. I don’t want to bog down mine or the readers brain in angst. A little angst goes a long way!

13. I’ve learned that many writers don’t ever ever read my stories — not once — even if I read or interact with theirs. So be it. Well, maybe they DO read but they don’t respond or clap. Oh well. Queseraseraaaa. I’d rather appreciate those that do appreciate me, than be concerned with why others don’t.

14. I don’t expect a writing life to be an easy one. Sometimes it SUCKS ASS and all I wanna do is type FUCK and SHIT.

15. I’m willing to overlook all the bitching, moaning, backstabbing, Medium bashing, tearing apart other peoples writing, whines about Medium policies, the ‘woe is me I SHOULD be making more money here”, “how to get curated”, “how many claps to give and why”, “why I didn’t get curated”, ‘why not being curated upsets me and makes me want to quit writing” and even the myriad of ‘How to Write…’ stories here, in order to just stay in my lane and write my truths on this platform. (Yeah. I guess that last paragraph means: I PUT BLINDERS ON!)

16. I don’t try to copy anyone’s style or figure out what a ‘successful’ writer might be doing on Medium. I don’t try to duplicate what they do. That can backfire. Be true to our own creative muse.

17. I still believe that Medium does not owe us a thing and we should not expect anything from it. If you feel slighted by Medium you can leave the platform. Probably no one will miss you. Ha-ha. If you’re a writer you’ll write, whether here or somewhere else. If Medium went kaput I’d be writing steadily anyway.

19. Writers are a bit moody and sensitive so why in the world would we wanna try to please them all or figure out why they don’t clap for or read our stuff? Who cares? Do your thing and let it go.

20. I find that if I NEVER look backwards at my stats or old stories it makes me happiest. I’m always always moving on to my next idea. That’s my magical place so that’s where I put my brain power.

21. I am most fulfilled when I am proud of a story — when I know I enjoyed writing and communicating my thoughts the way I was hoping to. Also, knowing I’ve improved as an essay writer is invaluable to me as I edit my memoir.

22. I remind myself often about authors in the past who have spent years and years honing their craft and struggling. I am well aware that is part of the writing life. Turtles win the race in my opinion, so I’m a happy turtle.

22. I look at each story like a balloon. I let it go up into the air — release it into the Universe never to be seen again. It’s not in my hands now. Some stories take on lives of their own and do quite well. Others flop. Oh well. I move on to my mantra. I pull up my NEXT story. Next. Next. NEXT.

23. I don’t believe its a good use of our precious time trying to figure Medium out — like how to buck the system, how to analyze stats, how to attract more readers, how to make more and more money. No no no. That stuff could be useless and bring you down a hole of uncertainty. It could ruin the joy of writing. Just write!! You’ll attract the right people to you without much effort I say… If you do it from your heart you WILL win.

THANKS FOR READING! contact: [email protected]

Michelle Monet has published 5 non-fiction books including 4 Poetic Memoirs. Her upcoming Memoir is about her life in show business. She is also writing a Musical based on her life.

MICHELLE MONET BOOKS ON AMAZON.COM-