Look Behind Before Writing…

Some Hippie Notions of Writing on Medium.

Navigating writing ideas in an internet space such as Medium is a daunting process. As a new medium member and antique enthusiast, I have learned to look behind, under, over and beyond what is seen on the table.

I knew the hippie comment would draw you in.

It is the same process with writing. Creativity beckons your soul or you would not be here as a single element on this forum. Reading begets writing, writing begets reading. I have found these tips to be invaluable to enhance my personal thought process. Maybe my odd curiosities will find a few homes.

Be Weird.

Readers embrace articles that are a bit unusual. Practical articles are lovely, but sometimes people want a little pizazz. My strategy is to speak of things few people speak about. Rattle some new ideas in people. Critical thinking and self expression is my side hustle.

Play.

Dancing with words on a page takes an open floor space. A wide frame of mind can lead to a myriad of ideas. Watching each step is key. I must read and re-read what I write at least twenty times. In that regard, I attempt to broaden my vocabulary and intensify my writing base. The alphabet is my dance partner. Mr. Thesauras is my best friend. We play together daily.

Touch.

Move those fingers on the keyboard with grace to visit other writers on medium. In just a short time one can learn what works and what does not. I have found by reaching out to read, more of my knowledge is broadened and my range expands. I literally am just beginning to “see” what works and what does not. This research provides a solid base for imagination and development. Transportation through the keys is a roadway to success.

Don’t Be Offended.

Pieces that do not get many reads or are not accepted to a publication are also your tool for improvement. I have written a few pieces that I thought were incredible. No one cared. Not. a. single. soul. I embrace any critique. I walk from that experience with greater knowledge. I feel good about myself. What I wrote was inspirational for me. If someone doesn’t pick me up -I move forward. It’s sort of like dating. I don’t need to be picked up to be confident and secure with myself. I just try another cityscape. There are many doors. Not all relationships work out.

Engage.

Medium is a place for contact. Join the discussions, subscribe, read more and then write more. Each day I learn a new tactic and make a new connections. My personal goal is self expression, I enjoy the learning process. My employment, education and lifestyle are truly about trying to connect by figuring out how people process information. It fascinates me. I am not necessarily out to be a social sensation. I do personally crave mental stimulation. Everyone has their personal goals. Sapiosexual elements work.

Own It.

Developing one’s style is what makes you unique. It builds your confidence and gives you a fingerprint on Medium. There is no need to copy a style or try to mimic others. It may work for you in a piece or two, but the true value is owning yourself. I am not speaking of format, I speak of work with much more depth. What is your voice? What do you have deep inside your core that longs to be released? That is where the fun is. You will know what it is when you find it. You will thank me for this one. It is of mega importance because……….It changes you.

Visual Representation.

We are all aware of the power of the eye. Being drawn into a piece is imperative. Many use virtual sites for photos to represent their writings. I tend to do the opposite. I look inside myself, not outside, for photographic components. It works well for me. My camera is always with me. I am constantly aware of my surroundings and stop to photograph simple facets of my life. Through this documentation, I literally download my life and experiences to my best friend MacOS. High Sierra is his middle name. Opening the colorful computer photo files awakens my thought process. With that vantage point of reference, my writing begins.

Posting the personal photos gives each piece a very specific ownership. My total self is immersed. Integrating “alt descriptions”, also called alt text, is the written copy that appears on a site if the image itself fails to appear. This tool literally describes images to visually impaired individuals and permits search engines to better navigate the site. Intimate insights of self exposure give the reader a secret glance into you as a person. The photos are representative of your view on life and the words attached your icing.

Enjoy Yourself/ Explore Yourself.

Laugh at your errors and smile at your accomplishments. Have a good time. The exploration of Medium can be both cathartic and just simply fun. Look behind, under, over and beyond.

As Bob Dylan once said, “ Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.”

Feel the rain, people. Feel the rain.