GROWTH

Medium Authors Have Changed My Desire to Write

Thanks to the kind folks I’ve found here, my numbers are rising

I signed onto Medium in June 2021. I don’t recall how I found the platform, but I was intrigued and signed up, thinking it might be easy enough to make a couple of hundred bucks a month. Uhm, yeah. No, it wasn’t.

I started with low numbers, as you might expect for a newbie. I had two problems with Medium; me and me. I didn’t understand the concept, nor did I take it seriously. I canceled my membership and promptly forgot about Medium. Every so often, Medium would taunt me with a list of stories I may be interested to read.

So I came back and cheerfully told Medium to take five bucks each month. I’m glad I did.

I’ve “met” many terrific writers the second time around. And there are too many to list. Nor do I wish to tag them in hopes of more views for this post.

However, I will mention the publications that have been kind enough to put up with my wretched writing and welcomed me into their folds: A Taste For Life, Bouncin’ and Behavin’ Blogs, Full Frame, Gardening, Birding, and Outdoor Adventure, In For a Penny, Mental+Plus, SNAPSHOTS, and Weeds & Wildflowers. I have yet to write for all of these pubs, but I’ll get there.

I debated on finding a niche and sticking with that, but so many subjects fascinate me. Am I qualified to write about all of them? Hell no. And I don’t.

I write from my personal experiences, and I’ve had a few at my age. I also attempt to write with a touch of humor. The key word is “attempt.” I do not fancy myself a comedian. But I do like being irreverent on many topics.

I know I’m a photographer and a pretty fair one at that. I enjoy sharing my view of the world from behind the viewfinder of my camera. On that subject, Tony Stubblebine would you please consider giving photographers — there are many on Medium — the ability to place images within our stories as we see fit? When I first signed onto Medium, that option was available. I’ve no idea why that choice was removed.

Growing

I take this platform much more seriously these days. And my numbers bear this out. When I started my journey, my high water mark for views topped out at 18 — for a single day. On Jan. 20, my high point was 895 views for one day.

I understand my numbers may be insignificant for established writers on Medium. But I don’t concern myself with how much other writers earn or their number of views, etc. They worked hard to reach their current status.

I’m a work in progress. It shows, and I know it shows. Hell, we’re all a work in progress. Each day we open our eyes, it’s a chance to do something new or different. The day I woke up and wrote I Broke Bread With Jesus, And This Happened, I had no idea that would happen, but it did, and I had fun cobbling it together. When was the last time someone was crazy enough to write a story like that? And I’m one of those good Catholic boys.

Ultimately, the lesson for today — for those new to Medium — and myself, is to keep trying. There may be days when your brain’s coming up empty. Fine. Take time to find authors you haven’t read. Clap, read, and comment. If you like their work, follow them and sign up for email. We’re a community that should support each other.

If you’ve read this far, thank you for stopping by. Lay 50 claps on me and comment if you would please. I will return the favor. Cheers!

I accept tips, which go directly to Dining for Hunger, a recognized 501(c)(3) organization that looks to end food insecurity. If you can spare a dollar or two, I’d be grateful.

More stories from Bruce Coulter.