Respondently Yours

Summary

The article "Respondently Yours" discusses the value of engagement on Medium through reading, writing responses, and forming connections with other writers.

Abstract

"Respondently Yours" delves into the enriching experience of interacting with fellow writers and readers on Medium. The author expresses a deep appreciation for the platform's ability to foster meaningful connections through the act of responding to articles. Highlighting the importance of feedback, the author cherishes both giving and receiving comments, which not only encourages writers but also sparks interesting discussions and friendships. The article emphasizes the significance of acknowledging responses, with the author citing personal experiences of how interactions on Medium have led to learning opportunities, writing challenges, and the discovery of inspiring writers and poets. The author also reflects on the joy of engaging with the Medium community, despite the challenges of time management and the platform's limitations in compensating poets.

Opinions

The author values the sense of validation and encouragement received from likes, highlights, and responses on Medium.
Engaging with others' work by commenting or responding is seen as highly encouraging and a way to satisfy the need to write.
Medium's interactive nature is compared to Facebook, where a cycle of reading and responding can lead to insightful discussions.
The author enjoys reading and commenting on other people's comments, despite feeling like an eavesdropper.
The direct and timely interaction with authors on Medium is preferable to traditional forms of communication like fan letters.
Writing challenges and prompts inspire the author to write about topics they might not have considered otherwise.
The author admires writers who take the time to acknowledge and thoughtfully reply to responses, showing appreciation for the reader's engagement.
Poets on Medium, such as Harley King and James G Brennan, are appreciated for their work, though the author laments the lack of financial reward for poets on the platform.
The author has formed Medium friendships through mutual reading and responding, even with individuals across the globe.
Despite the enjoyment found in reading and responding, the author acknowledges a need for better time management to balance reading, writing, and responding activities.
The author believes that engaging with the work of others on Medium can lead to friendships that may extend beyond the platform.

Make Medium friends through your responses

Do you sometimes feel like a front-line worker — lots of work, little pay? When you do, those likes and appreciation feel mighty good. When it comes to writing on Medium, we love to have readers appreciate our work through highlights, claps, and responses, don’t we?

One of the things I dearly love about Medium is the opportunity to comment on the pieces I read. If you are like me, you love getting such feedback. I find it highly encouraging to know that a few people are reading what I write. Even a few claps and highlights let me know that they took some of their valuable time and devoted it to reading my piece.

But more than receiving praise, I like to give it. Whenever I come across a cool phrase or a unique thought or something that truly strikes me, I like to show my appreciation by writing a short response or tacking on a private note. As a result, I don’t have time to do as much reading, and it often satisfies my need-to-write bug.

Medium can be a bit like Facebook in that regard. You read you respond, and others read and respond. Sometimes they reply to your responses. It can lead to some interesting “discussions.”

I also enjoy reading other people’s comments. I even comment on a few of them. I know they are aimed at the author, and I often feel like I’m eavesdropping, but I do it and follow Martin Luther’s directive to “sin boldly.”

Though I love to read books and stories in conventional hardcopy, I sorely miss the ability to link up with the author in the direct and timely manner Medium provides. (I wonder, do people still write fan letters to authors? I never was one to do that.)

Some stories challenge me to write something myself. I guess if school taught me anything, it taught me to welcome challenges and rise to meet them. Someone throws down a writing gauntlet and I inevitably pick it up and ready my sword, er pen, er keyboard.

I’ve learned quite a bit that way including a few poetry forms like abecedarian, acrostic, and villanelle (Thanks Holly Jahangiri).

I just finished a challenge piece titled “Skipper” about my first dog. Lorena (Sharing Randomly) in Thank You Notes inspired me to write it by challenging readers to write about a “furry friend.” Challenges and prompts often inspire me to sit down and write about something I might not otherwise think about.

I’ve noticed that most good Medium writers acknowledge responses. They may reply with a simple “Thank You for reading,” or they may go further. One writer I love to read is Trista Signe Ainsworth who founded Thank You Notes. She always writes a point-by-point reply. I love that. It shows a careful reading of my comment and an appreciation for my time and effort.

Another writer whom I love to read and respond to is Jill Ebstein. She always writes back with words that show her appreciation and understanding.

Among the writers I follow is Roz Warren. I love her humor and writing style. She always brings a smile to my face. She’s another writer who faithfully responds to comments.

For poetry, I enjoy Harley King. I find the simple beauty of his poetry breathtaking. It is like looking into a deep pool of clear water. It refreshes and delights my soul. I endeavor to show my appreciation and encourage him to post his work on Medium. Sadly, poets here on Medium earn almost nothing.

Another favorite poet, James G Brennan has disappeared from Medium and gotten busy with other activities. He and I became Medium friends through reading and responding to each other’s work though we live and work on opposite sides of the globe. He’s an insightful poet who hasn’t posted anything here in quite some time. I miss him and his playful writing.

In my journal each morning I note my plans for the day. One entry I usually include is RWR. It stands for Read, Write, Respond. My goal is to do a little of each, each day. Sadly, I’m not good at time management. Being retired, I don’t have to be a slave to the clock; however, a little more discipline wouldn’t hurt. I tend to focus on Reading and Responding (R&R) to the exclusion of Writing. As a retired friend once observed: procrastination is the enemy of the retired.

I can’t complain, though. I’ve made a number of friends here on Medium through diligently reading and responding. I’m not much for highlighting, but I do clap for stories I like, usually giving the 50-clap maximum. I figure it is the least I can do to encourage another writer.

When we read and respond to the work of others, we open the door to friendships that can span the globe. Some may even evolve beyond Medium with people becoming in-the-flesh buddies.

Enjoy your RWR-time, dear friends.