Stay True to “Why,” You Write Amongst the Noise

Success in writing is different for everyone.

A successful writer for many has authored a book. Still, some won’t recognize your success, unless your book tops the New York Times Best Seller’s list.

But what does success at writing means to you?

Is it when you’ve written and published your first book, wrote your first1000 articles, start earning substantially from your writing, or is it measured by the amount of following you got?

For every writer, there are some common goals — to get our writing in front of an audience. To be recognized for the work we’ve done. Many of us goals is to write a book. For some, it’s the social status associated with being a writer, while for others it’s as simple as just connecting with a reader.

We’re human. We aim for self-actualization. What that looks and feels like is different for everyone.

Similarly, the reason you write is personal and different from other writers.

What is successful writing to you?

In mid-July 2020, it was a self-help article written by author/writer Ayodeji Awosika that led me to Medium. His raw nonsense voice and messaging had me hooked from the beginning. I read three of his articles, one after the other that night.

That’s the effect a good read has on me.

“I want to be that kind of writer”. I thought to myself with a tinge of jealousy.

I want to be a writer that moves someone to think, stirs up emotions in a positive way that leads to action.

Similarly, the way Ayo’s writing did for me.

If my writing can achieve that; I would have accomplished my main goal as a writer.

All other accomplishments are considered bonuses.

Maybe for you, it is to transcend entertainment and laughter, teach something, take your reader on a journey across the world, or create an illusion of something special. Our goals are different.

Whatever your goal is; you’ve got to be brave and vulnerable.

You’ve got to write from the heart.

I don’t need 1000 followers. Just positively resonating with one reader is good enough for me.

That’s what I aim for when I write. That’s what becoming a successful writer means to me.

Maybe Ayo's definition of success is something different. I don’t know, but he scored with me, the definition of my personal goal for writing.

Truth be told, I sucked at writing many years ago. I’m still learning, so this is not intended to tutor you about writing.

My reason for joining medium is to read what others have to say and to learn and grow to become the writer I want to be.

I failed writing in college while studying for my Public Relations degree. I graduated feeling mediocre, even though I have enjoyed writing since then.

My writing ambition laid dormant for 25 years.

Then one day, out of the blue; I got the inspiration to write on a subject that was weighing on my mind.

I wrote and submitted it to the Editor of my local daily Newspaper — The Jamaica Gleaner, only to see it the next day published as a segment headliner.

That gave me the confidence to start writing again.

I learned something about myself then. I’m a writer who writes from the heart.

I failed writing while in college because I was writing on topics, I had no interest in.

As a writer, you should write about the things that interest you.

My medium experience and what you can learn from it.

My first six months on Medium were spent reading. I started writing in January 2021.

If you’re new to Medium, the “How-to” — about writing and becoming successful on the platform are the articles that most likely will interest you.

You want to know all there is to comfortably fit in. It’s that curiosity and learning curve we all go through at the beginning.

But even as a seasoned member, you’ll realize; It’s a great community where you never stop learning.

The diversity of its members is varied and wide and whether you joined solely for the read or your desire to write; the journey you’ll find interesting.

Assess your writing from time to time to ensure you’re in alignment with your vision that led you to write.

When was the last time you paused to assess your writing? We all need to do this sometimes.

“If you don’t know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else”- Lawrence J. Peter

Lately, I’ve had to silence the noise and remind myself of my true purpose for being here.

It was then I realized I was getting distracted by the noise of curation, gaining followers, and writing for money.

It’s as though becoming a successful writer is measured by these criteria.

Don’t get me wrong. The “How to” articles are some of my favorite reads — I’ve become better and more confident at writing having read them.

But when I regained my confidence and started writing about two years ago, I never felt pressured to write for the sake of writing nor was I in a race to post 5 or 10 articles per week.

I wrote and submitted whenever I felt I had something to say. It was up to the Editors to decide if my perspective had merits to be placed in front of its 1.3 million readers.

We should —“find a reason to write. Don’t trump up some exercise or create some assignment. Rather, scan the day and imagine where writing would legitimately be helpful. Then do it” — bravewriter.com

Over a short span of time, 90% of the articles I submitted were published. I even got featured in the newspaper on occasions.

Never lose sight of your writing goals

I wasn’t writing to gain a following or views. Neither was I writing to earn money or gain recognition. I was writing because I love the art of writing.

I wrote from the heart on the things I felt strongly about — The things that resonated with me. I figured if something were of interest to me, It could be worth writing about and sharing and not having it bottled up inside of me.

My perspectives could be of value and help to someone.

“I now have to find a reason to write every single day”- Walter Jon Williams

Your writing goals should be the ones you set for yourself. They shouldn’t be contingent on anyone’s criteria.

I write to share my perspectives, bring awareness, educate, offer encouragement and a solution where possible.

I consider myself a motivational writer.

What type of writer are you?

My satisfaction comes when a reader leaves a message of appreciation saying how my writing has helped them.

I have received many of those comments recently.

Of course, I want my perspectives to reach an audience. Whatever route it takes, I am prepared to go. The success I desire maybe will most effectively communicate in a book. Maybe, one day I will earn a sustainable income from my writing too. But in getting there, I want to keep focused on what my primary goal has always been — to connect with my reader especially.

What satisfies us is varied and different. Likewise, the meaning of becoming a successful writer is different for each one of us.

Whatever that success means to you; Learn all you can from medium but keep true to the reason you write.