Don’t Tell

The Professor of Medium’s Deepest, Darkest Secret

I’ll Share it With You, But Keep it on the Down Low

Good afternoon Class! So there was something I noticed some time ago about the way I write on Medium. I think it might come as a surprise to many of my students here on the platform. I haven’t shared this with anyone before.

So here it goes:

I don’t know what I’m doing, most of the time.

Allow me to clarify that statement. I do know a number of things related to my Medium writing, and how it goes down each day. I have goals, targets, and methods I use regularly to produce at least two writing pieces each day.

But there’s one big area that I’m often clueless about: The actual writing.

I’ve seen other writers here on the platform mention how they have dozens or even over 100 writing pieces started in their drafts folder. Holy shit, that’s amazing to me. I couldn’t imagine having that many ideas ready to start.

But then again, check out my drafts and published stories on my main profile:

Though I don’t have a multitude of ideas lined up and ready to go, somehow I always find a way. If I didn’t think of a good idea overnight, I generally drink my morning coffee, review the submissions that have come across from Bouncin’ and Behavin’ Blogs since the night before, and publish them.

I read each one while editing them, and if I’m still at a loss for an idea, I start reading more Medium posts from my friends and writers who I enjoy. After checking out their latest articles, I usually get an idea that pops into my head.

Here’s another part of my deep, dark, writing secret:

I don’t have a plan when I start writing. I just wing it.

I know that some writers really put a lot of time and effort into mapping out how their article is going to go. They may brainstorm and write a number of titles down. They probably work their subtitles into the equation, and perhaps come up with a clever kicker at the top.

Then they likely make a blueprint of certain sections and titles for each section. They probably carefully hunt out the best pictures to use from a number of sources and have this all planned out before their fingers are moving across the keyboard.

That’s so not me. I sometimes wish it was. But that’s not how this brain of mine works. It’s more scattered than that and all over the place. I am usually writing and publishing stories by the seat of my pants with my hair on fire (God forbid!).

I love it. For me, it just about always ends up working out. I make this shit up as I go along, and the next sentence is uncertain. Once in a while, I’ll have an idea to work into the piece, or can think a few sentences ahead, but more often than not, it’s like a Choose Your Own Adventure book.

And that’s one of my very favorite things about my writing. It can go in any direction and take a ninety-degree angle turn at any given moment. I love typing away and coming up with a twist or turn the minute inspiration strikes me.

I find humor writing to be my favorite genre of writing if I had to pick just one type that I enjoy the most. It’s easier for me to pepper my work with sarcasm, wit, and humor than any other types of characteristics people use in their writing. I love making people laugh.

Of course, maze-style writing tends to need editing. It’s of the utmost importance for me to proofread my writing at least a couple of times. I hate errors, so I try my best to not rush the publishing of my blog or article to really be sure I didn’t make any mistakes.

The pictures are also very important to me. I tend to write the entire piece, and then divide each section of writing up. I learned some time ago that people enjoy a little break in the action and that clever or cool pictures help break up the monotony of long sections of writing.

So I’ll count out about 5 or 6 of the shorter, easily-digestible paragraphs I’ve written, and then add a pic above or below whatever I’ve said in my writing. The more the picture is unique and stands out, the better the chance that the reader will keep reading.

Once I’ve proofread everything, I double-check my title, subtitle, intro, and conclusion. If there are no changes needed, then I’ll publish the piece. But not before being careful with the tags I use.

We can use up to five tags that best mention what our article or blog is about. Some people make up their own tags or use existing ones that come up, but few writers were careful to only use 5 of the 73 Top Writer-eligible tags, back when that was a thing before Medium did away with it.

I always used five of them that best matched my article. I was able to earn 78 Top Writer designations in a year and half. They gave me added exposure, and when people searched for one of those 73 tags, they would see my face with all that hair in the Top Writer section for that tag.

That’s the long and short about my deepest, darkest Medium-writing secret. I have no real plan most of the time. I improvise, make shit up as I go along, and then fine-tune things once the first draft is complete.

Writing shouldn’t have limitations. Structure and planning can be good if that’s the way you operate. But for me, I like diving into the water and not knowing where I’m going to swim to next.

And I haven’t drowned yet. &:^)

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