Want To Be One of The Cool Kids?

It doesn’t take a village (idiot) to know one

Having now read Sherry McQuinn’s passionate treatise about the dilution of writing on Medium for the third time, I finally decided that a mere response to Is the Honeymoon Over? is insufficient and wholly unsatisfying. As a relatively new contributor to Medium, I’m grateful to the publication owners who have accepted my work on their platforms, particularly ILLUMINATION, The Riff, and Sherry at Rogue’s Gallery.

Though it is frustrating to continually find myself at the bottom of the daily list of some publications, I understand that my efforts are mostly niche entries, and I am relatively new to the process. But. that’s what Medium is supposed to be about isn’t it; writers who bring a unique voice to the table? I don’t mind reading about someone’s process or how they achieved a definable success, but the regurgitation of another “do this trick and you’ll get big rewards” shtick is insulting, even to a newbie.

I also keep in mind that I am not doing this for profit or accolades, though a little pat on the back occasionally is a nice stroke to my ego. I’m struggling to understand though, why some real shit is getting all this play.

Sadly, the world is full of charlatans who will stop at nothing to build personal gain on the backs of the ill-informed. I’ve read my fair share of this bullshit, and it pains me to know some will still try to take the easy way out. The past four years should also be a reminder that there are always those poor souls who will buy into these tricks and deceits because they lack the ability to think for themselves.

Indeed, “There’s a sucker born every minute”.

If some people can’t figure out they’re being sold a bill of goods, then too bad for them. That doesn’t mean I have to share my space with them. The perpetrators of bullshit have no place beside the hard work of aspiring writers.

Perhaps it’s time to stop saving them from themselves and concentrate on the ones that matter. To accomplish this lofty goal we must find a way to relegate the crap to another bin. Of course, this will take more stringent criteria for hiring editors, which goes directly to Sherry’s point.

I hope I’ve got this right because I run the risk of cutting myself out of the editorial loop. I’m still in the early stages of learning my craft, but when I write, I do so from the heart, and without thought of garnering applause or cash. I would hope that editors put this in mind first when considering all submissions.

Publishers like Dr. Mehmet Yildiz have made it abundantly clear in many of their offerings, that monetization for writing is not the goal here. Inclusivity should not come at the cost of integrity and as that is beyond my powers, I implore publishers to consider more of the intent with which new writers contribute. Sorry for the visual here, but we all produce our fair share of crap, and like a good enema, it clears the way to better efforts.

Sherry said it best when she wrote, “Because I think ILLUMINATION, its owner, and the quality writers who came on board with the hope of reaching people with their blood, sweat, and tears, deserve better.”

There is one thing she did not say that I think bears mentioning. This issue should not be reflective of age. Young writers or old, we all need to take a whole lot more ownership in who we’re speaking to if we intend to maintain a communal atmosphere.

I greatly appreciate the platforms these fine publishers have given us to expand our base and express our thoughts. If better editing means that some of my own work won’t get accepted than so be it. I’ve been turned down by some of these editors, and for good reason. It should be about the work.

But, I also hope that rejection will come with constructive feedback. I’m a big boy. I can take criticism when it comes from the right place. Maybe that is where the real dialogue should take place. Life is a journey of learning, and I’m glad to be along for the ride.

Ok, time for me to bog off.

Thanks to Sherry McQuinn, Dr. Yildiz, and the other wonderful writers and publishers I hold in high regard, those that I choose to follow.

As you were.