What I’ve Learned From Publishing Over 1500 Posts On Medium

I have developed a fulfilling writing habit and have stuck with it for over 2 years

There were two main reasons I began writing steadily on Medium a few years ago.

1. To develop a disciplined writing habit.
2. To become a more seasoned writer so that I could eventually write my survival memoir (which was my main writing goal.)

It didn’t matter if anyone responded to, commented or clapped for me. Of course I appreciated it but honestly, I just felt grateful for a platform where I could ‘practice’ my writing.

I still feel the same today.

I look at Medium as my own ‘Private Writing School’ where I show up to class daily and do my assignment — which is to publish a minimum of one story or poem a day. That is the commitment I made to and for myself back in February of 2017. I’m happy to say that I haven’t swayed from my commitment.

When I first committed to my daily writing habit I was inspired by this quote by author Seth Godin. It still drives me to this day:

‘Even if no one reads it I would blog/write a story every day. I think everyone should. If you think that tomorrow you had to say something…you will form those opinions, you will invent that idea. If day after day you leave this trail behind of this thoughtful examination of your work, you can’t help but get better — if as a BONUS other people read it and resonate, that’s cool.’

I know many disagree with this philosophy. Some feel publishing many times per day is too many. I’ve heard some say you shouldn't clog up the world with more writing especially bad writing — but what is bad? Isn’t bad subjective? I’ve heard this argument:

‘There’s enough shitty writing out there already so why add more to that shit pile!?’

I understand that sentiment but I don’t agree.

I think all writing has value.

If you deem someones writing to be shit don’t read it. Skip it. Simple. If you see something you find atrocious, badly written, not up to your standards or not your thing you have a right to “Walk On By…” as the Burt Bacharach song goes.

You can bitch and moan about how you could do better or how it’s not the ‘quality YOU would write’ or slam a person’s writing style, voice, grammar, laziness, amateurishness, etc. but, guess what?

We all have a right to not like someone’s writing.

Hey, it’s similar to everything in life. If you see something that really bugs you or makes your back go up, (like I felt watching Donald Jr. on The View last week for instance) you can ignore it, bitch about it, or do something proactive like write about it — as I did in this article. LOL

There seem to be two camps when it comes to the subject of writing often vs not. I write and publish daily. I have for over 2 years. It is my habit. It works well for me. But:

Some writers publish weekly. Some only write when they are ‘inspired’. Some wait to publish until they edit their work a lot more or until they have let their draft sit and simmer for one or two days etc.

I see why different writers have different processes and I see all sides of the arguments. I used to believe I had to wait until I was ‘inspired’ or until all my t’s were crossed and i’s were dotted but that doesn’t work for my creative style. If I did that I’d never get anything done. I wanna get shit DONE — not worry about getting it done to perfection. Screw perfection!

So I'm happy to have maintained my steady writing habit since making my commitment to put my butt in the chair (or bed! — as I wrote about here.)

Writing and publishing daily has been my way of staying true to myself and my writing ‘habit’. (I have only taken a month off from this habit in over 2 years when some personal shit hit the fan in my life. Other than that I’ve sat my butt down and published a story or more every day.)

I do this for ME. (Did I say that already? Oh yeah. I have…) Well, I guess I’m being redundant because I really believe our commitments should never be for anyone but ourselves! We have to honor and keep our commitments to ourselves or we won’t have integrity. Integrity with myself is what keeps me showing up here daily.

There are so many fulfilling rewards from staying true to a disciplined writing practice. Here are a few great benefits I have found:

1. I have more self-respect.
2. I’ve become a better writer.
3. I haven't paid much attention to all the many Medium changes. I’ve just done my thing anyway which has made my integrity grow.
4. Sticking with my habit has helped me become a happier more well-rounded person.

The amazing thing is that when you get used to a habit it becomes such an ingrained part of your psyche that when you don’t do it it feels…odd. You miss it when you skip it.

It’s become like that for me. If I go a day without publishing, something feels ‘wrong’. I think this is good because it keeps me accountable to myself and my writing goal. I really hate missing a day of writing not because I feel guilty or pressured by anyone but because I have missed out on something that gives me pleasure.

I’m so thankful for my writing habit! It’s a far better habit than some unhealthy wasteful habits I used to have like playing Words With Friends obsessively. (Damn, I played that time-sucking game a lot in my past!) or spending way too much time watching mindless TV.

I much prefer a healthy steady daily writing habit. I think a writing habit is great for your mind body and spirit. It has everything good going for it. It’s all positive! I vote 2 thumbs up for developing and staying committed to your own writing habit. Oh, and there are two other great side effects:

It’s FREE and it’s NOT FATTENING!

Thanks for reading.

Michelle Monet has published 5 non-fiction books including 4 ‘Poetic Memoirs’. Her upcoming Memoir will be about her life in show business. It will be a story of redemption and healing. She also has a Broadway Musical in the works based on her life story.

contact: [email protected]