Chapter 1: My Journey on Medium

Let me share my thoughts with you. This isn’t a complaint or a brag; it’s a genuine reflection on my experiences.

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

I have a deep appreciation for Medium and cherish the opportunity it provides to hone my writing skills while earning a living. However, something a well-regarded writer I admire recently said struck me: "I don’t read anything longer than five minutes."

This left me pondering. Is Medium merely an elaborate version of Twitter? A platform for expressing opinions with a bit more nuance and perhaps better grammar? Or is it simply a social circle for a select group of writers to exchange clever comments and articles?

Moreover, I believe that editors of publications featuring your work should engage with your pieces across various platforms, especially if they follow you. Their feedback, either privately or in public comments, should extend beyond just the articles they publish.

When established writers like Bebe Nicholson recognize my growth, it boosts my confidence tremendously. She has offered invaluable advice, such as breaking lengthy serious works into shorter segments, which has proven to be incredibly beneficial.

Numerous others have kindly left encouraging comments or sent private messages with suggestions, such as Elizabeth Emerald, who often provides constructive feedback without expecting anything in return. I greatly value their input and try my best to support their work, as they truly deserve it.

I am deeply thankful to the editors who assist me; their guidance is invaluable. I genuinely want to improve my writing skills, and their feedback is crucial to that growth.

While I thoroughly enjoy my time on Medium and plan to continue writing, I seek to refine my craft further and require feedback on longer pieces. I yearn to develop characters and tell deeper stories. However, I worry that some editors might be frustrated with my extended pieces when they were anticipating something shorter.

I don't want to be like Beyoncé, trying to fit an entire performance into a brief halftime show. At the same time, I don't subscribe to the notion that "you write for yourself, not for others," or "if you write, they will come." That's simply not true.

I can see my own progress and acknowledge that while Medium isn’t the sole factor in my development, it has played a significant role. I want to evolve beyond my early writing days and start creating longer novellas, yet it seems Medium is not designed for that purpose.

There’s a clear need for a publication that caters to longer works. Many existing long-form fiction platforms seem to have lost their charm, reduced to a series of rules and limitations. Writing should be enjoyable; if it becomes a chore, it loses its essence.

I stand by the belief that anyone who claims they write without caring if anyone reads their work is being disingenuous. Just like a comedian thrives on laughter as validation, writers need feedback to grow and improve.

I am currently on the verge of completing my first book, which is set for formal publication in London. The journey has been enjoyable, but it has taken nine months of hard work. The process includes formatting, editing, and preparing for two distinct markets—Europe and the USA. Once that's done, there’s still the cover design, press release, and ISBN registration. All in all, it may take an additional nine months before the book is available to the public.

That’s about 18 months of solitude without real feedback. What will my family say? They’re not going to tell me it’s terrible, right?

This is what I love about Medium: I can gauge the quality of my work within a week. That immediate feedback is a priceless advantage. Recently, I’ve also begun collaborating with various editors, and it’s a gratifying experience that I appreciate deeply.

However, I have little patience for editors who adopt an elitist attitude, suggesting that I should simply run my work through Grammarly and return it improved. This is akin to a chef refusing to cook your meal in a restaurant. If you identify as an editor but don’t engage with the work, perhaps it’s time to reconsider your role.

What about those writers who may struggle with dyslexia or attention disorders? We risk losing exceptional writing because an editor failed to do their job.

I write; editing is not my strength, and that’s perfectly fine. Many writers struggle with editing.

Am I overlooking something?

Chapter 2: Signs of Outgrowing a Friendship

In the process of evolving as a writer, one may also find that personal relationships shift.

This video explores the signs indicating you might be outgrowing a friendship, delving into how personal growth can affect relationships.

Chapter 3: Outgrowing Your Environment

As we progress, the environments we inhabit may no longer serve us.

This video discusses the signs that suggest you are outgrowing your surroundings, emphasizing the importance of aligning your environment with your personal growth.