Goldmine of truth people won’t want to hear but I don’t give a damn about what people want to hear. I’m glad you wrote it. Said it. Delivered it in a professional manner. Good is not the same as standout. Standout gets big paydays. You want money for bland content go somewhere else.
Here's what gets me. No one is born knowing how to write. It's a skill. We learn it. Usually by osmosis from reading so much it gets under our skin, into our heads and our atoms. I used to long jump. See how far I could hurl my body. lol. In the beginning we leap with all our might, don't get very far. But we learn technique. And then we fly. Writing works exactly the same way.
What gets me is the very small amount of self-awareness circulating the writing community, which I can only attribute to a couple things. A lot of people are not as well read as they think they are, and writing communities tend to be very incestual, nepotistic, and congratulating. Oh that’s so great. That’s so pretty. So moving. Lovely. Etc. No. A lot of the work out here is barely even content quality let alone writing quality and people have some very unremarkable baselines.
I think there's some merit to encouraging communities for people starting out. Some people are afraid to write, afraid to hit publish. I don't know why, but I know they are because I get emails every week telling me so. But I think part of our job as writers is to see that need for what it is and develop the ability to critique our writing with an eye to growth. Liz Gilbert once said the best advice she can give any writer is not to take criticism too seriously and to take compliments the same way. I liked that a lot.
I don’t like babying people. That’s why TI is for intermediate to advanced. I’m not here to make anyone feel safe, needed, valued. I’m also not here to make anyone feel unsafe, not needed, unvalued. My point is, it’s no one’s job to take your hand, make you feel encouraged, tell you to keep going, you’ll be better one day. That’s on you. Stop whining, go pick up a pencil, do some research, reading, and make yourself better. We spend far too long coddling writers. Take ownership and go learn.
Funny you mentioned this. I just read an article on Greg Ilse and he vehemently disagrees with the skill part of writing, he believes one must be born a writer and perfect the skill from there.
I've been reading Medium for a few years. Only recently did I start writing and publishing on there. I don't understand the curated aspect yet, I'm a new writer. What I do know is that I'm excited to explore Medium further as a writer. Thank you so much for such a wonderful article. I'm happy I found you.
Those curators gave you a gift! I know I sound like a broken record, playing the same groove every Friday, but I think it's worth repeating; before hitting submit, every writer oughta be asking themselves 2 questions:
1. Could anyone else have written this the way I just have?
2. If I saw this on a newsstand, would I stop to check it out?
For those writers that feel they're being left in the dust, I'd say if the answer to both of those is "yes," then the next step is to find some participating pubs to showcase your work (for those that might not know, one of the Boost program mandates is to find/surface emerging talent). Self-published work is as eligible as anything, but it's playing the game on Hard Mode. If nothing else, you'll get some new eyeballs on your work.
Yup, me too. Sometimes that's in the details. But more often than not it's in how a writer looks at something. It's like, how they see the world is why we love their writing. Same way your book is why I will buy every book you ever write
The next novel, which I struggle to find time to write, is called "The Mother," and I think its premise is quite clever and novel. I live in fear of someone else getting this idea.
Speaking of golden. Those three words were my first thoughts as I finished reading your Friday newsletter, Linda. You addressed something that needed (kind but frank) saying. As usual, you aced this one too. It gave me much to think about and also a path. I get it! Again, in reality, no shortcuts.
I've been importing some stories to Substack that I wrote on Medium over a year ago. It's been a surprise to reread them and realize they weren't nearly as good as I thought they were. I think the Boost program really has made me challenge myself a lot more, and I'm producing work that's a lot better these days. Mainly, I'm finding a lot of stuff to cut out. My revision process has gotten a lot longer.
My acceptance rate for nominations was terrible for my first 10 or so, but then I got it up to 60% by the end of the first month. I didn't use any of the challenges in the month when it was offered, but maybe I should have!
This is a wonderful article! It explains something I've been trying to convey to writers with a varying degree of success. I've been approaching talented writers who have left medium and encouraging them to send drafts to me so I can give them specific information as to what they need to get Boosted. The "big names" that have gotten frustrated are a good pool to work from because they do produce quality content and they know how medium works. They just need a few little hints here and there to get Boosted. I've gotten Boosts for 2 or 3 so far!
I'm laughing Walter. When I look back at my early writing, the batting average is real low. lol. My acceptance rate floating around 60% until those critiques. Shot up after that. Nice that you're reaching out to writers who floated away.
Very few writers are scholars, and few scholars are original thinkers and even if a person is an original thinker, it doesn't mean they write particularly well and that is why the arts kill a person's soul. All the love and effort turn to ash for almost all of us. So mote it be.
Thank you for this piece! Now; I am thinking differently about writing, even though it has been “obvious “ that we all want to create uniquely striking articles.
I feel that Medium is a lottery at this point and lost scalability. I understand that they need to achieve profitability, but… it is no longer about the writers.
I have 1.3k followers still growing, yet my reads are lower than ever.
I have a unique voice. So, so much for the first point. And i get great feedback and interaction from the few who actually see my work. It is a matter of lack of exposure on the platform.
Facebook is bad, but i get more interaction there, sadly, at this point. It was not like this last year at Medium. I had begun to have hope.
My sense is that follower count doesn’t have much value. At least speaking from my experience. I always read the “about” section of my new followers and it’s rare that we have anything in common. Plus, they follow without highlighting or commenting on my story. Do they really like my stuff, or are they simply trying to promote their own books, etc.
Linda, Those are beneficial insights. Thanks for sharing them with us. I've thought more than once since the Boost program began that maybe I have to face the truth: I'm just an average writer. I wouldn't mind that the standards for a Boost are so high if non-boosted posts got a little more love. I wish the contrast between the two wasn't so extreme. I've had a tiny number of non-boosted posts get picked up by the algorithm, but it's been rare for me. We do need to adapt to what is, however, so thanks for writing these pieces to illuminate us.
I can't disagree, seeing as most of what I write has lots of asides from the witter, ah, me, however I wonder what Wordsworth would say? His believe was the poet should remain invisible. I have to wonder: how much is either preference a 'passing' fancy, au current as the French say.
Great article! I've been really working at headines and my own twist on things. I am having much better luck getting boosted - and working with a variety of publications. The BadAssery guys really got me thinking about my personal take - and that's making me improve - I can see it.
Makes perfect sense. I even thought of something I can write for History of Women. I had thought "what on earth could I possibly write about the history of women that hasn't already been written?" Then I remembered: how about MY history with feminism, going to my first NOW meeting in NYC in 1968, a traditional "drank the Kool-Aid" housewife from California, meeting Gloria Steinem, Shirley Chisholm, Betty Friedan--having my mind blown, one of my best friends the founder of the first feminist theater in New York? Raising two daughters, strong, capable, successful who never knew the reality of traditional roles after they were 5 and 6. Stay tuned.
Love this. There are so many things that go into making a story boost worthy. I've written stories that I thought were the best thing since sliced bread and no one even looked at them. Then I've written stuff in a hurry and they got boosted. But looking back, they had all the elements: a really good title, delivered on the promise in the title, easy to read, and an element that made it "me". Like no one else could have written it. Thanks, your article made me go over my boosted stuff and understand why it got boosted. Now hopefully I can use that knowledge in my future articles.
Goldmine of truth people won’t want to hear but I don’t give a damn about what people want to hear. I’m glad you wrote it. Said it. Delivered it in a professional manner. Good is not the same as standout. Standout gets big paydays. You want money for bland content go somewhere else.
Here's what gets me. No one is born knowing how to write. It's a skill. We learn it. Usually by osmosis from reading so much it gets under our skin, into our heads and our atoms. I used to long jump. See how far I could hurl my body. lol. In the beginning we leap with all our might, don't get very far. But we learn technique. And then we fly. Writing works exactly the same way.
What gets me is the very small amount of self-awareness circulating the writing community, which I can only attribute to a couple things. A lot of people are not as well read as they think they are, and writing communities tend to be very incestual, nepotistic, and congratulating. Oh that’s so great. That’s so pretty. So moving. Lovely. Etc. No. A lot of the work out here is barely even content quality let alone writing quality and people have some very unremarkable baselines.
I think there's some merit to encouraging communities for people starting out. Some people are afraid to write, afraid to hit publish. I don't know why, but I know they are because I get emails every week telling me so. But I think part of our job as writers is to see that need for what it is and develop the ability to critique our writing with an eye to growth. Liz Gilbert once said the best advice she can give any writer is not to take criticism too seriously and to take compliments the same way. I liked that a lot.
I don’t like babying people. That’s why TI is for intermediate to advanced. I’m not here to make anyone feel safe, needed, valued. I’m also not here to make anyone feel unsafe, not needed, unvalued. My point is, it’s no one’s job to take your hand, make you feel encouraged, tell you to keep going, you’ll be better one day. That’s on you. Stop whining, go pick up a pencil, do some research, reading, and make yourself better. We spend far too long coddling writers. Take ownership and go learn.
Funny you mentioned this. I just read an article on Greg Ilse and he vehemently disagrees with the skill part of writing, he believes one must be born a writer and perfect the skill from there.
I've been reading Medium for a few years. Only recently did I start writing and publishing on there. I don't understand the curated aspect yet, I'm a new writer. What I do know is that I'm excited to explore Medium further as a writer. Thank you so much for such a wonderful article. I'm happy I found you.
Those curators gave you a gift! I know I sound like a broken record, playing the same groove every Friday, but I think it's worth repeating; before hitting submit, every writer oughta be asking themselves 2 questions:
1. Could anyone else have written this the way I just have?
2. If I saw this on a newsstand, would I stop to check it out?
For those writers that feel they're being left in the dust, I'd say if the answer to both of those is "yes," then the next step is to find some participating pubs to showcase your work (for those that might not know, one of the Boost program mandates is to find/surface emerging talent). Self-published work is as eligible as anything, but it's playing the game on Hard Mode. If nothing else, you'll get some new eyeballs on your work.
They really did, Kevin. That first one opened my eyes like nothing before. The second just reinforced it. Your two questions are dead on.
As part of my checklist, I now ask myself why only I could have written this.
Yup, me too. Sometimes that's in the details. But more often than not it's in how a writer looks at something. It's like, how they see the world is why we love their writing. Same way your book is why I will buy every book you ever write
Oh, let me get busy writing another!
The next novel, which I struggle to find time to write, is called "The Mother," and I think its premise is quite clever and novel. I live in fear of someone else getting this idea.
Someone else might get the idea, but they will not write it like you. Yours is the one I will advance purchase if you make that option available.
The idea itself is very unique! I crave sufficient writing time so I can get on it.
Speaking of golden. Those three words were my first thoughts as I finished reading your Friday newsletter, Linda. You addressed something that needed (kind but frank) saying. As usual, you aced this one too. It gave me much to think about and also a path. I get it! Again, in reality, no shortcuts.
I've been importing some stories to Substack that I wrote on Medium over a year ago. It's been a surprise to reread them and realize they weren't nearly as good as I thought they were. I think the Boost program really has made me challenge myself a lot more, and I'm producing work that's a lot better these days. Mainly, I'm finding a lot of stuff to cut out. My revision process has gotten a lot longer.
My acceptance rate for nominations was terrible for my first 10 or so, but then I got it up to 60% by the end of the first month. I didn't use any of the challenges in the month when it was offered, but maybe I should have!
This is a wonderful article! It explains something I've been trying to convey to writers with a varying degree of success. I've been approaching talented writers who have left medium and encouraging them to send drafts to me so I can give them specific information as to what they need to get Boosted. The "big names" that have gotten frustrated are a good pool to work from because they do produce quality content and they know how medium works. They just need a few little hints here and there to get Boosted. I've gotten Boosts for 2 or 3 so far!
I'm laughing Walter. When I look back at my early writing, the batting average is real low. lol. My acceptance rate floating around 60% until those critiques. Shot up after that. Nice that you're reaching out to writers who floated away.
Excellent advice. Since most of my writing is from personal experience it’s easy to fit this criteria. No one else can tell my story.
1. Make the story unique to the writer
2. Make your Title, story, and everything about jump off the page. Make it better than average.
Great tips!
I haven't figured out Medium’s code yet, but I view it as a challenge. Thanks for the tips.
Very few writers are scholars, and few scholars are original thinkers and even if a person is an original thinker, it doesn't mean they write particularly well and that is why the arts kill a person's soul. All the love and effort turn to ash for almost all of us. So mote it be.
Thank you for this piece! Now; I am thinking differently about writing, even though it has been “obvious “ that we all want to create uniquely striking articles.
I feel that Medium is a lottery at this point and lost scalability. I understand that they need to achieve profitability, but… it is no longer about the writers.
I have 1.3k followers still growing, yet my reads are lower than ever.
I have a unique voice. So, so much for the first point. And i get great feedback and interaction from the few who actually see my work. It is a matter of lack of exposure on the platform.
Facebook is bad, but i get more interaction there, sadly, at this point. It was not like this last year at Medium. I had begun to have hope.
Medium is a popularity contest now. That's all.
I've written MANY personal essays—deep, gut-wrenching stuff—and they couldn't care less about boosting it.
That tells me all I need to know.
I agree. And no top line persons understand poetry. The pub recommenders do, but not the inside Medium team.
I read some amazing articles on Medium. I have a feeling that the Boost improved the average quality.
But I have to agree this is a lottery now.
It's in the numbers. There simply aren't enough nominators and curators to cover all the Boost-worthy stories.
Then I talked with 2 nominators afraid of nominating specific topics because they felt there is a prejudice of the curators against them.
The nominators are probably wrong, but still they don't nominate those topics or ask authors to more work to make those posts "nominatable".
This adds to the confusion.
I suspect the content of my poems falls in that category
Poetry is very hard. I think it should have its own platform.
My sense is that follower count doesn’t have much value. At least speaking from my experience. I always read the “about” section of my new followers and it’s rare that we have anything in common. Plus, they follow without highlighting or commenting on my story. Do they really like my stuff, or are they simply trying to promote their own books, etc.
Linda, Those are beneficial insights. Thanks for sharing them with us. I've thought more than once since the Boost program began that maybe I have to face the truth: I'm just an average writer. I wouldn't mind that the standards for a Boost are so high if non-boosted posts got a little more love. I wish the contrast between the two wasn't so extreme. I've had a tiny number of non-boosted posts get picked up by the algorithm, but it's been rare for me. We do need to adapt to what is, however, so thanks for writing these pieces to illuminate us.
I can't disagree, seeing as most of what I write has lots of asides from the witter, ah, me, however I wonder what Wordsworth would say? His believe was the poet should remain invisible. I have to wonder: how much is either preference a 'passing' fancy, au current as the French say.
Great article! I've been really working at headines and my own twist on things. I am having much better luck getting boosted - and working with a variety of publications. The BadAssery guys really got me thinking about my personal take - and that's making me improve - I can see it.
Solid advice. I am in a slump and I know I’m the problem.
Your comment
“how they see the world is why we love their writing”
To me summarizes this entire article
The writers we love, look at the world with a unique POV that resonates with us.
It doesn’t mean that unique perspective will resonate with everyone
In fact sometimes that unique perspective will agitate others to the point of hatred
While others will fall wildly, passionately in love with a writer, because of that writers ability to write their individuality on the soul of another
Your article engaged me, made me stop, ponder and think
Your article inspired me to write a comment
And…
All the best writers do that!!!
Makes perfect sense. I even thought of something I can write for History of Women. I had thought "what on earth could I possibly write about the history of women that hasn't already been written?" Then I remembered: how about MY history with feminism, going to my first NOW meeting in NYC in 1968, a traditional "drank the Kool-Aid" housewife from California, meeting Gloria Steinem, Shirley Chisholm, Betty Friedan--having my mind blown, one of my best friends the founder of the first feminist theater in New York? Raising two daughters, strong, capable, successful who never knew the reality of traditional roles after they were 5 and 6. Stay tuned.
"meeting Gloria Steinem, Shirley Chisholm, Betty Friedan"
Now you're talking.
Love this. There are so many things that go into making a story boost worthy. I've written stories that I thought were the best thing since sliced bread and no one even looked at them. Then I've written stuff in a hurry and they got boosted. But looking back, they had all the elements: a really good title, delivered on the promise in the title, easy to read, and an element that made it "me". Like no one else could have written it. Thanks, your article made me go over my boosted stuff and understand why it got boosted. Now hopefully I can use that knowledge in my future articles.