A Journey of Writing: Insights from Publishing 200 Stories
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Chapter 1: Overcoming Self-Doubt
In the past six months, I've managed to prove my toughest critic—myself—wrong. Despite facing setbacks on Medium previously, this recent period has demonstrated that Medium remains a fantastic platform for building a writing side hustle. While it may not be my primary source of income, it has certainly become a reliable one.
Writing has transformed into my daily passion. Throughout this journey, I've encountered remarkable and motivating individuals, made numerous mistakes, honed my craft, and continually expanded my audience. Publishing over 200 stories has imparted several crucial lessons:
Iteration is key to improvement.
Reflecting on my experiences as a goalie, I recall how my coach, a tough mentor, pushed me to try again whenever I fell short. He would insist I keep going until I caught the ball perfectly. This relentless pursuit of better performance is something I now apply to my writing.
There’s a reason why Dickie Bush suggests posting frequently on social media when starting out. As a writer, you need to experiment. Throw your ideas out there and see what resonates. If something doesn’t work, try again. If it does, incorporate the best elements into your next piece. Through publishing 200 stories, I've learned that the path to improvement lies in consistent iteration.
Section 1.1: The Importance of Consistency
Consistency is vital, even when it feels uncomfortable.
My fitness journey began in May 2018 when I committed to working out outdoors, regardless of the weather. Whether it was sunshine, rain, or extreme temperatures, I made no excuses. This discipline has significantly influenced my writing. There are days when I struggle to find motivation, but I know it’s essential to show up.
During the time I published between 150 and 200 stories, I traveled across Asia, facing countless distractions that could have deterred me from writing. Tiredness, hunger, and chaotic environments were just a few challenges I encountered. Yet, I realized that consistency is crucial. Even if you feel inadequate about your work, keep pushing through. It’s the efforts made during discomfort that yield the most valuable experiences.
Subsection 1.1.1: Embracing the Uncomfortable
Section 1.2: Letting Go of Control
One of the biggest lessons from publishing 200 stories is acknowledging the limits of my knowledge. Many pieces I thought would fail ended up gaining traction, while some I believed would succeed received little attention. The Medium algorithm operates in unpredictable ways, and that's okay—what matters is focusing on what we can control: our writing.
Rather than fixating on metrics like claps and views, concentrate on your output. Continue producing content, even when it feels uncomfortable and you doubt your ideas. Often, right behind that uncertainty lies the raw honesty needed to craft a compelling narrative. The only aspect you can truly control is your output; the more you write, the better you become. Focus on this, and the recognition will eventually follow.
Chapter 2: The Road Ahead
Having published 200 stories on Medium, I’ve recognized the importance of:
- Consistently iterating on your work,
- Showing up even when it’s challenging, and
- Accepting what’s beyond your control while exercising patience.
With this mindset, another 200 stories are closer than they may seem. Thank you for taking the time to read my reflections.
How many stories have you shared, and what have you learned from your experiences? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.