Chapter 1: The Initial Excitement of Writing

I have to admit, it hasn’t been easy, but I feel compelled to share my experience. It was about a year ago when I embarked on my writing journey with Medium. The excitement bubbled within me as I imagined, “Ral, people will read and respond to your stories.” That thought always brought a smile to my face and kept me gripping my pen tightly.

Writing has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. Back in middle school, my friend Debbie and I formed a short writing group. We challenged ourselves to create a complete play every week and a fifty-page prose piece each month until our notebooks overflowed with ideas. Each piece earned its moment at school readings, and the pride was immeasurable.

It was during this time that I discovered the joy of storytelling and writing from real life. It was a space where I could express myself freely and see others light up with curiosity and delight as they engaged with my work. I even began my first novel, “Moonshine,” a non-fiction prose piece reflecting on a traditional African family. BUT THEN, I GAVE UP.

After joining Medium and publishing my first story, I was hopeful for meaningful interactions. I checked my notifications hourly, eager for claps, comments, and followers, but I was met with silence—complete invisibility.

This continued for a month, even after twelve additional posts. I found myself questioning everything: “What’s wrong with my writing? Did I make a mistake? Are people just not interested? Is it my images, links, or upload frequency?”

Eventually, I quit. I convinced myself that Medium wasn’t the right place for me. I didn’t understand how it worked, and I thought it was fine to wipe my account clean.

Deep down, I recognized the true reason for my retreat: perhaps I wasn’t talented enough. That was the breaking point.

For emerging writers, moments like this can be devastating. They can tarnish our self-image and extinguish our passion. Many never recover; we often forget that it’s not about visibility or money, but the sheer joy of sharing our work with the world.

Fast forward to a chilly Tuesday morning on July 2, 2024—I returned to my Medium app. As I browsed through various writers’ feeds, a realization struck me.

I observed:

• Writers with minimal engagement
• Those with just 5, 10, or even fewer followers
• Creatives lacking claps
• Writers with no Medium memberships
• Various levels of engagement and success

I dropped my phone in disbelief. I had been so focused on my own struggles that I overlooked the community around me. The difference between them and me was clear: ATTENTION, PATIENCE, COMMITMENT, INVENTIVENESS, ADAPTABILITY, and LOVE FOR THE CRAFT.

I had never truly given up on anything until Medium. The lesson here is that when you cherish your art, commit to it, and are willing to invest time and effort, success will follow. I’m back now, thriving. Why did I ever consider quitting? Why did I pause? Why question my abilities?

To all the struggling Medium writers, don’t give up like I did. Instead, persevere and keep writing. Remember, slow and steady wins the race, and trust is earned, not given. One day, we’ll look back and see how our hard work paid off. With just 20 followers, I feel hopeful, comfortable, and eager to create.

ADVICE: To maintain confidence in your abilities, remember to _love your craft, _write authentically, _speak your truth, _listen to others, _avoid comparisons, and _focus less on rewards.

This is my small contribution to the community.

Much love.