fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
I am back (avoiding the sleazy headlines)
By: Lev Karasin
Tags: Writing Life, Fulfillment, Writing Tips, Writing Challenge, Writing

I haven’t written here in a while. I stopped simply because I was terrified. I was terrified that I was spending time writing here and not seeing any results. I was terrified to be criticized by others about my writing. I was terrified that I had no direction in which I was going with my writing.

Needless to say, I am back. I am back not because I care about what you think or because I am trying to become someone I am not. I am back simply because this practice is what gives me a release. It fulfills me in knowing I’ve done something worth doing for myself and no one else. Of course, I want this to make a difference for you too. And I see how important it is to focus on myself too, as you should.

Why are you here? Why are you reading this right now? I promised myself that I am not going into a motivational or inspirational type of writing; I never did that before and not about to start doing that now.

I love that there is a place to share my writing with the world. When I first started this journey, I wrote on blogger.com, medium, and my own website. I wrote every day for 2 years, not thinking about why or for who I am writing, but just writing; the practice was daily, the reward was recognizable. I could crawl into bed by 2 AM, saying I’ve accomplished something today.

Here it is again. I am out to write daily. The challenge is for 30 days; this is, of course, an informal piece. Usually, I put in the research and a nice picture to accompany the writing. We all know how much you like to look at pictures. But as always, I remind myself this is for me, not only for you.

Why? This daily practice is building an important muscle, the muscle Seth Godin points to, to ship. Ship the work you build. That’s what I am doing. I am also writing 2 books behind the scenes aligned with the philanthropy work I do with youth worldwide. Not to brag about anything here; it’s what’s needed and wanted, it’s what’s important.

Secondly, I am improving my thinking and writing skills (use of filler words, vocabulary, grammar etc..) daily. Rather than hiding behind a word doc that no one will get to see for months/years on end, here, every day, something will be realeased.

Another important piece of information that I need to convey to you and my future self is documenting vs. creating; Gary Vaynerchuk popularized the term. Creating is exhausting, but it is exhilarating; the fine line must be drawn where I go as far as to create and leave enough energy to continue this practice and do it all over again tomorrow.

What are you working on?
The Memories
By: Priyanka Srivastava
Tags: Priyanka Srivastava, Writing Life, This Happened To Me, Writing, Poetry

The Memories

Photo by Raw Format on Unsplash

the list of my loved ones is small

but whoever is there, they are in my heart.

the poems which I have written will be lost

but those memories will be buried in them.
Your obsession is who you are. So you are right…
By: Emmanuel A. Anderson
Tags: Writing Tips, Writer, Writing Life

I write about life, self-improvement, writing, and everything to help people live better lives. Author of the upcoming book, "Heal yourself, heal the world."
Photography, the Exercise in Paying Attention
By: Sebastian Hetman
Tags: Writing Life, Attention, Photography, Writing, Mindfulness

They say a writer is someone on whom nothing is lost. No wonder. Writing is paying attention. To people mostly, but also the world at large and your own inner life. I recently discovered that photography could be all those things too. Maybe more. It calms me to take photos because I get to pay attention to one thing at a time. The endless patter of information, thought, and emotion fades to the background, and for a blissful moment, the length of a breath held before releasing the shutter, I am present in the moment and at peace.

I really have to hold my breath for a bit, by the way. Otherwise, the viewfinder mists in the cold from the breath escaping from under my facemask. Eyeglass wearers will empathize, I’m sure. That small annoyance aside, though, photography brings me the much-needed peace of mind.

The contrast to writing is quite striking. Because to write, you have to sift through the contents of your head first, shovel them aside like snow, to clear the way for the argument you’re trying to make, or at least give yourself enough space to examine an avenue of thinking that interests you. Either that or you make peace with the mess inside you and capture some of it instead.

With photography, it’s different.

The fundamental rules are straightforward. The world is an unfolding painting, repainted second-to-second, and your role in it is to point your camera at something that grabs your attention and shoot. That’s it.

Each photo, in essence, is bottled attention.

My friend, Luciano, who’s a much better photographer than I, tells me to put more of myself in the pictures, to tell a story by stringing them together, to drag out the pain, suffering, and despair of my personal situation, to document how our home, that most sacred refuge of privacy, goes through my wife’s cancer. How we change. How our environment changes. It’s a powerful idea, maybe too powerful for me right now. I already have one occupation that requires me to spill my guts out, and I don’t think I am ready for another.

For the time being, I am happy enough to have discovered a hobby that gets me out of the house and out of my head.

PS. You can follow my photographic escapades on Instagram.

Enjoyed the read? Become a Patron to unlock access to more great stories, written and published regularly by yours truly, Sebastian Hetman.
Wonder what happens when we stopped writing for a day?
By: Aldric Chen
Tags: Writing On Writing, Life Lessons, Writing Life, Self Improvement, Writing

Wonder what happens when we stopped writing for a day?

This is exactly what I did. I stopped writing. For more than 27 hours, to be exact.

Let me share one secret with you.

And that is …

(Image Contributed by the Author)

Nothing happened.

It is like a running enthusiast who is used to running 6 days a week. When he/she stops for a day, it feels like our fitness has taken a step backwards.

It is the same feeling I have today.

There are no signs of regression. In fact, it is a good break.

Take a break.

Have a Merry Christmas.
Don’t Just Throw 2020 Out
By: Scott Nipper
Tags: Writing Life, Self Improvement, Journal, New Year, Personal Development

Review everything that happened

Before we get to work

This year may have been a terrible one for the majority of us, but it’s still important to break things down to review the events that happened for you.

The year was of course a stressful one for many Americas with the Covid-19 pandemic, the tensions of racial injustice, and a painful election. These are large issues, so I would advice not focusing too much on them if you can. Do not ignore them if they have directly, just know that they will carry into 2021 and possibly beyond.

Instead I would say that you should try to pick out the smaller things that have happened throughout your year.

Now let’s prepare to write

Make sure you have a safe place to put everything down, where you are in a quiet place where you can focus on your thoughts. Now get something to write in; either a bullet journal, your favorite notes app or calendar that you can come back to next year. For me, I want to make sure that I capture everything that happened in a bullet journal. This way I can come back to things when I need to, and review all the events that happened over the year.

Now let’s start breaking down everything that happened to you. Be sure to use a black sheet either in your notes app or bullet journal. Now make a list of all twelve month with enough space for each month to allow us to break down everything by the month so you can make sure to remember when things actually happened during the specific month. Start from January 1st to January 30th and then go all the way to December 31st. Try writing down absolutely everything important that happened.

Some questions to help get you started:

What went well for me in this past year?

What was challenging or disappointing?

How do I rate my happiness overall during this time from 1–10?

What moments this year meant the most to me?

What do I wish happened differently?

These are just a few ideas here to get you started. Make sure that you have these questions and more set to look into your year as well as months when you break those down.

Make sure to mark down those things that made you giggle with happiness as 2020 began, like a great day at Disneyland with friends, as well as things that made you cry, like being left on read by a significant other who never texted you again. Do not leave things out here.

Additionally, I would that you leave space for how these events made you feel in that moment. Don’t linger in the past instead try to understand why you felt that way. Then move on to the next event and do the same.

This task is wonderful at making sure that when events you dealt with in the past year can turn out better if you face similar situations in 2021. This will take you far beyond just making wild New Year’s resolutions that may or may not stick. Instead we will make insightful decisions that we will help us grow no matter the struggles we face.

Review of Your Year

Once you have written down everything that happened during the year be sure look over how things changed.
15 Principles Of Writing Well Every Non-Fiction Writer Should Be Equipped With
By: Hannah To
Tags: Nonfiction, Humanity, Writing Life, Writing Tips, Words

1. Write with freshness. Choose words that have surprise, strength, and precision.

2. Make sure every word you write serves a function and has a purpose. Ask yourself, “Do I really need it?” If the answer is no, purge it.

3. Don’t just tell, illustrate. Quote sentences and let the reader judge. Use specific details and allow the reader to picture the scene — generalities mean nothing.

4. Express your opinions firmly. Don’t cancel their strength with last-minute evasions and escapes.

5. Perfect taste, like perfect pitch, is a gift from God, but a certain amount can be acquired. The trick is to study writers who have it. Writing is learned by imitation.

6.Go deep into the roots of personal experience. Powerful is the narrowness of their purpose.

7. Strive for unity. Make your use of pronoun, tense, and mood consistent.

8.Write with purpose. Always ask yourself, ‘What point do I want to make?’

9. Use active verbs instead of concept nouns. ‘Incredulous laughter’ and ‘bemused cynicism’ don’t sound alive and fresh because readers can’t visualize the action being done.

10. When writing about experiences, people are the crucial ingredient. Sounds and smells can only take the piece so far.

11.Beware of suffocating language—long words, academic-sounding terms, and the jargon of your profession.

12. If you can, write to entertain. Humor works as a great lubricant.

13. A writer’s mind works by free association. Welcome the ricochet from the normal to the absurd to demolish whatever trite idea had been there before.

14.Fondness for the material you’ve gone through a lot of trouble to procure is not a good enough addition if it’s not central to the story you’ve chosen to tell.

15. Style is the writer’s personality expressed on paper. But before one can achieve style, he must follow the rules of sound writing first. Verbs > nouns. Short words and sentences > long words and sentences. Concrete details > vague abstractions.
Day 3: The Covid-19 Vaccine. The Covid-19 Vaccine
By: Aditi Sarawagi
Tags: Vaccines, Writing Life, Covid 19, Writing Challenge, Writing

Day 3: The Covid-19 Vaccine

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the United States of America took the Covid-19 vaccine yesterday. Everyone from Joe Biden to Ian McKellen, notable people around the world are slowly and steadily getting vaccinated but the image of Fauci taking the vaccine stands out. You may ask why? He has been the leading voice calling for faithful adherence to social-distancing measures and as he turns eighty years old today on Christmas, he has no plans of slowing down as he accepts Biden’s offer to continue his role at the NIAID and continues to encourage safety measures, at the same time comforting the USA about normalcy being returned by summer of next year. His taking the vaccine is a symbol of faith and trust which the world has placed on him and to me this image represents hope that 2021 is going to be our year.
I loved how you quantified the subjective emotion that leads to star ratings.
By: Ranjani Rao
Tags: Boooks, Reading, Writing Life, Book Review

I loved how you quantified the subjective emotion that leads to star ratings. And I commend you for your generosity inn not ruining it for the authors by giving low ratings – its so true that either the book is not for you or you are not ready for the book. Thanks for sharing your system.

I hate giving stars but the interface on Amazon and Goodreads both require you to do so. And sometimes it’s easier that writing a longer review.
I have the same problem, it’s a bit bizarre, I’ll check multiple times a day like I’m going to…
By: Zane Dickens
Tags: Writing Tips, Writing, Writing Life

I have the same problem, it’s a bit bizarre, I’ll check multiple times a day like I’m going to learn something valuable 😂

Blocksite is a chrome extension that helps block specific pages:

For when you compulsively check your stats

https://medium.com/the-daily-practice/for-when-you-compulsively-check-your-stats-2c9d1029b483
Yes! I’ve done this.
By: Rica Keenum
Tags: Copywriting, Writers Life, Writing Life, Freelance Writing, Writing Tips

Yes! I’ve done this. Yikes! I’d written for a publication before, so I am familiar with their mission and voice. But I made the mistake of not checking their newly published content — one of my many blunders along the way. Live and learn, right?
Let the fear hang in there for a while, Let it be there to make you a little fragile. Let it consume and make you weak for a while, So that next time it comes, it makes you worthwhile. Let the…
By: Divyani Jain
Tags: Writing Life, Writing, Volatility, Feeltherush, Writing Prompts

Let it be !!

Let the fear hang in there for a while,

Let it be there to make you a little fragile.

Let it consume and make you weak for a while,

So that next time it comes, it makes you worthwhile.

Let the insecurities dangle in there for a while,

Let it be there to make you a little volatile.

Let it dominate and demolish you for a while,

So that next time it comes, it makes you definite.

Let the discomfort stay in there for a while.

Let it be there to make you a little versatile.

Let it trick you and make you crazy for a while,

So that next time it comes, it makes you smile.
My Writing ‘Captivates’ Readers … for 17 Seconds at a Time
By: Michael Burg
Tags: Writing Life, Writing Tips, Humor, Comedy, Writing

Short and sweet

Two shortform stories, two haiku and a limerick, that’s the secret to my stellar read ratio success. When a viewer lands on one of these gems and either hesitates or scrolls for a nanosecond, a “read” is registered. I’ve checked, and the actual average read time for the five 100 “percenters” is about 17 seconds. No reader will begrudge this amount of time and the story’s message can actually register within this time frame. That’s a win-win!

So, go short, and see what happens to your read ratio.

By the way, it’ll take roughly 10,000 reads of my five prize winners to earn me about a nickel. No worries though. I’ve got the time.

Timely

When whatever triggered each of the shorties that registered 100% read ratios occurred I wrote about it immediately.

One example of this is the Giuliani limerick.

This “news” event was over almost before it occurred, akin to the two minutes of fame that Pence’s pet fly enjoyed. Remember that one?

The crush of truly new and startling news events that assault our senses 24 hours a day is “tsunamic” in its scope. So strike while the iron is hot. Pound out a timely tale and move on. If you wait even a day to write about certain news flashes no one will know what you’re talking about. That is because after about 24 hours all past events join the general morass of “history” and blend in with occurrences from the Truman administration, the Spanish American War, the last ice age and the Jurassic Period.

Relatable

It’s got to work for your readers. That’s why they’ll stick around for those precious 17 seconds or so.

Who couldn’t relate to “oranges,” “peas,” “getting older,” “a self-deprecating idiot,” and “a shady dude leaking brown juice while looking like he’s falling off a cliff?” Those were the subjects of my five ditties.

I rest my case.
Good writing is succint.
By: Isequaltoklasses Navneet
Tags: Aristotle, Writing Tips, Seo Tips, Writing Life

Aristotle — Wiki

If it’s a good thing — it’s free and simple !

For any kind of writing — a blog, a poem or an article

be it hardbound or paper bound or Kindle

The best formula, my friend

is what good ol’ Aristotle’s recommend

All good writing is just

a Beginning, a Middle & an End.

If you can just keep this in mind

Line by line

Paragraph by paragraph

Chapter by chapter

No need of workshops or webinars or YouTube Gurus

Run a tight ship

Jettison all flotsam and jetsam

Yours is SEO and everything that’s in it,

And — which is more —

you’ll be an Author, my friend!
A Little Life // Hanya Yanagihara
By: What Page
Tags: Man Booker, LGBTQ, Tragedy, Review, Life Writing

A visceral and brutal book that captures the essence of love and suffering.

★★★★★

The hardest part of writing a book review is knowing how much to say for fear of spoiling the story. I’m not so worried about that when it comes to this book: even if someone had told me exactly what happened from start to finish, I would have been as upset, angry and humbled by the end of the book. The beauty of this book does not lie in particular plot points. It is in the language and the characters. Even though the book is strangely poetic, it recognises emotions and experiences with astounding and brutal clarity. Because of this, it is so easy to imagine the characters as real humans with real hearts and souls.

No matter who you are, there is something to learn from this book. We are all alike and we are all different. As humans, we have shared experiences and feelings, but the way we comprehend and reconcile with what life throws at us is what makes us unique.

Pain and Suffering

You were treated horribly. You came out on the other end. You were always you.

Pain and suffering exist in many forms and affect in many ways. While the most obvious manifestation of pain lies with Jude, every character has unique battles with a form of suffering. Yanagihara’s description of pain is never reductive or exaggerated. The book offers a rare opportunity for readers to step into others’ shoes and feel their experience of pain and suffering. I can say with certainty that A Little Life has made me a more empathetic person.

Love

You have never known fear until you have a child, and maybe that is what tricks us into thinking that it is more magnificent, because the fear itself is more magnificent. Every day, your first thought is not “I love him” but “How is he?”

So often, love is presented as the only counterweight against the difficulties and horrors of life. There is an element of that in ‘A Little Life’ but Yanagihara explains that it is not so simple. Love can be a thing that inspires fear and sadness even in its best and purest form. This book doesn’t solve the question of what love is, but it does reveal that love and perversions of love make and break us.

Sexuality

I liked how this theme is important but fades into the background: this is why I couldn’t find a quote that I think represents this concept. It explores the fluidity and diversity of sexualities in a subtle way without letting it eclipse other aspects of the characters’ identities.

If you liked A Little Life, see…

The Song of Achilles // Madeline Miller → for another tragic story about star-crossed lovers

Normal People // Sally Rooney → if you enjoyed reading about the harsh reality of life and relationships

My Brilliant Friend // Elena Ferrante → if you enjoyed ‘A Little Life’ for its focus on friendship during adversity

★★★★★

See the synopsis and other reviews on Goodreads.

See my shorter reviews on Instagram @whatpageblog.
Missing Timestamps
By: Thomas Lekhanya
Tags: Resistance, Escapism, Writing Life, Steven Pressfield, Focus

The other morning, I had a sudden movie-style “scene cut” where in one moment I’m writing a piece of copy on my laptop and then suddenly I’m across the room doing something else.

I was surprised by the memory gap…

I wasn’t conscious my getting up and moving away from the laptop and doing shadow boxing and hitting my punching bag.

I exercise around 5 to 6 days a week and yes it’s good for you in general but not when it’s an escape from writing difficulties.

Sometime while typing I felt stuck and annoyed and bam, off to the boxing bag I went.

I’m currently rereading Steven Pressfield’s book “the War of Art” and this was a symptom of what he’d call Resistance.

That force that stops you from starting or finishing any project, endeavor, or artistic creation.

I’m glad I was aware of this though.

I suspect the habit of meditation helped me.

Anyway, what’s the takeaway here?

That it’s possible for your brain to seek escapes from challenges through positive habits such as exercising.

Until next time
Hello, I’m Eli
Tags: Who Am I, Introduction, Zineculture, Writing, Writinglife

When did you start writing?

I started writing in high school especially during my Junior and Senior years. I had a blue composition journal and I taped pictures cut out from magazines on the cover. I wrote in that journal everyday. Most of what I wrote never turned into anything, but what mattered is having a place to write and not being afraid to put pen to paper.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

At my university, I took a course and my professor asked a question and I told him I wanted to be a writer. He replied, “Do you write?” “Yes,” I said. “You’re already a writer.” And that has stuck with me through all these years and has mattered to me so much. Anytime I’m struggling, I remember those words and I write because I can’t be a writer if I’m not writing.

What are your favorite books?

Surfacing by Margaret Atwood is one of my all time favorites. A short story collection I keep going back to is Big World by Mary Miller. My favorite literary journals to read is American Short Fiction and Ploughshares. My ultimate favorite craft book is Meander, Spiral, Explode by Jane Alison.

What book made you cry?

I just finished Black Water by Joyce Carol Oates and while it didn’t make me cry, I severely felt for the main character. It’s such a good book and it’s a short read.

What do you like to do when you are not writing/creating?

When I’m not writing or creating, I am spending time with my one year old son, watching Schitt’s Creek (on repeat), reading and sleeping. Outside of the pandemic world, I enjoy road trips and traveling and hoping to table at zine fests all over the U.S. by 2022.
Childhood dark sid
By: Faisal Rehman
Tags: Life Lessons, Writing Life, Childhood Memories, Child Abuse Prevention, Journey Of Life

Childhood sexual harassment

When I was kid nearly 9 years old I have a very bad experience it was really bad and shocking my parents did not know about that till now I am sharing this only the first time on any platform it's not a big thing someone will say after reading this some will say it happens and some will say different things like that after reading my story but why? we say these words it happens its not a big deal and all that. Some children experience these kinds of incidents at some stages of their life.

But is it right to say that “happens” No very big “NO”

We younger girls also hesitate to tell or talk about these things. Thanks to the media for at least one good thing it did. It educates people it's not a shameful thing for the victims it will be a shameful thing for the guilty person if we speak and raise voices against all these happening.

We (girls) and kids feel shame or you will say hesitate and did not have the courage to tell our elders because of fear that if we tell the person will beat us or what should I tell to my parents? what the child did not understand because that was a new and unusual thing for him happened the first time but when it happened, again and again, he or she becomes more fearful and that thing makes the nightmare of his or her whole life.

Now I tell you what happens to me at the age of 9 or 10 years I was not sure sorry.

I was a very shy girl who did not speak or talk to not only strangers but also did not talk with my uncles and aunts. I all the time prefer to remain with my mother didn't go to relatives home without my mom. It happens when one of my cousins came to our home he remained with us for only 3 or 4 days I like to watch tv when all family members have watched their shows because no one disturbed me. one night I was watching then he came there and sit beside me it was the first time in my life I feel uncomfortable so after some minutes I ran to my room next day the same thing happened I did not understand what happened he pick me in her lap and sit me in between her legs and he takes my hand to his private place I was feard and cannot understand but was very frightened I did not know how I ran into my room and I locked myself next day I did not sit alone because of fear and remained with my mom all the time until he went away.

That day has passed now I am 30+ but still, that incident was a nightmare for me you guys will think what the big thing happened that makes this incident nightmare you can understand this situation well when you are in that situation yourself I know how terrifying that was for me god save our child from all this and make their childhood a very good time period to remember not a bad life experience
Can I Help?
By: Elan Cassandra
Tags: Life Lessons, Writing Life, Travel, Life, This Happened To Me

Can I Help?

Photo by Anna Tarazevich from Pexels

(This was inspired by Fatimah Alayafi’s recent story, Why I Truly Cherish Talking to Strangers, which was published in the Ascent.)

Since I’ve been active on Medium, in Medium Facebook groups, and in writing spaces in general, I’ve gotten a number of requests via Facebook for help or advice from writers I didn’t know.

A couple of them were people whose Medium article I’d read, but surprisingly, that wasn’t the majority.

One request came from a refugee who was wondering what type of identification and paperwork they needed in order to publish on Amazon Kindle and to sign up for screenwriting contests.

I didn’t know the answers off the top of my head, but I had an Amazon publishing account, so I went through the steps and figured it out. I couldn't recall needing an ID for any contest, but I messaged a friend to double-check.

Then I delivered the information and wished them the best. It was a surprising exchange that had come out of nowhere, but it made me feel good.

More frequently, I’ve looked at the story histories of Medium writers and given them advice. I’ve also read drafts (outside of my publication) and made comments and given specific feedback.

I try to make clear each time that I can’t guarantee particular results, but that I’m happy to try to help.

And I really am.

I believe that being a writer comes with a community — a community of writers across the world that you may never meet but who are all working towards something similar to what you are working towards.

And as part of that community, I feel that there’s a responsibility to offer support.

The word responsibility sounds like there’s an implied burden, but that’s not what I mean. It’s a connection, and connection comes with caring, and hopefully, with some amount of joy.

I really do believe that we’re all in this together, and I believe that helping and supporting each other is always of value.

And no, Stephen King surely does not need my support at this point in his career, but since he’s a part of the larger writing community, you can bet that I’ll have supportive things to say to him if ever I have the chance.

The truth is though, I don’t actually confine my help and support tendencies to writing and writers. That’s not, after all, the only community I belong to, even if it is the most relevant on a daily basis.

If you stop me on the street to ask for directions, I’m happy to give them, and if I don’t know the answer and you still need help, I’ll figure it out. (It’s not like I don’t have a phone with GPS.)

Fellow traveler, I’ve got you.
Do You Have A Journal?
By: Rachel Lee White
Tags: Journaling, Writing Life

Do You Have A Journal?

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Journaling is a powerful tool that few people take full advantage of.

It can seem like a silly waste of time to some.

However, journaling provides a ton of benefits and a surprising number of highly successful people make journaling a daily habit.

You can learn a lot about yourself and gain a lot of insight into your life. There’s something magical about writing that thinking alone just doesn’t have.

While you can type your journal into your computer, most people find it more effective to use actual paper and write.

Use these tips to take advantage of journaling to gain insight into your mind and your life:

1.Review your day. Take a look at your day and make some notes.

What happened?

How can you use this in the future?

What did you learn?

What mistakes did you make?

How can tomorrow be better?

Happiness & Vibrancy with Rachel

www.rachelleewhite.com
The Night
By: Priyanka Srivastava
Tags: Writing Life, Blue Insights, Night, Writing, Poetry

Photo by Ihor Malytskyi on Unsplash

The Night

how does it matter,

how quiet is the night?

tonight my words won’t rhyme.

we write to awaken, the stars

buried under the moon, how does it matter

if the poem will be lost with time?
Goosebumps. I got goosebumps reading this.
Tags: Creativity, Writing Life, Grief And Loss, Inspiration, Writing

Goosebumps. I got goosebumps reading this.

In fact, I get them reading almost any of your work. Your gift is here. For me. For all your readers.

Thank you for laying your pain bare.

Thank you for showing me hope.

Thank you for writing.
My Publish0x stats and why you should consider Joining.
By: Agbo Joel
Tags: Publishing, Cryptocurrency, Writing Life, Publish0x, Writing

30 days statistics overview

Alright, I’ll do a very quick one. If you are reading this post on publish0x then it’s definitely a lazy repost and you can ignore — you’re safe already…lol. If you’re reading this on my other blogs, then this is specifically for you.

Curiosity landed me on Publish0x and it’s been a very cool experience since then. Despite joining on the first quarter of 2019, I actually published my first article on publish0x on the last quarter of 2019 and started writing frequently from the first quarter of 2020.

For knowledge sake, Publish0x is a sleek blogging platform built to serve the curious minds. I’ve seen a couple of articles call it ‘an alternative to Medium’; but this is totally wrong. Despite having few similarities, Publish0x is very much different from Medium and presents its own unique features which makes it an amazing platform.

Arguably the best platform for cryptocurrency bloggers who hunger for visibility, untamed engagement and simplified reward scheme. Despite cryptocurrency bloggers dominating the platform, Publish0x is meant for all categories of blogging. All other categories get good attention on the platform too.

Publish0x provides a good environment for individual writers and project teams. With appropriated tagging system, articles are categorized to simplify readers’ surfing.

Don’t take more than 20%, lol

Publish0x rewards you for reading as well as writing on the platform. Users earn cryptocurrency tips for their efforts. Readers who tip a post also earn rewards in cryptocurrencies. Couple of cryptocurrencies have been integrated on the platform and users can earn rewards in Ethereum, Ampleforth, and Basic Attention Token (BAT) currently. Loopring, DAI, Bounty0x and Hydro protocol have been integrated on the platform in the past.

My Earnings break-down as at 4th december 2020

In contrast to Medium, Publish0x gives writers a very good visibility and makes it easier for writers to gain a very good audience on the platform. Despite being centralized, its administrators are very professional and hospital.

Publish0x provides writers with a great infrastructure to work with, sleek User interfaces and smooth user experience. Users are allowed to modify their experiences to suit their preferences.

Yeah, follow me when you get there!

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A Writer’s Obsession With Storytelling
By: Arunima Basu
Tags: Coping Mechanisms, Writing Life, Mental Health, Writer, Mindfulness

Switching too many roles and dwelling in too many worlds can be challenging for a writer because we often fail to catch up with reality.

When one of my readers asked me, ‘ Do I actually live a normal life? Do I do everything I should be doing as a woman in her thirties? In short, am I having fun or living my life to the fullest?’

To be honest, no! I am no longer the party girl I used to be! There’s a version of me that likes to have fun to go with the flow, yet another version of me refuses to let go or step out of my comfort zones! When I chose my writing profession, I found a reason or an excuse to cut myself entirely off from the very regular yet uncomfortable experiences. As an introvert, I was blessed to be a freelancer or a solopreneur.

So, what do I do to catch up with the world?

I do a lot of research on everything on this planet, and I look for stories!

I made this a serious habit, a practice to do qualitative and quantitative research about anything I wanted to experience in life!

Maybe that’s why I could relate so much with Dr. Jean of ‘Sex Education.’

Perhaps the sense of accomplishment has got so much on me that I never realized that I was doing anything wrong, detaching myself from reality!

It used to be my regular normal life until someone pointed it out to me!

It was a nice friendly suggestion to try out a dating app, and I was totally in the mood to present her a research paper on people’s mindsets who use these apps as per their age groups, gender, ethnicity, etc.!

I got the entire data when my reader asked me about my dating life, and I got a blog published on the subject. Now, I can be your Google lite about dating apps!

Shocked and unable to bear this, she said she would instead block me than having those serious conversations with me!

That got me thinking!

2020 has taught me many things, and perhaps this one is the best and the most vital lesson I have learnt!

Maybe in the urge to create my dream world, I forgot to live in the real world!

I told myself. What happened to Carpe-diem? Am I living in this moment and being real with myself?

Perhaps, the sense of responsibility and the new adulting life has got too much into me!

Now, I know what it is like to have a good laugh, after almost ages!

And I realized I don’t always need to research for stories! We have so many stories within us! We just need to look for them!

If you want to listen to my stories and adventures, and be a part of my incredible journey, follow us at @littledidsheknow on Instagram! You can also read more inspiring stories of other inspiring writers at FilmSpeak.
How to Never Stop Playing Your Writing and Publishing on Medium Games
By: Victoria Ichizli-Bartels
Tags: Writing Life, Ideas, Self-awareness, Ｍedium, Gaming

The game(s) is (are) never over.

If you look closely at this loop, you will see that it applies to anything you are up to, especially if you want to turn it into games. Even turning life into games itself has the same loop. Thus, this gameplay loop applies also to any mini-game you play when you write on Medium.

While writing this article, I played many mini-games. Both connected to writing this article, but also other, such as assisting my children in doing their tasks during homeschooling, household chores, which I could do in-between, drinking water, having a break, reading e-mails and personal messages on social media, congratulating friends to their birthdays, and many more.

I tried to concentrate on each one separately I took on to play. It didn’t always work, and I didn’t excel in each of them as I would prefer, sometimes being in a hurry and thinking that I wasn’t good enough with what I was doing. But reminding myself of the simple gameplay loop above helped me tremendously to relax and succeed.

So each of the mini-games I played while writing this article worked perfectly if I looked at how I felt, what I wanted or needed to play, where I wanted to go in any particular mini-game, how I could do that. Then I made that step and assessed (measured). And then I looked, went, and assessed again.

As my day progressed, I realized that a game flows and I feel successful if there is movement, if the story of my day evolves further, and that I am the author of this story.

I was briefly upset that I wasn’t progressing with this article when my children asked for my help. But then I chose to concentrate on the homeschooling game and gave myself a chance to enjoy it. My six-year-old daughter ended up finishing most of the tasks she had in her exercise book for two days in just a few hours. Now, she is happily busy with a learning game on the computer, and I have time to finish writing this article.

I’m super happy that I had this wish to search for a gameplay loop for writing on Medium. While doing so, I discovered that it equaled the fundamental playing loop of having fun with what I am up to right now while turning it — be it a Medium article, household chore, homeschooling, or relaxing — into fun games for myself.

Now, all there is to say is to wish you to enjoy designing and playing your multiple mini-games in your daily game collection. And to let all of them, including writing a story on Medium, bring you immense joy. At the same time, I hope you enjoy the utterly simple and tested through centuries game loop (even if it might not have been formulated this way until now) — look, make a step, and assess. Then look where you want to go, go, and recheck your excitement barometer. Then repeat.

In other words:

Look. Make a step. Assess.

Repeat. And have fun.
The Power of Finishing What You Start
By: Emma Boone
Tags: Practice, Motivation, Writing Life, Writing, Productivity

The Power of Finishing What You Start

Photo by Pietro Mattia on Unsplash

Lately, I’ve seen a lot of articles encouraging writers not to finish posts they’re not excited about, ditching their crappy NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) novels, and writing only when they feel the joy of it. I agree that sometimes you have to know when to cut your losses and move on to a new project. Or when to take a break and give yourself space to walk away.

However, with writing — and most other creative endeavors — more important than not “wasting your time” on something that won’t go anywhere, is the power of finishing what you start. Everything you write doesn’t need to be perfect, but you’ll never get better if you don’t practice the essential skill of pushing through to the end. When we learn to finish, whether it’s fun or not, we’re developing essential skills and setting ourselves up for success the next time around. Here’s why:

1. There’s energy in learning that you CAN finish what you start. It’s empowering. It’s motivating. It teaches you that you that you can try again, this time knowing more than you did the last time.

2. Your abilities improve as you practice the skill of tying up loose ends. If you start books or articles and never finish, you don’t force yourself to figure out the logistics, making it harder to see the big picture of your projects and goals.

3. Finishing what you start is like any muscle you’re developing. You learn to persevere. You learn to write, even when it’s hard. You learn the power and self-control of working at something difficult until it’s completed.

I can’t remember the last time I truly felt joy lifting weights or running a mile. I feel good after it’s done. I feel proud of myself. I feel good about the accomplishment. But generally, I wouldn’t do it if it were only for the fun of it. I exercise because I want the health benefits. I want the end results.

Writing is no different. Learn to push through to “The End” and it will improve your writing skills better than almost anything else can. It will empower you to be the writer you dream of being.
The “me too’s.” I live for the “me too’s.”
Tags: Creativity, Writing, Dreams, Writing Life

“You put into words what I never could.”

Be Careful Sharing Personal Stories. Others May Take It Personally
So how does this app work?
By: Rebekah Seagrove
Tags: Writing Life, Artist, First Post, Life Stuff, First Story

So how does this app work? Can people comment on this post? Are people going to see this? Do I use hashtags?

I do have a lot to say, which I know can be a bad thing. I’m interested in lots of topics! And I love talking about things that interest me!

Things that I do right now… I like making art. I use pens, paints, spray paint, a bit of pencils! I love learning new crafts. I crocheted a scarf when I was 10. I’ve given that up but I still dabble in sewing. Right now I’m making a blanket, but kinda a quilt! I’m making tie blankets for Christmas presents. And making rings for presents as well.

Well that was kind of a ramble but let me know if you saw this at least! ;)
My Story
By: Priyanka Srivastava
Tags: Writing Life, Mental Health, Anxiety, Writing, Poetry

My Story

Photo by Caroline on Unsplash

my questions are different

the answers will be forever lost

somewhere in words.

my story is different

with no ending but I know the river

will meet one day with the sea.
Write for Yourself
Tags: Writing Tips, Writing, Writing Life

Write for Yourself

I want more than anything to make money off what I love doing. It would be a dream come true. But if I’m always worried about writing the way a corporation wants me to, I find myself not writing as well.

I get so stressed, I give up. I don’t want to do it anymore. I’ve given up great projects feeling pressure to get it just right. I want it to be absolutely perfect. I even doubt my ability as a writer. Am I good enough?

Don’t give up. If you feel pressured, give yourself time. Yes, continue to grow and evolve in your hobby. But write for yourself first.

Read. Write. Watch and read educational information out there to teach you more, try new stuff out and explore. What does writing mean for you?

Why do you write?

Are you writing for folks to just relax? Are you doing it to speak up about something you’re passionate about? Is it because you want to educate?

Are you simply relaxing, or are the ideas in your head just loud?

In my case, I’ve been a storyteller as long as I can recal. I am fascinated by books, cultures, religion, language. I love the characters I create. It’s cathartic, too. I write because I can let my subconscious roll out onto the page. Everything I’ve learned and experienced comes alive on the page. I write because I enjoy it.

Making money can come later.

Grow beyond yourself

Use your writing to grow into a new person. Look back at your old stuff. Be proud at how far you have come.

My first story was incomprehensible. One second it was broad daylight, and in the next sentence it was pitch black outside. The characters were unbelievable. I cannot tell you how much I have grown in my writing. Even if I had never finished a single book, I would still look back and realize how much I have evolved.

It gives me a sense of self love nothing else in this world does.

“Don’t give up…write for yourself.”

Absorb everything you can from both your own mistakes and others. And keep writing. Just write for yourself, and keep trying. We cannot succeed without putting in the effort. Yes, we may fail at making money at first. But one day, we will be ready.

And when that day comes, you will have done it for yourself.
I have been very tentative about using social media to get word of my writing out there.
By: Ranjani Rao
Tags: Marketing, Writing Life, Social Media

I have been very tentative about using social media to get word of my writing out there. But I do have a website now. And have found Medium a great place to find good reads and connections. I’m looking forward to reading the new memoir by Melissa Gouty. I met her through her publication on Medium. Thank you for these ideas.
12 Empowering Podcasts for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators:
By: Teri Daniels
Tags: Childrens Books, Writing Life, Illustrator, Writing Tips, Podcast Recommendations

12 Empowering Podcasts for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators:

Source: freedesignfile.com

Writers and illustrators, we are home but not alone! To hear fascinating people discuss their creative process, the obstacles they face, and their hard-won literary achievements, connect to a podcast on your cellphone or computer and float away.

These twelve podcasts, geared towards kidlit creators and aficionados, supply book reviews, interviews, and endless motivation to read and write on.

(Hosted by acclaimed librarian Matthew Winner)

Enjoy engaging interviews with authors and illustrators about the origin of their children’s books and the impact on readers.

(Hosted by Matthew Winner and author Karina Yan Glaser)

This new podcast from Book Riot connects the best of children’s literature with important current events.

(Hosted by author Sara Zarr)

Candid author talks capture the “practical and psychological aspects of creativity, the creative process, and the strange landscape where art meets commerce.”

(Hosted by literary agent Jennifer Laughran)

Get insider advice on the children’s publishing industry as Jennifer chats with authors, editors, art directors, other agents, and marketing professionals.

(Hosted by author and producer Yin Chang)

This podcast takes on the challenges of a creative life, such as dealing with rejections, querying agents and editors, and finding joy in the writing process.

(Hosted by journalist Theo Baker)

Become a member of the Society of Children’s Writer’s and Illustrators to hear informative conversations with leaders in the children’s book field.

(Hosted by author Sarah Enni)

Interviews with professionals at all stages of the publishing process aim to give new and experienced writers a better sense of the creative and emotional endurance required to succeed.

(Hosted by author Nick Patton)

Nick loves picture books and the positive effect they have on children. Tune into his entertaining interviews with children’s book authors and illustrators.

(Hosted by librarian Travis Jonker and teacher Colby Sharp)

Each episode by this dynamic duo explores with an author or illustrator how a book for young readers was made.

(Hosted by editor Emma Kantor)

This children’s book editor of Publishers Weekly conducts smart, 20-minute interviews with kidlit authors who have recently published a book.

(Hosted by author Katie Davis)

These episodes, mostly for aspiring children’s writers, focus on how to write children’s books and magazine articles, and how to get paid and published.

(Hosted by illustrators Will Terry, Lee White, and Jake Parker)

Three professionals with backgrounds in animation and kidlit discuss all aspects of developing art skills and growing a career in illustration.

Did I skip any kidlit podcasts you admire?

Share here, tweet me @bylinetd on Twitter, or reach me at teri-daniels.com.