I’m Doing Better As a Writer on Medium Than The Local Newspaper Who Turned Down Hiring Me Five Years Ago
And Damn Does It Feel Good
I’m aware the entire basis of this article is purely ego driven but you know what, IDGAF. And for the record, that’s the first time I’ve ever used that acronym in a piece of writing. I’m aware of how unprofessional it is but again — well — reread those five letters. I’m also aware it’s not proper to use the word and in the beginning of a sentence, as I just did but it’s acceptable when used sparingly and in the correct context.
You see, I know my way well enough around a blank page or screen with a blinking cursor and have a vast enough body of work to call myself an actual writer today — but the truth is I’ve never really been accepted or taken seriously by your typical writers circles and I’ve always been okay with that. Mainly because, I’m not positive they’re circles I belong in. I’m not so sure I’m a writer, as much as I am a dude who writes. Fine by me. It’s all semantics anyway.
Then again, show me ten other people who aren’t writers who can use the word semantics in a sentence correctly as I just did. Go ahead, I’ll wait.
Though I’ve always written, in one form another from the time I was twelve or so — I never had any plans on applying to write for a major publication.
It just wasn’t who I saw myself as, maybe I didn’t take myself seriously enough and for good reason probably. Sure I could write an essay deserving of an A but I preferred to write rap lyrics in a notebook and not tell anyone. So that’s basically what I did. However, every so often, something I had to write for school would stand out above that of my peers and a fuss would be made of it by teachers and such. Still, writing wasn’t something I saw myself doing professionally. I guess I just didn’t think it was possible.
However, five years ago, a family member of mine who had nothing but the best intentions and just wanted to be of help to me, suggested I apply as a writer to my local newspaper. A friend of hers is an editor there and she offered to reach out. Though, I knew it wouldn’t have been the kind of writing I actually enjoy, I figured I had nothing to lose and applied.
Not to my surprise, the writing samples I sent in “weren’t what they were looking for” and I was let down lightly — most likely as a courtesy to my family member — by her friend. I’m almost positive I would have been otherwise ignored. The truth is, I wasn’t upset because I didn’t want to work there in the first place. My history with the publication has mainly comprised of seeing people I grew up with listed in the “Northeast’s Most Wanted” section. Though, I once read a letter to the editor they published in 2005, by some old miserable soul who wrote in to question the character of my deceased friend, who had been tragically killed saving her infant daughter, weeks earlier.
Besides, it’s a paper they distribute for free every week in my neighborhood, what would they have possibly paid me to write for them?
Fast forward to earlier yesterday, when a friend of mine asked if I could find out how much it would cost for her to post an ad for a yard sale in that same local paper mentioned above. Much to my surprise, when I googled the paper’s name — it appeared their site had switched over to publishing exclusively here on Medium. Any story you click takes you to their domain somehow but it’s clearly ran off of Medium’s platform and they do have their own page here. But apparently, nobody ever comments on or claps for their stories. A sign of the day and times we live in, where local papers are doing everything they possibly can to survive — and still washing up on shore.
To be clear, I take no personal joy in the fact the paper is seemingly suffering and probably on it’s way out. I never held a grudge of any sort against them in the first place for not hiring me. Though I’ll admit, seeing the lack of followers the publication has, did kind of leave me feeling vindicated. Because from the day I started to take writing seriously, I’ve been of the belief I could do this my own way. I’ve done exactly that and you know what, it’s already taken me further than I realistically ever thought it would — and I’ve hardly gotten started.
Oh and I almost forgot, don’t forget to support your local newspapers. They’re a dying breed and can use all the help they can get. Read them, just don’t aspire to write for them. They’re just publishing here on Medium like the rest of us anyway. Write the stories that matter to you and see where it takes you instead. The results just may surprise you, I promise.