Let’s Talk About Writing and Changes We Are Making
Don’t worry, it’s gonna be a good thing!
Hey, Y’all!
Five years ago, I had a dream.
I dreamed of creating a community of women writers who encourage, inspire, and empower one another. I was new to this writing and publishing thing.
Many other women were, too. And we learned together.
I accepted brand new writers, and our powerful team of editors taught them through gentle editing tips.
Many came, learned, and left.
But that was okay. Why? Because we pushed them to expand and try new pubs.
As time went on, we were invited to be a Boosting pub. Things were great, and sometimes we published 35–45 stories a week. And we nominated 20 drafts a month with an 80% Boost rate.
This week, we only published 12 stories. Last month, only two were boosted.
I know the algorithm has changed due to purging bot activity and whatnot. I’ve heard we need to give everything time to reset. Also, the curators expect high-quality writing if you want to get boosted.
But we have come to a fork in the road. Should we continue on the same path, or should we raise the bar and accept only high-quality writing?
Today, I am making an editorial decision. From this time forth, we will follow Medium standards and accept only high-quality writing. (*See below.)
Some of you may not care about being boosted. I’m on your side — I write because I love to.
Even though I’ve been boosted only about 17 or 18 times, with the last being in Oct. ’24, I don’t worry about it anymore.
But I want my writing to shine and be the best it can be.
And if it’s not, I will read how to become a better writer, and I will practice.
So if we reject your story, it means that you may need to work on it. Don’t give up; work hard to improve, and write, write, write.
I like Cindy Heath’s suggestion below:
If you are an emerging writer and would like to be assigned an editor who can help with specific suggestions, just add a personal note like “I’m an emerging writer: suggestions welcome.”
Cindy Heath also couldn’t have said it better than in her two articles — Getting to the Heart of a Personal Essay… and Writers Must Answer…
Another good tip — find a writer you like and write like them. One of my favorites is Andy Andrews. His books The Noticer and The Traveler’s Gift planted a seed and changed my life.
Then, I completed How to Create Your Mission Statement, which helped me craft my vision and mission statement for MP.
Apply it to your writing, and you will find your voice.
Wow, I said a mouthful!
Does this help, y’all? Is everything clear? Please leave your comments. Be honest.
Luv, ya!
Debbie :) xoxo
Friday Writer Tip
I’m writing a first draft and reminding myself that I’m simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.
— Shannon Hale
*Medium Guidelines —in the Table of Contents pay attention to Boost Guidelines*
Time To Read…
I Am Taking Crone Back — Angela Dribben
It’s as though someone tapped me on my shoulder in a dream and handed me back my light.
Microplastics Now up to One 200th of Our Brains. What We Can Do — Mira G. Eliodora
How to fight plastic pollution in ourselves and our environment
The Middle — Monica (Mic) Curtis
Women Who Dare to Question and Disrupt the Game
From Caregiver to Trailblazer: Women Redefining Legacy After 50 — MsFireballsmom
Legacy isn’t about what we leave; it’s about how we choose to live today.
How One Bad Choice Nearly Cost Me My Life — Deb Palmer
When day turned night, I knew I was in trouble.
Check This Out!
Buy our anthologies for your friends, mothers, grandmothers, aunties, or sisters that you love.
We have published 3 three books in our series, The Menopause Anthologies.
They are funny and empowering, and some stories make you want to cry. They are what MP is all about!
See ya next time!
May the Mighty Women of Middle-Pause be with you!
Middle-Pause|STOMP!| Pinterest| Menopause Anthologies|Facebook
Until next time…
Your Superheroes!
From Debbie, Cindy, Margie, Marilyn, Mary, BeBe, and Meg
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Luv ya!
