I broke 2,000 reads overnight. Yippee!!
It’s taken me over 290 stories to reach this number, with about 95 subscribers. I have put a lot of work into each of these stories. Most of these reads came from the last thirty days. I have been a member of Vocal since July of 2021, but I have only written for less than six months total during this time.
Here are some thoughts I have had since reaching 2,000 reads that I would like to share with everyone.
- I would never have been able to make it this far without the support of the Vocal Writer Community.
- The Writing Community is the friendliest community I have ever been involved in.
- I still get excited seeing one of my articles selected as Top Story. I don’t think that will ever end.
- I get more excited seeing the total reads increasing daily. It’s a great feeling.
- The rescue, Tiger Shoe, that my daughter brought home sounds like a giant dog running through the house. He’s always running.
- One chick is easier to clean up after than ten chicks. Do I need to say more?
- My dishes do not wash themselves, no matter how much I wish they would.
- Writing does not get easier; you just get more fluent.
- Maybe one word-of-the-day subscription isn’t enough.
- Plagiarists are assholes. It is enough said.
I’ve also learned a few things about myself I will share with everyone.
- I am a better writer than I thought. I am not the best writer, nowhere near, but I am pretty decent. I still have a long way to go to be considered a great writer.
- I like the Merriam–Webster dictionary app the best of all the ones I tried. It has games!!!
- I should have read more books and a greater variety than I did. Instead, I stuck to the classics, horror, and science fiction. Nonfiction bored me; poems were above my head as a young adult.
- I watch too much television. Way too much.
- I have remembered more about creative writing than I thought.
- Writing is an addiction, as is Vocal. I can’t seem to stay away from either, and I do not want to get better.
- I’ve figured out how to put permalinks into my articles. Yay, me!!
I also have advice to give anyone just starting on Vocal if they want to hear it.
- Write for the joy of writing. Don’t worry about readers; readers will come to you.
- Don’t worry about the total reads so much in the beginning. The numbers will build the better your writing is.
- Writing is challenging. It’s not easy.
- Improve your vocabulary. Subscribe to a word-of-the-day service.
- Feel free to try something new with your writing. Trying new writing styles is how you grow as a writer.
- Put your heart into your writing. The more you do, the better your articles will be.
- Read the Resource Section on Vocal. Some great prompts are hidden there.
- To succeed, you must network. Follow other creators and read their articles. The more you read of other’s articles, the more the favor will be returned.
- Make friends. Communicate. Join Facebook groups Like Vocal+Assist, Vocal Creators Lounge, or Vocal Social Society.
- Follow these five Vocal Creators for great advice and explanations: Judey Kalchik, Ashley Lima, Cendrine Marrouat, Mike Singleton - Mikeydred, and Rick Henry Christopher.
These are just some things that have been going through my mind. I hope my musings and advice help someone. Or they just make you smile. Either way, I have succeeded in doing what I set out to do.
Thanks for reading.
Happy Writing.
Comments (8)
This is really inspirational, Mother Combs, not least of all because I already do most of what you advise here! It makes me feel like I just need to keep writing and be patient. Thanks for posting this!
Wooohooooo congratulations on 2000 reads! That's awesomeeee! I love all the tips you've given!
Congrats on 2000 reads! I am downloading the merriam webster app right now, I want to see these games lol
I love how you've mixed random facts with handy tips 😁
You’re not just decent, you’re a GREAT writer! Glad you’re a part of this community. Congrats on the milestone!
Love this and great advice! Keep plugging along and I'll keep supporting.
Congrats on 2k reads! That is so exciting! I love when I see a post from you for sure! What word of the day subscription should I use???? That’s a fabulous idea!
Congratulations! And great advice!