Answers to a Few Questions
This Just In: There were fewer questions than I anticipated, but I will answer them nonetheless.
Last week, I asked for whatever questions you all might have. I did this in the spirit of Medium Day since I wasn’t attending. There were way fewer responses than I thought would come in based on similar previous requests.
Now, this could be a statement on my popularity, on the impact of The Writing Cooperative publication, or Medium’s network effect, which hasn’t been as strong for me as in the past. I don’t know.
At the end of the day, that’s not what matters. It’s easy to get caught up in the metrics, but that’s not why I do things. As I have said over and over again, I write to connect with you all and if that means only one person responds, it’s a win.
Anyway, here are the questions you all had and my answers to them:
How can I become a writer for The Writing Cooperative? (Asked by two people.)
Click the “Contribute” button on the publication homepage for all the details. Or, click here to save a step.
I have a question about etiquette around sharing articles. Is it inappropriate to share a free link to someone's article that I've enjoyed on Medium on my social media. Or do you think it's better to only share paid links? - Helen
Helen responded again realizing that Medium removed the “friend link” feature, but the rest of her question is still valid. Readers should always share links to things they enjoyed reading. It helps the writer expand their audience, which is never a bad thing. Share away!
I am almost through a 10 chapter novel and I would like to find a reliable beta reader or two. I posted on my FB page but apparently at least one person was afraid it was a scam. He claimed that the request for beta readers is often a scam! Seems odd but then what isn’t these days. I know there are groups that beta [read] in exchange for similar service. Yet I am so involved with getting this novel completed, read by a few [discerning] readers, and revised, copyedited and published, that I can’t spare a minute. (I would do it when this project is finished.) Any suggestions? I also can’t pay, so [professional] editors are out of the question. - Ronald
There are scams swirling around that set themselves up looking for beta readers but are really just Amazon review spam. Maybe that’s what the person was referring to? However, there are plenty of beta reader communities out there which you might want to look into instead of a blanket request. For example, check out Reddit’s /r/BetaReaders as a place to start.
That said, let me address the professional editor elephant in the room. I also didn’t think I could afford a professional editor on the revision of my book but quickly learned how valuable a true professional is. I wrote about it a few weeks ago, but a book should never be left without a professional set of eyes.
Do you think writing about my life experiences growing up on a hard scrabble homestead farm last century with ten siblings all older than me would be advisable and acceptable? - William
Oh my goodness, yes! I talk about this in my book, but everyone has a story to tell or a perspective to share. Whether that comes out in the form of influences on fictional characters or a more autobiographical nature is up to the writer. But you have an experience that is unique and you should explore it.
Thank you for sharing this update and keeping the spirit of engagement alive despite not participating in Medium Day. Your commitment to fostering dialogue is particularly compelling—what do you see as the most valuable aspect of maintaining these connections with your audience, even outside formal events? - Nishkama
As I stated earlier, I write to connect with others — whether that’s thousands of people or one person. Responses connect me to people who have very different lived experiences and opinions than I do. For example, I would love to see William develop his story because it is so unique and far from what I know.
Writing is a way to share a part of ourselves and connect with each other — it’s intimate and vulnerable in ways that are hard to describe. I write to share these ideas with readers and, in return, capture a few ideas from others. That’s why I do it and why I will continue to do so.
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