Avoid These Common Writing Pitfalls: A Guide to Success
Written on
Identifying Common Writing Mistakes
Having spent over a year writing on Medium, I've encountered various highs and lows throughout my journey. In this article, I aim to highlight three significant blunders I made, with the hope that sharing my experiences will help you steer clear of these pitfalls and foster a successful online writing career.
Mistake #3: The Perfection Trap
One of the biggest traps you can fall into is believing that your writing must be flawless. This mindset can hinder your creativity and productivity. Instead of striving for perfection, focus on getting your ideas out there. Embrace the notion that imperfection can lead to greater output and enjoyment in your writing process.
How Embracing Imperfection Fuels My Creativity
By letting go of the need for perfection, I've discovered a secret to maintaining high productivity levels. You can adopt this approach too!
The first video discusses a common mistake in contemporary art—how to fix a tilted piece. The insights shared can easily be applied to writing, emphasizing that not everything has to be perfect from the start.
Mistake #2: Worrying About Judgment
Many writers, including myself, often succumb to the fear of being judged by others. This concern can lead to feelings of inadequacy or imposter syndrome. To overcome this, it's crucial to focus on your personal growth and write as if no one is observing your process.
Writing Freely Without External Expectations
What if you could liberate yourself from the pressure of others' opinions? This mindset shift can enhance your writing experience significantly.
The second video provides full instructions on applying gold leaf, demonstrating that mastering a skill often involves trial and error—similar to the writing process.
Mistake #1: Over-Editing
Another common error is the tendency to edit excessively before publishing. Remember, it's essential to recognize when to stop revising and hit that publish button. Medium's algorithm favors regular updates, and readers typically skim through content. Therefore, make your writing easy to digest.
The Reality: Reader Engagement on Medium
A recent study shows that readers often only skim articles. Understanding this can help you tailor your writing to better engage your audience.
Conclusion: Learning from Mistakes
In summary, these are the top three missteps I encountered during my year-long writing journey. I hope my insights will assist you as you navigate the Medium writing landscape.
I'm excited to announce that in February 2022, I'll be launching a new Cohort, where I'll share everything I know about writing on Medium and beyond. Just recently, three aspiring writers have joined my Medium Kickstarter Boot Camp 2, where they can learn from my past mistakes and accelerate their path to success.
Medium Kickstarter Boot Camp
Join me to cultivate a sustainable writing habit, grow your follower base from zero to over a thousand, and transform your writing journey.
kristinagod.podia.com