The Journey of a Decade in Online Publishing: My Story Unveiled
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My writing journey on the internet began unexpectedly, but it has been transformative. I discovered early on that when I commit to something, I pursue it relentlessly. Although I had a passion for writing and had published various works in school, I never consciously aimed to write daily or establish a personal brand until 2014, during my last year of college.
At that time, my classmates were captivated by a platform called Quora, where they would frequently read and share content. It featured questions on every conceivable subject, allowing users to showcase their answers. I began seeking out prompts that challenged my creativity, such as "Can you craft a story in just 11 words?" or "Can you start a story with 'She wasn’t the one?'"
What started as a casual pastime quickly morphed into an obsession. My stories garnered attention, with readers from around the globe praising my creativity. I gained over a thousand followers daily, and soon, Quora became my first stop each morning and my last interaction before bed. What I initially viewed as a fun challenge unknowingly laid the foundation for a decade-long career.
As I pen this in 2024, I reflect on ten years of consistent online publishing. This journey has profoundly altered my life. Today, I am a full-time writer, setting my own hours and enjoying vacations as I please. I earn a good income working just a few hours each day and collaborate with some of the brightest minds globally while nurturing side projects that ignite my passion. My content has amassed millions of views across platforms like Medium, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.
None of this would have been possible without my steadfast commitment to sharing my work online. If you’re curious about how I achieved this, let me take you behind the scenes.
Here’s what it takes to maintain an online publishing presence for a decade.
Know Your Purpose
“If you know the why, you can live any how.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
Embarking on any new skill without a clear purpose can lead to a loss of momentum. However, when your motivations are defined, persisting becomes easier.
When I began my online writing journey, my motivation was straightforward: I craved attention. As a naïve college student, I had just tasted online popularity and was eager for more. I quickly grasped the attention economy—understanding that consistent high-quality content was essential for remaining relevant. I subconsciously learned to analyze platform trends and adapt my writing accordingly.
As I matured, my aspirations shifted. I wanted to create something meaningful that would leave a legacy. This desire propelled me toward writing long-form articles and books rather than merely posting short stories.
Initially, my aim as a full-time writer was to maximize my earnings. For a time, this approach worked splendidly; the more hours I spent writing, the more I earned. The thrill of seeing my efforts translate into financial success was exhilarating.
However, I eventually realized that this lifestyle was not sustainable. Long workdays led to burnout, prompting me to reassess my priorities. I discovered that I valued fulfillment over the arbitrary goal of earning $10,000 a month.
Today, my motivations have evolved. I no longer seek attention, wealth, or a lasting legacy. Instead, I find joy in writing pieces that resonate with my heart. If my work positively impacts even one reader, I consider my efforts worthwhile.
My purpose for writing online has transformed over the years, but at every phase, I have remained connected to my reasons for creating content. As Nietzsche’s quote suggests, knowing your "why" helps you navigate any obstacles life presents.
Select Your Rewards
Let’s face it: writing can be a solitary endeavor. Hours spent at a keyboard might yield only a few readers. You lack accountability, progress tracking, or someone to celebrate your successes with. Very few understand your journey.
Even today, when I tell people I’m a writer, they often view it as a hobby. My achievements appear as mere numbers to them, and my struggles are dismissed as “algorithm changes.” In such circumstances, cultivating a Zen mindset has been crucial to my perseverance.
I’ve learned the importance of detachment—both from success and failure.
Detachment from Success
In my early days on Quora, I experienced unexpected success when one of my responses went viral, garnering over 100,000 views and a flurry of engagement. The pressure to replicate that success was immense, and I often felt disheartened if my subsequent posts didn’t achieve similar traction.
It became clear that waiting for the perfect moment to publish would lead to perpetual inaction. Consequently, I learned to detach from the concept of success. The unpredictable nature of online platforms means that all I can do is produce my best work without fixating on the outcome.
If you tie your self-worth to content performance, you will struggle to endure in this competitive landscape.
Detachment from Failure
My publishing experience hasn’t been without its challenges. There have been periods of stagnation where nothing I wrote resonated. Even on Medium, my worst months yielded just 20,000 views, in contrast to my usual 80,000+.
During these dry spells, the temptation to abandon my dreams loomed large. I often questioned whether I should have pursued a more traditional career path instead. Yet, as the saying goes, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
Detaching from failure allows me the freedom to remain creative, even when immediate results aren’t apparent. It empowers me to persevere, understanding that dry spells are temporary setbacks rather than permanent barriers.
Reinvention and Growth
As previously mentioned, my writing goals and motivations have evolved, demanding constant adaptation in both mindset and skillset.
Developing a Growth Mindset
“The mind is a flexible mirror; adjust it to see a better world.” — Amit Ray
As a writer, your mindset is your most potent tool. Here are some shifts in thinking that have aided my journey:
- I embrace the journey, knowing there’s no definitive destination, only the discovery of self along the way.
- I remain unfazed by online trolls, understanding that their negativity often stems from their own insecurities.
- I do not let fluctuations in platform algorithms deter me; I continue to publish, detached from success and failure.
- I refuse to let others undermine my career; a valuable reminder is, “Never take advice from someone living a life you don’t aspire to.”
Skill Development
In a landscape that continually evolves, staying competitive requires ongoing self-improvement. I started on Quora, but over the years, I’ve developed skills that have enhanced my portfolio and income:
- Collaborating with AI
- Crafting social media captions
- Understanding search engine optimization
- Navigating Google Analytics, AdSense, Ezoic, and more
- Writing short-form content for platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn
- Mastering research and attribution in a journalistic style
- Planning and outlining for fictional narratives
In an ever-changing technological world, staying informed and adaptable is essential.
Final Thoughts: The Path Forward
Reflecting on my decade of online publishing, I now consider the next ten years. I won’t arrogantly claim to have all the answers, but I am committed to trying and evolving.
I have radical ideas I wish to share, but I recognize that presenting them as non-fiction might feel preachy. Instead, I plan to weave these concepts into a narrative, presenting them as a novel. Currently, I’m in the character development and outlining stages, which excites me.
While this novel may take time to come to fruition, I will continue documenting my thoughts and ideas online through articles, social media posts, and YouTube videos.
The online writing landscape is in perpetual flux, rewarding those willing to adapt. I am prepared to elevate my efforts and embrace the challenges that lie ahead in my career. Are you ready?