The Call to Action

I recently found myself grappling with the notion that I might be lacking in personality when it comes to my writing. Influenced by the perspectives of Linda Caroll and Tim Denning, I began to question my creative abilities.

Linda Caroll's assertive tone resonated with me: "Hey, Writer?" She seemed to beckon me away from my ongoing drafts, drawing me in like a mysterious stranger offering something enticing. My initial task was to refine my story, but her article, "Hey Writer? Here’s What I Want From You," became too compelling to ignore.

In her piece, she insists, "You can’t be boring!" The urgency in her words felt like a reprimand from my childhood. She emphasizes that a strong start is crucial for capturing your readers’ attention, suggesting that eye-catching subtitles are key. Inspired, I decided to experiment with this advice in the article I was crafting.

Originally, I titled my piece "Why it Feels Right to Write," appreciating the cleverness of the title. However, as Linda pointed out, it lacked excitement. I brainstormed alternatives like "Why is society prioritizing brawn over brains?" and "If you can pay $50 for a gym membership, surely $5 for a notebook is doable." Yet, they still didn’t feel captivating enough. The more I pushed for shock value, the more uncomfortable I felt, as if I was straying too far from my gentle demeanor.

Feeling disheartened, I turned to Linda's articles for inspiration. Her writing, though tackling serious themes, bursts with personality and relatability. She even employs casual language like "lol," which I previously thought was inappropriate for serious writing. One comment on her work resonated with me: readers could identify her unique voice even before seeing her name attached. I couldn't agree more; her stories are vibrant and full of character.

This led me to another piece by her, where she unveils the secret of successful writers. According to her, the magic lies not in the content but in the how they express their ideas. She mentioned Tim Denning, a figure I've seen frequently since joining Medium. Perhaps I had avoided his articles due to the overexposure of his name, but Linda's recommendations compelled me to explore his work.

As I browsed Tim Denning’s page, I discovered that he, too, writes with remarkable flair. However, as bedtime approached, I still hadn’t settled on a title that felt worthy of excitement. I came to a stark realization: I see myself as rather dull. I’m the type to say "fudge" or "crap" instead of swearing, and I hesitate to voice strong opinions for fear of sounding too confrontational.

This introspection led me to wonder: is my writing career doomed? Will my words gather dust in the vast library of Medium, overlooked alongside other mundane literature? I’ve faced this self-doubt before. My family often describes me as too serious and reserved. They chuckle at my attempts at humor, not because I'm funny, but because they can't believe the punchline came from me. I've even searched, "Can you learn to be funny?"

As I consider how to conclude this piece, I feel a strong urge to offer advice on avoiding boredom in writing—something I typically do. However, I'm at a loss and can only extend a hand in solidarity for anyone else grappling with similar feelings.

When I write, I strive for authenticity and value in every piece. Since I may not have provided you with substantial insights today, I’ll share some of Linda’s remarkable articles that truly deliver.

5 Things You Didn’t Know Can Get You In Trouble Here.

Farting carrots? There’s a bathroom on the right…

“It Wasn’t A Boy Or Girl,” He Said. “And I Think I Made A Mistake”

A loving father’s torment on the birth of his child.

5 Reasons I Reject Stories. Don’t Do These To Any Editor, Okay?

Buckle up, we’re getting real about a-holes in the submission process.

If you’re not among the 14,000 followers of her work, I highly recommend visiting her page—just ensure you have enough time to lose yourself in her engaging articles.