Chapter 1: Understanding Your Writerly Identity

When your name appears on Medium, what do your readers or editors think? Are they enthusiastic, anticipating another engaging piece, or do they wince, bracing for a potentially disorganized, overly complex, or excessively lengthy article?

Let’s pause and consider this: if your character as a writer communicates volumes, what message is it conveying?

Defining Character

Character, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, refers to the mental and moral attributes that distinguish an individual. One resource I found enumerates 1,200 possible character traits, both positive and negative. It’s crucial for writers to ensure that their positive traits are prominently displayed!

Our fundamental beliefs shape our character, which in turn exposes our true selves. Given that our character is communicated through our writing, what insights does your work provide about YOU?

Key Qualities to Consider

Fresh Ideas

Does your writing introduce innovative concepts? Are your thoughts original, even when discussing familiar topics?

Organized Thought

Is your work structured in a way that makes it accessible, even if the subject matter is intricate?

Attention to Detail

How compelling is your title? Did you dedicate enough thought to it and the other nuances of your piece?

Unique Perspective

Does your article captivate readers from the outset by showcasing a distinct viewpoint?

Accuracy

Have you ensured the accuracy of your images and information? Did you proofread your article multiple times?

Honesty

If you utilized AI, did you disclose that? Have you credited sources for any quotes you included?

Collaborative Spirit

When an editor requests changes, do you approach it with a positive attitude, or do you resist? Are you supportive of editors, recognizing their challenging roles?

Timely and Respectful Responses

Are you proactive in responding to notifications and addressing comments courteously? Are you open to diverse opinions?

Thoughtful Tagging

Do your tags accurately reflect the content of your article?

Courtesy

When tagging individuals, do you respect their preferences regarding notifications?

Humility

How do you conduct yourself in comments? Do you come across as superior or appreciative?

Profile Orderliness

Are your pinned articles current, or do you let them lag behind?

Handling Criticism

How do you react to negative feedback on your articles?

Visual Appeal

Are you utilizing Medium's formatting tools—bold, italics, quotes, and more? Have you chosen images thoughtfully and provided proper attribution?

Let’s strive to present our best selves to our readers! After all, character is revealed through our writing.

Video Insight: Your Voice Speaks Volumes

In this enlightening talk, Jane Setter discusses how the nuances of your voice can convey profound messages in your writing. Understanding this can enhance your connection with readers.

Video Insight: Characters as Avatars

Deborah Levy explores the concept of characters as extensions of ourselves in fiction. This perspective can reshape how you approach character development in your writing.

Chapter 2: Bringing Your Best to the Page

Let’s commit to showcasing our finest qualities in our writing! Character truly shines through our words.

✍ — Published by Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles at Dancing Elephants Press. Click here for submission guidelines.