Chapter 1: Reflecting on My Progress

It's often said, "follow the money." In the realm of online writing, another adage might be, "follow the analytics." Are you doing this? Am I?

When you reflect honestly, do you analyze your top-performing articles to guide your future topics? Personally, I find myself rebelling against such norms—mostly against my own tendencies.

After two months of writing, I've accumulated 300 followers and generated an average of $1 per article. So, should I chase the money or the data? My answer: it varies.

Among my highest earners is an article titled:

The Melancholy of Being Alive

This piece humorously explores the simple act of walking to the store to buy milk, capturing the whimsical thoughts that accompany such a mundane task.

Following that is another piece:

The Subtle Ways Mornings Are Terrible.

To quote Groucho Marx, "One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don’t know." This article offers a cynical yet funny perspective on mornings.

Looking back to January, a similar trend appears in my top three articles of that month, featuring two with a similar humorous tone:

Drafting Is for Cowards (And Why You Should Publish Straight Away)

This article encourages writers to express their thoughts candidly and spontaneously.

How Many Claps Is the Socially Acceptable Amount?

In this lighthearted piece, I genuinely seek clarity on the etiquette surrounding claps on the platform.

A wise person might focus on what works best. But do I?

What other types of articles resonate well with my audience? I find that delving deeply into topics I care about, such as personal growth, often pays off.

The Humble Path to Lifelong Learning

This piece emphasizes the importance of remaining open to new experiences and ideas.

Utopian Society: Dystopia in Disguise?

Here, I explore the paradox of achieving a utopia without encountering fascism.

A Case Against Trigger Warnings

In this article, I argue that trigger warnings could be ineffective or even harmful.

Beyond these, the success of my other writings feels like a gamble. Despite this uncertainty, I still choose to write pieces that might not capture much attention, like:

Jason’s New Bike

This short story presents a new bike's charm, overshadowed by life's unpredictability.

Or longer narratives like:

Prophet of Nothing, Chapter 1: A Slice of Jack’s Life.

Why do I pursue these? It's crucial to nurture the essence of writing alongside the pursuit of profit. If one becomes overly focused on financial gain, creativity can suffer, reducing writing to mere transactions. For some, this might suffice, but I desire more from my craft.

At this stage, I see financial reward as a pleasant extra rather than the main goal. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t balance creative fulfillment with financial success.

To quote a movie, "You gotta do the safe picture. Then you can do the art picture. […] And sometimes, you go back to the well." – Ben Affleck, Jay And Silent Bob Strikes Back.

So, regarding the earlier question: do I follow the data? Certainly. Yet, I also disregard it for pieces I am passionate about, even if they seem unlikely to gain traction.

What’s your philosophy on this?

Lastly, a heartfelt thank you to my over 300 followers. It's genuinely humbling to know that so many are interested in my future writings. I hope you find value in your support, and here’s to continued growth!

Read You Later!

— Pezen

Chapter 2: Financial Insights and Creative Balance

In this video, we explore how a specific website generates an astonishing $150,000 a month in passive income, providing valuable lessons for aspiring writers.

Chapter 3: Longevity and Personal Growth

This video features the world’s leading longevity expert, sharing four straightforward steps to extend your life, emphasizing the importance of personal development and self-care.