Congratulations Shannon, on this two year milestone. We started about the same time and I’ve been reading your work ever since.

My path on Medium is quite different from yours. The ways Medium has benefited me have nothing to do with money (I would have been fine with making more of it but since I am not willing to do what you’ve done…bust your ass to make it happen) I’m fine with the small amount of compensation I’ve gotten.)

Rather, my path here, for me is exactly what I wanted — a platform to write, to improve my writing, to learn and to meet some great folks who are like minded. One of the folks I’ve been fortunate enough to meet (virtually) has been you.

I’m always inspired by your perseverance and your work ethic. I understand why too. I’m someone who has followed an unconventional path when it comes to making a living. I also made a choice to become a mother and stay home with my child.

I write fiction, for the most part, and for me writing enough to make a “living” on Medium isn’t possible. I spend too much time on each piece and I also have another job that would be silly to give up. I’m fine with what I produce in terms of my writing. I do, however, keep at it. Over my first two years here I’ve created a body of work I’m proud of. I’ve grown and improved and solidified my voice. I’ve even branched out into writing different kinds of stories, which is something I never imagined for myself.

When I read about how people here on Medium give you crap about what you write about I wonder why people seem to have such a need to keep others from doing their own thing. I have the same distaste for such people as I do for articles that begin, “You Should”. That’s just me. Don’t try to tell me what to do or how to do it.

Anyway…just wanted to say keep up the great work and stay you.