They Laughed When I Started Writing… Now They’re Asking Me for Help

I remember when I first told my friends and family that I was going to become a writer. The reactions were... less than supportive. I had no formal training. No background in journalism. I wasn’t even sure where to start. But something inside me just knew that writing was my calling.

At first, it felt like a joke. They laughed, and I didn’t blame them. I had always been the person who started projects with passion but never followed through. I had dozens of unfinished hobbies, from painting to playing the guitar, but none of them had ever stuck. So, when I said I was going to be a writer, I could see the skepticism in their eyes.

But something in me was different this time.

I started small, writing short stories in my free time. I posted some on a blog and shared them on social media. The feedback? Well, it was mostly silence. Some of my closest friends liked a post here and there, but the response was weak. It was almost as if people didn't take me seriously. Writing, for many, was a skill reserved for the “talented” ones or those who had some kind of credentials.

I kept at it, though. Every day, I wrote a little more. I found comfort in the process, not in the results. I didn’t care about the low views or the lack of likes. My passion for writing was growing stronger with each word I typed.

Then, something unexpected happened. Slowly, the silence turned into conversation.

I began to post more consistently on Vocal Media, a platform that I had heard a lot about but never considered seriously. I loved the idea of a community of writers and readers, all sharing stories and ideas. So, I gave it a shot.

The first few stories on Vocal didn’t perform well. They were still met with the quiet indifference I had come to expect. But I didn’t give up. I kept writing. I explored new topics and experimented with different styles. I started reading other stories on the platform and interacting with fellow writers. I left comments, shared my thoughts, and started building a network.

Over time, my stories began to gain traction. A few of them went viral, and suddenly, I wasn’t just another writer trying to find my place—I was a part of something bigger. People started noticing my work. They commented on my stories, shared them with their friends, and even reached out to me personally. That’s when things began to change.

One day, I opened my inbox to find a message that made my heart race. It was from someone who had been reading my work for a while. They asked if I would read their draft and offer feedback. I was floored. I had gone from being the one begging for help to being the one asked for advice.

Over the next few months, my inbox was filled with similar messages. Writers, bloggers, and even people outside the writing world were reaching out, asking me for feedback. It felt surreal. I had gone from being the person who couldn’t even get a like on her posts to someone people trusted for advice.

So, what changed?

There wasn’t one defining moment, but rather a series of small actions that built up over time. First and foremost, it was consistency. I wrote every single day, whether I felt inspired or not. The more I wrote, the better I became. The more I put myself out there, the more I found my voice.

But there were also practical things that helped. I started researching the best practices for writing online. I learned about SEO optimization—something I had barely understood at first. I learned about the importance of catchy titles (like this one!), the right tags, and how to connect with my readers through compelling, authentic stories.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) isn’t just about keywords; it’s about writing content that is valuable to your audience. It’s about understanding what people are searching for and delivering that in a way that is engaging, easy to read, and shareable. On Vocal, I learned that the key to success is a combination of passion, perseverance, and smart writing strategies.

Another major shift came when I started engaging with my audience more deeply. I didn’t just post stories and walk away. I responded to comments. I asked readers for their opinions. I made connections with other writers. The Vocal community, in particular, is full of people who genuinely care about the craft of writing and the stories we tell. The more I gave back, the more the community gave to me.

And now, here I am. From someone who was once ignored to someone who’s now being asked for help.

The key takeaway? Persistence and growth are everything. Don’t get discouraged when you don’t see immediate results. Success doesn’t happen overnight. You need to keep learning, keep improving, and most importantly, keep writing.

If you're a writer just starting out, or even if you’ve been writing for years and feel stuck, remember this: Every great writer started somewhere. I didn’t get here overnight, and neither will you. But with consistency, patience, and a willingness to learn, you'll find your voice, your community, and maybe even your inbox full of requests for feedback.

So, next time someone laughs at your writing, just remember: they might be asking for your help one day. And when they do, you’ll know you’ve made it.