Chapter 1: My Blogging Journey

In February 2017, I embarked on my blogging adventure by creating a WordPress site called "The Apples in My Orchard." For five years, I dedicated myself to daily posts. However, in 2022, my frequency dwindled to just Fridays for Poetry Friday and sporadic topics due to moving and a newfound focus on Medium. Presently, I have amassed over 1,960 articles on my WordPress blog and an additional 662 on Medium.

As is often the case, followers on my WordPress site fluctuated, a trend that continues on Medium. Medium has its own specific criteria for counting reads; a reader must spend at least 30 seconds on a page for it to be considered a read in the statistics. Currently, it seems that readers are not engaging for that duration, resulting in a steady view count but a decrease in actual reads.

This situation indicates to me that I need to enhance my writing to capture my audience's interest more effectively. However, with the demands of life, I've found it challenging to dedicate time to writing. After publishing a book in April and promoting it through May, I received a wonderful review from a reader who has no prior connection to me or my book, which I greatly appreciate.

Recently, I went on a trip out west and have also been working on establishing a new garden bed. My list of potential article topics is extensive, yet my writing time remains limited. Upon reflection, I've noticed that my recent writings feel somewhat forced, and I believe my audience can sense it. I hope to improve this in June, as I will be home for the summer, aside from a short visit to my father in New York.

I'm eager to create a compelling article on environmental issues, similar to one I wrote in 2022 that garnered nearly 9,000 views and 4,500 reads. Interestingly, that article only earned me $4.55! Perhaps this year's milkweed will inspire a new post.

Some of my articles may not attract a large readership, but they yield better earnings. For instance, an article about bats published earlier this year has received 693 views and 280 reads, resulting in a 40% read ratio and generating $60.00 so far.

My passion for nature shines through in my writing, likely because I hold a master's degree in natural resources and have been formally trained as an environmental educator. Despite the slow months of April and May, I am still gaining followers, which is encouraging. If you’re new here, thank you for joining! I intend to increase my writing output this summer to share more engaging content.

Additionally, I recognize the need to enhance my reading habits. Life's busyness has limited my time to read and engage with others' articles, an important aspect of the Medium community.

I've been fortunate this year, with at least one article boosted each month, and in some instances, more than one. I'm grateful to those who see value in my work and nominate my pieces for boosts. As the competition grows fiercer, it's clear that we all need to elevate our writing. I'm preparing to do just that.

I'm curious to hear from others—are you experiencing a decline in your reads as well? Thank you in advance for sharing your experiences in the comments.

In this video, "How to Learn from a Book (Maybe) | Note-taking, Visualizations, Spacing | History Example," explore effective strategies for enhancing your reading and retention skills.

Chapter 2: Strategies for Improvement

To enhance my writing and engagement, I aim to adopt new methods.

"10 Tips to Enjoy Reading (And Start Having Fun) | The Reading Course #2 - YouTube" offers practical advice to rekindle your love for reading and make it an enjoyable experience.