As you browse through Medium’s sprawling ecosystem of stories and insights, a peculiar trend might catch your eye.

You’ll notice a swarm of articles focused on writing itself. It appears as if every second writer is penning down the art and science of writing, often masking a subtle invitation to new scribes to join the platform.

And while there’s undoubtedly value in discussing the process of writing, an essential question begs for attention: are we, as writers, losing sight of our purpose?

Medium, with its sleek design and welcoming approach, positions itself as the democratizer of ideas.

Here, you can read stories that move you, challenge you, or make you reconsider your understanding of the world.

In the process, the platform does an excellent job of attracting writers — both seasoned and nascent, who are eager to express their thoughts, share their experiences, or ignite conversations.

The enthusiasm is commendable, and the dedication is admirable.

However, somewhere along the way, we’ve found ourselves in a cycle of “writing about writing.”

Remember, writing is for readers, not writers. So, let’s venture into this maze together, let’s dissect this phenomenon and ask the hard questions.

Medium’s Hidden Aspects

Picture a hypothetical situation: You’re a new writer on Medium. You start by exploring, reading, getting the lay of the land, and then you stumble upon a guide — a map if you will.

It’s a writing article, how to write, what to write, when to write, and where to write.

Curiosity piqued, you click, read, absorb, and before you know it, you’re down a rabbit hole of writing articles.

That’s the first hidden aspect: Medium’s algorithm tends to reward articles on writing, creating a pseudo-environment where new writers are encouraged to write more about writing.

The platform learns from your clicks, your reads, and your claps, and it promptly offers more of the same.

You’re given more articles about writing, which in turn encourages new writers to write more about writing — a cycle that’s as fascinating as it is self-defeating.

The second hidden aspect is more subtle but equally impactful. Medium, as an open publishing platform, tends to favor established writers, especially those with a large following.

Their articles, often about the craft of writing, naturally garner more views and claps.

This creates a distorted view for new writers who might believe that writing about writing is a guaranteed way to success. It’s not wrong, but it’s not entirely accurate either.

The Unsettling Allure

The allure of writing about writing is that it creates an echo chamber.

We’re all writers here, after all. It’s comfortable, relatable, and it feels like a safe bet. We talk about writing hacks, discuss writing woes, and wax poetic about the power of words.

And while there’s nothing wrong with this (in moderation), an excessive focus on the process of writing over the act of communicating valuable information can divert us from our primary purpose — to serve our readers.

Let’s take the example of Sarah, a talented writer who joined Medium a few months ago.

Sarah, armed with fresh perspectives and a vibrant style, found herself engrossed in articles about writing.

She noticed that most successful writers were writing about writing. So, she followed suit.

While she did get views and claps, her unique insights on environmental sustainability, a topic she was passionate about, were left unexplored.

This isn’t just Sarah’s story; it’s an echo of many voices on Medium.

Redefining Our Purpose

The cornerstone of any writing endeavor should be its ability to enrich, educate, inspire, or entertain its readers.

The moment we start writing more for our fellow writers and less for our diverse readership, we risk creating an inward-looking echo chamber.

Think about the most impactful book you’ve ever read.

Was it impactful because it discussed the author’s writing routine or because it provided a fresh perspective, a riveting story, or a profound understanding of a specific topic?

The answer might vary from person to person, but chances are, it’s the latter.

So, let’s break free from the chains of this cycle. Let’s create content that is meaningful, that resonates with our readers, that goes beyond the realm of writing about writing.

As writers, our words hold immense power, the power to connect, inspire, and instigate change. Let’s use this power wisely.

Breaking the Meta-Writing Cycle

As a 5x top Medium writer, my advice to new and existing writers is this — Challenge yourself to think outside the box of writing about writing.

Take a step back and revisit why you started writing in the first place.

Was it to educate others about a particular subject? To share personal experiences that others might relate to or learn from? To inspire change? Keep these reasons at the forefront of your mind.

Next, write for a wide audience. While fellow writers can be a great audience, don’t let them be your only audience.

Medium is home to a diverse array of readers with varied interests — technology, politics, culture, science, self-improvement, and more. Tap into this diversity.

Let’s remember that a writing platform thrives not just on the quantity of content, but also its quality and diversity.

By broadening our horizons and stepping out of the cycle of writing about writing, we can truly fulfill our roles as writers — to serve our readers, provide value, and enrich the discourse on Medium.

Writing about writing isn’t wrong. It’s a trap when it becomes all we write about.

So, let’s tread carefully and ensure that we’re using our words to engage, inspire, and enlighten our readers in as many ways as possible.

After all, in the grand scheme of things, we’re writing for them.