Hi Little Jack -- I tried to find a way to leave you a private note, but you may not have that turned on in your settings. (If you can't find let me know and I'll try to explain). But I wanted to share with you: you are a powerful and excellent writer! To help build traction and views -- submit your future stories to Publications. They are not guarantees of anything and clearly, as you've written you do know it's about engagement and gaining loyal followers who actually enjoy your stories. But I feel you deserve so much faster traction -- search for publications that seem to fit your topics, read their instructions on how to submit, and for the most part just commenting "I want to be a writer" - makes you a writer. (I personally was surprised). Get in a healthy mix -- from many followers to those with a few -- but it will give you exposure.

Once you see the new people who clap and comment, engage and reciprocate -- and the ball starts to snowball.

You have the hard part down pat: you can write and it's engaging!!

So now it's to master this Medium platform...

Now - you may have known all of this and chose not to take this path -- and in that case, I apologize for preaching to the choir.

Regardless of the path you choose --, I'm here for the stories! Look forward to learning from you!

Have a great week!