Heather McLeod writes about grief & parenting on Medium.com

I wanted to grow my readership and discovered Medium.com thanks to my wise friend Megan Adams. Whaddya know: all of a sudden I had hundreds, even thousands, even tens of thousands, of readers.

I recommend starting with “About Me – Heather McLeod,” which was published by About Me Stories on December 11, 2020.

(Many thanks to my Patreon community Aiders & Abetters and Accomplices, who see these Medium.com stories at least 24 hours before they’re published.)

Stories posted on Medium.com:

Talking About His Daddy’s Death
I’ve been preparing my four-year-old son for his daddy to die.
Published October 31, 2018 (written September 27, 2017).
(Medium.com selected this as a featured story, and then for publication in Human Parts.)

In Sickness and In Health
Supporting my husband in the last year of his life.
Published November 3, 2018 (written November 2, 2017).
(Chosen for publication in Medium’s Noteworthy.)

Brain Fog After a Death
My brain stopped working after my husband died.
Published November 8, 2018 (written July 4, 2018).
(Chosen for publication in Medium’s Human Parts.)

Grieving with a Kid in Tow
When the poison is the medicine.
Published November 14, 2018 (written January 18, 2018).

When the Widow Starts to Date
Starting a new relationship after your spouse dies can stir up a shit storm of feelings.
Published December 11, 2018 (written October 27, 2018).

When there is no Future, Live in the Present
I’m not a spiritual person, but in one particular way I’m a yogi: I’ve learned to live in the moment.
Published April 1, 2019 (written April 1, 2019).
(Chosen for publication in Medium’s Human Parts.)

A Parent’s Job: Be the Grit
Our job as parents is to introduce challenge and conflict into our kids’ lives, so they learn how to overcome challenges and manage conflict.
Published May 1, 2019 (written May 1, 2019).
(Medium.com selected this as a featured story, and then for publication in Forge.)

I’m Raising my Son to Question Authority
Critical thinking is more important than obedience.
Published May 8, 2019 (written May 8, 2019).

Avengers: Endgame & Grief
How the latest Marvel Comics blockbuster inspires conversations on death and grief.
Published May 16, 2019 (written May 16, 2019).

“What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?”
Why are so many of us living aimless lives?
Published June 3, 2019 (written June 3, 2019).

How I Tricked Myself into Writing a Novel
I wanted to write Something Big. Here’s how I did it.
Published July 4, 2019 (written July 4, 2019).
(Chosen for publication in Medium’s The Startup.)

Grief at the Grocery Store
When food is part of the grieving process.
Published August 7, 2019 (written August 4, 2019).

“What am I not willing to feel?”
When and why do we put walls up around our hearts?
Published September 4, 2019 (written September 4, 2019).
(Chosen for publication in Medium’s P.S. I Love You.)

We’re Just Here for the Pictures
When the social media pic is more important than the experience.
Published September 16, 2019 (written September 16, 2019).
(Chosen for publication in Medium’s The Startup.)

The Right Way to Grieve
It’s been a month since my husband died, and I’m still locked in this weird, self-conscious state of shock/numbness.
Published September 25, 2019 (written October 20, 2017).

A Widow’s Advice: What to Say (& Do) After a Death
We send flowers, deliver meals & say “I’m sorry.” What else can we do?
Published November 17, 2019 (written November 17, 2019).
(Chosen for publication in Medium’s Human Parts.)

The Introverted Writer + Patreon
Why I want and need a community of patrons.
Published February 29, 2020 (written & shared with Patreon community members February 28, 2020).

Dear In-Laws: Meet My Boyfriend
Why it took six months to tell my-laws I was dating.
Published March 13, 2020 (written & shared with Patreon community members March 4, 2020).

Is Small talk Your Fault?
How to have more meaningful conversations & deepen your relationships.
Published March 9, 2020 (written & shared with Patreon community members March 6, 2020).

Writers: Create Your Writing Resume
Start recording your writing life now.
Published March 10, 2020 (written & shared with Patreon community members March 9, 2020).

Dads of Boys Age 6-13: Your Time Has Come
Why Mom needs to stand down, and you need to stand up.
Published March 15, 2020 (written & shared with Patreon community members March 13, 2020).
(Chosen for publication in Medium’s P.S. I Love You.)

Series: Pandemic Diaries
A daily journal of the COVID-19 / coronavirus pandemic.
Started March 16, 2020 & updated daily.
(Also available here on this website.)

Maybe this is a Different Kind of Adventure
Discovering the silver linings of self-isolation.
Published March 24, 2020 (written & shared with Patreon community members March 23, 2020).
(Chosen for publication in Medium’s Human Parts.)

Pandemic 2020 Has Changed Modern Fiction
There will now be pre-, mid- and (we hope) post-pandemic fiction.
Published April 4, 2020 (written & shared with Patreon community members April 3, 2020).

5 Tips for Living in Limbo
How to survive & thrive with an uncertain future.
Published April 19, 2020 (written & shared with Patreon community members April 19, 2020).
(Chosen for publication in Medium’s Invisible Illness.)

How to Support Your Dying Loved One
I watched my husband go through different stages. Here’s what to expect.
Published November 4, 2020 (written & shared with Patreon community members October 15, 2020).
(Chosen for publication in Medium’s Human Parts.)

“Hi beautiful.”
How do we respond? And why does it make my skin crawl?
Published November 19, 2020 (written & shared with Patreon community members November 2, 2020).
(Chosen for publication in Medium’s P.S. I Love You.)

About Me – Heather McLeod
Ex-farmer, mom, widow & mystery writer
Published December 11, 2020 (written & shared with Patreon community members December 10, 2020).
(Published in About Me Stories.)

When we discover the “why” of cancer
My son might inherit the cancer that killed his dad
Published December 12, 2020 (written & shared with Patreon community members December 4, 2020).
(Published by Medium’s P.S. I Love You.)

How to tell your story in 5 easy steps
Got something to say? Here’s how to get started on the road to self-expression
Published July 23, 2021 (shared with Patreon community members July 30, 2021).

It’s okay to not “get over” your grief
Thoughts from a widow of four years
Published August 11, 2021 (written & shared with Patreon community members August 3, 2021).

Memoir, misery lit or clickbait?
That time my story was butchered on a podcast
Published August 17, 2021 (written & shared with Patreon community members August 12, 2021).

Coming (back) to my senses
After living without smell or taste for six years
Published August 27, 2021 (written & shared with Patreon community members August 22, 2021).