avatarTimothy Key

Summary

The undefined website content features a curated selection of articles by new writers on Illumination, along with a call for community engagement and writer support through challenges and spotlights.

Abstract

The undefined website has published a piece that serves multiple purposes: it introduces readers to the work of newly added writers to the Illumination publication, provides a platform for diverse perspectives, and encourages a culture of mutual support among writers. The article highlights selected works, such as a piece on the concept of home by rhoda anne young, Colin Thomas's story on family and cultural norms, Bill Broadbent's exploration of entomophagy, Megan R. Clark's discussion on liquid breathing, and Mai Ahmed Yousef's insights on proper dental care. The editor, Timothy Key, also invites new writers to connect with established ones, join the Illumination Slack workgroup, and participate in writing challenges to overcome writer's block and foster creativity. The website content emphasizes the value of community, the sharing of knowledge, and the importance of highlighting and supporting fellow writers.

Opinions

  • The editor values the importance of welcoming new writers and ensuring their work is seen by a broader audience.
  • There is an emphasis on the enriching experience of engaging with eclectic stories and perspectives.
  • The article suggests that readers might be missing out on nutritious and sustainable food sources like insects.
  • It posits that science fiction concepts, such as liquid breathing, are becoming a reality and could have various applications.
  • The editor challenges the traditional order of dental hygiene practices, suggesting that common habits might be incorrect.
  • The editor expresses a belief in the power of community support and the benefits of paying it forward by highlighting the work of others.
  • Writer's block is acknowledged as a common challenge, and the editor provides prompts and challenges as potential solutions.
  • The editor encourages the use of Slack as a tool for communication and connection within the writing community.
  • The article conveys a sense of excitement and anticipation for the ongoing contributions of new writers to the Illumination publication.

Writer Focus

Can You Still Breathe Underwater if There are Bugs in Your Teeth?

New writer spotlight and update on June writing challenges

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Today it is time for a little civil disobedience followed by a healthy arthropod lunch, some underwater breathing, and techniques to bring that sparkle out in your choppers! The new writers at Illumination have some fantastic work for you to read today, let’s get to it!

Each day in June I hope to feature a few articles from writers that have just recently been added to the publication. I am doing this because I want to make a point of welcoming and getting acquainted with the new writers, and doing a feature allows me to read some of their work and pick items that catch my eye each day.

My hope is to get these authors a few extra eyes on their writing and perhaps gain a few fans that otherwise might not have seen their work. If these new-to-Illumination writers don’t have bios yet, we hope they write one soon so we can add it to our growing list:

But until then, my aim is to choose a handful of writers from the ranks of the newly added to Illumination and highlight one of their articles. Then I will have an ask of them afterward (Hint: I will ask that they pay it forward by doing the same thing for other writers).

Plus, an ongoing list of writer challenges follows the feature articles below! So, without further ado:

New Writer Spotlight

We have some really diverse ideas and eclectic stories today and this first one is no exception. I chose this piece because of the earnestness of the writing and the perspective that not many of us can effectively realize.

rhoda anne young provides us with a glimpse into the life and viewpoint of someone that does not place the concept of having a “traditional” home over other values. Take a look at how our biases often manifest because we don’t take time to place ourselves in another person’s position and imagine how we would act given the same circumstances in this piece:

Next is a bit of nose thumbing to the establishment that has carried on over generations in one family.

Read Colin Thomas‘s story about an inspiring relative and how he finds meaning in music and culture that is frequently considered to be out of the norm:

Ready for a centipede sandwich? Most of us aren’t — yet. But give Bill Broadbent‘s compelling story a read and find out how we might be missing out on a delicious, abundant, sustainable and nutritious protein source.

Find out how to be an expert in arthropod gastronomy here:

And, if we are eating bugs we might as well give breathing liquid a chance, right? Megan R. Clark introduces us to Perfluorocarbon and how it is used in deep sea diving, medical treatment and maybe has uses in space.

Strap in for a deep dive and see how science fiction is becoming reality in this piece:

And finally, I almost gave up on this article because of the topic: tooth brushing. But thanks to Mai Ahmed Yousef’s good writing, I read to the end and I am glad that I did! Did you know that you shouldn’t use mouth wash after you brush your teeth, or that you should floss BEFORE brushing (someone please tell my dental hygienist)?

Remember to spit, but don’t rinse. Then read up on the rest of the best tooth and mouth cleaning recommendations here:

Let’s Make a Connection

Next I want to broker an introduction of the new writers tagged in this article and one of our editors and/or writers who has been at Illumination for a bit.

A writer and editor for Illumination that joined a few weeks after inception is Dr John Rose. Dr. Rose holds a PhD focused on improving complex human connections and how we interact with our planet and environment.

Using a wide array of topics, Dr. Rose writes poetry and reflection pieces that bring an informed perspective and an enriching dialogue to the publication. Check out his recent piece focused on a coffee cup that provides both a container to host single-origin coffee and an overture to friends and guests:

If you want to connect with me or any of the editors, please consider joining the Illumination Slack workgroup. You can request an invitation to Slack by contacting Dr Mehmet Yildiz from this link. Please type “Request for Slack” on the heading as Dr. Yildiz has many other requests from this link.

I am always willing to answer questions and provide information for anyone. The other editors and writers are as well. Slack is the best way to interact if you have questions.

If you need some tips to get up and running on Slack, this article is a good starting point:

The Big Ask

As promised, if I featured your story here, or are reading this and feel inspired, I encourage you to pay forward the concept of highlighting the work of others.

Please consider choosing another writer (or writers) and creating a story that emphasizes aspects that you appreciate about their work. It could be their style, topic choices, voice, technical aspects of writing, or maybe you just like their profile picture.

Supporting others is one of the core premises and values of Illumination, and when you engage you will find that you reap dividends. I encourage you to give it a whirl. And, when you do, tag me in your article. I love being exposed to stuff I might not have otherwise seen.

Bonus Gift — The Writing Challenge

There are two types of writers in the world. Those who have experienced writer’s block, and those that will.

One of the great remedies to the question, “What do I write next?” is responding to a prompt or challenge provided by another writer. So let’s provide some here.

List of New Challenges and Prompts

Send me your writing prompts! Here’s what we have so far:

Kevin Buddaeus

Sarah E Sturgis

Sherry McGuinn

Tree Langdon ♾️

B. A. Cumberlidge.

A new one today from Brian as well. What is one day that makes an everlasting memory?

Holly Jahangiri— A challenge, sneakily hidden in a newsletter!

If you are participating in or originating a challenge and you want to include it here for people to find, either respond to this article or hit me up on Slack (@timothykey).

Next Group

Tomorrow I will pull from this new group of recently added writers:

INFJ Elder Menna Farghaly, Pashew Nuri, Daily Reality, Amy Rose, Selim, Frank Parker, Jith, DL Nemeril, The Backstage Blogger, Aya Yussuf, Cody Wheat, Syed Zaidi, Daniel St. Joseph, Heber Rowan, Tim Collings, Tri Pi Media, Konrad Hafen, Scott Hisey, Nataly Silva, Danwil Reyes, Mia Verita, Alyson Dalton, Piper Steele, Nomanono Isaacs, Ben Ospalak, Evert Voshart, Pepper Lowe,

If you want me to highlight one of your stories in particular, or have any questions just respond to this story, or better yet, find me on Slack!

Thanks for reading, I am enjoying getting to know all the new writers on Illumination!

If you liked this article, you may also like:

Timothy Key spent over 26 years in the fire service as a firefighter/paramedic and various fire chief management roles. He firmly believes that bad managers destroy more than companies, and good managers create a passion that is contagious. Compassion, grace and gratitude drive the world; or at least they should. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and join the mail list.

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