Editor’s Picks — Top 10: The Hostile Reader Who Disturbs Your Writing

Meet our top 10 writers who are ready to face the music

When you start writing, an imaginary reader starts reading every word you write. Would it affect your writing if this reader was hostile? What if this reader frightened you?

Our inner critic is one thing, but this hostile reader is a pain in the neck. This reader is a passive threat. She doesn’t say much but looks at every word you write as if she doesn’t like it.

The hostile reader fear goes further — it is a deep, often unrecognized fear of being wounded, maybe even destroyed, by what someone else has to say about our work. ~ Joli Jensen

Once in a while, a hostile reader comes along, and comments of this reader reinforce our fears. The hostile reader doesn’t care how you mustered up the courage to write, how you faced your self-doubts, and what was the purpose of your writing. She grabs one article and shreds your work to pieces. Or does she?

Though the fear is not unwarranted, a better approach would be to think of the hostile reader as a blessing — because your writing can never be so watertight that nobody can criticize it. The hostile reader doesn’t want anything but a good reading experience. The reader is not as threatening as our fear of a hostile reader that stops us from writing what we want to write.

Hostile readers have varying degrees of hostility. Most of them leave a snide remark that hurts. Some are grammar police, and very few of them, say 1 in 1000, actually try to belittle you as a writer.

If you rethink, you will find that you always consider every hostile reader to be the belittling type — it’s similar to imagining every earthquake to be 7.8 on the Richter scale.

When we’re in the grip of the hostile reader fear, submitting our work makes us feel as if we are throwing ourselves to the wolves. ~ Joli Jensen

The threat of a hostile reader can never leave a writer. But the hostile reactions of readers make us evaluate everything. The idea, the examples, and the flow of logic in our story.

You and your work are two different things. Every writing piece is a thought you have a right to change without notice. Your work always presents your actions, not you.

Taking into account what others might say about our work is a valuable way to make what we write more thorough and comprehensive. ~ Joli Jensen

There is no way to grow as a writer but by accepting criticism of some sort. If out of your readers, one in one thousand is a hostile reader, be thankful. Most writers don’t get 1000 reads — like ever.

Joli Jensen, in her book, Write No Matter What writes about the opposite of a hostile reader. It is the ‘unrealistic hopes of being understood and admired.’

She goes on to say, “The opposite of the hostile reader fear is the euphoric reader hope. When I was interviewing British literary editor Diana Athill, she told me that much of her job involved telling her writers — including V. S. Naipaul and Jean Rhys — over and over, ‘Darling, you’re wonderful.’ ” Even the successful writers she edited ‘continually craved affirmation’.

“Lots of us are like Ralphie in A Christmas Story, who dreams his teacher will swoon and write A++++++ on his Red Ryder BB gun essay. Instead, she corrects his grammar, gives him a C+, and warns him, “You’ll shoot your eye out.” We need to find a realistic middle path between our hope for swoons and our fear of humiliation,” Joli Jensen concludes.

10. I’m a Full-Time Writer for 1 Month: a Win-Win Perspective

Nuno Fabiao is a single father of two girls and addicted to reading. He is a fabulous writer as well. His style is honest, direct, and engaging. Don’t miss this masterpiece.

I was a regular worker, from 9 to 5, like billions of other human beings on our planet.

My soul was dying, consumed by the commonness of my place on earth. I felt I could do things differently, but found nothing that at least could pay my bills.

I felt trapped in my day-to-day routines. Couldn’t create more. Felt empty, cause I was in a job where everything was difficult to execute. It was always a storm in planning a new version of the company’s master plan.

9. I Am Ready to Cut Down My Social Media Time. Then What?

Nishith Goyal is an avid reader, blogger, author, marathoner, and personal transformation coach. He is an excellent writer as well. Hist writing voice is simple, direct, and engaging. Don’t forget to check his other work.

Sign-off your social media accounts, put WhatsApp on silent, don’t do binge-watching.

How many times do you hear this advice?

The dilemma is what to do after that.

A fair question. Surrounded by a life of “likes,” “Shares,” and “Comments,” it’s a tough decision to keep ourselves out from all the action. If FOMO is for real, it has to do something with human nature. And, to act against human instincts is going to be a tough ask.

8. The Art of Sitting — Without Second Thought

The Soul Doctor is trying to give you hopeful ideas for a better future, and a more fulfilled self. Don’t miss this one.

As ‘The Soul Doctor’ I’ve been somewhat wary of the idea of ‘traditional self-help’ articles and the like. I can’t say I haven’t unashamedly dabbled in that area, but have recently been pushing towards something more like ‘interesting ideas for a better future — for all of us’ as that direction has started to interest me further. So in that vein, it is probably not such a revolutionary idea — the one I’m discussing here, but it’s certainly worth thinking about, especially if you’ve had a long year and it’s all been going over your head recently.

The roots of this discussion are embedded in the fabric of our modern society the newly learned tradition of having an inability to separate our ‘seen’ life from our inner world.

7. Viruses Reshape Their Host Cellular Machinery for Their Own Needs

Shrish Tariq is a plant pathologist and curious about plant-microbe interactions. She is a reader, writer, and researcher.

Her writing style is formal, informative, and engaging. Learn how viruses reshape their host’s cellular machinery.

The infection of a plant by pathogens leads to severe losses in the form of yield and production. These microbial pathogens are of various kinds. Some are multicellular like fungi, nematodes, unicellular organisms like bacteria, and also non-cellular viruses. Among all phytopathogens, plant viruses are the most important plant pathogens that convert host cellular components into proviral factors. And then use these components for their RNA or DNA synthesis.

6. Entheogeneration: A Utopian Pipe Dream or a Not-So-Distant Future?

Cory Firth, FDP has spent $100k rebuilding his mind, body, and inner-self through a series of uncommon experiences that completely transformed his life. He presents in his writing what he has learned.

Don’t forget to check his other work.

Entheogenic drugs, more commonly referred to as Psychedelics are, in some circles, an extremely misunderstood topic. Just say the word and a lot of people picture kaleidoscopic colours and stoned teenagers laughing at clouds in the park. Throw in an image of Shaggy and Scooby Do in the Mystery Machine chowing down on burgers and you’ve probably exhausted the collective grasp on psychedelics and what they do. And to be honest, this is completely understandable — these views are based on long-held, limited, and usually pejorative perceptions of psychedelics.

But mounting studies from leading medical research institutions are looking to change that.

5. 5 Tricks to Help You Perfect Your Grilling Routine

Chris Kong is a consummate foodie with a love for his family and interesting food experiences. Chris holds an MA in Leadership and is an avid home cook.

His writing style is tasty and engaging. Don’t miss this one.

Have you ever been to a BBQ where someone served you pink chicken? It’s more than a faux pas — it’s an insult!

Cooking on a grill isn’t rocket science, but dialing in your grilling routine will set you apart from the rest.

I have been grilling for many years, and I have made my fair share of mistakes.

The following tricks have helped me to hone my skills behind the grill.

4. The 5 Most Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your First Date

Godofredo Rojas is a coach, writer, and constant learner. He is inspiring the world through his personal stories. His writing style is frank, direct, and highly engaging.

If you like this story, don’t forget to check his other work.

“Sometimes the love of your life comes after the mistakes of your life.” — Unknown.

The wild world of dating can be a tricky one to navigate. And there are no hard and fast rules about what you should do when you are dating.

Have you ever wondered why I did? The day after you date someone. Two weeks ago, one of my best friends called me from Lima; we had a long conversation. We relived dating experiences from our past. And laughing like crazies.

3. My Heart Attack Was Just Caffeine

Luciana Lambert is an actress, writer, public speaker, ex-lawyer, vegan, and witch. Her writing style is honest, personal, and very engaging. It is a very important story for all of us.

If you read only one story from this list, make it this one. It can help you or your loved ones someday.

A bad day

I called the Nurse Line from work with symptoms: chest pain, trouble breathing, dizziness. My vision was starting to blur. My speech was also unclear. Whatever that was, it happened fast. One minute, I am trying my co-worker’s espresso. The next, everything around me is spinning, and I feel like I will be sick.

After an assessment, she calmly told me to call an ambulance. I called my husband, instead. I remember my exact words: “This is not a joke, and I am not exaggerating. I think I am going to die. I love you. Can you come immediately and take me to the E.R.?” He did.

2. The Long Run Just Sort of Happens

Kevin Lee is a lover of life and coffee. He is a former investment analyst and a persistent risk-taker who lives in London. He is an excellent writer. You’ll love his work. Don’t miss this masterpiece.

Despite all you have read about self-improvement, do you still struggle to develop a long-term perspective or mindset?

I know I do.

My view of the long term isn’t anywhere near as sexy as others make it out to be. But it can still be helpful.

Is there anything more subjective and vague than how we define the long and short term? These are relative measures of time specific to each individual. The only thing we could agree on is that the medium-term is somewhere in between.

1. Dark Matter and the Dalai Lama

At number one, it is Mac Daniels. He is an artist/scientist with a penchant for words. It took him a long time to begin to see through my his eyes — and longer still to imagine a reason to try.

He is an outstanding writer. His style is frank, informative, and absolutely engaging. Don’t forget to follow him. Read him. Bookmark his stories and wait for his next story.

When I first heard of Dark Matter I thought, this must be a joke … those physicists are at it again, conjuring up more fantastic tales. Turns out, it’s no joke, though it may contain approximately 90% humor.

The Physicist: I had some physics in college, not Physics Major physics, just the run-of-the-mill, chem-major variety. But I always admired the physics guys, and loved talking to them. They would hang out in the lounge next to my physical chemistry class.

They were all philosophers — could’ve been philosophy majors, but they chose physics — because they were interested in the grand scheme of things, what made things tick. They were some of the smartest dudes around. They wanted to know.

Final Thoughts

If your story was selected as one of the Top 10, please share another one of your stories in the comments with a brief introduction and a short review that can convince a reader to read your piece. (Please write the review in the third person and start it with your name.)

I must have missed something today. I cannot read every story on Illumination and Illumination-Curated. Dr Mehmet Yildiz, the Chief Editor and Founder of Illumination and Illumination-Curated, read, highlighted, and applauded every good story when he started his publications. He still reads almost all of the good ones. I try — and fail daily — to read all of the masterpieces.

So, help me. Help me to find and rank the best work of the writers of Illumination and Illumination-Curated.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

To improve your chances of success as a writer, read these highly recommended curation guidelines:

You can read my curated stories here.