Writing — Introduction

Hello. I Don’t Care To Be Normal — No How, No Way

My little-bitty introduction to Illumination and all it’s offspring

I’m here to engage in my two greatest loves — reading and writing. I know this is the case for most people who arrive at a medium called Medium. Reading the words you write are an affirmation of this.

I’m so happy platforms like Medium exist, as well as publications like Illumination, so we that may all connect through our shared love.

Reading is my solace, my crutch, my means of escape, my attention and diversion. It’s a path, an ever-flowing river, a life boat on a stormy sea, a bridge between reality and insanity.

Writing is my wings to fly, my salvation, my greener pastures, my everlasting life. It’s an arrival, a land of milk and honey, an Arcadia of exquisite rapture, heaven on Earth.

Reading is the journey. Writing is the destination.

Feeling Overwhelmed

This is my current state of being. A little stressed. A little down and out. At least I’m telling you the truth. No need to hide it.

This feeling won’t last. It never does. I much prefer to be happy and optimistic — laughing and joking — enjoying life, the planet, the universe and all of it’s inhabitants. Who in their right mind doesn’t want that?

No one can be perfectly happy all the time though, can they? I mean, I’ve heard rumors of the existence of such people, but don’t actually know any in real life. Problems arise and they have to be dealt with. Some deal with it better than others — I’ve long tended to be in that latter group, but I’m also in the process of trying to change it all for the better.

“All of these lines across my face, tell you the story of who I am” — Brandi Carlile

Moody Monday

The odds of this actually being read on a Monday is seven to one… I think. Math isn’t my strong point. Regardless, any day can be Moody Monday when you’re not feeling up to par, emotionally speaking.

More than ten years ago, I was diagnosed with a personality disorder. While I’m not ashamed of it, I also don’t care to be defined by it — plus, I’ve already written plenty about it on my blog.

I only mention it now because recovery is a great thing to celebrate and also to continue focusing on. I’ve come to believe recovery never truly has an end point.

Medium-land

In a little over nine months, I’ve added more than 600 new followers, published over 70 stories and started my own personal pub The Midnight Garden. Some writers have done better than me, others have done worse. Sounds so average, but I think I’m doing pretty well anyway, so far.

I’m at a Medium-crossroads, I suppose. I’m no longer a beginner here, and like a lot of other writers who get to this point, I’m planning my next move and trying different things — genres, publications, etc. Medium a great place to experiment with these things just a little in order to find what works and doesn’t work as far as content.

At least that the way I feel about it.

Topics I Write About

I write about writing. A lot of people do. I’m a bona fide holder of an English degree though, so writing is both a hobby and a discipline. My aim is to provide stories and articles on writing that aren’t the same junk that everyone else is pumping out — something more unique and valuable. Isn’t always easy in a world where everything has already been done, but I try.

Because of my mental health problems, psychology has long been topic of great interest to me — both as a reader and a writer.

Photography and travel writing are two of the more recent additions I’ve added to the mix. Getting the hang of writing photo essays and travel stories is pretty fun.

“I’m the face in your dreams of glass… wanna go for a ride?” Smashing Pumpkins

Pubs I’ve Published In, So Far

• Know Thyself, Heal Thyself, About Me Stories, The Haven
• The Shortform, Writer’s Blokke, Thank You Notes
• Six Word Photo Story Challenge, Weeds & Wildflowers, My Selection
• Everything Fun, Globetrotters

I think this is a great group of pubs!

Recently I was added as a writer here at Illumination, as well as The Writing Cooperative. Looking forward to getting started at both.

As previously mentioned, I also have my own publication that I started a few months ago, The Midnight Garden. Been having a lot of fun getting things fleshed out there.

In Closing & Stories To Share

I’m glad to be here and looking forward to contributing!

Thank you to Dr Mehmet Yildiz and the Illumination editors. I’m happy to see so many familiar faces amongst the editors of this pub, like Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Dr. Preeti Singh, Marcus aka Gregory Maidman and many others.

Allow Me To Share Three Great Stories

As a mental health sufferer, I appreciate the wisdom to be found this article by Dr Mehmet Yildiz:

I also enjoyed this SYNERGY article from one of my favorite inspirational writers, Trista Signe Ainsworth, about the importance of writing with compassion:

The worry of war! I know many of us are extremely worried about the situation between Russia and Ukraine, and what the might mean for the future of our entire world. I appreciate the stories Medium writers have been posting, like this one by Tara Desai PhD:

“All my life I’ve been searching for something Something never comes, never leads to nothing Nothing satisfies, but I’m getting close Closer to the prize at the end of the rope…

One by one, hidden up my sleeve One by one, hidden up my sleeve”— Foo Fighters