Introductions
Hello, My Name Is [Insert Name Here]
Pleasure To Re-Make Your Acquaintance
A few things have changed for me since I first wrote my Introduction to the ILLUMINATION Community two months ago.
I no longer have Murcia Cathedral looming over me in my profile picture because I finally took an “edgy” photo. Larks have grown on me and may even have surpassed clownfish in my “birds v fish” rankings. And I don’t actually dislike pineapple as much as I did back then.
Of course, it has been a turbulent two months around the world. But the issue everyone wants resolving is, “What’s the best typo you’ve seen on Medium?” Keep reading to find out the answer to this and many more fascinating questions.
The Name Game
I changed my @ thingy to danielgeorgeclark since that is my name. I don’t know why it took me so long to realise that using something that isn’t my name makes it harder to find me. Perhaps it’s because I’m normally wary of being tracked down — online or otherwise.
Someone else involved in the name game is Eli Snow. She fools me very often with her triple identity.
Problems of Visibility
As every other writer will have no doubt experienced on here, I’ve had peaks and troughs with my stats. At times I’ve patted myself heartily on the back thinking I’ve cracked this game (when I get double-digit reads). But Medium always brings you tumbling back to earth with a bang when your next story earns $0.02.
On the theme of visibility, I’ve had to start wearing glasses. This may or may not be the result of spending too much time staring at a screen.
The Joy of Typos
As well as pineapple, something else I claimed to dislike in my initial introduction was typos. It rattles me massively when these creep into my own writing. But spotting them can also be very fun.
I could agree more is one of my favourites. I love it because it’s true.
You agree completely, utterly, unequivocally, absolutely; you agree so much your head is about to fall off from nodding so vigorously. But you could agree more.
In a world of hyperbole and superlatives, we need more understated truths.
Do As I Say
In my original introduction I wrote,
I interact, I engage (my hands are sore from so much clapping), I read a lot more than I write, I want to learn from other writers. And I don’t take myself seriously enough to think I can tell people what they should or shouldn’t do.
Since then I have written three articles with an imperative in the title:
As well as this article which told people what to do when they no longer want to be told what to do:
I still stick by my original point: assuming a commanding tone to talk down to readers is unnecessary and unhelpful. If we feel the need to lecture or give advice too readily, this can be a sign that we haven’t considered alternative viewpoints and are only interested in pushing our own agenda. In contrast, writing honestly and offering a personal perspective without taking an overly authoritative tone is a far better way to include readers.
Love and Pain of Words
We all like words. Medium is full of them. But words are frustrating. It’s incredibly difficult placing the right ones next to each other to create “good writing”. I read back my own drafts and tear my hair out when my words aren’t conveying quite what I want them to.
One of my Medium high points has been becoming a member of The Crew. Thanks Tree Langdon ♾️ for starting this one and all my crewmates for their wonderful writing. I won’t tag you all again; you know who you are!
I’ve been waitagging a lot lately, suffered countless disappoemments, and the joy of words certainly helped me stumple out of bed during lockdown.
What’s the best article you’ve read so far on Medium?
Last time when I asked my mirror this question, I didn’t have a huge number of options to choose from. Now I have far too many!
In no particular order, here are eight unmissable reads:
Lynette Clements: P.S. To The Hysterical Chronicles. Wolfie Bain: Panting, Through a Window Holly Jahangiri: What’s My Motivation? Manasi Diwakar: Bitter Reflections R Tsambounieri Talarantas: Adieu Sandra Szubert: 28 Life Lessons Learned In 28 Years Anna da Silva: Tales from our Lockdown Table Riku Arikiri: How to Write a Wordy Tale With The Wonderful Alphabet “W”
(And anything by Eli Snow or Priyanka Srivastava!)
Final Thoughts
glowing screen portal to new worlds hope joins words which fasten to words which cling to hope
the right pattern of syllables sprinkles joy into the mundane rhyming is about timing & poetry is seeking truth
read write read & never forget the illuminating power of words
Daniel Clark is a reader, writer, linguist and poet.
