Writer Interviews
An Interview with Annelise Lords on Medium
An inspiring top writer, published author, and senior editor of Illumination
Dear Writers and Readers,
In this post, we share an interview with Annelise Lords, who is a top writer, published author, and senior editor of Illumination Integrated Publications on Medium. We hope you will enjoy this insightful interview.
Tell us a bit about your background, Annelise.
I was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. It is a developing country that taught me that ‘poverty isn’t the worst thing for the ones who don’t intend to stay poor.’
I don’t have a good life, but I lived a good one. I wore many hats. I owned my own business for five years, and as an introvert and a shy person, I learned a lot about myself. I worked as a Nanny for a short time.
A Teacher’s Aide for five years, working with slow children. Most of the good things I learned in my life were from children. As a Caregiver to the elderly, I learned to be more patient. I got more wisdom and an appreciation for life.
I am a mother, wife, writer, and deep thinker, open to learning something new daily. I planned on never stopping learning. Life is my teacher.
Why did you join Medium?
Medium and its publications give me the power to use more than 10% of my brain, according to science from November 2018.
Medium allows me to exercise my brain and be my best creatively while learning from others. I am having a great time learning, entertaining, educating, empowering, uplifting, and having all the above bouncing back to me.
The diversity of this platform is fantastic. The topics here are limitless, and there is so much to learn. It’s like going to a buffet with international foods from every culture, and you can taste every food.
I get to taste and feel different cultures, ideas, and different ways of doing things. It’s like a party every day.
What are your core values as a writer?
Creativity and the writer’s ability to inspire me, touch my heart, and make me laugh or smile. I am deep, and I go deep because I love the truth.
Life taught me that the truth is never at the surface.
I look for the best part of everything I read and put myself in the writer’s body while absorbing their emotions taken from their power of words. Then I try to imagine what they are feeling.
Words are powerful and tell a lot about the writer, honest or not. Be careful with your comments, writers.
How do you connect with your readers?
I am on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and Facebook.
I am a deep thinker. I am not afraid to fight skin, bones, and blood to get to my readers’ hearts. I believe the best part of humanity comes from the heart. If I can reach their heart, then I can get them thinking.
If I can get them thinking, then they will be able to make better decisions. We make better decisions when we are thinking right.
I read deeply into what they write. I find the most powerful piece and comment and uplift. I go deep.
I believe if you can’t see something good in something bad, you aren’t looking with love.
What are three books affecting your life?
1- A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford.
I read all 816 pages more than 40 years ago, and Emma Harte’s resilience, determination, and strength still flow through me.
2 — A Basket of Flowers by Christoph von Schmid.
The power of forgiveness is amazing. Wouldn’t that be nice if more humans were really that forgiving?
3 — Flowers in The Attic by V.C Andrews
I couldn’t understand the cruelty of a mother. And I learn how powerful mothers and their actions, choices, and decisions affect their children and the future generation. A mother’s right or wrong decisions will follow their children for ages, good and bad.
Tell us about your hobbies.
I love to read, and my critical thinking developed early.
I love to write, think, and take long walks too.
I love taking pictures of our earth because I find inspiration everywhere. Our world is a beautiful place.
I love to cook, help others and work with children.
If it takes a million dollars to put a smile on someone’s face, you get your money’s worth.
Why did you join ILLUMINATION, and how did you find it so far?
The name Illumination is irresistible. It says it all. I see lights when I hear that word. Our brain is programmed to go toward the light. Lol. I love it.
This platform cares about its writers and values their power of words. (And that is a fantastic thing for me).
Diversity is the best, and it’s like college without tuition fees. The writers are unique and funny; most write from their heart.
I learn something new every day on this platform.
Who are the top ten writers you follow on ILLUMINATION?
Gosh, every writer on this platform teaches me something beautiful and different. I am sorry, I can’t just name ten.
Each writer inspires me and touches my heart with the power of words in different ways.
I read new stories daily that take my heart and soul to exciting new places while educating me on new ways to do old things. Sorry folks, I can’t pin down ten.
What are the top 10 article tags that you use?
Since I mostly inspire and the topics vary, it’s always Humanity, Kindness, Love, Thoughtfulness, Empowering, Life, Living, Gratitude, Strength, and Understanding.
Please introduce a few of your stories you want to share with your audience.
This piece was written to thank and encourages our essential workers everywhere. They were always important. They got their long-awaited respect thanks to COVID-19.
Words are powerful, and they can be used as a weapon to destroy or a tool to heal.
Every human on this planet serves a purpose. Some of us are positive and powerful examples to others. Some of us are painful lessons to someone. An Example or a lesson, you have a choice to be!
Kindness is so powerful no matter where you throw it. It will grow and bounce back to the giver. Kindness always comes back, though not always from where you throw it.
Many of us can’t see our actions, even with our eyes, hearts, brains, and the painful and sometimes deadly consequences our actions bring us and others. But what if we could see ourselves in action?
I also share chapters of my book on Illumination Book Chapters. Here’s the first chapter.
What are the success factors for you as a writer on Medium?
‘If I could help somebody as I travel along, then my living shall not be in vain,’ lyrics by Mahalia Jackson, these powerful words I follow.
Words are powerful, and having one person use my power of words to help themselves is a success for me.
Because others will notice and emulate it, and something positive will begin to grow.
Failure is afraid of the ones who do their best every time. Make failure fear you.
Any recommendations for new writers contributing to ILLUMINATION?
Based on my experience, let me share a few thoughts.
Find your niche, style, topic, system, and ideas as a new writer, and work it out.
Create your own identity.
Try to stand out on your own with your power of words.
The topics are limitless, and that is power.
This platform gives you energy.
Please use it positively to educate, empower, entertain, uplift, and share laughter, smiles, or anything good. Or you will lose it.
How do you see your future as a writer?
I have a slush pile of six completed but unedited works of fiction. Plus, a book of Quotes and short stories is available on Amazon.
The Yellow Hibiscus, my first book, is currently being edited and available on this platform. All of my books have movie potential. I would love to have my books turned into movies.
My Power of Word is available in more than six publications on Medium, so I have a lot of material.
I also have an Etsy shop where I write stories and create images that match them.
My creative ability has no boundaries, And neither should yours.
Many thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience, Annelise Lords. We are grateful for your contributions to this platform, including writers, editors, and publications.
More interviews are coming soon. Stay tuned! We interviewed many writers. You might read them in the following collection.
If you are a writer on ILLUMINATION and would like to be interviewed, please get in touch with our chief editor Dr. Mehmet Yildiz on Slack workspace or send a request via this link with the title of “Interview Request.”
Writer Bios from Their Pen
You might check the bios of our writers from the attached collections. Our readers enjoy meeting new writers, so please introduce yourself in a story.
Curated Writer Bios: Learn about contributing writers of ILLUMINATION written by their pen
Discover ILLUMINATION Writers: BIOs of writers from their pen
Individual Publications by Writers
Our goal is to help writers grow their audience by introducing them to avid readers on Medium and other platforms while offering enjoyable stories to our readers. We believe you will find valuable content in these featured writer collections.
Writers can promote their publications by posting a story. Dr. Mehmet Yildiz kindly offered help to create publications for writers and promote them in his recent story.
You may also Introduce Your Newsletters to Grow Your Mailing Lists.
Meet Editors of Illumination Integrated Publications
You may meet our editors compiled in this collection.
Amplifying Invisible Stories
As part of this series titled Let’s Make Invisible Stories Visible, ILLUMINATION-Curator also introduces stories of our writers. Here are recent samples.
Chosen Stories from Melinda Blau’s Unique Collection on Medium Melinda Blau
Meet Psychologist Cedric Johnson, Ph.D. on ILLUMINATION — Medium Cedric Johnson, PhD
Chosen Stories from Sufyan Maan’s Collection on Medium Sufyan Maan, M.Eng
Featured Writers
We recently featured the following writers. We will continue this initiative. Please nominate yourself to our editors on the Slack workspace.
Meet Mark Sanford, Ph.D.: Dr. Sanford believes in introspection and self-knowledge Mark Sanford, Ph.D.
Meet Rob Hourmont on Medium: A top writer in health and fitness topics and a new editor of ILLUMINATION on Medium. Rob Hourmont
Meet Don Martin: A businessman and a writer on Medium Don Martin
Meet Dr. Gabriella Kőrösi on Medium: Biography and an introduction to her book Darkness and Light Lady Dr. Gabriella Korosi
Meet Melinda Blau: A published author of 15 books and a prolific writer on Medium Melinda Blau
Meet Joan Gershman: Retired educator, speech therapist, English teacher, and writer Joan Gershman
Congratulations Alex Philippe for Completing 100 Day Challenge: Illumination’s 100-day challenge can increase visibility and might make you a top writer on Medium Alex Philippe
Links to Curated Collections
You may also check our curated collections posted by ILLUMINATION, ILLUMINATION-Curator, and ILLUMINATION Amplifier.
Illumination Reading Club
ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications created a reading club. All Medium members are invited. You may request via this weblink if you are not a writer for our publications yet.
We will be delighted to include you in this club.
Critical Documents for All Writers
Every writer of our publications needs to review these guiding policies before submitting their stories. We are tolerant, but these are non-negotiable rules.
Writing Challenges and Prompts
Helpful Resources for Writers and Readers
Starter Kit for Writers of ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications
Improving the Quality of Writing Using an Editorial Checklist
Five Tips to Become a Prolific Writer Despite Full-Time Work
Invitation to New Writers
To join our vibrant publications, please send a request via this link.
We will help you gain visibility and succeed as a writer on Medium. Please mention the publication name with your Medium account ID in the request.
If you are new to Medium, you can join via this link. Readers can read thousands of stories, and writers can monetize self-published content.
ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications include:
ILLUMINATION ILLUMINATION-Curated ILLUMINATION’ S MIRROR ILLUMINATION Book Chapters Technology Hits SYNERGY Readers Hope Illumination on YouTube Illumination Gaming ILLUMINATION’s Blog EUPHORIA by Dr Mehmet Yildiz
