ILLUMINATION Writers

Interview with Aric Mayer

Featuring creative writers of ILLUMINATION

Purpose of the Story

In this story, I want to share with you an interview that I conducted with Aric D Mayer. Aric submitted several stories to ILLUMINATION and I enjoyed each piece greatly.

Aric is not only an inspiring writer but he is also an avid reader engaging in stories of other writers. It was a pleasure for me to learn more about Aric.

Let’s explore!

Tell us a bit about your background, Aric.

I was raised with my younger brother in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado. My father worked in food and vending services and we moved around quite a bit. We lived in Thousand Oaks, California, just outside of Los Angeles when I was in 4th grade through 8th grade before moving back to Colorado for high school. Then I ventured back out to Pasadena to pursue acting at age 17. I’m a lifelong student. I am an adult nurse practitioner by profession, but I didn’t get my Master’s until I was 40.

I have kept a diary since I could write, maybe dating back to when I was 7. I thought I would grow up and write for a living, maybe on a soap opera or television show. So far, though, creative writing is my hobby.

Why do you write on Medium?

I enjoyed reading on Medium several years before I started writing. I like the breadth of subjects and points of view available for perusing, and I find contributing to the content in various areas of Medium tremendously rewarding, mostly as a chance to use my creative brain and get outside of the medical assessment, documentation, and research.

What are your values as a writer?

I value honesty in harmony with embellishment. I love the latitude inherent in the words “BASED ON A TRUE STORY” — writers are thinkers, meditators, and knowledge brokers. Writing is easy, while formulating a finished piece is challenging.. I definitely value polished prose

What are the top three books affected your life?

That’s a TOUGH question, Dr. Y — and I would be curious to know your answer to it as well!

This book “Remember” by Ram Dass certainly impacted how I see the world.

This book “Illusions” by Richard Bach — wonderful tale that allowed for magical thinking and possibilities.

This book “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac definitely affected my life when I was assigned this classic Beat era novel. This sent me on tour with the Grateful Dead, enriched my connection to my younger brother. The journey then extended on into a solo backpacking trip across Asia and Australia for 22 months. I have been meaning to re-read this novel — though I read the last page over and over with regularity.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy film and cinema very much. I took a course at a community college called “Film As Literature” — it opened up so many avenues into my enjoyment of film. My fave all time remains Les Enfants Du Paradis by Michel Carne. Exquisite film making!

I am a bit of a bird nerd — not quite a birder, because I don’t study diligently, and I can’t always tell the house finch from the sparrow — but I just love viewing birds with some binoculars and notepad and my MerlinID App.

I have participated in several marathons and distance races. I also enjoy hiking with my wife, and getting in the ocean to swim or boogieboard.

How do you connect with your readers?

I try to develop a through line, and find some guideposts to set up a way to follow my flow. I don’t always feel certain that my prose is connecting but the joy for me is getting the ideas on the page, and then looking for a way to relate or connect.

I also try to send out a tweet or link stories to LinkedIn, or send a link in an email for readers I know who are not subscribers. I leave feedback on stories that move me, and I hope readers of my writing will pause to do the same.

Why did you join ILLUMINATION and how do you find it so far?

When I was getting my bearings and navigating the process of submitting to publications, I saw your description of the vision for ILLUMINATION. It really stood out for me — this idea of synergy and cross pollination makes so much sense. I find the publication’s editors and writers to be very talented, well versed across so many topics and skills. We are a very interesting crew!

Who are the top ten writers you follow on ILLUMINATION?

I love Terry Mansfield — he is diverse and prolific.

I read Sherry McGuinn when I want pointed prose that is fearless.

Timothy Key keeps it real and I appreciate his style, especially the go-by articles. Great details!

I so appreciate the savvy and genuine learning from reading Desiree Driesenaar.

I read what you write, Dr Mehmet Yildiz — always a great choice of words and depth of knowledge.

Noah Levy, Besom & Bletherskite, Tom Byers and Joe Luca round out my mentions — but I learn from every writer and editor on the publication.

What are your top five stories that you want to share with your audience and why?

I like how this story turned out, and it was the first one to get curated under BOOKS. I am a huge library fan and happy to share my enthusiasm!

I tried to share the emotional weight of this moment, and I was partially successful. I share this piece so readers might connect with my heart.

This is an expression of longing, a departure from narrative non-fiction. I was pleased to see this published as a vignette of fantasy writing. We don’t always have to be so serious!

Although not an ILLUMINATION piece, this was my other curated piece, in the topic EDUCATION. I wrote this relatively quickly and didn’t have a feeling about the quality. I share this because I think it’s important for writers to get out of our own way sometimes and just WRITE. The reception is out of your hands.

On the flip side, I spent a lot of time working on this piece, and wished it had received more traffic. I felt attached to it. But as my understanding of the readership evolves. I struggle with my tendency to sound erudite rather than clear and concise. I appreciate the way my writing is evolving. It helps with other aspects of my life to — professionally and personally. My wife has noted positive changes in me since I put my thoughts out here on ILLUMINATION. She appreciates my growth spurt.

What are the success factors for you as a writer on Medium?

I am reformulating how success looks even as I answer this — I want to be liked, I want to feel heard — interactions with readers are very rewarding, and in this way, I feel successful already.

I hope to tap into some truths that resonate with readers. I derive some sense of success from simply hitting PUBLISH — putting it out there takes courage. I have not yet entered the conversation around my experiences as a medical professional, but I believe this will come in time and will offer another layer of success for me.

What do you recommend to the new writers on ILLUMINATION?

Write what resonates. This notion of synergy and fusion and diversity and serendipity encompasses SO much — you cannot be disqualified, because we need your view to be true to the mission. Don’t be doubtful. Utilize SLACK if you have questions or want feedback on a draft or about any part of the process. It’s very supportive. Be part of the expansion of this enterprise of ILLUMINATION! Speak your mind!

What are your future plans as a writer?

I endeavor to write a book or maybe several. I like memoir, travel writing, creative non-fiction — and I want to get better at developing the tenets of a successful short story. I want to find readers and a publisher! Write on!

Thank you for your time for this great interview Aric D Mayer. I look forward to reading more stories from your creative pen. Your contribution to our publication is appreciated by our writers and readers. You are an inspirational writer on ILLUMINATION. We enjoy your entertaining, informative, and authentic content.

You can read Aric’s inspiring bio from the attached story.

If you are a writer on ILLUMINATION and would like to be interviewed, please send a request via this link with title of “Interview Request”.

Other Interviews

You may also check other interviews I conducted with inspiring writers of ILLUMINATION recently. These stories can provide a great opportunity to know more about our creative writers and connect with them.

Timothy Key

Desiree Driesenaar

Holly Jahangiri

Dr John Rose

Ming Qian

P.G. Barnett

Jill Ebstein

Bill Abbate

Terry Mansfield

Ann K Frailey

Woei T

Charles Roast

Julia E Hubbel

Kevin Buddaeus

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You might check more interviews in the attached collection.

You can find inspiring profiles of ILLUMINATION writers from this story.

Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.

About the Author

Thank you for subscribing to my content. I share my health and well-being stories in my publication, Euphoria. If you are new to Medium, you may join by following this link. A small part of your membership fee will not only support my writing but your reading times can support many great writers on this platform.

I see opportunities endless for readers and writers on Medium. You can join my publications as a writer requesting access via this weblink.

In addition to self-improvement, leadership, technology, and health, I also enjoy writing about essential molecules such as lithium orotate, alpha-lipoic acid, n-acetyl-cysteine, acetyl-l-carnitine, digestive enzymes, magnesium, creatine, choline, hydrolyzed collagen, nootropics, CoQ10, NADH, TMG, pure nicotine, activated charcoal, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B1, Vitamin D, Vitamin K2, and other nutrients for health and fitness.