ILLUMINATION Writers

Interview with Martine Weber

Featuring creative writers of ILLUMINATION

Purpose of the Story

In this story, I share an interview that I conducted with Martine Weber. I have been reading insightful stories and poems by Martine for a long time. It was a privilege for me to have Martine as a writer and a poet for our publication since the earlier days of ILLUMINATION.

Martine’s poetry inspires me. I am not a poet but can enjoy and appreciate high-quality poetry with an authentic voice. It has been a great pleasure to host and read Martine’s unique poetry in our publication since its inception. Martine is a reputable poet on ILLUMINATION, engaging meaningfully with our writers and supporting their content on Medium.

In addition to her artistic side, Martine is also a published author, academic writer, and well known outside of Medium.

Let’s explore the background of this successful writer and poet!

Tell us a bit about your background?

Right! Now, this is hard for me, but I am going to be brave and tell a bit about my background. First, I have been a bit of a wandering globetrotter and I am a ‘late-bloomer’.

Secondly — An apology. If you ask me to write a philosophical essay or love poem, no problem… But be an open book about me? That leaves me vulnerable in a way that I would wish I could just hide under a blanket and forget all about this. And I keep hearing that little voice in my head: “Everything you trust to the internet will be there for eternity and for everyone to find.” Which, by the way, is a perfect way to leave your legacy…

I just never know how to answer the question: ‘what and how are you doing?’ I could come up with a thousand different answers and they would probably all be correct at some point in time. I am doing, that is how I am doing.

I saw the light in an apartment building in the South of the Netherlands. My parents were both teachers in primary school, so I grew up with a lot of facts. Since the Southern provinces of the Netherlands in those days were (and still are) mainly catholic, I grew up in a catholic environment. I am the oldest of two children. I have a younger sister that lives in another country.

I have been and probably still am doing a lot, since I am extremely curious. I like diversity, I love to follow scientific, psychological, and medical advancements. I love to read, learn different languages, learn about other cultures and traditions, watch documentaries on BBC, History, and Discovery Channel, study positive psychology, and philosophize. You could say that I am somewhat of an ‘eternal student of life.

I love to listen to music, write song lyrics and make songs and music. I love to write. I literally see poems in everything. I love nature and be in nature. I love photography and make paintings out of photography of nature. I like to be physically active. I love cultural events and art. I love to work. I love people.

People often used to ask me: “how come you are always doing four studies and three jobs at the same time?”. I obtained a Ph.D. in Public Management, a minor in Psychology and Philosophy, and a master's in HR. I have attended university in Leiden and Rotterdam in the Netherlands and at Indiana University, Bloomington IN, USA.

Great, all those certificates, but it is not your degrees that define you, but the choices you make based on your assumptions, norms and values, your way of thinking, and your actions based on your thoughts and subsequent choices.

Basically, I see the positive side in everything. My cup is always half full. The being triggered by everything probably has to do with my — so-called — ADHD brain. Very tiresome sometimes, but it has the advantage that your brain can endlessly combine almost anything together, making you in the eyes of others a unique thinker.

I am also an empath, a highly sensitive person. When I walk into a room, I register a lot. When I encounter a person, I feel a lot. That also means I must watch out not to get overstimulated. My youth and the way I grew up did not help that. I live with an anxiety disorder due to childhood experiences.

When I was young, I decided at some point I’d rather put my faith in science than in religious institutions. Later in life, I started looking inward to define and find my own spiritual truths instead of looking outward to find those truths in religious institutions. Nowadays I would describe myself as a rather spiritual person.

It didn’t help that I grew up in this catholic environment, where certain so-called representatives of the catholic church, who also happened to be my teachers, couldn’t keep their hands off me and other girls. So, I decided to write a letter to the Pope and got excommunicated. Bang, that was the end of me being religious, or should I say, being a member of the catholic church. Do not get me wrong, I’m not against Christianity. I just had a bad experience with a specific part of a particular institution.

So, now you know a bit about my background, not necessarily in the right order.

Why do you write on Medium?

I stumbled upon Medium by accident, searching for an article that explained something about bitcoins and I came across an article from Anthony Moore on how to become a successful and consistent writer. I clicked on his CTA, received the give-away checklist in my e-mail inbox, and before I knew it, I signed up for his brilliant course and hit publish on Medium for the first time in August 2018.

I had been writing and publishing scientific and business articles before in my life, but I basically started writing as a hobby after my mother died in June 2018.

It seems like I am writing for ages now on Medium, but it is not even two years including an in-between break of 10 months to change my career and living environment around. It took me a while to find my own voice, and I have basically found it in writing poems.

I really enjoy writing on Medium. If I am not writing for a while, somebody shouts out to ask where I am. It is encouraging to receive comments on poems, and it keeps my creative fires stoked. And, last but not least, through Medium I have encountered so many amazing and talented people that support one another. Only for that, I am grateful!

What are your values as a writer?

Well, in my opinion, there is only one way to write: be authentic by listening to what your heart is trying to tell you. It took me about a hundred posts to discover my own (inner) voice, but I think I have developed my own style as a writer and mainly as a poet.

I have a hard time writing about the past or about negativity. I have disclosed a bit of my past and some struggles in life, but I see them as lessons learned and not something to repeat in writing. I am grateful for my life’s journey and all that I have encountered. It has made me what I am today, in the present, a positive spirit, and that is what I like to write about!

What are the top three books that affected your life?

Oh, wow. That is not easy to answer. There are so many. At this point in time, I would go with: The Alchemist of Paulo Coelho. That one by itself is my top three. It so resonates with me; I just couldn’t believe it when I was reading it. I have not finished the last chapter yet, for I don’t want it to end. I keep on re-reading it. I mean, seriously, every sentence in that book is a quote:

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”

“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” “One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.”

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”

-Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

I mean, who needs a number two or three …? Right, period. I’ll leave at that.

What are your hobbies?

My life is my hobby and my hubby is! Who needs hobbies? I seem to be always doing something that I love, for I love all that is, that is my hobby.

How do you connect with your readers?

I have made it my pleasure to answer all comments. I mean, if someone takes the effort to leave a comment, it deserves a reply in my opinion. I interact in the many Facebook groups that are out there for Medium writers and from various Pubs. I have my own website and Facebook page as a poet and songwriter. I am on various writers and readers platforms (like Goodreads). I tweet posts on Medium that have touched or inspired me in some way. And …. I have just published three poetry bundles on Amazon Kindle and a fourth is coming up …

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

Now that is an easy answer. I didn’t have to find it, it found me. I mean, it is impossible to overlook, that ILLUMINATION is thriving! I was asked by the founder, Dr Mehmet Yildiz, if I was interested in becoming a writer for ‘ILLUMINATION’ and the name of the publication triggered me. Who doesn’t want to get illuminated? So, I looked it up and was intrigued by the word ‘inclusive’ in the header of the Publication. And since then I decided to support it and take part in it.

ILLUMINATION provides the validation writers deserve and need. It treats every writer equally, it is indeed inclusive, and it leaves a lot of room for co-creation. And I am truly amazed by how fast an ‘organization’ was established around ILLUMINATION. And how much time goes into promoting the work of ILLUMINATION’s writers! A big compliment on that, to Mehmet: you must devote a lot of your time to promoting us! We all shine through Illumination! Thank you, Mehmet!

Who are the top ten writers you follow on ILLUMINATION?

Oh, boy. All of you. I am not going to answer this question, for that would mean I would have to exclude almost all of you and ILLUMINATION is about inclusion … I love and follow so many of you.

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

Okay, I could give the same answer as above, but I will list five stories out of all the stories on ILLUMINATION or Medium that have touched my heart or left me with my mouth hanging open.

In my case, some of them will be poems:

George J. Ziogas: ‘what it means to be spiritual but not religious’ and ‘how to reprogram your subconscious mind’;

respectively

This counts as one… I mean, all George’s posts are a hit for me, he gives amazing advice and is a prolific writer.

Randy Shingler for his ongoing efforts in supporting this so needed good cause: ‘Women’s rights, our unfinished business’;

A poem from Chirag: ‘I am black’. It just says it all and went straight to my heart.

Any poem or essay from Bridget Webber. If anyone can show you (de)light, it’s Bridget. Here is one of many: Peaceful hues;

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

I guess staying true to my heart. I just see the beauty and positive in everything and everyone. I don’t like to be complacent; I believe in the concept of unconditional love, gratitude and compassion. I like to shed my light in this world so that people feel a little more enlightened. I mean, look around you, the world is truly a wonderful place with wonderful people, even if we cannot see it for a while or make a mess out of it … I like to remind people about that.

What do you recommend to the new writers on ILLUMINATION?

Write, write, write, even if it is crap in the beginning. Hit publish. You will discover your voice after a while… Don’t get scared of writer’s block, it doesn’t exist. If you think there is a block, there will be a block.

Writing is creating with your thoughts. Listen to what your heart is telling you, where your heart moves you to, consider your thoughts, and write it down.

Stay true to yourself, don’t try to write about something because you think it might look good in the eyes of others. What you have to say is always good enough. Be authentic, you cannot know everything, so you don’t have to know everything. It is your unique voice that adds to this world. While further developing your unique voice, hone your craft.

Oh, and read, read, read… If you want to be an excellent writer, read excellent writers. Keep a notebook or a voice recorder close. You never know when you read something inspiring or when inspiration ‘hits’ you J

What are your future plans as a writer?

My plan is to keep writing on Medium. Because this is the best platform I’ve ever been writing on. It has given and taught me so much. Recently I released three poetry books on Amazon Kindle and I am about to release my fourth poetry book. That would not have happened if I wouldn’t have started writing on Medium, and compiling part of my poems in poetry books.

I am positive that I will keep on writing poems, at least one a week, depending on how much time is left besides my job. One day I hope to have time to write more essays, but my practice in coaching (which is also one of my passions), my other ‘hobbies’ (songwriting) and my job doesn’t leave me enough time to write more essays. Besides, I am still convinced I am the slowest writer in the world … But writing a poem ….. always!

Here are the links to my three published poetry books on Amazon Kindle. Keep a watch for ‘Love is a Miracle’, coming out soon!

‘Celestial Days: Spirit of Hope and Happiness’:

‘Seraphim Beauty: my heart, my soul, my love’:

‘Why-R-Us?: Poetry in troubled times’:

Thank you for your valuable time Martine Weber. I enjoy reading your remarkable poem on ILLUMINATION frequently. Your poetic capabilities are beyond reproach; are appealing and inspirational to me. I appreciate your wonderful support to our publication, writers, and readers.

How to Connect with Martine Weber?

Follow Martine’s work on Amazon:

You can follow Martine’s Medium profile from the attached link:

You can find Martine on Wordpress, Twitter, and Facebook: Sofie Weber songwriting and poetry

Please check writer bio of Martine Weber from the attached link.

If you are a writer on ILLUMINATION and would like to be interviewed, please send a request via this link with the 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

Aric D Mayer

Chris Hedges

Paroma Sen

Jeff Hanlon

Besom & Bletherskite

Sherry McGuinn

Sylvia Love Johnson

Maïa Belart

Henery X (long)

Chowa Sekai

conny manero

Sumera Rizwan

Karen Madej 💛

Anita Lesko

Marianna Saver

Suntonu Bhadra

John Cousins

Annelise Lords

Tree Langdon ♾️

Aisha

Aurora Eliam, CMP

Kevin Buddaeus

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

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