ILLUMINATION Writers

Interview with Michael Patanella

Featuring creative writers of ILLUMINATION

Purpose of the Story

In this story, I share with you an interview that I conducted with Michael Patanella. When Michael submitted his first story to ILLUMINATION, I had a deep affinity for his writing style, unique voice, complex themes, and everything else. With no exaggeration, the story was breathtaking for me.

Since then, I got addicted to Michael’s stories and follow them closely.

I sometimes read them twice or three times to fully grasp the content and enjoy the writing style. I shared his stories with some friends who have literary degrees and expertise, and they also enjoyed them very much.

Michael has accepted the role of consulting editor for ILLUMINATION. In this role, Michael will help improve the quality of high-impact and complex stories by editing them for readability and curation guidelines.

The consulting editor role was established to help our writers to create high-quality articles hence increasing curation chances and gaining visibility for world-class content platforms. Michael can be contacted on our Slack channel.

Let’s explore this reputable and insightful writer’s background and aspirations.

Tell us a bit about your background, Michael.

Born and raised in New Jersey, between the historic cities of Trenton, and Princeton. Grew up in a wonderful neighborhood, with mom, dad, older sister and younger brother. Childhood always saw me surrounded by many neighborhood friends all the same age.

Always had a love and interest in writing, even when I was a kid. However, I never pursued it back then. A successful baseball player, playing in organized ball from age 6 to around 16. I found myself working in the Emergency Services field right out of high school. A firefighter and EMT for many years, having some of the most amazing, and most tragic experiences during those years. I was involved in that from 16 years old until about 28.

I had other good careers, but I always continued to think about writing. For a long time, I had personal struggles and demons, at first hidden for a long time. It made life very difficult. Life was a huge struggle and I suffered many defeats. But because I never lost thought of writing throughout my whole life, I had a vision when I finally found sobriety, that the right time had arrived for writing. That began this journey, almost 3 years ago. And here I am.

Why do you write on Medium?

Being an author has become the most therapeutic work I have ever done for myself. It has led me out of a lot of darkness, and has helped me obtain a strong sense of sobriety. It helps me find my way every single day, and it has become one of the most valuable things I do in my life.

I write to seek out answers for my own struggles, I write as a way to continue keeping a strong sense of recovery, and I write to find answers to the things in life that I need strength for.

I also write as a way to be a leader and to help others. If one of my articles or stories can reach one struggling addict or depressed person in pain out there in the world, and touch them in someway; well that is the way I define my success in publishing.

What are your values as a writer?

I value writing about nonfiction topics with an open mind, and a non judgemental approach. I keep things honest, I don’t slander, I don’t claim things about me that aren’t true, and I work hard to get a message out that can help readers.

I don’t hold back or hide any of my vulnerabilities, and I don’t glorify the tough times I have lived when it comes to things like drug addiction. I speak about it often, but I never share it from an approach that makes it seem like a war story.

What are the top three books that affected your life?

That’s a very difficult question, as I have always been an avid reader of everything from horror, mystery, thriller, biographies, autobiographies, self help, history, etc etc. But books that really stick out start with a book called “50 Truths Worth Knowing” which is a self help motivational book that helps people appreciate the real important things in life. It provides a mindfulness and awareness approach showing us that it can be that basic mindfulness, that shows us what really is special in day to day life.

Another book that I’ve read a few times is a diary style book called “Report From Engine 82” written by a retired NYC Firefighter Dennis Smith. He documents his time as a fireman during what was called the WAR Years in the South Bronx NYC. Most of the 1970’s through the mid 80’s. A time when the entire borough was literally being burned down, in what was then one of the most dangerous places in America.

As an ex-fireman, I think his day to day recollections of that life are absolutely stunning, and fascinating. He worked with a company that responded to almost 8,000 fire calls, each year for several years. Now for my third; It is difficult to narrow down to just three books. I have always been a U.S. President history buff, and have read many biographies about different presidents.

One that stands out is a book called “Lincoln” written by David Herbert Donald. It talks about everything about Abraham Lincoln’s life, especially his working relationships with his cabinet members, and his race to the White House. I love Lincoln, and admire the impossible adversity he faced during the Civil War.

What are your hobbies?

When I’m not reading or writing, I am working outside on my bird sanctuary that I’ve created. I am a huge bird watcher, and have spent many years tending to several dozen species of birds, who are now native to my backyard. Not a day goes by, where I am not watching them and taking care of them.

I also enjoy gardening, both flowers, and vegetables. My skills for growing radishes are excellent. I have not done much traveling in a long time, but I would love to travel by train across America (again). It would be my second time. I love the midwest, and small towns of Central USA.

How do you connect with your readers?

I would think my best way of connecting to my readers has been my ability to transform stories of tragedy into honest, direct forms of communicating and healing. We all have different kinds of pain, but sometimes when we struggle, we feel isolated, as we believe we are all alone in that struggle.

When I share the tough emotions and struggles in my life, there is always someone out there reading, who has gone through the same exact feelings and experiences. When they instantly realize they are not alone, the truest form of connection is made. And it works vice versa.

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

A reader and writer on ILLUMINATION Kira Dawn read some of my stories about my times of addiction and mental health struggles, and she connected right away with me, and told me I would be a perfect fit for a publication like ILLUMINATION. She spoke to Dr Mehmet Yildiz, and recommended me, and he immediately took me on and gave me a chance.

Who are the top ten writers you follow on ILLUMINATION?

My top ten on ILLUMINATION are Dr Mehmet Yildiz, Rosennab, Timothy Key, Kathryn A. LeRoy, Ph.D., Aurora Eliam, CMP, Amy Marley, Kira Dawn, Priyanka Srivastava, Gurpreet Dhariwal, Chris Hedges (Although it was quite difficult to narrow it down to just 10)

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

Another difficult question, but I would say that my top 5 articles of mine are-

These five articles there represent multiple things. They cover multiple time periods for me as an author. They present different skills of storytelling, they spotlight an ever improving grammar and flow style, and they are honest thoughts and honest emotions. They are transparent, and are presented in ways that hold back no vulnerability. They represent some of my very best times in life, as well as my very worst, rock bottom times. Various topics are covered, from mindfulness, addiction, emotion regulation, relationship highs and lows, mental health, life lessons, spirituality, faith, and higher power. Stories are told about a man who was once a dark, and dirty drug addict on the streets of Trenton, NJ who went on to become a sober, healthy, strong leader and successful Author and Publisher.

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

While I love money, as much as the next person, I find myself writing a higher majority of work outside of the medium paywall. I want to spend a lot of time on my work, so it can be shared with everyone reading. Not just paid members. I love getting high stats, like reads, views, and claps, but the most fulfillment I feel is when a reader sends me a personal response and tells me how much my words meant to them. And how I motivated, or helped heal someone. To have the ability to do that free for nothing, is one huge blessing. It’s all a free education on life.

What do you recommend to the new writers on ILLUMINATION?

I would tell new writers on ILLUMINATION to keep an open mind, speak from the heart, and just try your absolute best. ILLUMINATION is growing faster than anyone else, because they keep it wide open for writers of all kinds Dr Yildiz is not just some Editor who is hard to please. This is a family, with each member supporting each other, and motivating one another. It is not about you or me as a writer. It’s about us as a family. ILLUMINATION is a family that is growing. Even on your worst day, when you think you have the toughest writer’s block, still give it a try. You will be surprised at what you’ll still be able to produce, here on ILLUMINATION, the doors are always open here. Never closed.

What are your future plans as a writer?

I’ve been a pretty prolific writer here on Medium. In two and a half years, I have published 600 articles, stories and memoirs. I do plan to remain on that journey. However, I do feel that my story and my words could become an excellent book. I really hope to be able to accomplish that. My ultimate mission is to be a writer on multiple platforms, whether it be here on medium, contributing to a magazine, or publishing books. I want to reach as many people as possible. Especially those who are really suffering.

Thank you for your valuable time and generous responses, Michael Patanella. This interview was informative and will help our readers to explore you as a writer and editor of ILLUMINATION. I enjoy reading your breathtaking stories in diverse and interesting topics, particularly in mental health. Your writing style, writing voice, compassionate thoughts, and strong collaborative approach are invaluable and much appreciated in our publication family. I appreciate your support for our publication and guidance to writers and readers. Your content inspires and informs our followers.

I want to end this interview by sharing a story which resonated with me.

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

Martine Weber

Sharon Hurley Hall

Angel Joy

Kevin Buddaeus

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

You can find inspiring interviews with 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 alpha-lipoic acid, n-acetyl-cysteine, acetyl-l-carnitine, lithium orotate, 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.