Writer Introduction
Background
I grew up in Africa but have lived in a small medieval village in rural France for nearly twenty years. Up until the arrival of Covid, my income was roughly divided between making crafts and freelance writing. Since the start of the pandemic, I have focused entirely on paid writing which is one reason that I have been far less active on Medium in recent months.
What are your values as a writer?
Writing must entertain or inform. I dropped out of school so there is a limited amount that I can pretend to be informative about, and so I try to produce articles that are interesting and entertaining. Fortunately, I have travelled a great deal, and still do, so this is often the source from which I draw inspiration for my writing. Living in France provides a ready supply of delicious food stories and I am a keen outdoor enthusiast so there are plenty of nature and environmental pieces as well.
Top three books that effected your life
I would love to hit you with a list of profound high literature that would make me sound academic and well informed, but I would be lying. I read Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings while working as an English teacher high in the Himalaya’s and living in a little room with no running water or electricity. That book always brings back memories of the snow-capped mountains and the smell of charcoal braziers.
I was a member of a reading group when I read The Border Trilogy by Cormac McCarthy. He was little known in those days and I was nearly laughed out the room when I suggested we read this western series. Unfortunately, I had moved on when McCarthy went on to win the National Book Award and then the Pulitzer, so I wasn’t able to gloat.
Philip Yancey is my go-to guy for spiritual reading. He is so eloquent without being preachy and I don’t believe in throwing away intellect when discussing matters of faith.
What are your hobbies?
I live in a very beautiful part of the world and right on the famed Saint Jacques de Compostelle pilgrim route, so hiking plays a huge part in my life. If I am not walking in the woods, then I am exploring them on my mountain bike or writing.
How do you connect with writers?
Medium is pretty much my only contact with anyone who writes. I have a small circle on this site that I follow or who follow me, but other than that I am very isolated from anyone who isn’t a sheep, goat or wine farmer. If there is a local French writing group, I am unaware of it and my French isn’t good enough to really participate anyway. I occasionally connect with writers like Ryan Frawley, who writes for Illumination, by email. His book Scar is well worth a read by the way.
Why Illumination and how is it going so far?
I was among the first wave of writers to get invited by this publication and was instantly attracted to the idea of not being forced to write on a single theme or subject. My non-paying writing has been severely constrained as I have been forced to chase paid work during the pandemic. I hope that things will start to calm down now and that I can focus more on writing about what really interests me and publish it here.
Who are your top ten writers on Illumination?
That is a difficult one but in no particular order: Desiree Driesenaar, Ryan Frawley, Robert Turner, R. Tsambounieri Talarantas, Marilyn Flower, Kristi Keller, Jill Ebstein, Roz Warren, Agnes Louis and Dr. Ron Pol.
What do you regard as your top five stories on Medium?
Kindness is an underrated skill in my opinion and one the world needs far more of.
I just love quirky history stories.
What are the success factors for you on Medium?
When I first started writing for Medium, I had hoped it would bring in some reasonable money. I soon learned that my material was not of the sort that would make much on this platform. I now write to say the things I want to say and tell the stories that I want to tell.
What recommendations do you have for new writers on Illumination?
Forget about the money and the followers. Steer clear of listicles and tired how-to pieces and write what moves you. Interest your readers and don’t try to snag them with clickbait headlines. There are few platforms where you can be you, and there will be plenty of occasions where you will have to write garbage that you hate if you chase a career in this field. Use Illumination to be the best writer you can and forget about all the rest.
What are your future plans as a writer?
This year I really started to get into fiction as a ghostwriter and I have more work lined up. I want to pursue that and perhaps write a book under my own name for a change.