ILLUMINATION Writers

Interview with Sylvia Love Johnson

Featuring creative writers of ILLUMINATION

In this story, I want to share with you an interview that I conducted with Sylvia Love Johnson. Sylvia joined ILLUMINATION from day one and has been supporting our publication substantially as a writer and editor. I am inspired by insightful stories of Sylvia, enjoyed by many readers. Sylvia actively participates in development activities of ILLUMINATION. She contributes to the growth of publication with several giveback activities such as the creation of a LinkedIn site for ILLUMINATION, editing the FaceBook page, administering our Twitter and relentlessly reviewing and publishing growing number of submitted stories to the publication. Sylvia also joins our Slack channel every day, answers queries, and makes the new writers feel at home. Let’s explore the fascinating background of Sylvia!

Tell us a bit about your background, Sylvia.

My mother belongs to a very wealthy family in Equatorial Guinea. She moved to a boarding school in Spain, Valencia when she was 13. Her parents had both died. My father is the grandson of a Sierra Leon Princess who abdicated and runaway to Equatorial Guinea for love. He moved to Spain, Valencia when he was 18.

I was born in Spain, Valencia. My family moved to the Canary Islands when I was eight years old. That’s where I grew up and where I call home. I lived in a place with the best weather in the world and 10 minutes walk from the beach. Spending time at the beach is a way of life in the Canaries. The sea grows in you, mixing with your blood. When you listen attentively to the beating of the heart of a Canary Islander, you can hear the numbing rhythm of the Atlantic Ocean waves back and forth at the shore.

All of my childhood friends are still my best friends and from the Canaries.

I was an avid reader from a very early age. I wrote all the children books I could get my hands on. I remember a particular series from “Pinguin” I read at the age of 10–11 I discovered how I adored reading.

My passion for writing started after I read the book “The NeverEnding Story” at age 11. I fell in love with the narrative. I remember finishing the book and thinking “No, please!” I seriously didn’t want it to end. I remember feeling cheated. It wasn’t supposed to end. At that moment something inside of me said: “Of course it hasn’t ended. The Story lives and continues in you” Every single piece of fiction I have written since bares an echo from that day. After reading “ The Never Ending Story,” I wanted to write stories about magic and fantasy worlds and fantastic being that no one knows about, but they might very well exist.

At the age of 16, I moved to London. Knowing that I wanted to be an actor, and there was no official Acting schools or a University course on Acting, my mother concluded that London would be the best place to pursue my dreams. I had the best teen years I could ever dream for from the age of 16. Total freedom and no parents present while having their full financial i

My Story would not be complete if I didn’t mention that London Church of Christ I was a devoted member for five years, from the age of 18. It was a time of Intensive religious activity. I learnt a lot about Christianity. I read the bible back to the first five times. I learnt to differentiate religion from spirituality. I met beautiful people. I created the habit of having a “quiet time” first thing every morning. I eventually left the congregation because I was in disagreement with the idea of hell. The concept of hell is prevalent in many religions. A place where your soul suffers eternally if you don’t do all the “right things” The idea doesn’t make sense to me. I believe hell is the live one unconsciously creates when they always cultivate lousy karma.

Throughout my uni years, I worked as a junior editor and writer at my University’s Newspaper. The North Circular, Middlesex University. I took several courses on creative writing and journalism. I wrote constantly. Mainly pieces about growing up with silent colossal dreams.

I had many “pocket money” jobs throughout my student life. I could walk into a place I wanted to work in and get a job straight away. But there is one job I had that stood out, and it’s worth mentioning. I worked at the Wanner Village West End Cinema in Leicester Square, London. It’s called different now. It was a young adults playground. Yes, everything you can imagine could happen in such a setting occurred, and attune of all the best new commercial films the world had to offer then.

When I finished Uni, my BA in Acting I was lucky to find consistent acting work quickly. But I was working way too hard and not smart in managing my career. I wrote my first screenplay that summer and so began my plans to set up my own film production company when I decided that I wasn’t willing to give my screenplay to anyone to produce. I wanted to do it myself even though the task seemed impossible at the time.

Two years after I finished Uni returned to the Canaries, I continued working as an actor; I had the pleasure to work with the notorious Spain theater company Profetas del Mueble Bar. I started teaching drama. I discovered my euphoric passion for teaching. The activity fills me with an unbelievable level of energy. I got into to game raising funds for the film industry. For my projects and other producers’. I met the man who would become my husband, an Italian man from Rome, who held the title of “Don Juan” in my neighborhood, a very sought after hairdresser. Highly skilled in the art of being a Ladies man and who give me two children.

Davide and Gabriel became my “main project” since they were born. Everything else came second. Of everything I have accomplished, what I feel the proudest about is of raising my amazing 16 and 14-year-old children. They are the bomb. However, since they were born, I have managed to live in 5 different cities in 3 countries. I founded an award-winning Drama School. I wrote and published a novel. I got an MA in Filmmaking. I made eight short films. I set up a production company, and I currently run an Online Acting Career Coaching Academy.

Barcelona was the most poetic and fantastic time my children and have ever lived to date. But that itself is another story.

Why do you write on Medium?

Because I have so much to share, so much to give. I want to document my journey in this physical experience and inspire others who can benefit. It started as a challenge from someone else. Now it’s a challenge from me. I want to do well on this platform. I want to succeed on Medium.

What are your values as a writer?

To tell the truth. To speak from the heart. To create significant value for my readers. To share my experience or my passions is in a way that is thoughtful, entertaining, inspiring and exciting,

What are the top three books affected your life?

1. The Neverending Story by Michael Ende. I read it at the age of eleven. I couldn’t believe it ended when I finished it. So I had to continue it myself. I had to be a writer.
2. Mutant Message Down Under. Marlo Morgan. This book made me understand that we have the power of all creation in our hand. For instance, We can heal a fully broken leg in an hour with the power of our mind. This book was the third of a trilogy that landed on my lap to shake the ground I stood on in my early 20s. To make grow and change my perspective on life. The first was “The Celestine Prophecy” my Introduction to “energy” the second was my other most significant book:
3. Many Lives. Many Masters. Brian Weiss. I read this book in a day I couldn’t put it down. My mouth was open at the beginning, and so it kept till the end. By the end of this book, I had a completely different view on death.

What are your hobbies?

Covet Fashion the Game. Writing. Singing. Dancing.

How do you connect with your readers?

Via newsletters.

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

I joined because the invitation by Dr Mehmet Yildiz was ever so appealing. So far, I find it fascinating. Great writers! Great leadership! Great systems!

Who are the top ten writers you follow on ILLUMINATION?

There are many writers that I follow. Here is a few I can mention:Desiree Driesenaar, Henery X (long), George J. Ziogas, Kathryn A. LeRoy, Ph.D., Jordan Gross, Ryan Frawley, Christopher D. Connors, Helen Cassidy Page, Sinem Günel, Terry Mansfield, Timothy Key, @Marina T Alamanou PhD, Dew Langrial, Michael Patanella and Rosennab.

I’m sorry I couldn’t keep it to ten and missing many more inspiring writers on ILLUMINATION.

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

I want to share these stories because I firmly believe they contain lessons every one must master to live their best life. If I help one person to be happier, I would consider my mission on earth to be complete.

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

The key success factor for me is to be able to impact readers’ lives.

What do you recommend to the new writers on ILLUMINATION?

I recommend our new writers to read a lot on ILLUMINATION, as much as they can. Make connections by interacting with other writers. Finally commit to their writing plan.

What are your feature plans as a writer?

I’m going to cover the Story of Xiona. She was the first civilian to graduate with a degree in Homeland Security in contra Terrorism, inspired by the September 11 events. I have a Quentin Tarantino “Genius” writing method Trilogy in the works. I will be interviewing some up and coming prominent fashion designers. I will be writing about Quotes from my Short Story Series 100 Secrets.

Thank you for your valuable time Sylvia Love Johnson. I enjoy reading your inspiring, insightful, and engaging stories on ILLUMINATION. Your thoughtful and fascinating stories are full of life lessons. Your artistic and entrepreneurial skills are exemplary. I also appreciate your wonderful support to ILLUMINATION publication and writers. Your contributions are recognized and well received from our stakeholders.

Thank you also for the attached stories inspired our writers and readers.

You can also check writer bio of Sylvia Love Johnson written from her creative pen.

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

Aric D Mayer

Chris Hedges

Paroma Sen

Jeff Hanlon

Besom & Bletherskite

Sherry McGuinn

Maïa Belart

Henery X (long)

Chowa Sekai

conny manero

Sumera Rizwan

Kevin Buddaeus

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

You can find inspiring interviews with ILLUMINATION writers from this story.