Love It and List It (№2)

Alright, it’s time for the next edition of “Love It and List It,” where I, Heather Martin, indulge in my love of lists, all while promoting the Medium voices and reads I loved the most this week.

If you missed last week’s debut installment, you can experience it here:

A big thank you to Justjulieandherblog and Motivate the Mind for publishing my first weekly review! I am back at MtM this week, to share more stand-out writers.

Also, please check out my weekly review, supporting writers with under 200 under followers: “To 100 and Beyond With Love.” You can read week one here:

Without further delay, let me share my favorite reads of the week with you. I hope you find one new voice to read and follow!

Prashansa Chandekar “Musing by the Chattahoochee River”

First up is a poem from one of my favorite publications, Know Thyself, Heal Thyself (run by Diana C.). Written by Prashansa Chandekar, the poem “Musing by the Chattahoochee River” is a read that will overwhelm your senses and inspire your mind.

Written in the aftermath of the Sinai Mosque terrorist attack, Prashansa juxtaposes the “horror of devastation…with the serenity of nature.”

She wonders,

Perhaps, times and seasons are happenstance to all; Pieces of this puzzle, in place, will someday fall.

This poem reminds us of the power of words to heal in times of pain and confusion; read it here:

Kanaar R. Bell “Space Was Made For You”

Another piece that took my breath away was this powerful personal essay from writer Kanaar R. Bell. Self-published, “Space Was Made For You” explores the writer’s journey toward self-acceptance. He discusses the concept of “space” and how others make space for us, and how we must seek to do the same for ourselves.

Bell observes the conflict of many to create meaningful space via “jobs” and “money,” believing they will “fill the hole of abandonment.”

He encourages readers to not “justify” the space they claim, reminding:

You are here. And you don’t need a reason to be. Because space was made for you. So make space for yourself.

Experience the rest of this incredible essay here:

Felishia La-Shae “In My Wildest Dreams”

I love writers who dare to share their inner experiences with the reader. Placing their thoughts and feelings in print is a bold act of vulnerability. Writer Felishia La-Shae does just that in her heartfelt piece “In My Wildest Dreams,” published in Be Open.

Throughout the piece, La-Shae ponders all the things she “would be” if she lived up to the idealized version of herself that she carries in her head.

Of her personal life, she imagines:

I would be the perfect daughter. I would be the perfect sister and the perfect best friend. I would push past my anxieties and fears and just be there. I would share precious moments with my family and not be restricted by my own opinions and assumptions of myself. I would be the person that they needed me to be.

I think most of us carry the “better” version of ourselves around in our heads (I know I do), struggling to reconcile who we are with who we wish we could be. Read the rest of Felishia La-Shae’s reflections on this very human struggle here:

Ambar Ivy “30+ Things To Write About In 30 Minutes or Less”

I also loved this helpful and engaging article about writing practice published in New Writers Welcome (run by Robert Ralph). From writer Ambar Ivy, the article “30+ Things to Write About In 30 Minutes or Less” does just what the title promises and provides the reader with 30 ready-made prompts to “get you writing.”

Ideas include “A quality or trait that you value in yourself or others,” or “the moment you fell in love with anything.”

Beyond prompts, the article encourages readers to “just write” and not worry about the “stats or other readers’ perspectives.”

A bit of a light bulb moment for me was Ambar’s reminder:

The reality is though, no one cares what you’re writing about. I mean that in the most honest good-intentioned way I can. I’d rather see people posting, quantity over quantity. Practice does make perfect.

Check out the rest of this article, including the complete lists of prompts here:

srstowers “Why Do We Need to Normalize Anything?”

Last but not least is a short musing from writer srstowers (Sheila). Published in Writer’s Blokke, “Why Do We Need to Normalize Anything” questions our tendency to chase after a “trending” life rather than one of unique self-expression.

Throughout the article, she shares her quirks: grand hats and unique decor and encourages readers to embrace their authentic selves.

For what it’s worth, I hereby grant you, my reader, the power to be you. Like what you like, and don’t worry about whether other people agree with you. If we’re going to normalize something, let’s normalize not worrying about whether something is normal or not.

So throw on that sweater you love that is “so last season,” and enjoy the rest of her insights here:

Well, that wraps up week two of “Love It AND List It with Heather Martin.” I hope you found at least one new writer voice to love and follow.

Until next time, write on, read on, clap, comment, and share. Let’s support each other as we journey together through this crazy writing life.

📖&💓 more by Heather Martin
"You Published Your Heart, Now What?"
"The Time Before The Time"  
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The above writing is ©Heather Martin 2021