Love It AND List It Week One
So, I am trying something new. As a lover of lists, I am starting a new series to explore the things I love, listing them for you. Enter: "Love It AND List It."
One recurrent topic I would like to explore in my lovable lists is my favorite Medium reads from the week. I am new to the community, but so far — I love it! Writing here is exciting for me, but even better, I get to read other writers and connect with them one on one.
All the Medium "experts" say "read, read, clap, clap, clap, and comment to no end," and I am trying. Of course, I do want to build my presence (and audience) on the platform.
But an equal second is the fact that I love the read. I was a reader before I was a writer, and I believe that we discover new elements of who we are as writers in reading.
So, I want to take the "read, clap, comment" advice a step further with "sharing and public praise."
First, thank you, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, for inspiring me with her weekly roundup articles, focused on inspirational Medium reads.
Remember, this is something new I am trying, so be patient with me if the categories seem a little choppy: trial and error and such.
So, without further adieu, here are the Medium articles I loved the most this week AND links to each so you can enjoy them too.
Poetry
Two poems caught my eye, ear, and heart (as only poetry can)—both published in The Lark.
First was a poem from Christina DeFeo, titled "Roam Home." Vivid rhyme scheme guided the reader from start to finish, as Christina discussed what "home" truly means to her. Not a physical place, but a place that "…starts in me because I am first,/Then…extends…where love is dispersed." The poem is a rich experience that prompts the reader to reflect on their meaning of "home." Check it out here:
The next poem was "Last Day" by writer Angie Smartt. Discussing the human tendency to look back, and wish we could redo our last days — with a person, in a place. It is a universal feeling and dilemma, and those are the topics I love the most. Her commitment to "…cherish small moments/that may be the last" is a needed reminder. Read "Last Day" here:
Under 100
Did you know that Carrie. A. Kelly has an entire publication dedicated to writers with under 100 followers? Yep, and it's called 100 and under. With the pressure of partner program requirements looming, I will try to include at least one article from a writer with under 100 followers.
This week, two articles from the 100 and under crowd stood out to me.
To start was a competition entry from Jessica Rocha, titled "I'm Not Home." I guess my complicated feelings about "home" are trending in this list. In the piece, she balances warm memories of a home shared with her mother with the cold reality of being alone in a faraway place — set against the backdrop of fall — a season that serves as a "…reminder of what [she] didn't accomplish." Read it here:
The second was "My Writing Life" from Mary Lou Heater. In the piece, she shares her journey on Medium and reflects on our deep need for validation as writers and humans. I loved her writer's voice. Even more, I enjoyed the visual language of the piece. For example, she describes allowing her drafts to "marinate overnight" before hitting "publish." Check out "My Writing Life" here:
Experience these stories, and if you love them as I did, give the writers some support with a follow.
Writing Challenges
I have only been on Medium a short time, but it seems to be a land of a thousand challenges — an American Ninja Writer if you will. I am a personal growth enthusiast, so I appreciate how challenges build momentum and keep us focused.
This week, one "challenge" article in The Shortform caught my eye.
The article comes from Kirsty Kendall, who Liz Porter initially inspired. Man, I am sharing the love for someone who was sharing love — pay it forward. Kristy encourages readers to create a list of their worst-performing articles. She named her list "My Dear Flops."
I like this challenge because it promotes authenticity. It is easy to pin your most-read article at the top of your page with pride. "Look, Ma — I'm a writer!" But, putting the stuff people ignored back out in the light of day, hoping those ideas find new life — that takes courage.
Check out Kirsty's article here:
From Motivate the Mind
My goal is to publish this list in new publications each week. So, I will include an article from that publication to garner some love as well.
This week's article comes from Motivate the Mind, a new pub run by Justjulieandherblog. It is a new publication that just hit 500 followers! Articles focus on motivation and inspiration across all areas of life.
This week an article by Kendra Gayle Lee “motivated my mind” (I know, cheese eye-roll). Titled “You Are Doing Reading Wrong,” the article focuses on the rules we place on reading and why they ultimately cause us to quit reading.
Lee, a bookseller, shares her expert advice about a better approach to reading beyond the world of rules and “genre shaming.” She shares:
No matter which book a customer picks up, there is something to be explored, something to be discovered. Even if that discovery is simply the joy of reading for pleasure again.
Check out the rest of the article here:
So, until we love it and list it again, I say take Lee’s advice and apply it to your Medium reading habits. Approach each article with curiosity and marvel at your discoveries.