My First Week Writing for Illumination

My writing technique and self-confidence have dramatically improved since I have started following ten simple steps

11th May 2020 is a date I will always cherish. On a late afternoon, I opened my emails and saw a message from Dr Mehmet Yildiz the founder and editor of Illumination.

I was so ecstatic to officially become a writer for Illumination

Now I want to share my story on how that moment changed my writing skills as well as my life. I promise it will be an uplifting piece.

Discovering Illumination

My first connection with the publication was made through Salam Khan. I read one of his stories titled “ A 24 minutes Linkedln Course Taught Me a Lot on How to be Resilient”.

The way he connected with his audience made me curious about his work.

Later, I decided to click on the Illumination Medium’s page and was greeted by this amazing quote: “Our publication aim to amplify the messages of our writers”. Within a few days I applied for a writing position.

First assignment and working through my fear

As I stated earlier, I was over the moon when my application was accepted. Then doubts and fear threatened to push me over the edge as my first assignment was to write a Bio.

It is easy for me to write about others but when it comes to myself, my mind goes blank. Surprisingly, a little voice told me to take it easy and just do one thing at a time.

I looked at the definition of Illumination: 1.higher levels of illumination are needed for reading, 2.the art of illuminating a manuscript. To my amazement, reading this made me feel better.

I started thinking that maybe my Bio could be about the word Illumination. However, I knew this idea was a way to avoid talking about myself.

I went on to Dr Yildiz’s Medium page and read as many articles as I could as well as searching for a connection between us. It then dawn on me that I was the manuscript and he was the light.

I felt vulnerable so this analogy gave me the courage to choose the right path and not surrender to my demons.

Writing success

It was very important for me to follow his directions so I began reading numerous authors’ Bios and managed to write and share a “Glimpse of Myself”.

On their Medium page, the publication emphasised their core values: Diversity, Synergy, Fusion and Serendipity.

Their goal is to “bring writers, editors and readers to create a social circle of content, dissemination and consumption with joint effort”. No wonder the editors and experienced writers often go out of their way to help and guide you.

I believe they are following the lead of Dr Yildiz who can be defined by his favourite quote: “A true hero is someone who offers their time to those who need it more” Henery X (long).

When I compare the style and technique of my first stories on Medium to “A Glimpse of Myself”, I am in awe.

My writings skills have improved dramatically, I have reached this level of clarity thanks to following these ten simple steps.

1. Read everything on Dr Yildiz’s Medium page
2. Explore the Illumination’s Medium page
3. Join the Slack channel once you become a writer at the publication. You will find support as well as connect with editors and writers
4. Ask questions even if you think they are stupid
5. Connect with Illumination on twitter and facebook
6. Reply to any comments made on your stories
7. Write everyday
8. Take the time to read your story out loud
9. Submit your stories
10. Challenge yourself by studying topics that are not your forte

Following those steps EACH DAY have transformed me as a writer and a person.

I write towards what I want to know.

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