Writer Focus: Bonus Edition

Taking a Jab at “Love and Light”

New Writer Focus: Bonus Edition!

Six days into my New Writer Focus series, things have already gotten interesting. I have had a few nudges about including articles in future editions; however, today is the first day when I have gotten four requests in a matter of hours. Hence — New Writer Focus: Bonus Edition!

When it is just me flipping through stories and looking for something that catches my eye, I tend to skip over stories about Coronavirus, writing on Medium, political topics and demonstrations. Not because those aren’t important topics, and not because there isn’t some really good writing about those topics.

Rather, I want to try and capture some observations and perspectives about items that are unique and hopefully evergreen. Plus, I like learning about new things, like the piece on Wales from earlier today. So, I tend to look for things that jump out a bit from the crowd.

When I set out to do this series, I knew that I would gain some interesting perspectives, and already that has been the case. I have quickly become good at picking out an article that appeals to me just by skimming titles and reading a bit.

But what appeals to me doesn’t mean it appeals to everyone else, that is why I am happy to pass on these great articles by request, because I may not have spotted them on my own.

New writers please be sure to write a bio if you don’t have one, so we can include it here:

And, without further ado:

New Writer Spotlight

First in our bonus edition is a story from M. MAHIR TAJWAR that illuminates the concept that technology may be overwriting our humanity. Perhaps we are so engrossed with the machinery in our palm that we lose the ability to focus inward and nurture our emotional and spiritual needs?

It is a good question that might bring some difficult answers. Get a new perspective here:

Next we take a look at the idea of being “awakened” doesn’t necessarily make one a good person and standing behind a banner of “Love and Light” just might be a way to rationalize your own apathy towards difficult topics.

Naz Ahsun explains how the opposite of love isn’t hate, but rather indifference, in this compelling story:

Next, Sudharshan Ravichandran takes us on a journey to the school of hard punches and shares lessons he learned while preparing for and fighting his first boxing match.

Stay light on your feet and keep your hands up while Sudharshan relates his wisdom gained from the ring in this story:

Finally, inspired by yesterday’s story about how coming out isn’t a one-time thing, here is a piece by David Vilentchik that expands on the topic and suggests that one’s sexuality merely one of a myriad of components that make up the whole person.

Additionally, David shares that it seems to be much more significant to others that our sexuality be clearly defined than it ever is to us as the individual. Using the movie Love Simon as a helpful guide for clarification, David lays out his perspective here:

Let’s Make a Connection

Writers new to Illumination, meet a writer that is not quite as new at Illumination; Ming Qian. Ming joined Illumination about a month ago and just recently took on additional responsibilities behind the scenes working as an editor.

Ming has been a fantastic addition to the editor team and asks a lot of tough questions about our internal guidelines that keep the publication on track. He is planning on publishing an updated image use tutorial, but until then, here is another article I found to be particularly helpful about leveraging Instagram to market your writing:

If you want to connect with me or any of the editors, please consider joining the Illumination Slack workgroup. You can request an invitation to Slack by contacting Dr Mehmet Yildiz from this link. Please type “Request for Slack” on the heading as Dr. Yildiz has many other requests from this link.

I am always willing to answer questions and provide information for anyone. The other editors and writers are as well. Slack is the best way to interact if you have questions.

If you need some tips to get up and running on Slack, this article is a good starting point:

The Big Ask

As promised, if I featured your story here, or are reading this and feel inspired, I encourage you to pay forward the concept of highlighting the work of others.

Please consider choosing another writer (or writers) and creating a story that emphasizes aspects that you appreciate about their work. It could be their style, topic choices, voice, technical aspects of writing, or maybe you just like their profile picture.

I am confident that when you do this you will find that your own writing work gets better. In many ways I believe that the person that brings attention to others’ work benefits even more than the recipient. That is one of the core premises and values of Illumination, and when you engage you will find that you reap dividends. I encourage you to give it a whirl. And, when you do, tag me in your article. I love being exposed to stuff I might not have otherwise seen.

If you want me to highlight one of your stories in particular, or have any questions just respond to this story, or better yet, hit me up on Slack!

Thanks for reading, I am enjoying getting to know all the new writers on Illumination!

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Timothy Key spent over 26 years in the fire service as a firefighter/paramedic and various fire chief management roles. He firmly believes that bad managers destroy more than companies, and good managers create a passion that is contagious. Compassion, grace and gratitude drive the world; or at least they should. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and join the mail list.