Editor’s Invitation
The Future of Reading is in Writing
We are readers until we decide to cross the line and become a writer. That transition is a difficult one, and Readers Hope will provide the support you need for Ground 0, Day 1.
I believe in the following.
An editor is a writer first. A writer is a reader first. A reader is a curious being at heart.
I have been a reader for the longest time. As far as I can remember, I enjoyed surrounding myself with towers and swaying stacks of books. First, they amuse me. Second, a new world beckons.
I started with Mr. Men’s series (I think). It was hilarious watching Mr. Busy fussing and bossing Mr. Slow throughout their weekend picnic. It was jaw-dropping to read Mr. Rush collecting that plate of steak away from the diner when he delivered it just 1 second ago.
Reading opens our minds and broadens our horizons.
The books gradually grew in size when my innate curiosity ballooned alongside my growing brains. I wanted to read on and find out how Isaac Newton invented calculus in Mathematica Principia to compute the motion of celestial bodies using the Inverse Square Law.
I wanted to know how The Lord of the Rings will end in the Third Age after reading about the 2 Trees in Valinor. I want to know how the race of Elves and Men are awakened!
Reading a truckload of books seeded one impossible idea in my head.
I want to be a writer one day.
The Journey to Become a Writer Starts From … Writing
“A professional writer is an amateur who did quit.”
The journey to becoming a writer is an arduous one. We teeter when we toe the line separating the readers and the writers. Here’s why.
First, reading and writing are 2 distinct skillsets. The ability to read and to complete inhuman materials takes years to master. I could not have completed Tolkien’s masterpiece without completing Mr. Men’s series when I was a toddler.
The learning blocks stack up with time.
Next, reading and writing are about thinking. If you happen to be infinitely curious, then you think a lot. Reading allows us to seek different perspectives, broadening the way we think about the world. Writing, on the other hand, allows us to express ourselves while our heads continue to spin.
Let me put this idea across to you, my dear reader.
It takes time to assume a subsequent identity as a writer. You may have the widest, deepest, vocabulary bank the world’s ever seen. But you have to put it into writing.
Content writing, executive writing, expressive writing, academic writing, generic writing, and whatnot.
And then, you realize that writing is a tough job.
We no longer expand our capacity to flip pages and consume more words in one sitting. The reverse is true. We delete sentences, trim expressions, and reduce our word count.
“We will open the (our) book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”
Readers Hope
We want to smooth out the transition jitters and perils all readers go through.
I am an editor of ILLUMINATION. I invite you to submit your writings to Readers Hope, especially when you are just starting out.
There are many reasons why so, as enumerated by my fellow editors. There are 2 important ones, in my opinion, which I will expand on below.
Young writers need time to grow. Nurturing a young community facilitates long-term writing endeavors. If you write better over time, the world benefits from an additional Thought Leader who can influence and shape the next decade.
Next, young writers need encouragement. The best way to murder motivation is to receive slaps on the face and criticisms by the cheek. Readers Hope do not intend to do that.
Fulfill the platform’s requirements, and we will publish your work.
When you publish your work, you will be more motivated to write the next one better. More importantly, you may receive comments as feedback to your writing.
Start your writer’s journey with us. You will stand to benefit.
Summary
All readers will become writers.
This journey requires a transition in mindset, willingness to step out of our comfort zones, and the courage to cross the line.
Cross the line.
Cross the line, knowing that Readers Hope is here to support you along this journey.
I look forward to receiving your submissions!
Dr Mehmet Yildiz Carol Price Britni Pepper Karen Madej Liam Ireland Maria Rattray Dr. Preeti Singh Josh Balerite Acol Agnes Laurens Claire Kelly JS Adam Regi Brittain Tree Langdon John Cunningham Dew Langrial Lawson Wallace
Resources from Illumination’s Editorial Op-Eds:
If you find this editorial op-ed helpful to your writing journey, you may uncover more gems in the previous op-eds written for the benefit of ILLUMINATION’s contributors and readers.
- Illuminating the Editor’s Dilemma: What We (Really) Do and How We Can Do Better
- Illuminating the Way to Overcome the Writer’s Silent Disappointment
- Illuminating A Potential Structure for an Effective Writing Week
- Illuminating the Need for a Writing Downtime
- Inside the Minds of Editors: What We Look Forward to and Look Out for
About the Author:
As a content contributor, I write my observations from daily life and my business exposure. Because our life experience is the bedrock of our unique perspectives.
