To 100 and Beyond With Love(№2)

Alright, readers, it is time for the 2nd edition of “To 100 and Beyond With Love,” showcasing excellent writers with under 200 followers.

Why? Because it can be tough to build up a following in the Medium community and I want to shine a spotlight on stand-out writing, hopefully connecting you with new voices and writers to follow and enjoy.

Many helped me early in my journey — many still do, so as a way to pay it forward, I am committing to publishing this weekly review between now the December 31st MPP deadline (perhaps beyond — with love).

I want to take a moment and say thank you to Robert Ralph, and the New Writers Welcome publication for publishing week one of this review. You can read it here:

So, let’s dive into this week, and as promised — a little musical inspiration from my middle school years because these articles are “all I ever wanted” to read💓.

Maggie Kelly “Home Is Where the Heart Is”

First up is a brief reflection from writer Maggie Kelly. Self-published, “Home Is Where the Heart Is” focuses on unconventional definitions of home — the things that give us comfort in the same way four walls might.

Kelly focuses on music and the “solace” it has given her in “dark times,” writing:

When I need a home to return to, music is where I go. The good news about that is that I can go home no matter where I go because it’s something that I carry with me. It’s more than just a physical space for me, it’s an all-encompassing feeling.

Music has always been a shelter to me, so I loved the sentiment of this piece. You can experience the rest of this reflection here:

Alice “Reading (and Writing) Is All About Human Connection”

Next up is an article about the interconnectedness of reading and writing from Alice. Published in Illumination, “Reading (and Writing) Is All About Human Connection” is the author's chance to discuss the merits of writing from the perspective of someone who’s spent “7,300 hours of [her] life reading.”

Alice notes how writing transcends some of the complications of speaking and allows for a deeper connection in a “world where genuine connections seem so hard to find,” observing:

It’s a bridging of the gap between my mind and your mind. It’s as close to Being John Malkovich as we’ll ever get. We’re all travelling through this world in our own heads, intrinsically alone in our unique experiences of life. And then — through the magic of 26 characters and punctuation — I can receive a writer’s thoughts into my own.

Experience the rest of this thought-provoking conversation about the power of reading and writing here:

Kimberly Carlson Aesara “Rejection is the New Silence”

Next is a self-published article from long-time writer Kimberly Carlson Aesara titled “Rejection is the New Silence.” She shares her twenty-plus year search for an agent, which she recognizes either makes her “a fool or steadfast.”

Aesara shares:

Yet, I have been writing for 24 years. I have been a writer for 24 years. I have been a student of writing even longer than 24 years. I still dream of being on the New York Times Best Selling List.

Heartfelt and brave, this piece discusses perseverance in the face of rejection — even silence, noting reading and writing themselves as the powerful strategies that can give us the courage to continue.

Simon Whaley “Diary of a Dog Sitter”

I love dogs (and cats) and the stories they bring into our lives. Animals of all varieties can lighten the burden of life with their comforting presence, often infusing our lives with companionship and humor.

So I was thrilled to discover the publication Petness, run by editor Louise Peacock who also manages Catness. If you love content featuring our furry friends, both of these pubs are a must-visit for you.

While browsing Petness, I discovered “Diary of a Dog Sitter” by writer Simon Whaley. There are currently seven diary entries, but I enjoyed Day Three, “Cobwebs and Churchyards.”

In the diary, Simon shares his daily adventures with Welsh Springer Spaniel, Betsy. He balances his perspective with the dog's experience, and their routine reveals a deep joy in life’s simple pleasures.

Read day three and then go back for more.

Peter Wright Storytelling “Humans Are Not Washing Machines”

This final work comes from the Human Are Stories publication run by editor Tarun Gupta. The publication is currently welcoming writers with 100-and-Under writers to submit, so if that is you and you are looking for a welcoming community to share your voice, check it out!

I love quick reads that go deep into the human experience. Writer Peter Wright Storytelling does just that in his brief musing “Humans Are Not Washing Machines.”

Wright considers what advice to give his son in the wake of his first heartbreak. As he stands before the washing machine, his first impulse is to talk about “cycles,” but he quickly remembers life is not cyclical; we are not living on a loop.

He identifies a better analogy:

Then I talked about love chapters he is writing not only in his life but others’ life. Those beautiful chapters he wrote forever, and it is true it will take time to look back to read it, but for sure, he will read it without pain someday.

Although brief, this piece contains a genuine depth of emotion, prompting the reader to reflect on once painful chapters now read through new eyes of hope, appreciation, and growth.

Experience the rest of this amazing piece here:

That’s the round-up for this week! I hope you found five new writers to read and follow!

If you want to discover even more excellent writers, check out my other curated series, “Love It and List It”:

Until next time: write, read, clap, comment, and share! Let’s raise each other up as we grow together on this crazy writing journey!

📖&💓 more by Heather Martin
"Gracious Amnesia"
"The Time Before The Time"  
Become a member of Medium with my referral code!👫 
Buy Heather a cup of ☕ here. 
The above writing is ©Heather Martin 2021