avatarVidya Sury, Collecting Smiles

Summary

Dancing Elephants Press hosted a Zoom meeting for their editors and authors, fostering a sense of community and connection within the Medium publishing family.

Abstract

Dancing Elephants Press (DEP) organized a virtual gathering via Zoom, bringing together editors and authors associated with the publication. The meeting served as an opportunity for participants to meet face-to-face in a digital space, share experiences, and discuss upcoming projects. The attendees, including Dr. Gabriella Korosi, Vidya Sury, William J Spirdione, and others, expressed joy at seeing each other's faces and hearing each other's voices, which is a rare occurrence in the often solitary life of a writer. The event highlighted the importance of personal connections and the value of community in the writing profession, especially during times when most interactions are online. The participants appreciated the chance to form deeper relationships, ask questions, and share a sense of togetherness, even if it meant bringing their own refreshments. The article also mentions the publication of a collaborative book titled "Holistic Journey Toward Wellness by 21 Medium Authors," which further strengthens the bonds within the DEP community.

Opinions

  • The author expresses that writer's lives can be lonely and that video calls provide a welcome interaction, making the profession less isolating.
  • There is a strong appreciation for the ease of connection that technology, particularly Zoom, provides, allowing for face-to-face interactions and a sense of being in the same room.
  • The article conveys that meeting via video calls is highly motivating and fosters a deeper connection among writers, editors, and the publication's community.
  • The author values the opportunity to see and hear writers talk about themselves, believing it adds depth to the understanding of their work and personality.
  • The importance of community is emphasized, with the publication owner's efforts to create a sense of belonging through such meetings being praised.
  • The author feels that social connections are crucial for spirits to remain high, and these virtual gatherings fulfill that need effectively.
  • The author cherishes the friendships formed within the Medium community, including those with Dr. Preeti Singh and Sujona Chatterjee, and appreciates the support and camaraderie in editorial groups.
  • The article suggests that these connections extend beyond professional interactions, with examples of schoolmates' groups and daily conversations, highlighting the broader impact of these relationships.
  • The author encourages more people to join these virtual meetings to experience the sense of community and connection.

When the Editors and Authors of Dancing Elephants Press Met

What a wonderful way to zoom in on our favorite writers!

Vidya’s screenshot-from L to R: Dr. Gabriella Korosi, Vidya Sury, William J Spirdione, GnanVi_Speaks, DR Rawson - The Possibilist, Dr. Fatima Imam, Dr. Preeti Singh, Garima Sharma, Shubha Apte

Dancing Elephants Press invited our editors and authors to a Zoom meeting yesterday evening. In the screenshot above, from L to R — you can see Dr. Gabriella Korosi, Vidya Sury, William J Spirdione, GnanVi_Speaks, DR Rawson — The Possibilist, Dr. Fatima Imam, Dr. Preeti Singh, Garima Sharma, and Shubha Apte. Some authors regretted their inability to attend as they had other commitments — but we hope the next meeting will have more participants!

As I looked at everyone’s faces on the screen, my heart overflowed with happiness. There was William J Spirdione— exactly as I had imagined him. Gabi — I’ve met several times in the past year, but still, it is always sweet to hear her gentle voice and see her smile. Preeti — hugs! It was great to see DR, Fatima, GnanVi, Garima, and Shubha. I was itching to serve them the banana cake I had just made, whose aroma filled my home, with some coffee/tea/whatever.

We had such a great time!

There were introductions. Conversations. A peek into what’s coming next. Overall, such a pleasant feeling to put a real face to that name!

One of the greatest things about Medium is the easy interface that lets our thoughts flow (most of the time) and connects us with other writers — writers we engage with, and become close to; often, we continue our conversations on social media or WhatsApp.

Some writers — we really get close to.

If we are associated with publications as editors, as I am, then we are fortunate — and privileged — to “meet” writers’ drafts before they go live, helping them fine-tune if necessary and having the opportunity to engage.

And . . .

When the publication owner is keen on creating community and goes out of her way to ensure we meet in person — in this case — via Zoom calls, then it is pure happiness.

Why are Zoom meetings with publications/editors/ other writers a welcome way to interact?

Writing is a great outlet, a way to share what we know. I’ve made it my livelihood, doing what I love and I am excited about that.

But you know what?

A writer’s life can get lonely, especially these days when most of our stuff is done online. That lovely corner we call our workspace can get really lonely as we work hard to create posts for our audience to read. Meeting via video calls makes this much better — we know we’re not alone. Also, we make friends for life sometimes. I call that a win-win.

I love that technology lets us connect face-to-face, see each other’s expressions, laugh together, and relate to what others are experiencing.

It is easier to ask questions or express concerns we would never get around to doing in the normal course.

I feel a sense of togetherness when we see each other. Of course, we must bring our own beverages or refreshments, even if I’d rather be your host for real, but you know what I mean. Next best thing, right? Imagine a whole group of your favorite people right there — in front of you — in the same room!

I find that it is highly motivating when I see my peers.

Video calls are a great way to meet your editors and see where they come from.

Even though I’ve read the introductions, listening to the writer talk about themselves makes ALL the difference. The voice, the face, the expressions! We get a sense of who the person is when we see them on video and feel a deeper connection.

Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash

Communication, community, and connection keep our spirits alive

I am lucky to be part of the editorial zoom meetings with several publications on Medium, besides engaging with them in WhatsApp groups, cracking jokes, and saying all sorts of things I wouldn’t normally say in public. And thanks to WhatsApp, we can also just pick up the phone and talk for hours without spending a dime!

When I started blogging, I belonged to blogging communities and groups that organized regular meets and opportunities and I made it a point to attend every meeting just so I could connect with bloggers I only usually knew via their online space and comments. Today, I have made some friends for life.

I am also super-lucky to be part of my schoolmates’ WhatsApp group — we meet on Zoom every once in a while and behave like we’re still in the 10th grade. What fun!

Connections on Medium

I am fortunate to have a wonderful friendship with Dr. Preeti Singh — we often speak on the phone.

Sujona Chatterjee is now a close friend and I chat with her every day — and had the pleasure of meeting her when she visited my city. Soon I will visit her city and we plan to spend the day together.

On the WhatsApp editors’ groups, we get to share our lives, editorial staff, and announcements, cook up new stuff for our writers, brainstorm new ideas, and of course, rant and laugh over life. And the wonderful feeling that there are people who care for us, and enjoy our work.

Today, I’ve had the privilege of exchanging banter with Mary Chang Story Writer, Sandi Parsons, Sally Prag, Dr. Preeti Singh, Yana Bostongirl, Trista Signe Ainsworth, George J. Ziogas, The Sturg, Nancy Blackman, MASF, Judy Walker, Jonathan Townend, RMN, Christina and the large group of editors on the Slack channel of Illumination publication.

Then, of course, connecting regularly with our DEP editor group Dr. Gabriella Korosi, Sharing Randomly, Dr. Preeti Singh, and DR Rawson - The Possibilist. The bonus is, thanks to publishing our first collaborative book, we also have a WhatsApp group to connect our authors.

Whether we admit it or not, as humans, we are wired to crave social connections. Getting together via a Zoom call is the best thing, wouldn’t you agree? I hope more of you join us — even if for a few minutes. Watch for the announcement post published at Dancing Elephants Press and also in the WhatsApp groups.

To connections! ❤ Let’s treasure them.

With love and gratitude,

Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles ❤ Did you smile today?

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Read NancyO’s love post about her night out.

And Jennifer Dunne’s beautiful tribute to her mom. Bring tissues.

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