August 2020 marked the inception of "Weekly Wisdom from Karen," an editorial series initiated by the founder of ILLUMINATION to encourage editors to leverage their platforms for the greater good. I took the opportunity to curate my favorite new writers each week. The essence of wisdom primarily stems from the remarkable talents of these chosen authors, to which I might add a phrase or two to enhance their insights and unique styles.

Before joining Medium, my writing journey felt rather solitary until I connected with some incredible authors and readers who showed me the value of engaging with the community. If you're a new writer pondering the secret to success, it's quite simple: leaving thoughtful comments on pieces you appreciate can prompt responses from the authors, possibly even leading them to explore your own work!

One of the first writers to engage with my initial (and rather poor) writings was Dr. Mehmet Yildiz. Little did I know he would go on to establish one of the fastest-growing publications on the Medium platform. He welcomed fellow writers and admirers of their craft to contribute to ILLUMINATION, and I eagerly accepted the invitation.

Take heart in knowing that consistent writing, combined with the insights gained from reading exceptional authors, will sharpen your writing, editing, and formatting skills over time. If your abilities catch the attention of a senior or consultant editor, you may even be invited to edit.