As a writer and editor on both ILLUMINATION and ILLUMINATION-Curated, perhaps my greatest pleasure has been to help others. Seeing people who are not professional writers being able to articulate their thoughts on some profound emotion or concept and have their piece find resonance with readers is a joy.

Being human should be enough. We feel love, see beauty, enjoy grace. We naturally want to help others and be helped by them. To communicate the things that matter.

If we do not have the right words, because we are lacking in education or skill, or English is not our primary language, well these are obstacles to be overcome.

The commitment of ILLUMINATION to diversity and synergy is inspiring. Maybe some of the pieces we publish here are not polished gems, but we try to help writers express themselves and gain readers.

The Dear knows that I am no great shakes as a writer myself. If I were, I would be lapping up the cream with my agents crouched around stroking my ego and negotiating the movie deals.

But I'm here, and I do my best to help out.

ILLUMINATION has been a part of my life for over three months now. It has brought me some good money, a truckload of good reading, and experiences that have been inspiring and enjoyable.

Money aside, I count my time here as very well spent indeed.

Britni