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Disclaimer: Everything in this story is human. My works may also be found in real libraries and on the internet. I have been a literary secretary, content writer, and editor since the 2000’s. I have also been traditionally published since 2012, a literary translator since 2020, and a MEDIUM-verified author. Any AI snippets found in this story are purely accidental and do not compromise its quality.
🌟💖 Hello, my beautiful souls, I’m wrapping you in a warm embrace of love and gratitude for following me on this incredible journey.
In this article, I’ve tagged you — dear writers that I honor, admire, and love the most, who liked & responded to my previous article, and some followers of my publication — the New Literary Society 🌟💖🎉✨🤗
And hey… if you do not agree to be tagged in my articles anymore, please, let me know — I can understand that.
To voice your view, please read the entire article and respond or simply highlight your preferences.
As you are aware, I am an avid reader with two separate reading lists, one for Medium Partners and one for Medium Friends, which I use to read, clap, and engage with your stories.
So, let’s begin with your kind suggestions and advice.
Many of you said on various occasions that you are interested in personal stories… as for mine… it has been literary from the day I was born.
Everybody was writing in my family… and as a small child, they called me: Little Dove Messenger.
But I couldn’t fly.
I was like a Mowgli with a fear of heights… with eyes as big as frying pans, who enjoyed winking, singing, eating bonbons, fishing, playing with animals (and occasionally losing to them in hide-and-seek), swimming, reading late into the night, and waking up as early as possible to read even more.
I guess you could say I was more grounded than airborne!
I remember, stumbling on stairs and crashing into walls in my rush to bring my grandparents’ manuscript (who lived upstairs) to my parents (who lived downstairs).
Well, while my parents and Grandpa were busy bee-ing authors of non-fiction, buzzing about honey and medicinal plants, Grandma was the queen bee of proofreading at a literary Publishing House.
Ah, the other two grandparents were living in another ritzy neighborhood, rubbing elbows with highbrows near the National Opera House.
My grandfather Ion (Jean) was quite the Renaissance man — a literary translator, critic, and historian.
He penned many books and translated dozens of German novels and short story collections.
He even tackled Hermann Hesse’s “The Game with Glass Pearls” and Thomas Mann’s “The Magic Mountain,” among other literary gems.
He had a knack for turning German into Romanian like a linguistic magician.
And as for his critiques of my poetry… let’s just say he wasn’t exactly singing my praises.
But hey, maybe he was onto something.
Turns out, I’m better suited for prose — fiction, non-fiction, and sometimes, just sometimes, a pinch too much on the lyrical side. Guess I should save the poetry for when I’m feeling… melodramatic!
As for his wife, my Grandma was no slouch either.
She studied English and French at the University of Bucharest.
Her story is like a novel, full of twists, turns, and probably a few misplaced commas.
Obviously, I’ve been registered at the German School and had always many foreign colleagues from all around the world…
From Lebanon to Hungary, Germany, Austria, and all the way to Indonesia— talk about a cultural melting pot.
And my language journey?
Let’s just say I went on a linguistic rollercoaster.
Started with the German alphabet, then Romanian swooped in during second grade.
By the time sixth grade rolled around, English decided to join the party, followed by French, Latin, Dutch, and Italian fashionably late.
Phew!
With that many languages under my belt, I could confuse a multilingual parrot!
But hey, I’m not that good at all of them… but growing up in a multicultural environment made me feel like being a part of a global community.
Ah, yes, my childhood was like living in a library on wheels — books everywhere, falling from shelves like literary confetti.
I was so obsessed with stories and literature that I practically had “bookworm” printed on my birth certificate.
They taught me everything — how to be, how to live, and even how to navigate the treacherous waters of my first crush.
I was convinced I was destined to become a writer; it was written in the margins of my destiny.
Or at least that’s what the novels whispered to me in my dreams!
What books taught me most was to be a good person, very open and curious to find out about cultural treasures and contemporary discoveries, to love with all my heart, to love life, and to stay forever beautiful (keeping wrinkles away is another tip I found out in a favorite fiction childhood book) and… how to stay forever young and happy. Because it is a sin to be unhappy.
Ah, the eccentricities of a bookworm’s lifestyle!
You see, some friends accused me of being a tad eccentric, but I just tell them I’m living my best novel-inspired life.
Maybe I’ll even scribble down some notes for an article someday — “Adventures in Living Between the Lines.”
Ah… someday… one day… maybe this summer, not now.
Now it is about my work as a writer.
First, let me say that I’ve been a literary secretary, translator, and editor since 2004, and a literary translator since 2020.
My books were traditionally published in 2012, 2016, and 2023, with self-publishing in 2022.
On Medium, I am a verified author with two of my prose books added to my profile.
My major goal on Medium was to get these books in front of more people and present them in English.
So… I published here the English version of a novel, chapter by chapter.
It’s crazy — I know.
But I loved to do that and would do that again… anytime.
Since I began using the platform in August 2023, my progress and learning have accelerated.
Why? / How?
– Your feedback, dear friends, was quick, many of you left comments on my stories, telling me what to do and what to avoid.
– You, beautiful writing pals, made me feel supported, accepted, and respected.
– Your valuable articles helped me enhance my writing, overall health, life objectives, well-being, and, most importantly, my mood.
– Medium helped me express myself directly in English and I started thinking in English.
– Medium provided me with the opportunity to learn how to style nonfiction articles for the general public, and begin earning money from them — after all, a larger readership was interested in that type of content.
How did my life change after Medium?
– Better time management by learning about the Pomodoro technique, the imposter syndrome a.o… I gained confidence in my work and reduced my fear of making mistakes.
– Better life management by removing obstacles and negative attitudes, leading to a more proactive outlook on the future.
– Improved writing skills, making writing faster and clearer.
– Improved overall looks and well-being: I started eating salads daily, and my nails and hair became longer and stronger. Now I feel more confident, experienced, and balanced.
What were my challenges on Medium?
– Writing and thinking in English.
– Determine the appropriate pitch for a big audience.
– Dealing with the loss of friends and relationships. (Perhaps I have dependency issues. When I read articles and appreciate the writer’s style, I become attached to them. This means something to me. There is a strong link, like a real-life friendship. Losing pals on Medium in March was incredibly difficult.)
– Learning the Know-how and staying up to date on Medium with all forms, rules, etc.
What are my plans for Medium?
Recently, I asked for your feedback on what topics you would like to see in future articles.
After considerable rethinking and listening to your comments, I considered publishing on Medium:
– The English version of my writings, traditionally published in the last eight years.
– My non-fiction book on weight loss.
– Interviews and book reviews, on my publication The New Literary Society, including their translations into Romanian (or English).
– Poetry translations from German or Romanian into English.
– New personal stories and other articles (like this one)
Final Thoughts and Goals
So, on Medium, I intend to share old texts from 2012–2023 that may be found on my profile, in my CV, and online.
I also aim to continue working on the New Literary Society Publication, which includes new translations, interviews, and reviews.
During the summer, I’ll continue working on my FREELANCE JOB, but my interests in my free time will change to other social activities, such as:
– Improving my real-life engagement, meeting old friends, visiting my family, walking in the park, going swimming, staying out, and trying to relax.
– Participating in cultural activities, including visiting my dearest literary groups, attending literary events, book launches, book fairs, museums, galleries, and vernissages with my husband. These are also significant to our family, particularly since he is a fine artist and a member of the Fine Arts Union from Romania.
In conclusion, I believe MEDIUM is the BEST platform for me because it has helped me become a BETTER version of myself.
It wasn’t always easy, but I made it through… till now.
I have crocodile tears in my eyes, but I’m here to stay, before moving on to the next level of… (let’s say) (in)consciousness.
Love you dearly,
Your beautiful disaster,
Julia
❤️🌟😊👍🏼🙌🏼💖🌈🎉🤗👏🏼🌻💕✨🥰👌🏼🌸🙏🏼💗👋🏼🌟Dear Medium Community, Thank You for Your Amazing Support! ❤️🌟😊👍🏼🙌🏼💖🌈🎉🤗💪🏼👏🏼🌻💕✨🥰👌🏼🌸🙏🏼💗👋🏼🌟
Today I’m Reaching Out to You with Two Questions.
1. Would you like me to write daily journal posts? Maybe… pictorials? Well… I would certainly need some encouragement in this direction… because I am not that Insta kind of girl.
– Yes
– No
2. Additional question: How often would you like to be tagged in my articles?
Please, just comment or highlight.
– Daily
– Weekly
– Monthly
Please, clap, highlight, respond, and… stay tuned for the next story… But, most importantly, a profound thank you to each one of you. Your unwavering support has been invaluable.
Julia Kalman 