An Inspiring Writer Proving That Deafness Is No Barrier to Success
Dear readers and writers, welcome to my new interview story, which introduces another inspiring writer whose writing impressed me greatly.
I enjoy interacting with people from diverse cultures, countries, and professional backgrounds. I have been interviewing professionals for a long time. I am writing this from my secondary account for curation purposes to find new readers for these interviews on this platform. For those unfamiliar, my main account on Medium is Dr Mehmet Yildiz.
On this platform, I specifically enjoy interviewing writers from different backgrounds. Each writer’s interview is special to me as each person is unique. My goal is to introduce them to my audience so that they can meet another interesting/relatable person on this planet and explore their work. I discussed the Importance and Remarkable Benefits of Interviews in My Professional and Personal Life.
In this interview, I’d like to introduce you to one of my favorite authors Joellyn Rose Keener, ✍️Author Deaf and Determined whom I have been communicating for a while via email and my Slack workspace. She contributes to my publications submitting valuable stories our readers enjoy.
Joellyn is deaf but communicates exceptionally well through written language, expressing her thoughts and emotions with clarity. Her empathy and compassion for others truly stand out. You will be inspired by her resilience and strength, shaped by the many challenges she has overcome. Meeting her will be a memorable experience as it was for me.
Meet Joellyn Rose Keener
Hi Joellyn, tell us a bit about your background.
I was born in Clarksburg, WV, and we moved to Morgantown, WV when I was 8 years old. Living in Morgantown was a tough experience because the kids were often cruel to those with disabilities. I begged my parents to let me attend a school for the deaf and blind, but my pleas fell on deaf ears — pun intended.
I developed a strong dislike for Morgantown and even for some of the kids there. But when I was 13, I thought things were looking up when my dad was offered a job in Parkersburg, WV. Unfortunately, Morgantown was just the beginning of a difficult journey for me.
We moved to Parkersburg, and things seemed better at first. I made some friends, and eventually, I was introduced to a boy. One of my friends liked his brother, so we all started hanging out, having fun, and experimenting with things like kids do at that age. We even snuck into a Harlem Globetrotters game one night at our school. The boy’s name was Ray, and he eventually took me to a friend’s house one evening, where my innocence was stolen from me. I’ve written more about this in an article I shared.
Moving forward, I met the man who would become my husband during my sophomore year of high school. At the time, I thought I was in love, but looking back, I was too young to truly understand love. I did care deeply for him, but after a few years of marriage, I realized I wasn’t truly in love.
I had to make the difficult decision to ask for a divorce, which hurt him deeply. The guilt consumed me, and I turned to drinking, even though I had always hated alcohol. Although I was never an alcoholic, everyone labeled me as one. I used drinking to numb the guilt, but after the divorce was finalized, I stopped drinking entirely. To this day, I still don’t drink, but it took a long time for my family and friends to believe me.
Throughout my life, I tended to follow my friends rather than lead. Making friends was hard because of my disability — I was shy and unsure of how to stand up for myself.
After high school, I worked for three years at the Humane Society, thinking I would be caring for animals. Little did I know I would be responsible for euthanizing them. My first euthanasia was a small black-and-white puppy. I cried all day and night after that. Working there hardened my heart, but after I left, everything I had been holding inside eventually hit me. I found myself crying again, wondering how I could have ever euthanized so many animals. It was a deeply traumatic time in my life.
Eventually, in my early 20s, I started my career at GE Plastics. That was when I began to stand up for myself, demand respect, and overcome the shyness that had held me back for so long. I never looked back after that.
What are your hobbies, or what excites and entertains you?
I’ve always loved computers. My late fiancé taught me everything I know about them. I used to intentionally break computers just to see if I could put them back together, though that got expensive! Now, I experiment with them to learn how they work. I also love hiking, especially with my dog, Annie. It’s great exercise for both the body and the mind. Meditation and listening to music are also things I enjoy.
What are the top three books that affected your life?
The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal really spoke to me because I’ve struggled with stress all my life. The book helped me understand that stress can be a positive force when it’s used for meaningful pursuits.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is another favorite. It’s such a magical, feel-good story that I’ve read it twice. Lastly, Emotional Intelligence by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves has had a big impact on me. As a very emotional person, this book helped me understand and manage my emotions better.
Why do you write on Medium?
I was invited to write on Medium, and I’ve been writing there ever since. It’s been a wonderful experience, and I can’t imagine writing anywhere else. The community is very supportive and I feel at home.
Do you write on other platforms like Substack? If so, how do you find them?
I almost started writing on Substack a couple of years ago, but it was too difficult for me at the time. However, I plan to try again soon with your help, Dr. Yildiz. I started reading the chapters of your Substack Mastery book.
What are your values as a writer?
As a writer, I value quality content. I aim to teach new writers how to get started on Medium and inform my readers on different topics. I enjoy guiding them on what to do and what to avoid when starting out.
How do you connect with your readers?
I connect with my readers by engaging with them in the comments section and responding to their feedback. I also give feedback on their stories. I try to write articles that I know they’ll find interesting. For instance, many of my readers love hearing about my dog, Annie, so I’ve written several poems about her adventures.
Why did you join ILLUMINATION, and how has it been so far?
I came across ILLUMINATION when I saw an open invitation to submit work. I sent in a piece and was thrilled to become part of the family. ILLUMINATION is a supportive publication. I made many friends through this publication.
Who are some writers you follow on ILLUMINATION?
I follow many writers, a few to mention are Mike Broadly, DHSc, Wayne Stelk, PhD, Ammara Hassan, and of course Aiden (Owner of Illumination Gaming)!
What are your top five stories that you want to share with your audience, and why?
5 Lessons I Learned as a Deaf Writer On Medium: This is like my “About Me” page, explaining how I started writing on Medium.
The Struggles of a Senior with a Pet: I hoped this would go viral and inspire change in the healthcare system.
Trapped Without Sound: The Day I Forgot My Hearing Aid Charger: This story explains what happens when a deaf person forgets their hearing aid charger during a crucial moment.
Beyond Circumstance: The Unseen Journey of Homelessness: I wrote this during a time when I feared I might become homeless.
Keep on Moving: A Journey of Resilience: Many of my readers resonated with this story about resilience.
What are the success factors for you as a writer?
To write what I know, to write daily, and to engage with my readers consistently. These habits are essential to becoming a successful writer.
What do you recommend to new writers?
Don’t stress about sticking to just one niche. Write about what you know and what excites you. Engage with your readers by responding to their stories and comments. That’s what builds a successful writing career.
What are your plans as a writer or professional?
For now, my priority is writing on Medium. But, I’m working on a series of children’s books based on my dog, Annie. The idea came from two writers, and I’m excited to pursue it. I’m also writing a thriller novel, though it’s a long process because I’m a perfectionist which stresses me.
Many thanks to Joellyn Rose Keener, ✍️Author Deaf and Determined for making time for this interview and giving a glimpse of her life.
You can find more interviews in the attached collection. Consider following the writers who resonate with you.
Interviews with Writers on Medium
Featuring inspiring writers of ILLUMINATIONmedium.com
Quick Updates on Our Publications
Good news for writers: We made the rules much easier for writers of ILLUMINATION, former ILLUMINATION-Curated now Curated Newsletters, Synergy (Newsletter Boosting), and Technology Hits. We will update the rest soon. Here are the links:
ILLUMINATION, Curated Newsletters, SYNERGY (Newsletter Booster), and Technology Hits.
I wrote about my monthly progress on eight different platforms to give an idea to fellow writers. It is an independent review and could be valuable for aspiring writers.
An In-Depth Performance Review of 8 Major Platforms I Contributed to This Month: Key Insights and…
Discover an independent and comprehensive analysis of my contributions and performance across multiple platforms…medium.com
Please explore some leading newsletters featured by ILLUMINATION-Curators in episode 12. It is an excellent collaboration tool for growing your Substack profile and newsletters.
Substack Mastery Featured Newsletters: Episode 12
Curated newsletters of writers contributing to the Substack Mastery publication on Medium for joyful collaboration and…medium.com
Long-Waited Substack Mastery Book Is Out
To support the writing community and help them gain a competitive advantage in the market, I recently authored a book titled Substack Mastery, which is now available in popular online bookstores. It was well received by readers and now it trends as a best-selling book in its categories.
Here is the universal link to find it in different bookstores. The paperback of this book is available through Amazon or booksshop.org. The audio will soon be available in major outlets, and the first release can be purchased from Google Play.
I also published a new version of the Substack Mastery for busy people and explained the reasons in a new story.
How I Will Help Freelance Writers Save $600 by Condensing My Bestseller 5 Times for Them
Just like some prefer fatty cuts while others opt for lean, my goal is to cater to the unique needs of every reader.medium.com
I will continue beta reading for the next version. So, if you enjoy reading and providing feedback, here are links to chapters for free:
Preface of “Substack Mastery” for Beta Readers, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19…
A Brief Intro to our Extending Community Bridging Medium with Substack in Innovative and Collaborative Ways
Now we have a great plan for our Substack Mastery of ILLUMINATION Community I drafted the plan on my website and look forward to your feedback and engagement.
ILLUMINATION Substack Community Support — Dr Mehmet Yildiz
This is a summary of 3-tier service offerings for creators, freelance writers, and content entrepreneurs on Substack…digitalmehmet.com
How I Architected a Charity Organization & Why I Will Run It Like a Business
Outline of my draft plan for creators, freelancers, and entrepreneurs empowered by the Substack networkmedium.com
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
If you are a new reader, you may check out some of my topics, including the brain, mental health, cognitive function, significant health conditions, longevity, nutrition/food, valuable nutrients, ketogenic lifestyle, self-healing, weight management, writing/reading, including 100+ Insightful Life Lessons from My Circles for the Last 50+ Years.
I publish my health and wellness stories on EUPHORIA and share distilled versions on SUBSTACK. My posts do not include professional or health advice. I only document my reviews, observations, experiences, and perspectives to provide information and create awareness.
If you are a writer, you are welcome to join my publications by sending a request via this link. I support 32K writers who contribute to my publications on this platform. You can contact me via my website. I also have another profile to write and curate tech stories. Friend Links to My Sample Boosted Stories for Non-Members of Medium. Importance and Value of Medium Friendship for Writers and Readers
If you are a writer, blogger, YouTuber, or a Podcasters you can join my site as guess creators. I can amplify your voice using my vast network globally. Here is he application form.
Guidance to Guest Bloggers on Digitalmehmet — Dr Mehmet Yildiz
Digitalmehmet.com now offers guest blogging service to Substack writers and storytellers from Medium.com. This service…digitalmehmet.com
Our media coordinator and film maker Aiden (Owner of Illumination Gaming) also re-branded our YouTube channel to support Substack Mastery community better.
How to Use the ILLUMINATION Substack Mastery YouTube Channel to Grow Your Audience
Practical tips for uploading your videos to our community channel as writers on Medium, Substack, and other platformsmedium.com
You are welcome to join the ILLUMINATION Community on Medium and Substack. And join our Substack Mastery to build your audience.
Get an email whenever Dr Mehmet Yildiz publishes. He is a top writer and editor on Medium.
Leave a Reply