Was that what you meant? Not all literary texts are easy to understand. Just as there are books that we can read as part of our daily routine, there are also works that require a more studious approach. This means setting aside time in a quiet place and ensuring that our minds are clear. This is often the case with long novels and poetry. Once we have finished reading them, we reflect on them and consider what we have understood. Sometimes, however, we read a book that doesn'

What processes do you go through from start to finish, and what can aspiring writers expect? I asked myself this question constantly, as I found it confusing and couldn't find any clear answers. That’s why I intend to briefly outline this common journey and offer my humble assistance. Rather than focusing on feelings such as whether it’s easy, difficult, enjoyable or complicated, I’ll focus on the practical aspects. I hope this helps you overcome some challenges and puts your

Life is so strange. Before writing this post, I took a look at what I’d written about my first and second years. Reading about the state of mind I was in back then was interesting. My thoughts, feelings and excitement were so different then. Everything changes over time. That’s one of the inevitable consequences of time, after all. On 20 June 2023, I embarked on an unexpected journey on Medium, encountering many obstacles along the way. Ultimately, though, I’m continuing alon

The power of visual storytelling is spreading rapidly across cultures, generations and borders

The Line Between Reality and Fiction The films we watch, the books we read and the songs we listen to are usually crafted to create the impression that they are true stories. However, artists sometimes deliberately break this rule. They acknowledge that the story and its characters are self-aware. This is known as “metafiction” and “meta-characters”. “Meta” means “about” or “regarding itself”. In other words, the work explicitly acknowledges its own fictional nature and revea

On the Opening Sentences of Novels Think of a book you have recently read or that has stayed with you for a long time. Can you remember the opening sentence? How many other novels can you remember the opening sentence of? Opening sentences quietly open a door for us readers, drawing us in without us realising it. They are like miniature replicas of the structure of the entire work and often serve as a kind of summary. They can transform the reader from a passive observer into

The Unique Writing Environments and Habits of Great Writers The way in which we write undoubtedly varies from writer to writer. By this, I don't mean the content of our writing, but rather the process by which we create it. Our surroundings, mood and habits can have a profound influence on our writing process, often shaping it. This applies not only to ordinary writers like us, but also to the great masters. They, too, have their own unique writing environments, rituals, and

Happy 19 May Atatürk Commemoration, Youth and Sports Day. The last national holiday attended by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. At the “Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadyumu” for the Youth and Sports Day celebrations, 19 May 1938 - Photo: Hanri Benazus (Büyük Atatürk Albümü, Cilt 3, 1926-1938, Bizim Kitaplar) - Source Instead of celebrating this holiday with the same platitudes as every year, I would like us to take a moment to consider what we are actually celebrating. The emphasis on “youth” and

On the Shared Language of Chess and Literature Although chess is not the oldest game in human history, it is certainly one of the most enduring and influential. Spreading across vast regions and dominating eras, it has provided the backdrop for countless symbolic narratives. Out of curiosity, I wondered why chess has secured such a powerful place in literature and art, so I did some research. I asked myself why writers might love this game and incorporate it into their works.

The hidden system behind our reading habits Did you really choose the book you’re currently reading? Think about the book you’re currently focusing on. What was the main reason you chose it? Were you the one who made the decision, or might this choice have been imposed on you without your realising it? I would like to explore this issue, which is evident in a significant proportion of artistic works, by examining it through the lens of literature. Let us discuss the overt or

Those Lost Among the Silent Instruments of Language There is a common thread running through both what we read and what we write. Yes, quite literally: a full stop. Sometimes it's a comma, a question mark, or an exclamation mark! Less commonly used punctuation marks also make the occasional appearance amidst the jumble of paragraphs, fulfilling their unique functions without hesitation. You know them; they appear now and again, and we adapt our reading accordingly. We use the

My book is now on sale! Hello everyone! This time, I’m sharing a piece that I’ve had in mind ever since I started writing regularly a few years ago. Like many of you, I have been passionate about reading and writing ever since childhood. Although life can be busy and tiring, preventing us from making these activities part of our daily routine, we realise when we do find the time for them that they make us feel lighter, more at ease, and more fulfilled. Sometimes, we want to t

The Digital Aesthetic of an Old Style Historically, becoming a writer meant immersing oneself in one's inner world. In other words, it was a way of life and a state of mind rather than merely a profession or a means of self-promotion. This is evident from the fact that writers of earlier eras spent years producing works across various genres and literary forms, forming literary societies, and allowing their attitudes to permeate every aspect of their lives. Clearly, this is n

No matter how much we love writing, we all get fed up with it from time to time. This feeling can become overwhelming when we can’t think of a good plot or are worried that our writing won't be appreciated. I find this perfectly understandable. After all, even the most celebrated writers have experienced the same challenges at some point in their careers. Many of them struggled to get their books published or to achieve the success they’d dreamed of. Sometimes this took a lon

As is my custom, there are certain things I make a point of doing every year. You've probably thought of some of the things you do yourself. I wanted to talk about one of those things that I’ve carried out with great enthusiasm this year. It's the longest-standing promise I've made to myself, and it's one of the most beautiful gifts I've given myself. Perhaps this post will inspire you to experience something similar. I’m going to show you a method that stretches from the pre

The Value of Labour in the Digital Age The clash between artistic creation and artificial intelligence shows no sign of abating. AI is everywhere we turn and has become a real headache. This is not so much due to the contributions that AI tools make to our daily lives, but rather the effects they have behind the scenes. Funded and invested in by global giants, this sector has become a vast financial ocean. The countries and companies that have staked their futures on AI and a

The underlying factors in exemplary characters In my view, it is more challenging to create an evil character who creates obstacles (an antagonist or villain) than a hero (protagonist). This is because, as the script takes shape, it is built around certain events and characters — these are the key elements. Supporting elements are arranged, when necessary, to contrast with what already exists. In other words, it is essential to fit the piece into the right slot and choose the

Our lives are divided into distinct periods of time. At certain intervals, we either sleep or devote time to our own interests and hobbies. Broadly speaking, life can be divided into three parts. But what about the places where we spend our lives? Here, too, there are generally three categories. The first is our comfort zone: our home. The second is the place where we fulfil our responsibilities or obligations, such as our workplace or educational institution. The third is ou

Although only two months have passed, we are beginning the year with horror. Having previously mentioned the Epstein files and the Doomsday Clock , we are now poised to address the question, “What could possibly be worse?” A recent example of this is the attack launched against Iran in Israel's interests. Ultimately, however, we know that there are no winners in war, and it is always civilians who suffer. Strangely enough, some people seek temporary gains. They take advantage

The clothing of the envelope, the ornament on it, and the reverence shown during the meeting We have entered a phase of life where we think twice before doing the things we love. Aside from necessities, we have developed a deep-seated reluctance towards responsibilities and enjoyable activities. It's as if it's a by-product of not finding reward in our efforts. However, we also know that nothing quite compares to the satisfaction of completing, solving or creating something.