Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Ortay has been residing in Orlando, Florida, USA. Her literary journey began with the publication of her first book, “Elephants and Birds,” in 2017, followed by “Soul’s Consolation Stories” in 2019, both in Turkish. Since 2017, she has been consistently contributing short stories to various Turkish literary magazines, with thirty-five of her stories published so far.
Her foray into English writing started with her article in the 2019 book “Actually, I Can,” published by the Florida Literacy Coalition, Inc. In 2022, she published “The Image of God” in the USA. Ortay, who occasionally likens prophets to either a profound philosopher or a flawed politician, seeks to enlighten souls trapped in darkness through her writings.
With a unique blend of literary and philosophical depth, Ortay’s works aim to illuminate the human condition. Her stories invite readers to delve into the universal themes and emotions, encouraging introspection and a journey into the deepest corners of the soul. Through her masterful use of language, Ortay aspires to touch and transform the hearts of her audience, shedding light on the shadows that obscure their inner worlds.
Liberation of Paralyzed Words I am from earth. After we are born as humans, we learn to belong to a family, a society, a country. We live with pride for the land, the nationality and the religion we were born into. When a baby is born, the Turks have a saying, “The baby came to the world.” However, as the baby grows, it disregards being part of a larger whole and lives only with the sensation of being a part of the land and the language it was born into.
I’m in love with nature and life on this planet, but unfortunately it’s too short. Therefore, it’s not important where in the world we live, but how we live. I’m a person that was subjected to violence by my father throughout childhood and adolescence. Due to my family experiences and the country’s egregious circumstances I am very familiar with violence, oppression, restrictions, and bans.
As a Turkish author of thirty-five stories published in literary magazines along with my previously published books and one in the works in Turkey, I have experienced censorship on occasion. As long as the soul deserves to live free, an author should have the similar freedoms to write, as desires to live freely.
Living in a country without the ability to communicate is like not living at all. As a result of communication barriers, I felt that I neither belonged to this land nor to the one I was born in. Thanks to a caring and dedicated teacher, for the first time I have faith that I will learn English and write my stories in this global language. She gave me hope, and for the first time I felt that someone in this country was listening, hearing, and respecting me. I wish that immigrants like myself would have teachers like Ms. Jordan. I’ve never met a person that teaches with such passion and love. I can’t thank my teacher enough for enlightening my way.
I have so much to say and I’ve just begun. I have love to share with the people of the world. As Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of The Republic of Turkey, and the constant light of my path said, “A person should care about the serenity and welfare of all nations of the world as much as their own nation’s existence and happiness, and should do their best to serve the happiness of all the world’s nations, as well as valuing their own nation’s happiness.”
Conclusively, I would like to thank the United States for accepting my family and providing my daughter with a good education. As a mother nurtures her child, a nation nurtures its people. Sometimes the woman that loves and protects you is considered more of a mother to you than your biological one. Sometimes it’s not the country you were born into, rather the country that protects, liberates, and cares for you, that is considered your homeland.
“Actually, I Can” published by Florida Literacy Coalition, Inc. in 2019
Julia Ortay 