I am a lifelong writer in poetry and fiction. Workshop experience through high school and college, and then for personal growth (mostly in fiction). I have not explored publication beyond a few online opportunities, and some commissioned works (poems/lyrics to be set to music). I have a poetry blog, but have not posted or indeed done much writing in the past two years. I would love to find a poetry group for support and accountability (first) and criticism/workshopping (second). My fiction writing has been in the fantasy genre, and some of that flavor finds its way into my poetry. Otherwise, my work is quiet and contemplative; often about nature, family, or travel; and almost always short.

I'm a relatively new writer with minimal formal education in creative writing. I began college in a STEM field, ended up in theatre, and took a few English and creative writing classes along the way. I have a few pieces published in online journals as well as a book coming out at the end of this year, and I'd love to learn from people with more experience in submissions and publishing. I'm hoping to learn more about the formal/academic side of poetry and publishing, improving my work, as well as just having a fun time reading other works together. 

I'm interested in mostly contemporary work, but I want to establish a base in the classics as well. As a theatre student, of course I love Shakespeare and Brecht. I also enjoy classic surrealists like Lorca and Breton, as well as modern surrealists like Zachary Schomburg. I have also started reading Richard Siken and have been pretty blown away, and I've been recommended Ocean Vuong many times, so he's on the list. 

I am new to this platform and new to joining a writers group. This is my first attempt at joining a writers group so I'd probably fit best with a group for beginners. Looking to learn and grow together.

Poetry teaches me to pay attention: to nature, to human life, and to my own feelings. Poetry helps me find the extraordinary in the mundane. I mostly write haiku, tanka, and related short form poems, and have published about 100 works in literary journals. These days I am hoping to return to writing more free verse. I'm looking to connect with other poets who also center their work on nature and paying attention to ordinary things, as in the work of Mary Oliver, Wendell Berry, and David Whyte. 

I'm a young writer interested in nature, mental health, spirituality, love, feminity, and social connection. I wrote my first manuscript as part of my senior keystone project in college, and I'm currently submitting that collection for publication. As I graduate college, I am hoping to continue learning from others and having an accountability group for both encouragement and critique. I have experience in workshop environments, am published in literary journals, and hope to have my collection published soon. My poetry can be described as a combination of Mary Oliver, Shira Erlichman, Amanda Gorman, Ross Gay, Derek Walcott, Monica Ong, and Diana Khoi Nguyen.

I have  been writing poetry and essays for many decades, and have published one book of poetry.  I have attended many poetry readings, have attended some great poetry workshops, and have conducted poetry workshops. When necessary, I also write publicity, newspaper articles, genealogical history, vision statements for organizations, and in memoriam pieces.

 It would be great to find a writing group in which I might venture into new material and find the courage to write with more clarity about subjects that I have not addressed before now.  I gues that means I need support in terms of both being held accountable, and in being encouraged.

I'm looking for a writing group that will help challenge me and hold me accountable to writing. I recently picked up writing after a brief hiatus and at the moment I am focused on developing my skills in Travel Writing, I'd love to be able to be a freelancer in this genre or another genre which is why I am hoping to find a writing group that will motivate, and positively impact my writing skills.

Thank you,

Myrna