Professionally, I'm a director of communications for a large foundation in Texas that encourages people with spiritual opportunities, retreats, and chances to get to "know your neighbor." We have a quarterly magazine that serves about 22,000 readers. Personally, I write many things from speculative fiction to nonfiction to feature writing to drama, but poetry is the one thing I can't stop writing--especially sonnets for some reason.

I enjoy writing poetry most and love the challenges of prompts from my local poets group. And the chance to get a poem published now and then. Also write short stories but haven't submitted any. Enjoy writing about family and local history - also history or experience of places where I have lived in the past.

Monthly feedback group writing and reading work set in or about the American South. Short fiction only (no novels-in-progress, sorry). Stories will be submitted to the group for feedback two weeks before meeting with comments/suggestions from fellow members provided via track changes. Group will then meet to give the writer an opportunity to ask fellow members specific questions they may have, either to clarify comments or in general. 

Y'all means all, so we're open to genres, but writing must be about the South or writer must be Southern. This group was started by a Kentuckian who moved to New York City, joined a writers' group, and got tired of explaining that yes, Southern characters can have extensive vocabularies or what a dry county is every time she shared a story. Not that we can't write for readers outside our region, but in receiving feedback from authors we are in partnership with, we should not have to constantly explain, apologize for, or adjudicate it. We write the South as it is, no apologies, and want feedback from others on how to make these stories better.

Interested in joining? We'd love to have you! Email Terena Elizabeth Bell at terenaebell [at] gmail.com, send her a Twitter direct message @TerenaBell, or flag her down this month at AWP.

Thanks, y'all.

I have been a closeted writer for over 20 years.  Life always got in the way.  I love historical fiction, bringing the past alive.  Imaging their daily lives and struggles.  I am currently working on a novel.  I am always looking for tips on research, editing, just plain writing ideas and help.