My second grade teacher always gave me "Outstanding" in the creative writing category on her giant report cards. I started writing poetry in the sixth grade; I still have the notebook that I wrote in. Everyone in high school knew me as the "writer." I wrote during class,between classes, and at home. I don't recall anyone trying to mentor me. There was no creative writing class. None of my English teachers were writers. I don't remember receiving much constructive feedback. However, in college, I had a plethora of creative writing classes available. Nearly all my literature professors were writers. Most of my peers in my English classes were writers. I learned so much about writing, very quickly.

I preferred writing short fiction, but because of the rotation of fiction and poetry advanced courses at UWL, I enrolled in poetry writing courses taught by Francis Payne Adler. I had to read my poetry at a mandatory poetry reading. It was SO difficult, yet so exilerating afterwards. I felt empowered and exhilarated to see audience members nodding their heads and to see my peers clap wildly because they'd been part of the poem from its infancy.

I had a rule that even applied to my mom, that no one reads anything until it's published. Lately, I've bent that rule a little, allowing my boyfriend and another friend read some pieces that are in progress. I take part in a monthly writer's group and each meeting we are given an "assignment" for the next month. After I read my first piece, the group of 30 people actually clapped for me. It's times like that that I feel so excited about claiming writing as a force in my life. The power to affect people with the written word, is awesome to me. Sometimes I covet other talents like singing or painting. But, I am proud to be a writer and hope never to give up on it.