Getting Started is the Hardest Thing to Do

I always tell my students the hardest thing about getting started is staring at the blank page.

So true.

Since we're just getting started, I guess the best place to begin our journey is to understand what this blog is about and a few rules for "netiquette".

A little About Me

I've been a high school English teacher for 11  years and a writer for life. 

You see, when I was a teenage writer, I had no one that understood me as a writer.  I also had no idea where to publish any of my work, nor did I have any tools to improve my writing outside of my English classes.  My love of writing dwindled because I had nothing to help me go anywhere.

My hope is that will never happen to you.

Out my own experiences and my passion for helping young people find their writing identity, this blog has been born. 

How do you know I can help you?

I'm glad you asked. 

Several agents have expressed interested in my novel-in-progress, but it's not quite finished yet.  Even though I haven't been published, I have recently won awards for poetry and flash fiction.

I was the co-editor of a literary magazine in college that published some of my poetry.  I've read several books on writing, attended conferences on writing, and joined several writing organizations, one of which is nationally recognized. 

The reason I surround myself with experts on writing and experienced authors is that they have done what I want to do--which is get published one day.  Lastly, I am currently teaching creative writing to the best group of student writers I could ever have.  :)

I'm living my dream and embracing my identity.  And I'm here to help you do the same.

Does all this make me an expert?

No way.

Even though I may not have all the expertise or answers, what I do have I want to share with you.

What are the rules? 

1.  Be kind.  Treat others (including me) the way you would like to be treated.  Make all comments and questions respectful.

2.  Be classy.  Profanity shows a lack of creativity and class, and it's not appropriate for this blog.  If you can't think of an alternate word, then don't say it.

3.  Be creative.  Share your ideas and questions.  If you find a cool website for writers, let me know!  This is a safe place for you to get feedback.

What can you expect to get out of this blog? 

1.  Community.  Find other writers your age with whom to share your writing and receive feedback.

2.  Inspiration.  Find encouragement and idea-starters to help you keep writing.

3.  Tools.  Find useful tools to improve your writing and potential outlets to get published.

Are you ready to get started?

Tell me what you would like to see on this blog to help you grow as a writer.  I can't promise you I will be able to implement all the suggestions, but I welcome all of your ideas. 

Write your comments, suggestions, or questions below to help me make this blog most helpful to you.