Tell us a little about yourself:

My name is Nicole, and I’m from El Paso, Texas. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s an awesome city in far west Texas right on the border of Mexico and New Mexico. It’s a really unique and beautiful city that I’m proud to have grown up in. I am half Hispanic, so the culture is something my family is very rich in. I’m a huge Bookworm, hence my IG handle. I actually collect antique and rare textbooks. I just love how they smell and how historically, books were a gift that held such value that they were treasured and often passed down. I love seeing the dedications on the covers. I live with my fiancé and my hairy westie dog, whom I love immensely! They both bring love, laughter, and light to my life every single day. When I’m not writing, I love to cook, bake, read, and explore new places. 

Who or what inspires your writing?

My inspiration is primarily my life and experiences, but I began publishing and putting work into the world because of my Grandma Vivian. She was an amazing human being who wrote inspirational poetry and published work based on her life and belief in a higher power. She authored several books, ran a store, ran a dairy farm, ran a school, loved, lived, hoped, and created an extraordinary family. Her spirit was truly one of a kind. My subject matter focuses more on mental health, social issues, relationships, and deep emotional situations. I believe in the honesty of those things and put them out there as transparently as possible. I’m an organic writer, so every piece is something I’ve felt deeply. I’m not a prompt writer or one that would be considered a creative writer.  Poetry has been my diary since I was probably around 13 years old. It saved me. It was a safe place to let my anger, frustration, sadness, depression, and anxiety out. It was the medium by which I could feel normal when, as an empath, I felt anything but. 

What are your writing goals for 2021?

For 2021, I’d really love to see some of my work published in various places. Anthologies, magazines, etc. It was such a rewarding experience to publish my own collections, but it’s something entirely different for outside publications to see your work and recognize its impact and value. I got a taste of that by being featured in Qullkeepers’ anthologies as well as one from Ink Gladiators, but I’d be so happy to expound on that and see how far that can go. I’d also like to explore more of who I am now. I’ve come so far in my own healing and growth, my mindset is different, and I think there are things I haven’t unearthed in myself that can be reflected in my work. 

What are your hobbies outside of writing?

I really love photography! I enjoy taking pictures of unique places and capturing different things on my travels. It’s something I’d really like to do more of. I also love to travel and see new places. 

Previous publishing plug:

You can purchase my books on Amazon.com through the link in my IG bio. I am the author of three of my own collections. They are: “A Shadowfall Redemption”, “Dark Butterfly: Chaos in Poetry”, and “Onward, Bright Arrow”. I was also featured in “Soon A New Day” by Quillkeeper’s Press and “The Fall and Rise of Chimeras” by Ink Gladiators Press. You can find me on Instagram @bookwormpoet

Tell us a little about yourself:

Other than stories I wrote as a child, I began my creative writing journey at the University of Texas at Austin, where I studied under the novelist/poet Zulfikar Ghose. He was a fantastic professor and mentor and really influenced how I look at literature, and he also liked and very much encouraged my writing.

That was 33 years ago.

Between then and now, I have married, taught high school English and Theatre Arts, served as Associate Publisher of a local monthly family magazine, had a son and a daughter, and I’ve been working with students with special needs since 2000. My son, the eldest, battled cancer 3 times between the ages of 3 and 13, culminating in cord blood transplant from an unknown donor, an experience that has profoundly impacted my entire family.

A few years ago, I threw myself back into reading classic literature in my free time. Tolstoy, Dickens, Camus, Fitzgerald, George Eliot, Nathaniel Hawthorne, etc, as well as acclaimed modern works.

This led me to binge on the works, letters, journals, and biographies of Virginia Woolf, Shirley Jackson, and Sylvia Plath. I was stunned at how these women could write such masterpieces while living in patriarchal times and societies while also coping with mental illness, marriages, and families. From these women, I began to feel this massive wave of inspiration to write about my own life experiences, both external and internal, as they had in their lives.

In the past 7 months, I have written over 100 poems, participated in 2 month-long online poetry retreats, had over 50 works (mostly poetry) accepted for publication in print and online journals or anthologies, and have re-connected with my now-retired Professor Ghose, who, unbeknownst to me until recently, socialized with Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes while they were all in London.

The macro and micro of life experiences really fascinate me, and I love it when I can discover simultaneous connections of the “infinite and infinitesimal.” I also tend to write about human struggles and existential questions, and the theme of dying and rebirth, using imagery from nature, mythology, stories from my life, and various characters, both real and fictional. Ekphrastic poetry is a lot of fun for me to write as well, since I love visual art.. 

What are your writing goals for 2021?

In 2021, I would really like to improve my writing by reading more of the great poets. Elizabeth Bishop, Hart Crane, Theodore Roethke, Wallace Stevens, and John Ashbery are at the top of my list.

I’d also like to continue “finding my voice” in my writing, while exploring new journals and magazines. I’m so happy that some of my poems have found their home in Quillkeepers Press!

Finally, even though the process of writing is rewarding in and of itself, I would be lying if I said continuing to have my work published isn’t also a goal this year. Being a former theater person, I know the power of the communal experience of art. For me, knowing that others are reading my poems creates a special relationship between writer and reader, and to me, art has always been about a relationship between the artist and the audience.

What are some valuable lessons you have learned about writing?

An editor once asked if I minded cutting the final line of a poem, and I have found that I could completely delete the finals lines or even stanzas of most of my poems, and it makes them stronger. Poetry doesn’t have to end neatly tied with a bow. I’ve also learned that I write best when I “get out of my head” and let the words flow organically. I’m less self- conscious and the words and images come more from the subconscious. Of course, I go back to edit, but this usually gets my creative juices flowing. 

Favorite word(s) and definition(s)? 

"Thank you for asking! After looking to all the formal definitions, I now know why I use these words so often. They are very “juicy” and perfectly capture much of what I want to communicate."

Womb:

1. Uterus

2. A cavity or space that resembles a womb in containing and enveloping.

3. A place where something is generated. 4. The interior of anything.

Wave:

1. A disturbance on the surface of a liquid body, such as a sea or lake, in the form of a moving ridge or swell.

2. Any surging or progressing movement.

3. To move freely back and forth or up and down.

4. To curve alternately in opposite directions.

5. A swell, surge, or rush, as of a feeling.

6. An outward curve, undulation.

7. An act or instance of waving.

Least favorite word(s) and definition(s)? 

I can’t think of a word that I really dislike- maybe when people refer to others who are educated and artistic as “elitist” in a derogatory way. 

Most overused word(s) and definition(s)? 

Probably I and You, since I tend to write from first person point of view.

Other overused words are:

Womb, waves, pulsating, universe, and resurrection.

Tell us about your previous publications and where people can find more of your work: (Social handles, blogs, website) 

Where to find my works:

My writing blog: lisalitgeek.wordpress.com

Instagram: @lisabookgeek

Twitter @lisabmolina1

(Some publications my work can be found:

Quillkeepers Press

Beyond Words Magazine,

Trouvaille Review,

The Ekphrastic Review, The Tiny Seed,

The Poet’s Christmas and Faith Anthologies,

Neologism Poetry Journal,

Amethyst Review,

Speaking Cat podcast, Ancient Paths,

OVERTHINK zine)

Tell us a little about yourself:

I’m Dom. I’m 48 and live in the county of Devon in the UK with my wife, two children, our dog Dave and two cats, George and Zippy. I originate from the county of Essex, however, moved to the South West of the UK in 2004. We live in a beautiful rural village surrounded by rolling countryside and views of Dartmoor. I love music, and it plays a very large part in my life. I also play drums in a band. I am very much a people person. I enjoy helping others wherever I can, even if it’s just a kind word.

 I have always had a very creative and active imagination since I was a child. I would write stories when I was younger, I especially relished the time of the week at school when my English lessons were on the timetable.

As a young child I would often imagine my toys would come to life whenever I left them alone. I would fantasise about all the adventures they would embark on and how they would look out for each other. Long before Toy Story was ever thought of! I think I missed a trick there!

I also enjoyed mimicking people, doing accents, silly voices, and generally trying to make my family laugh. Some would say I have not changed that much!

At the moment, I am attempting to write a short story for my 9-year-old daughter. I keep coming back to it, and it appears to be growing from a short story into a small book!

I have also written lyrics to songs, which have yet to be brought to life with music.

Who or what inspires your writing?

This is a tough question. I would not say that anyone, in particular, inspires my writing. Interestingly I do not read a great deal, however, when I do, I tend to read autobiographical pieces. Or non-fiction accounts of people's experiences. They do not necessarily have to be famous or well-known in the public eye. If I find their story interesting or find they have something valuable to contribute to the bigger picture, I will read it.

That being said, my writing is inspired by my life experiences. My environment and by who or what I see around me. I could hear a sound or a particular phrase. A word even that interests me. My inspiration for writing can come from the most mundane of situations at times, too, on the other hand, very traumatic events. Personally and in the world.

This is particularly true of my poetry. I will write quite openly about my own mental health struggles of depression and anxiety. I write about my own physical health issues. I try to verbalise how these conditions affect me as a  48-year-old man in my poetry. My faith as a Christian also inspires me to write, how living in a world where faith seems lost and nonexistent to so many.

I write about our beautiful planet and how I see it being destroyed by mankind. I will write about political injustice I see in the world. I need to write. It is my way of decluttering my incredibly busy brain. Effectively it is free therapy!

What advice would you give to a new writer?

Quite simply, in the first instance, do it. Just write. Do not get hung up on whether you think your work is any good or not. If you feel you have something to say, say it. Whether it is Prose, Poetry, Stories, Factual pieces, whatever your medium, if you are passionate, have a hunger, and want to write, get typing. No one knows better than you what you want to say. Surround yourself with like-minded people. I for example,e had no idea such a wonderfully supportive, creative, and talented poetry community existed on Instagram. I have met some beautiful souls through this medium. If you are looking to put your work into the public domain, show someone you trust if you are not sure before you publish it. I would say be open to constructive criticism and learn to listen to other opinions, but also be mindful they are not always the right ones!

Having said that, if you write with passion, from the heart, and you believe in what you have written, who can say it is wrong!? Writing I feel is very much like music or art. It is subjective to the listener, viewer, and of course, reader.

What do you consider your literary strengths and weaknesses?

Oh my, what a question!! Well, until I recently had some of my work published in two Quillkeepers Press anthologies, I was not entirely convinced I had many literary strengths! Joking aside, I think I can put emotions and the way I see the world into words quite well. In my poetry, I am very visual and like to try and take the reader on a journey in their mind's eye with me. I want to give my reader a sense of what I am feeling, and truly understand a particular emotion with a visual reference. Make the reader feel my raw pain or joy.

My literary weaknesses, I would suggest are for the reader to truly enlighten me on. Once enlightened. I would probably reply their opinion is valid, yet subjective! I have never really sat and thought as much as I am now about this question. I am fully aware of how arrogant that sounds! I think because I still very much see myself as an imposter and not a “proper” writer, analysing my weaknesses in this area have not cropped up very often. Mind you, the definition of a “proper” writer eludes me to be honest, other than the more common stereotypical view of a best-selling author, or well-known journalist.

A weakness which springs to mind, albeit a weak excuse for a weakness, is I could probably get to the point in a timelier manner when writing my poetry. Some of my poems I look back on now, I feel say what they needed to say at least two stanzas before I ended the piece.

Where can readers find you (Social accounts, blogs, websites, previous publications etc)?

Readers can find me on Instagram as lyrical_lifebydg – My poetry website www.domglyricallife.com where you can find information on me, all of my writing, and links to older blog entries.

I have had work published by Quillkeepers press in Soon A New Day, and Turning Dark into Light and Other Magic Tricks of the Mind.

My Podcast on Spotify Lyrical Life Disorganised Waffle. Lyrical Life Disorganised Waffle is about, yep, you've guessed it, a Lyrical Life! The Podcast features Poetry, Poets, and writers. It's also aimed at everyone creative, no matter the medium. There's music, Talking points, Guest interviews and waffle on life!

Tell us a little about yourself:

Well, I’m twenty-nine, married, and have a four-year-old girl. I work as a machinist currently making guns in central Texas. I was raised a military brat, so I spent the better part of my childhood all over the east coast. Being in so many different places with new people all of the time gave me a wide and varying perspective on life. As such, I tend to be pretty eclectic in nature. I enjoy a range of interests, from camping to coin collecting, skateboarding to gardening, hot wings, and too many more to list. Of course, my truest pursuit is writing. I remember making songs and sappy love letters nobody ever heard or read around early middle school age, but I didn’t actively start writing until about sixteen or so. Mostly, I wrote essays and short stories, only ever dabbling with poetry here and there. Then, my wife and I lost our firstborn daughter, and poetry was the only way I could write. Making up new characters and situations or giving my opinions on the world stopped mattering. I could only get out how broken I was. The majority of my early poems are dark and lamenting, and while I’ve evolved in my writing, the pain is still there, and darker tones still bleed into a lot of my work. I’m not really a cynic, though and I’m not an optimist either. I’m a little of both. I enjoy contradictions and the duality of life. I like the structured chaos of cities and the wild calm of nature. Upsetting the apple cart, comparing them to oranges, and somehow making lemonade.

Who are your literary heroes?

It’s a pretty short list. I’m not as voracious of a reader as is probably expected of writers. I enjoy a lot of work from a lot of folks, but there’s a few I think I can’t live without. Most of the time that I read something that wows me, instead of idolizing it, I just want to write something better. Good work motivates me like I’m in a competition. With that being said, J. D. Salinger made me want to write, Tom Robbins made me want to write well, and Poe made me feel okay with finding beauty in madness. I think a lot more songwriters than authors are on that list. Billy Joel, Freddy Mercury, James Mercer, Pharoahe Monch, Yasiin Bey and a few others are all amazing to me. The word-play, depth, and pure passion that they possess all shine through in their work. Those are the characteristics that I’m drawn to. I want to feel their very hearts beating in what they have to say.

What are your writing goals for the rest of 2021?

I’d really like to get back to a regular flow of writing. I lost my mom about six months ago and haven’t had much to say since. I’ve maybe made a handful of poems all year and shared less than a quarter of those. I’m just recently starting to put some words down. I prefer classical forms of poetry, but I’ve been experimenting a bit more. I had a lot going on, writing-wise, last year, and I’d like to pick some of those back up to see where they lead. I’ve got a second book of poetry sitting in Microsoft Word that needs editing before I can search for a publisher, so hopefully, I can find the motivation for that one. I should be submitting poems to journals and contests, but I think I’ll spend the rest of this year stockpiling new work and trying to improve. One thing I’m aiming to do more is to get out of my own self in my writing. I have some starts and ideas for new pieces from entirely different perspectives and lives. We’ll see where I am by December, though. 

If you could travel anywhere in the world for a writer’s retreat, where would you go and why?

Preferably somewhere alone, with shitty weather and no reception. Somewhere that gives me no options but to write, I get distracted or bored really easily when I’ve got choices. There’s a lot of places I’d love to experience to get new views and inspiration, like dark sky parks or anywhere you can see bioluminescent water or an aurora borealis, but I’d be too locked into the moment to ever pick up a pen. When it comes to writing, depressing settings are ideal. 

Where can readers find you (Social accounts, blogs, websites, previous publications etc)?

If you do a Google search of ‘zachary dilks poetry’, you can find all sorts of journals and anthologies I’ve been published at. Society of Classical Poets, Fourth and Sycamore, Scarlet Leaf Review, and The Houston Chronicle are a few off the top of my head. Most of the time, I share my poems on my Instagram account, @zachary_dilks_poet. There are a lot on there, so be sure to go way back. I’ve got one small book of poetry available on Amazon and published by Alien Buddha Press called ‘Wire My Scare Electric’. I hope people will check it all out and resonate with what they find. 

Tell us a little about yourself:

Born in Notting Hill, London; boarding school; film school. No real career, but miscellaneous jobs: advertising, freelance writing, hospice worker, ambulance technician, delivery driver, teacher. I now write to please myself, on the south coast of England. 

What are your hobbies outside of writing?

Theatre, cinema, music and visual arts have been the main interests in my life. Now a boardwalk cyclist and flaneur. 

When did you start writing? How do you think your writing has evolved? 

First text was a photography manual, when I was nine. No use to anyone then or now, but clearly I got the bug early on. English at school was the time to practise forms of creative writing. Inspiring teacher (we all need one person, don’t we) pushed me towards film school. I soon got the chance to write radio and television drama, where everything is usually prescribed. Those opportunities petered out and I started a decade of unskilled jobs. I was going to say menial, but that would miss the point: it’s all been grist. In my fifties, I took a postgraduate degree in literacy. That blew away the cobwebs and freed me up to teach English more effectively and write my own prose. 

What advice would you give to a new writer?

Write if 1: you absolutely have to, or 2: you enjoy the process. Many people are attracted to/trapped by the idea of the practice and agonise endlessly over conflicting notions about style, structure and genre. The stale piece of advice is usually ‘write about what you know’. Try leaving your own world. Start small, with prose or dialogue fragments. Imagine being an ancient warrior, a slave, a bird of prey – and don’t be intimidated or alarmed by their wild thought processes: these literary exercises will be the seeds for longer works. Keep a diary; it will help you recognise what is important in the long run. 

Where can readers find you (Social accounts, blogs, websites, previous publications etc.)?

I have almost no digital presence.

For some drama credits, I am ‘Robert Smith (II)’ on IMDB. Self-published one short novel WIDDERSTONE, on Amazon.

Tell us a little about yourself:

I’m Puerto Rican and I moved to Miami when I was fifteen. Although I’ve always written, I didn’t take my writing seriously until I had already built my career. I’m quiet, dedicated to succeeding, and amazingly weird. I love books, planners, and fantasy tales, although I don’t write it. I have two boys, a wonderful husband, and a King Charles Cavalier. 

What would you like to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered for inspiring the people I love. I believe I’ve come into this world to support others. I’m a go-getter and have accomplished many of my wonderful dreams, but when I inspired others, I am the happiest. 

Why is writing important? 

Through writing, we get to understand and connect with ourselves and each other. Whether it’s fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, we can connect with the world with empathy what we get into the minds of our characters. Writing transfers, through our fingers, the essence of the human experience onto the page. Once that essence is on the page, we get to gift it to others. To me, that is the most magical act of compassion. 

What helps you through writer's block?

I don’t believe in writer’s block. I believe sometimes we need time to allow our subconscious to figure out the story. The story is still on our mind but it’s cooking. Other times, it may be fear. When I can’t write, I try to figure out if my fear is what is making me avoid the story or if I need time to figure out what the story is. I try not to push myself into writing and give myself time, but I will also set a deadline to return to the story or another story. That due date prevents me from going on too long without writing. 

Where can readers find you (Social accounts, blogs, websites, previous publications etc.)?

@Nilsawriters in Twitter and Insta. Nilsa Rivera on FB.

As well as being published in 'Turning Dark into Light...And Other Magic Tricks of the mind' anthology from Quillkeepers Press. Huffington Post, 50 GS Magazine, Six Hens Literary Journal, Assay: A Journal of Nonfiction Studies, Selkie Literary Magazine, and Writing Class Radio