I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio where I still reside. I attended the local college and majored in creative writing and English. I have been writing short fiction for nearly a decade. I have been writing poetry for about five years. Writing is my heart and soul. I am a member of several other writing communities including Writers.net, WrightSight and PoemHunter.com. From other writers, I find inspiration and within my family. My sister, Anna, who is an artist, is my best friend and my closest supporter. She is an example of strength, perseverance and conviction. My favorite writers of the past are James Baldwin, Richard Wright, Maya Angelou, Tennessee Williams and Lorraine Hansberry. My favorite writers of the present are Terri McMillan, John Grisham, Mary Higgins Clark and Dean Koontz. I am also deeply influenced by songwriters. Some of my favorite songwriters are Scott Stapp, Brett Hestla, Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Harry Connick, Jr., Chris Cornell and Toby Keith.

In April of 2007, I became a staff writer for Poetic Monthly. I am looking forward to contributing to this expanding online magazine for writers.

In 1990, I received and Excellence in creative Writing Certificate from Writer’s Digest School.

In 1995, my verse was chosen for a holiday card for Kaiser Permanente Hospitals.

Over the past two years my work has been published in several issues of Events Quarterly and All Things Girl and as appeared in Poetic Monthly and The Persistent Mirage.

Currently, I am at work on a collection of short form poetry as well as a collection of short stories and a children's book. I am also writing articles and blog posts on various topics on a daily and or monthly basis.

I am the Administrator and Founder of a growing online poetry forum called Echoes of My Soul. It was created in November of 2004 to give aspiring and emerging poets and writers a place to post their work in a friendly and encouraging environment. I also maintain an online gift shop called EchoesExpressions where I have put my poetry-inspired designs on items such as mugs, T-shirts, tote bags etc. All items are under $25.

Echoes of My Soul Poetry Forum
Friendly Community Of Poets And Writers who share a portion of their soul, mild critques given.

Echoes Within
poetry site with examples of my poetry and short stories

EchoesExpressions
unique poetry-inspired gifts

Lisa Arnold - Online Writing Portfolio
Online portfolio highlighting my work for editors, publishers and telecommuting employers