I attended my second workshop for writing right in Avondale, Arizona. When we moved here 11 years ago, I didn't realize the city would help me grow as a writer. I've been writing most of my life. I finally took the plunge and submitted my first story to an editor in 2002.

October 2010, I saw the city of Avondale was offering a full day writer's conference free of charge. Avondale received a grant allowing the city to finance these workshops for writers. On March 12, 2011, I attended the second workshop at the Avondale Civic Library.

The presenter, Landon J. Napolean, opened up with - No one knows anything, which caught my attention. My first advice as a writer was, Write what you know. This was Landon's advice, too, with an original presentation. No one knows you but you. Write the story you want to tell and don't let self doubt get in your way. Since I have taken the plunge and submitted writings to editors and critique groups, I've worked through self doubt.

Is this piece good enough to submit?
Will anyone want to read it?
What if everyone says it stinks?

The last one is what hangs up most want-to-be writers. Many people think, What if everyone says I stink? As a writer, you do have to learn to separate yourself from your writing. A critique group or editor is not judging you as a person when they are looking at your work; they are judging the work.

April is national poetry month. On April 9th the Avondale Civic Library will be hosting a poetry workshop. I registered for this third workshop as well. I have had several poems published online. My poem, "In a Tree", was published in Cosmic Brownies (Sun-Rising Poetry Press 2005). Recently my poem, "Seven Years", was published in From the Heart (Write for Charity 2010). I enjoy writing poetry and look forward to learning about the narrative poem.