The Beauty of Creative Community
"The Path of Poetry - Discover the Writer Within"
One of my missions in life is to convince people that deep down we are all writers. Granted, we are not all professional writers. Many of us think we’re not even good at it. Lots of us never sit down and put our thoughts on paper or even a note in our phone. But I believe that there’s something about the writing process that opens our souls, expels our troubles, makes our desires and dreams become tangible, leaves memories for those who come behind us.
In August of 2022 I had the opportunity to participate in a writing challenge on Graham Wardle’s Time Has Come Substack page. Graham, a poet himself, had been sharing his own poetry weekly and had the idea of getting his Substack readers involved. He encouraged all his members to write a poem to different prompts each week for the month. At this point I had returned to writing after quitting my job in April 2021 and had started a weekly blog which included some of my poetic endeavors. The idea of a poetry challenge was exciting! I was anxious to have another platform to share my work. What I didn’t expect was that so many other people were anxious to give writing a try for the very first time! What came out of the challenge was an entire community of writers, some experienced and some novice, but all learning and growing together. Joining with others to share our deepest thoughts in poetic form became an added lifeline for me in my journey to eventually become a published author.
The August Writing Challenge was so resoundingly successful that Graham offered up the idea of gathering poems from the challenge to put in book form. It would be like a “yearbook” for all of us who participated in the challenge and a keepsake of poetic offerings that would be a lasting record of this very special and unique event. Over the next couple of years, poems were submitted and the book was formatted, edited and now offered for sale on Amazon. In the time between the challenge and the release of the book, I had published my own book of poetry and photography (also available on Amazon if you’re interested!). But for many “The Path of Poetry” is the very first time they’ve ever had anything published. What a beautiful step into a new world in book form! I’m honored to have been able to participate in this wonderful compilation of writing. My poem, “Yesterday’s Storm” is on page 51 and it sure is fun to see it there among all the other great contributions. If you have a page in the book, add your poem or page number in the comments!
Huge thanks to Graham for the opportunity to participate. I would encourage all my readers to pick up a copy of “The Path of Poetry – Discover the Writer Within”. I will post the Amazon link below, as well as a link to Graham’s Substack page where you can find his poetry, podcasts, newsletters, writing challenges, and online chats. I will also include the link to my own book, “Beginnings” as well as a link to “Tuesday Creations”, a Substack page I coordinate for writers who wanted to continue writing and sharing beyond Graham’s writing challenges. It’s open to anyone who longs for an encouraging and positive creative community in which to write, learn and grow.
And because it is the cry of my heart to bring the writer out in all of us, I encourage each of you to give writing a try if you haven’t already. Start a journal and just write down whatever is on your mind. It may be in prose form, or you may want to attempt a poem. It might just be a line or two. Give yourself a safe, private place to share your innermost feelings. It may be just for you, or you may sometime feel led to let others into your inner world. Check out “The Path of Poetry”. Around 60 former non-writers had the courage to allow their thoughts to blossom onto the pages of this beautiful book. Graham says another writing challenge is ruminating, so maybe the next book will include you! Never say never!
I am one of the many who is new writing poetry. Initially inspired by Graham, supported by his wonderful Time Has Come community and especially inspired and supported by you, my dear friend Cathey Cone. I'm so happy that this is a calling for you and know your calling is very much appreciated 🤗💕
People have heard so much from other people about who they’re not they can’t hear their inner voice about who they truly are. Teachers can be helpful but they can be opinionated too. We all suffer from insecurity sometimes. Thanks for your encouragement.