FlexWriters Creative Network

A Poet's Release:  So many times I am just inspired by another person’s words. Sometimes it is a simple phrase or character behind the words that spark emotion, inspiration and a new outlet for expression. When someone speaks their tears they expose new ways of hope and different visions of fear and I see each influence as a new cry of the many feelings we experience when we do more than just exist out there in the world.  READ MORE

Of the various steps a writer should take before handing his or her query letter or manuscript over to an agent or publishing house, probably the most important one is getting raw, honest feedback from a few trusted readers. These lucky folks are called Alpha and Beta readers.  An Alpha (Alpha meaning first) reader is the first person who gets to see your work. This person has the responsibility of stopping you from further embarrassment before anyone else gets to see it. The Alpha reader should therefore, in my opinion, be your strongest critic. This person must be wholly comfortable telling you what sucks about your manuscript and what doesn’t. An education in English and Grammar is also a plus.  READ MORE

Andreas Liotsakis has been writing, crafting and creating in secret for years. His desire to share has awakened his courage and candour. Like the petals on a flower, Andres is opening his arms to the Sun…to you and you and you…each and every one.  Breaking out of our accustomed state can be challenging. He has found that true growth requires courage and a sense of adventure. Much of his poetry documents his path to awakening. Here is one of his poems reflecting the path to discovery and inspiration…Breaking Through.  READ MORE

Sometimes a particular image emerges in one poem I write and then comes back once or several times more unprompted. Sometimes there’s a bit of planning or prompting involved. I’d be keen to hear whether other poets experience the same.  This is a different matter from recurring themes or topics. For example, DRAGONS are a theme, as is EXPLORATION. I can treat exploration in many different ways: it’s a topic that greatly interests me, but it’s not a single image. In “Explorers”, my focus is on the restless curiosity and adventurousness of the explorers. I recognise that their exploration has an impact on the lands they discover, and that means, like addicted people, they must move on to new lands – but the impact I describe in that poem is mainly on the natural environment.  READ MORE