Hi Ms.Aja. I’m 15 years old and I am an aspiring poet. I say aspiring because I’m so afraid to share my work, mostly because I’m scared of my work being rejected or not well received. Can you tell me hopw to overcome this and the skills to write impactful poetry?

Hello love. Thank you for sharing and sending me this message. I think the best way to overcome this fear is to begin by reading your poems out loud to yourself as much as possible. It will help to begin to get used to the sound of your own voice. Slowly and gradually, share with your closest friends and confidents. Eventually, it will build your confidence and a context for the sharing. I think repetition helps. The more you get over the nerves of sharing by actually sharing, the more comfortable you become with who you are irregardless of what other’s feel or think. Share because it is necessary and use the nerves to fuel that sharing. It keeps you humble and grounded. It’s healthy.