I've been writing poems since before I had my first kiss. I was writing scriptures of how to wrap your tongue around a burst of sweetness before I even knew the recipe of enticing fingerprints on the edges of pens, bending over pages all hours of the night.

My teen years were spent over poems I barely knew the meaning of, collecting books of secrets that lit the way of my adult hours, reciting verses of future aches. It was second nature to express myself this way, to live under the guise of this life. My lips knew the path between heart and syllables. There was no question that this would always be a part of me. It was a question of how I was going to live this fate.

It is common to deviate to different paths from time to time. From caressing EQ knobs to flicking at camera shutters, I tasted the peel from every fruit in the basket. But I always went back to the poisonous apple, the ruby madness of traitorous juices dribbling down a thousand deaths, written in ink and lead. I've been Eve, Snow White, Helen of Troy, any women betrayed by sin of a coiled snake. One bite lead to another and now I'm here, a couple of thousand poems later, written under a pile of pleasure and pain.

Yet I still scrap along. I let the apple dangle dangerously low, watching slow drips of inspiration stretch heavily down to my mouth. I wait for the break. Tilt back for the arrival. My lungs open sharply as I feel the slam of the downpour. I still tremble when the perfect line creeps in. This rush is ancient, but it's all about the renewal of faith, right? 

I have to believe we will always find each other.

This is a lonesome battle, the constant need to write versus writing. There are days spent as a wall with eyes, seeing and unable to scream. Weeks upon weeks, actually. These are the times I want to give up. The days where I don't care about the rush and being knocked into breathlessness by the ability to bend worlds on my tongue. I could retire into the insistent echoes of the rat race. I can survive and say I was once a writer, but now I'm just...here.

But I can't. When the apple dangles closes to my lips, I know I will always do this. I was writing poems since before I had my first kiss. Just like you can't undo knowing what it's like to tremble at the first contact of lips, I can't undo knowing how to make the world tremble through the art of the written.

I can't lose my grip on this.

Then I am a love poet. Everything I write or share is going to be about love, and I'm not just talking about romantic love. Creatively, this is my lifelong study because when you combine the concept of love with its many shades and kinds with any form of art, it's breathtaking.

Personally, it's simple: If I love you, you'll know it. If I don't, you'll know it too. If I am in limbo, I still think you'll know it because I am transparent...and because I'm a love poet. I'm eventually going to write about you anyway.

Just remember, it's your choice where this goes. Doesn't matter to me because...

It's all about love.

Hello Write Queeners,

I am starting a new section of the blog called The Write Recommendations. This is where I'll recommend my favorite books, music, websites and more.

I have two websites that I would like to start off with.

The first one is World Liberty TV, an online TV network that covers events, conferences, and trade shows, plus reviews products. Their website was under hiatus for a bit while they were redesigning it, but now they are back and better than ever. Honestly I also recommend them not only for their great content, but because I am a copy editor, blogger, and book reviewer for them. So a little bias with this recommendation, but if you want to check out videos that showcase the world with a multicultural understanding, I highly recommend it! 

The next website I would like you guys to check out is Organic Melinda. I cannot write an intro that does Melinda Gonzalez justice, so I am going to take it right from her about page:

Now I am not a super health person. I eat a lot of things that aren't good for me. But as a part of trying to make my life a little healthier, I like to see my options. I connected with Melinda through a writing course that I also highly recommend. I started to read her blog and found out a lot about eating organically. Which is why I pre-order her new cookbook, coming out on September 4, 2013. It's called L.I.V².E. (Latin Inspired Vegan & Vegetarian Eats) Local & Organic Recipes to Encourage a Healthy Lifestyle. This book also features a recipe from a lovely young lady who has also taught me a few things through her own page, Miss Priscilla Deleon (the stuff she makes is food porn, just from looking at it, I swear).

As a Latina woman, I appreciate that there are recipes out there that cater to healthier eating without losing Latin flavor. I'm certainly glad that Melinda is using her knowledge to educate not only people within the culture, but anyone who enjoys food from Latin culture. Definitely puts a spin to Vegan/Vegetarian living. But hey, check out her site and order the book to find out for yourself. 

So you actually got two websites, a book, a couple of Facebook pages and a course that you can go and inquire more about. You'll always get a little more than what you bargained for when you check out a Write Recommendation.

Think The Write Recommendations is a good addition to the site? Leave a comment and let me know!

Hello Write Queeners,

July, July...oh July was a lovely month! 

It began with my 27th birthday on the 2nd. For some reason, I felt like this was going be the year of things happening. I've been right so far. Though my life still has some major hiccups, I have been experiencing a lot of great things (or at least have learned some really great lessons).

I've been taking a course called Digging Deep, Facing Self. Led by Caits Meissner, it is a 30 day intensive online writing course designed to uplift, heal and transform women into their boldest selves. 

With this course, I have felt a tremendous shift in how I approach my writing. I have ventured into topics that I can only talk about with those really close to me and even ones I haven't been able to mention. The group's support has been heartwarming. I love being in a community setting and knowing that there was a group of ladies out there willing to listen. It wasn't just about writing. It was about healing, growing, and learning.

These women have grown so dear to me. Even days after the end of the course, we are still communing within our super secret space and catching up with exercises, talking about what's next and talking about how we feel about this journey. Some of us have added each other on our favorite social networks and are continuing the bond. 

I feel honored to have been a part of this group. I hope that we do keep in touch and watch each other grow because you are only as strong as your backbone and it never hurts to add more love and strength to it! 

Amazing things have happened to me while taking this course, from getting the chance to speak to one of my poetry idols, Sonia Sanchez to being including in our anthology A Thing of Beauty Painted By Words.

There are two pieces from most of the ladies in our group and let me tell you, it's a wonderful read (not just because I am a part of this group). It showcases a vast range of emotions, especially bravery because for some, this was a new and frightening experience. I am proud to be included and proud of each woman I've worked with. Go click on the cover and take a look. It's FREE! Please share it with everyone you know. This is a group that needs to be read. 

A funny thing about this is that there is a major typo on one of my pieces. I look like a skipping record as two of my haiku are repeated in a series of nine (but I promise there is a III and IV). I read it this morning as I was looking through the anthology and I busted out laughing on the train. It will be fixed tonight though, so go and take a look at our special typo edition hehe!

You must take this course in the fall if you are looking for a new experience in writing and facing self. Find out more about the course on Caits' website: http://www.caitsmeissner.com/course/ 

Other exciting news in The Write Queen's world: I am going to have a couple of poems included in another anthology, coming out some time towards the end of summer or in the fall. It's called Skeletons and it is edited by the lovely Shannon Lynette of Lady Chaos Press. 

I also reunited with someone who has always been a great inspiration and help to my writing. I am a little anxious to see where this relationship will go this time.

I am a little anxious for August too! I hope that the good vibes of July continue this month.

Till next time loves, stay inspired!

P.S. I am running a little fundraising campaign to help offset costs for submitting my manuscripts to contests and small presses. These things can get a little pricey when you are paying bills (especially dental, my goodness I do not like my mouth these days), helping parents, and investing in your freelance projects at the same time. 

I feel weird asking because the territory of donation is new to me. I'm used to giving if I can, not asking so if you can please spare me the awkwardness and donate towards my campaign, it would be greatly appreciated. Anything helps, even if it is a dollar. 

You can go to my Go Fund Me site at: http://www.gofundme.com/publishme to donate.

And I am working on something special to give to everyone who donates, so please don't think you will come away from this empty handed! I give, I have to. I don't feel right taking without giving back. Stay tuned!