InThePan• Show poetry

I'm 24 years old, originally from Liverpool, England, but now working and living in Japan as an English teacher.

I graduated a year ago with a degree in "English Literature and Creative Writing". I normally write short stories and plays, rather than poetry. I have had one short story published in a collection and I won a 'Young Playwrights' Festival' when I was 16 years old, having my play produced and peformed at a theatre in Liverpool.

I find poetry a challenging and exciting form to work in. To me, poetry is all about saying the most we can in the fewest words possible. Indeed, I think this should apply to all types of writing, but it is especially important with poetry. Economy really is the key.

For me, poetry is a form where I can express my innermost feelings and the majority of my poems come from real life experiences. I tend to write poetry when I'm feeling down. I think it helps to organise my feelings. By writing it all down, it's there for me to deal with in black and white. At worst this can be depressing to do, but at best, cathartic.

I look forward to reading some of your work, and I hope you enjoy reading some of mine.

Thank you.