Nice to meet you all, New to the site Options

[Guest_Rayn_*]

Hello everyone! Tyger suggested I join you all over here, and I'm very glad he did! It looks like a great site, and I look forward to learning from you and your work. I'm a grad student, so I won't be around as often as I'd like, but I really enjoy creative writing, and I know I have a lot of room for development there, so please be patient with me. If I don't respond right away, it's not because I don't want to!

I've been writing poetry and fiction for the last 15 years, but it's only within the last five years that I've begun really working at it, and only within the last year or so that I've begun to seek out critiques and learn how to develop myself as a writer. I'm so grateful for online writing forums; I'd still be locked in an 8th grade writing style otherwise! I will always appreciate any advice you have to offer. I write mostly free verse poetry, but some friends at another writing site got me started on more structured styles and that has been a great experience. I've never been bold enough to post any of my fiction. Perhaps I'll screw up my courage and try that here.

Well, I'm off to go enjoy your work then. See you around!

[Guest_Rayn_*]

Thanks for the warm welcome! To answer Cleo's questions:

Rayn is my screen name; I'm glad you like it. It's in honor of my baby brother (and sometimes writing partner) Ryan, and one of my favorite things, rain. I grew up as a desert girl, and let me tell you, there a few things more stirring than a good high country thunderstorm, and even fewer things as precious as water. I currently live in Utah, but I claim both Albuquerque, NM and Austin, TX as home. I was born in Austin, and though we moved away before I formed any memories, I went back for my undergrad and fell in love with the city. If I were a place on earth, I would be Austin. In about a year I hope to do a little study abroad on the pacific rim or in Africa, and after a few months of that I'll be headed to a PhD program. I have my fingers crossed for one that would let me study on the East coast for part of my degree and in England for the other part. I love to travel; wish me luck!