As a poet I am a bit of a language geek. The structure of language from diction to syntax is fascinating and playing with it makes me feel a bit like a mad scientist. However, examining language I think is key to improving writing in general and is not something...

When a 20-something signs onto their social media accounts, what do they see? What I see is a mixture of things; pictures from a friend’s spring break trip, a horrifying debate about what color a certain dress is, and fairly common rants from my passionate political...

Unity in a collection of literature is an often overlooked aspect of putting together a literary magazine. I've seen numerous times in literary magazines, particularly college- and university-run magazines, where the content of the magazine seems to be an amalgam of...

Situated on the corner of St. Clair Avenue and Snelling Avenue, the St. Clair Broiler opened its doors in 1956. The display sign boasts classic neon letters and flames, a callback to that decade of monogrammed blouses, stylish eyeglasses, and rock & roll. While...

 #1 Steven Roggenbuck Steven Roggenbuck is the master of combining hilarious-absurd YouTube comedy and inspiring/very serious poetry. Not only can you find the majority of his poetry online, but he truly encourages free poetry for the masses, such as with his...

Do you want to be the best writer around? Well, as the song in The Karate Kid goes, nothing’s gonna ever keep you down if you follow these tips.1. Bring a notebook with you. Put a notebook in your purse/bag to be prepared when inspiration strikes. Also, putting a...

A few weeks ago, I was sitting in a Caribou Coffee and peer editing a friend's fiction short story. During a break to refuel, we started to chat about literary journals and how necessary they are to read, support, and ultimately, submit to. You're widely encouraged to...

So, you've got this brilliant idea and you think it will make a great story, do you? Well, where do you go from here? That's a difficult question. You see, everyone's creative process is different. Writing is not a science. There is no one guaranteed way to get a...

Writers get that look. You know the one with raised eyebrows and pursed lips once you tell them that you want to be a writer? Why not be a businesswoman? How about a doctor? I told them instead I wanted to rule the world. A politician? they said. No. A writer, and...

[ Read part 1 of Deziree's interview with Sherrie Fernandez-Williams here ][ Read part 2 of Deziree's interview with Sherrie Fernandez-Williams here ] DB: As a poet, I find that titling my work is one of the hardest parts of finishing a piece. How did you come up...

[ Read part 1 of Deziree's interview with Sherrie Fernandez-Williams here ] DB: Knowing that you struggled with choosing content, is there anything you wish you could go back in time and change about Soft? SFW: The book has been revised numerous times and some stories...

Sherrie Fernandez-Williams holds an MFA in writing from Hamline University and is a recipient of an Artist Initiative Award through the Minnesota State Arts Board, a Beyond the Pure Fellowship & SASE/Jerome Award through Intermedia Arts and the Jones’ Commission...