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Alumni Spotlight: From Blank Page Fear to Published Poet - Raven Magill's Creative Breakthrough
by Writing Workshops Staff
A month ago
When Raven Magill first encountered the dreaded blank page, it felt like an insurmountable barrier. Today, she's celebrating the publication of her poem "a simple equation" in Last Leaves Magazine, Issue 10, and submitting work to literary magazines while performing at open mic nights across rural New York. Her transformation from paralyzed writer to confident poet illustrates the power of the right instruction at the right moment.
Where Science Meets Poetry
Raven's work operates at a fascinating intersection where the precision of science meets the wonder of poetry. "I'm deeply interested in and influenced by science and nature," she explains. "Many of my poems arise out of some element of one or the other that I get fixated on. For example, one of my favorite poems I've written is about the distance at which the moon moves away from the earth every year."
This unique perspective allows her to illuminate the natural world in unexpected ways. "I'm also drawn to writing about the natural world in a way that highlights how very magical it is," she notes. Her technical writing background—she makes her living writing technical documentation—provides a foundation of clarity and precision that serves her poetry well.
Two Transformative Workshops
Raven's breakthrough came through two pivotal workshops at Writing Workshops: Writing the Weird with Erica Anzalone and A Nature Poet's Field Guide with Holly Lyn Walrath. Both courses provided more than instruction: they fundamentally changed her relationship with the creative process.
"Both instructors led wonderful classes. The techniques they shared for writing and revising poetry are with me at every writing session," Raven reflects. The impact extended far beyond the workshop period itself, providing lasting tools that continue to inform her practice.
Conquering the Blank Page
Perhaps the most transformative skill Raven gained was learning how to simply begin. "Something that both classes taught me was how to just start writing. I learned how to use prompts, guidelines, and other poetry as inspiration to conquer the dreaded blank page. Sitting down to write and getting the words out is the easy part now!"
This breakthrough cannot be overstated. For many writers, the fear of the blank page represents the primary obstacle between intention and creation. Raven's instructors provided her with practical techniques that removed this barrier entirely, transforming what was once the hardest part of writing into "the easy part."
From Workshop to Literary Community
Since completing her workshops, Raven has embraced an active literary life. "Since participating in Writing the Weird and A Nature Poet's Field Guide, I've been submitting my work to literary magazines and joining any open mic night I can," she shares (and here is a Substack post Raven wrote about Holly's class). This engagement with the broader literary community represents a natural evolution from student to practicing poet.
Her motivation comes from a deep connection to her subject matter: "My motivation comes from wanting to submerge myself in the worlds that I'm writing about. I'm drawn to spend time with the words and images that recall particular memories or experiences for me. A strong desire to share those things also propels my work and keeps me motivated."
Publication Success with Last Leaves Magazine
Raven's poem "a simple equation" appears in Last Leaves Magazine, Issue 10, marking a significant milestone in her publishing journey. Last Leaves Magazine, which publishes both electronically and in print through Barnes and Noble and Amazon, represents a respected venue for emerging and established poets alike.
The publication of "a simple equation" validates the unique voice Raven has developed—one that finds poetry in scientific observation and magic in natural phenomena. This achievement demonstrates how quickly workshop participants can move from learning craft basics to producing publication-quality work.
The Power of Passionate Instruction
When asked what she enjoyed most about her Writing Workshops experience, Raven immediately points to the instructors themselves. "I most enjoyed the instructors. They were talented, insightful, and passionate about writing. Their enthusiasm and dedication to the craft made it a joy to learn from them."
This highlights a crucial aspect of effective writing instruction—technical skill must be combined with genuine passion for the craft. Erica Anzalone and Holly Lyn Walrath didn't just teach techniques; they modeled what it means to be devoted to poetry as both craft and art.
Expanding Horizons
While poetry remains central to Raven's practice, her workshop experience has given her confidence to explore new forms. "Right now I continue to write poetry, but I'm also tinkering away at a few longer format fiction pieces," she notes. This expansion into speculative fiction aligns perfectly with her interest in the weird and wonderful aspects of the natural world.
Life in Rural New York
Raven lives in "a rural corner of New York with her family where the cats and dogs outnumber the people"—a setting that clearly influences her nature-focused work. This environment provides both the solitude necessary for writing and the daily connection to the natural world that fuels her poetry.
You can read more of her work at ravenmagill.substack.com and visit her website at www.ravenmagill.com.
A Model for Creative Growth
Raven's story exemplifies the ideal trajectory from workshop participant to published writer. She didn't just learn techniques—she internalized approaches that transformed her fundamental relationship with writing. The fears that once paralyzed her became launching points for creativity.
Her success demonstrates what's possible when students encounter instruction that combines practical technique with genuine passion for the craft. Most importantly, her journey shows how the right workshop experience can provide not just skills but the confidence to engage with the broader literary community as both reader and contributor.
As Raven continues to explore the magical intersection of science and poetry, her story serves as inspiration for other writers who might be staring at their own blank pages, wondering if they'll ever find the words to begin.
Raven Magill is a multi-mixed-media artist and writer enjoying her quiet life in rural New York with her partner, their child, and their beloved animals. She can barely play the banjo but has a real talent for Googlemancy. You can keep up-to-date on her writing and projects on substack, and ravenmagill.com.
Ready to conquer your own blank page? Explore our poetry workshops and discover how the right instruction can transform your relationship with writing.
