ALFA HOLDEN

Aretired medical professional, the Kentucky-based poet started sharing her words on Facebook before taking them to Instagram, where she has garnered 88.2K followers. Her published works include a collection of poetry called Abandoned Breaths. What’s her message to writers who can’t find the courage to share their words ?

“Write what you’re interested in. Write it in your own voice. Don’t copy. Be original, and don’t hold back. Start with a blank page and make it yours. View where the criticism is coming from… because there will be naysayers, and if I had stopped writing and posting every time I got a derogatory comment or a bashing message, I would have stopped on day one! If it is constructive, like grammar fixes etc, accept it, and thank people trying to help,” she says. “Negative response to my poetry really bothered me at the beginning because it made me question my talent and worth as a writer. But for every negative comment or hateful message I received, I would get 10 more from followers who said my words helped them in some way. I ignore the messages/ comments now. There really is no value in getting into an online brawl with someone just because they dislike your words. It’s not worth your heart or time,” says Alfa.

There are some who write words themselves and label poets. Then are the poets there who write words and defy labels.