My name is Melissa and the proud mother of two wonderful sons. I own and operate a daycare with my husband Ken. I grew up in a little town called Pound, Virginia. I loved school and graduated with honors...and I love to write! I started writing poetry and short stories in junior high and never really thought much about it until my english teacher told me how good my work really was. I began reading more and more poetry and was drawn to such poets as Robert Frost, T.S Eliot, Emily Dickinson, Robert Browning, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. My inspiration comes from many sources, the greatest ones being God, my parents, my sons, my husband, and my past. Someone once told me that my poetry tended to be surreal, sad, dark or dreary. I don't agree with that totally. Some of my writing does turn out that way, but I also do uplifting, inspirational, and joyful poetry as well. I'm diverse and am not tied down to any one type of writing. I write because it's in my heart and I need to get it out......and the results have been many people who have told me that my writing has touched them in one way or another....I want to connect with everyday people in their everyday lives. I want to be an inspiration, lift the spirit, and be someone the reader can identify with. If one person can do that, then it makes it all worthwhile.

Who's Who Among American High School Students, Presidential Award, Foreign Language Award, National Poetry Award

My book "Trapped In My Pen" is published! The books are selling great! Be sure to get your copy by using the link below. I'll even autograph it for you! Thank you for your support.. huggs, Melissa R. Martin http://candalysepublishing.com/melissa_martin.html

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