While we have so far only used this space to discuss features and happenings around Hello Poetry, we would like to begin sharing more about the project, it's motivations, collaborators, and influences. To begin, we'll be sharing what we find interesting, and inviting members of the community to do the same.

The first item is a post on John Darnielle, who, as the songwriter/poet behind The Mountain Goats, has been a personal favorite of mine for years. He is quoted:

"Good poetry, for me, should make the reader flinch ... Not necessarily because of its unpleasant subject matter, but because of its closeness to reality. I don’t think any art form manages to echo what life is like better than poems do, especially poems as songs—which to me are the same things."

Second, a tool which has been around for several years, though may not be known to all of you is Writeboard. It is by far the easiest way to collaboratively edit written work, is free to use, and instant to set up. We are still thinking of building this right into Hello Poetry, but until then, this is the place to do it.

That's all for this week. If you have anything you would like to share with us, drop us an email at hello@hellopoetry.com.