1. Can you tell us a bit about your background and what first inspired you to start writing?

My name is May Garner, and I'm an author and poet based in Ohio. I've been writing for nearly fifteen years, spending most of my adolescence and adult life devoted to my craft. I've spent over a decade sharing my work online and building my own writing community. I began creating stories inspired by my favorite movies and shows as a child, using my mom's old Acer laptop; it's where all my first stories still remain. As a teenager, I discovered the reading and writing app, Wattpad, which became a turning point in my journey. It was the first time I realized there was not only a platform, but also an audience for the words I was sharing. What inspired me most in the beginning was the challenge of proving to myself that I could craft something entirely my own – my own stories, characters, and masterpieces, just like the ones that once inspired me.

2. What themes or ideas do you find yourself returning to most often in your work?

Many of the themes found in both my fictional writing and poetry are pulled from emotions and experiences I’ve gone through. Themes I heavily return to are childhood trauma, grief, loss of a parent, heartache, the beauty in nature, and the trials of young love. 

3. Who are some of the writers or poets who have influenced your voice or style the most?

Stephen King has always been a huge influence in my writing journey, purely from how he got his start, and his story to success in the writing world. I take inspiration from that in never giving up on my work or doubting my ability to get where I want to be. There have been so many times in my journey where I wanted something, but didn’t believe I could achieve it…but I did. As for poets who have influenced me, so many! I’ve been lucky enough to meet some incredible poets throughout my journey with poetry. Some of my biggest influences (and closest friends) are Gigi Flanard, Megan Diedericks, and Star Galasyn.

4. Can you describe your writing process — how do you go from an idea to a finished piece?

A poem typically starts out as one line in my head that randomly comes to me. That’s usually all I need, just that one line, and I can craft an entire piece from it. Most of my poems are born in the notes app or on a Google Doc. I prefer to write a poem in one sitting. That’s for poetry, anyway. Fiction, whatever the genre may be, is a little different. It can take me anywhere from a few days to a few months to finish a chapter. I never force myself to write what I don’t feel, so if the writing is just not there, I wait it out.

5. Do you write from personal experience, imagination, or a blend of both?

Much of my writing stems from personal experience, especially my poetry. I rely heavily on my own emotions and life to craft my pieces. I began writing poetry at sixteen as a way to release and understand the overwhelming emotions I was facing at the time. Through the deep darkness I traveled through, writing became an endless light – something that guided me forward when I couldn't find it myself. My fictional work, on the other hand, blends both imagination and experience. I always make sure my characters are connected to me emotionally in some way, even if their worlds look nothing like mine. 

6. What has been one of the most challenging or rewarding moments in your writing journey?

One of the most challenging parts of my writing journey has honestly been holding onto the will and passion to write. Life gets messy, and when that mess becomes hard to clean up, it can make doing what you love feel impossible at times. Over the past few years – between working full-time, starting a new relationship, publishing two books on my own, and navigating my own mental health – I've gone through many periods where it's been difficult to be the writer I aspire to be. The best thing about writing, though, is that it truly feels like a friend until the end. No matter how long you drift away from it, it's always there waiting for you when you come back. 

The most rewarding moments are definitely those that involve my readers and community. I wouldn't be the writer – or the person -- I am today without the incredible support of my friends, readers, and followers. Seeing people go out of their way to engage with my work, purchase my books, or share my posts online makes every struggle worthwhile. I share my writing so others know they're not alone in what they're feeling or going through, and hearing that a piece of mine has resonated with someone in that way means the absolute world to me. 

7. How do you deal with creative blocks or periods when inspiration feels out of reach?

Writer’s block is my middle name, haha. I go through long stretches of creative block all the time. The best way I’ve found to dig my way out of it is by channeling my creativity into activities that aren’t writing. I love junk journaling, collaging, pen paling, painting, reading, watching shows and movies, and playing video games like Minecraft. All of these creative outlets help me reset my mind and eventually find my way back to writing with fresh energy.

8. What message or feeling do you hope readers take away from your work?

I share my writing in hopes of helping others who are going through similar experiences or emotions. When I first started writing poetry as a young girl, all I wanted was to find someone who understood, to know I wasn't alone in what I was feeling. Now, I hope my readers feel seen and heard through my words. I hope they feel understood. And most importantly, I hope they know that no matter what they're facing, they can keep going. 

9. How do you see your writing evolving in the coming years?

If you had told me back in January of 2025 that I'd be where I am now, I probably would've laughed. I've accomplished so much in just one year, and that makes me even more excited for what's ahead. In the coming years, I hope to traditionally publish my third poetry collection, 'Suicidal Cathedrals,' which I plan to finish the manuscript for by spring 2026. I also want to continue growing my presence in literary magazines. This year alone, I've been published or accepted in nearly thirty, and I'd love to double (or even triple) that number in the next year or two. Beyond poetry, I'm also working toward publishing my debut novel in the near future. 

10. What advice would you give to aspiring writers or poets just starting out?

If you have a passion for writing and a dream, never ever give it up. Hold onto your love for the craft, your goals, and your aspirations. Even the impossible is possible, no matter how long it takes or how different your path may look from others. I dreamed of being a published author when I was a little girl, writing stories in the sleepy corner of my neighborhood on my mother's old laptop. I dreamed of one day holding my own book in my hands, of becoming like the authors and poets I admired. Somehow, whether I realized it or not, I made my way here – and I still have so much more to chase. Your dreams are always worth fighting for.

Interview conducted by Khadija Rehan Niazi (Outreach Director).