By Fraser Dahdouh

A STROUD based poet has recently completed her debut work– an eclectic collection of poetry exploring ‘universal truths of the human condition’.

The collection of poetry – Messages from the Soul – is set to be released on Monday, July 31 and is available from Amazon and Waterstones as well as Barnes and Noble.

Author MJ Goodman, now working in and around Stroud, started writing poetry as a way of dealing with life situations, as a form of self-help, then, what was once routine became ritual in her daily life.

Ms Goodman’s poetry career started with writing for commission on Facebook, when explaining how she came to get published, she said: “I never intended to submit to a publisher because I figured that no one would want to read my daft scribblings.”

But, when her husband and close friend told her that they’d submit her work for her if she didn’t, her outlook changed and she decided that she wanted to be the one to send her work in.

Her chosen publishers, Austin Macauley said: “it explores stuff of our dreams, our hopes, our longings, our losses in a way that we can all relate to.”

The Stroud valleys have also proved to be a great influence to her like so many other creatives who have been drawn to the area, she said: “They’re so peaceful and they’re really conducive to the way I write.”

Ms Goodman is optimistic about the future of her work, the writing is still going strong, she said: “It’s an intrinsic part of me and I don’t think it’ll ever go away.”

Messages from the Soul is available online for pre order and is soon expected to be available through local stores as well.