Shaun Redfern has been writing poetry since 2009. ‘It really changed my perspective in a way I cannot fathom,’ says Shaun. He believes poetry gives people a voice; a voice that would otherwise be locked away unheard. A voice muffled by the insecurity of comparisons, ‘Crushing one’s bravery to have a go,’ he says. Shaun eventually started to gain a keen interest in short stories due to the pressure and challenge they encompass – requiring a start, middle, and end. Attendance and participation in Creative Writers R Us has really improved Shaun’s confidence and lifted his self-esteem. For that, Shaun says, ‘I am truly thankful. I really believe writing is such an important part of our society, because I myself am an introvert and I know there are so many voices that go unheard in life.’ Shaun’s powerful poem of Hope was selected for the October 2018 relaunch edition of the Australian online publisher Skive Magazine.