Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Howland.
Hi Danielle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was raised in the beautiful southern city of Shreveport, Louisiana. This is where I discovered my connection to and love for nature. As a child I remember being enamored by the magnificent magnolia trees with their fragrant flowering blooms. It seemed as if every neighbor took pride in their gardens. Each one was filled with roses, daffodils, honeysuckles and were complimented by brilliant rolling lawns with shimmering blades of grass.
As a child my father would read poetry to me in the evenings after dinner. I was completely mesmerized by all the elaborate details. He would then explain each and every nuance of the poems he read.
In high school, my passion for poetry continued. I competed in speech tournaments throughout the state of Louisiana in both poetry and prose and won numerous trophies. I felt called to obtain my bachelors degree in the field of social work. I volunteered with several nonprofits in Austin and obtained my BSW from The University of Texas at Austin.
My first job as a social worker was working at a homeless shelter in downtown Austin in a variety of capacities: intake specialist, men’s case manager, homeless prevention coordinator in addition to giving tours and operating both the food pantry and clothing closet. During my career as a social worker I found it very therapeutic to write and I enrolled in informal poetry courses at The University of Texas.
I then made a major career change to the fashion world as a wardrobe stylist after experiencing burnout in the social work profession. I loved being able to embrace my creative side and make long lasting friendships with so many amazing women in Texas. I have spent my time commuting between both Austin and East Texas for the last ten years but always call Austin my home.
When the lockdown occurred, like many, I stopped working. During the pandemic, I would look forward to my long weekends finding solace in each unique sunrise and sunset on Lake Travis. This visual display of constantly changing artwork and encouragement from my family inspired me to share my voice.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I feel like it has been a long road. It took my mother, who was diagnosed with stage three malignant melanoma to say, “What are you waiting for? You should share your poetry.” So I finally listened to my mother at the ripe, old age of 49 and decided to take a leap of faith and share my poems on my Instagram page. Pleasantly surprised, I was embraced by my friends, family and the poetry community. I then submitted my work to The Cuddy Family Foundation for Veterans Poetry Journal. I was particularly drawn to the foundation due to my past work with veterans at the shelter along with having several family members that have served in the armed forces.
I feel privileged to be published in their Volumes 1, 2 and 3. Currently I’m working on a personal collection of poetry to publish. I am also collaborating with Nine Twelve Photography on a series of photos inspired by one of my most recent poems. I’m thankful I listened to my mother and gained the courage to share my voice.
We’d love to learn more about your work. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am best known for my use of metaphors and writing about my love of nature. Describing a picturesque story, my intention is for the reader to not only visualize but feel the experience as well. I think it is important during these challenging times for everyone to have an escape and to also process their feelings. I want my readers to feel a sense of joy and community . Before the pandemic I was a wardrobe stylist for over 20 years in Austin and East Texas. Since my mother was diagnosed with cancer during the pandemic, I have become her full time caregiver. Although I have missed styling all of my beautiful and amazing clients, I feel grateful that I have been able to step into this role and support my mother. This change in my career has also given me the opportunity to focus on my poetry. My readers have expressed that my poems are easy to relate to and that they feel a sense of peace and happiness. What a wonderful compliment that is with so much going on in the world as we could all use a bit of peace and happiness.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My father was the Executive Director of The American Rose Center, located in Shreveport, Louisiana. When I was a young girl he would take my hand and walk me through the beautiful gardens he helped design. He would then explain in detail each and every variety of rose. We would stop and literally smell the roses. I loved seeing all of the butterflies and bees buzz around the breathtaking blooms. I felt like I was in a world of enchantment, something straight out of a fairytale. To this day, everytime I see a rose it fills me with wonder and reminds me of my late father. This memory always makes me smile. And yes – I still stop and smell the roses.
Contact Info:
- Email: howlandpoetry@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howlandpoetry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HowlandPoetry/
Image Credits
Ninetwelvephotography ninetwelvephotography.com Danielle Howland
