Noticing Newbies

I just wanted to take the time to introduce myself to everyone here. My story is one that hopefully gets read one day along with my work. I was arrested and sent to prison at the age of 18 and was recently released last year after serving 7 years. Though Im not proud of some of the things that I have done I can honestly say that God works in mysterious ways because while I was incarcerated I really nurtured and found my talent for writing. It became a way for me to escape and I loved it. I have countless works of fiction as well as poetry and music that I wrote while in prison and Im confident that many will enjoy my stuff out here just like many enjoyed it in there. Im new to this blogging thing but I wanted to give it a try in the hopes that I would find an audience for my work. I have a talent and 7 years worth of GOOD material but I don't know where to start as far as publishing and critiquing is concerned. I joined tonight in the hopes that it would all start here. Anyway, sorry for the long introduction, I have a problem, I start writing and it usually turns into a story...