| Author | Message | ||
| Patricia Kim
New member Username: pkay332 Post Number: 21 Registered: 01-2005 |
I am amazed at the amount of talent on this forum. I wanted to ask the experienced members on this board: How were you guys able to pick up on poetry? I am self-taught but now I am realizing that this might be a handicap? I am consistently struggling with structural basics i.e. choppy stanzas, lack of flow etc. I have wanted to join a formal workshop for sometime but, unfortunately, do not have the money. Anyone know of any free online workshops? Or any general guidance on how I can learn the proper writing techniques? Right now, I write primarily from example and through an enormous amount of rewrites; I don't think this is enough. Any input appreciated  . | ||
| Cary
Member Username: ponderlust Post Number: 90 Registered: 07-2005 |
Actually PK, you're in a good place if you want to improve your writing. The good thing about an informal workshop (like this one) is that it doesn't cost a thing. The people here are talented indeed and they're willing to give your work honest evaluations simply because they love the art. I can't speak for everyone else, but I was "self-taught" to write also. Through the critiques of others, I've learned what fails and what succeeds. More importantly, I've read a ton of poetry... both published and unpublished. Not only is this inspiring, it also a good way to get a feel for the art. Regards... Cary... | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 2547 Registered: 07-2002 |
Patricia, Cary is right--hang out here. Read, write, absorb and most importantly offer critique. If you can articulate what works and doesn't work for you as a reader, than you have a better chance at applying that knowledge to your own writing. Work through the weekly challenges--they can stretch you in directions you would not have taken your own writing. If you primarily write in free verse, spend some time studying and writing form. If form is your thing, try your hand at free verse. Identify poets and styles you resonate with and write in that style. And read, read, read poetry. best, ljc http://ljcbluemuse.blogspot.com/ | ||
| M
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 4710 Registered: 11-1998 |
Welcome, Patricia, and thanks for introducing yourself to us. Cary and Lisa have given you excellent advice. I think a poetry forum like Wild is a great place to spread your poetic wings. The feedback from our members will take your work to new levels. We have had many members here go from novices to published pros. And from what I've heard from them, Wild gave them the instructions, feedback, and support to do that. So, you're in the right place! Lisa mentioned the Creativity Challenges, and yes, they are a great place to start. You will find them in BALANCING QI (Community Involvement Forum). Go take a look and jump right in! If we can answer any other questions or handle any other problems, just post a note here in this forum. I and my staff stand ready to assist. Best, M (Administrator) | ||
| marty
Advanced Member Username: marty Post Number: 600 Registered: 10-2003 |
Patricia, Welcome to wild. No i am not an expert, just offering my endorsement for this forum, and little of what I have learned here as a jumpstart. One of the greatest things I have learned from friends here is that in poetry, one must almost always "Show, not tell". That has been my guiding principle. You will find your stay here most rewarding I am sure, and i am looking forward to reading your posts. I have seen one of my best friends, actually one who was "born" to wild at about the same time as I about three years ago, from being a new member to a moderator. She came in wanting to learn, she is still learning, and we all will never stop learning. That is the beauty of this forum, everybody is learning, and everybody is ready to help in the learning process. Enjoy your stay. | ||
| Patricia Kim
New member Username: pkay332 Post Number: 22 Registered: 01-2005 |
Thanks all for the responses. I agree, joining this forum is a good opportunity to develop your writing as I find I get consistently insightful critiques on here. I plan to practice in a stricter poem form in the hopes that it'd be a natural influence in tightening my writing. I guess knowledge will just have to be picked up in bits and pebbles; I should be patient. | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 2555 Registered: 07-2002 |
Patricia, "Bits and pebbles" Yes, that's right. There is not a straight path to writing poetry. Rather be like a stream. Meander. You will pick up sticks, rocks, fertilizer from the banks to enrich your flow. ljc http://ljcbluemuse.blogspot.com/ | ||
| Patricia Kim
New member Username: pkay332 Post Number: 23 Registered: 01-2005 |
Thanks LJ | ||
| Christopher T George
Advanced Member Username: chrisgeorge Post Number: 1635 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hi Patricia As Lisa told you, "read, read, read poetry." Read the classics, read the top poetry published today in magazines such as Poetry, The Atlantic Monthly, Ploughshares, The New Yorker, read the best poets writing today: Stanley Kunitz, Seamus Heaney, Adrienne Rich, Louise Gluck. Good luck! Chris Editor, Desert Moon Review http://www.desertmoonreview.com/ http://chrisgeorge.netpublish.net/ http://christophertgeorge.blogspot.com | ||
| Patricia Kim
New member Username: pkay332 Post Number: 25 Registered: 01-2005 |
Hi Chris, Thank you for all the great examples. I will be checking out those master poets. I have been occasionally picking up literary magazines/journals such as the New Yorker, Atlantic, Paris Review etc. Great places to find impressive works. Patricia | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Senior Member Username: garyb Post Number: 4314 Registered: 07-2001 |
Patricia, a link to readings "every" poet should undertake - http://www.mindfirerenew.com/fireweedmarch/whattoread.html Enjoy. Gary Drop in read the new MindFire, 2005's first Go in through http://www.mindfirerenew.com/ to get to the issue in a click or two. | ||
| Emusing
Moderator Username: emusing Post Number: 1373 Registered: 08-2003 |
Hi Patricia, E here. I'm the "born to (be) Wild poet Marty is referring to. You've already received plenty of good advices. I can just add that of all the studying I've undertaken, Wild has proven to be the best teacher. As for reading suggestions, I believe reading work you LOVE is the key. It is what first inspired me and continues to offer endless possibilities. I would say to qualify your choices. Too much poetry just for exposure's sake can be both time consuming and without an end result. Read poets you admire and who truly move you and discover why and how they do what they do. Then post your work at Wild and watch it evolve. It is truly of family of poets that are here to support your artistry. E | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Senior Member Username: garyb Post Number: 4315 Registered: 07-2001 |
One more word or two: You can selfteach if you are willing to devote the time. Throw yourself into 2 or 3 heavy crit forums, at least one which supports formal poetry such as sonnets and one that is ok with the short and East Asian forms. Write something in everything. Do not worry about failing. At this stage you are searching for yourself and the style that suits you most. Do not judge that for yourself and don't let your family or friends judge it either. If you get too much love your stuff too soon move on to another. But avoid the tough love places unless you are willing to put up with what they dish out. If you can't leave quietly; don't dis them on the way out. Places I recommend: Wild, Desert Moon, writer's block, critical poetry, blueline, mi po, gazebo. Enter the muse is tough love so you might not want it at the moment. Gazebo and the block are borderline, but if you go in with a willingness to learn they will help. Do not be afraid to tell them that. In two years, devoting enough time, you can gain as much as in any poetry course costing considera ble more shekels. Good luck. Gary Drop in read the new MindFire, 2005's first Go in through http://www.mindfirerenew.com/ to get to the issue in a click or two. | ||
| Patricia Kim
New member Username: pkay332 Post Number: 26 Registered: 01-2005 |
All encouraging and good advice, and plenty to mull over. Thanks all. | ||
| Alpha
New member Username: alpha Post Number: 7 Registered: 04-2005 |
Barnes & Noble has a great free on line University. It has courses on poetry and many other writing genres. http://university.barnesandnoble.com/index.asp?nhid=bn&userid=FE16bhRBmz | ||
| Packrat
Advanced Member Username: packrat Post Number: 265 Registered: 01-2002 |
Hi!, Patricia Kim. Adding to all the great, aforementioned, "bits and pebbles...do not be afraid of rhyming verse, girl! A lot of folks seem to turn their noses up at it, but if you feel comfortable with, and like, it...go for it!! I'll back you, every time! Nice to see newcomers so wild about Wild! Have fun! --Packrat. | ||
| Kathy Paupore
Advanced Member Username: kathy Post Number: 2265 Registered: 12-2003 |
Patricia, I missed your post earlier. I am self taught. How did I do it? I read a lot of poetry, poetry how to books, and found a place that offered poetry contests and started submitting. Then I found Wild. My work has come a long way in the year or so I've been coming here. I would advise avoiding heavy critique forums until you have gained some confidence in your work. The workshop forum or the general comments forum would be a good places to start. Good luck, K | ||
| Patricia Kim
New member Username: pkay332 Post Number: 41 Registered: 01-2005 |
Alpha- What a great find! Thanks. I'd be happy to rhyme away, Packrat, if it was working for the poem . Your start sounds similar to mine, Kathy. Formal classes are probably not the necessity I thought they were. Thanks. |
