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karen
New member
Username: trig

Post Number: 16
Registered: 09-2005
Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 5:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Dont all groan now

actually I have two questions, well actually I have a number of questions but Im sure most will be answered if I just wait patiently.

you may breath

How much is too much...as far as posting poetry goes. Im sure you all understand, its nice here. People respond. I dont feel crowded out by elegant words and elitism. I want to gorge on your goodwill. I wish; feed me feedback and then you do. That makes me greedy.

So what is the general rule of thumb?

second question
I dont understand line breaks other than what sounds right. (boring, mundane, average) will I just pick it up? I read somewhere to end on a noun. why? when is it right to break the rules?
my poems still contain one thought per stanza.

I am doing a creative/prof writing degree at uni, however Im shy and dont articulate well in a class full of poets and writers...sigh. I asked about line breaks and stanzas and I got..its what the poet wants, a choice they make and then the subject got changed.
Penelope
Valued Member
Username: penelope

Post Number: 218
Registered: 07-2005
Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 6:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Karen, welcome. I'm relatively new here at Wild, too, so I'll share what I've learned.

You're right this is a gentle and nurturing environment for writers of all levels of experience. The poetry and critiques are outstanding. You can always expect a kind but honest critique of your work. As far as that goes, it would be unfair to expect more attention to your work than you give to others, so if you are always giving as much as you're getting you'll be in keeping with the spirit of Wild. It's good to offer two or three critiques for every piece you post, but I find I learn as much by attending to others' writings as I do my own, so I sometimes have to pull myself away to do my own writing!

The other important thing about posting is to try to get your piece on the most appropriate board. M wrote a wonderful explanation on fitting the poem to the posting board, and that thread is here on this board somewhere. I think it was posted around the first of this month. Check it out. (I'd link it for you it I knew how.) It's also important to follow the procedure for posting revisions in the same thread with the original. But never fear, if you mess up, some gentle soul will point you in the right direction.

Last but not least, line breaks. I'm working on that myself, along with everything else that needs attention in my writing. Again, study what others have written. I've been reading poetry everyday for most of my life and I still have to pay a different kind of attention to it when I read it to learn about writing it. Additionally, there are great books about writing. Look in the Wild bookstore. Be forewarned though, I spent all my mad money there! There's a particularly good chapter on line breaks in Steve Kowit's book In the Palm of Your Hand,one of the best in my opinion.

Whew, got a little windy there. Hope some of this is helpful.
Penelope
karen
New member
Username: trig

Post Number: 17
Registered: 09-2005
Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 7:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

It is helpful thankyou :-)

I have critiqued a little on the board. Though only minor comments as most of what I notice is already said, or said so much better. Though I am picking up already by reading other peoples suggestions. Like you say, you learn as much if not more by reading and looking at other's progress

thanks again toots
Gary Blankenship
Senior Member
Username: garyb

Post Number: 4880
Registered: 07-2001
Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 9:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

I think two or three a week, every three days. But then sometimes the muse floods your pages and it needs to get out and about...

As for enjambment, more than nouns. Someone posted a very good article on it, we need it in some kind of hallof fame so it is always there.

Should be below.

BTW, I have it in hard copy, will ask the publisher if I can reprint in MindFire, the book out of print.

Smiles.

Gary


The new, August FireWeed is ready for you to read. Go in through http://www.mindfirerenew.com/
to get to the issue in a click or two.
M
Board Administrator
Username: mjm

Post Number: 5267
Registered: 11-1998
Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 11:46 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Dear Karen -- welcome to Wild! Nice to have you aboard.

As to your first question, here's a link to our FAQ's and User Agreement. I believe you'll find the answers you seek there along with a good deal of other relevant information:

FAQ's
User's Agreement

And if something else comes to mind that isn't answered by the FAQ's or the User Agreement, then post it here as you have done. We'll be along shortly to answer.

As to your second question, that's a bit tougher to answer. You could spend a whole poetry class discussing line breaks alone. And everyone's opinion differs. Unfortunately, when you received that answer in class, it was abrupt, but true. Give ten different poets the same text to line break, and you will get ten different versions. And all of them would probably have great reasons for the choices they made.

Penelope has given you a great resource. Steve Kowit's book is a gem. You will find that book along with many others (almost every poetry book discusses the issue of line breaks -- read as many as you can and then you will come to some conclusions for yourself) in the WPF BookShop.

If we can be of further assistance to you, just let us know.

Best,
M (Administrator)
Emusing
Moderator
Username: emusing

Post Number: 1805
Registered: 08-2003
Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 11:47 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

Hi Karen,

Pen and Gar have given you some good advices. I believe the article Gary refers to was posted by me. It is located in the Subluxation Workshop forum. I will see if I can get this a more permanent home at Wild :-)

E
Gary Blankenship
Senior Member
Username: garyb

Post Number: 4882
Registered: 07-2001
Posted on Monday, September 19, 2005 - 3:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post

E's is http://www.wildpoetryforum.com/cgi-bin/discus/show.cgi?12/33320

And I have asked for permission to reprint the essay in Longman's Dictionary of Poetic Terms, the one Lisa sent.

Smiles.

Gary


The new, August FireWeed is ready for you to read. Go in through http://www.mindfirerenew.com/
to get to the issue in a click or two.