| Author | Message | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Senior Member Username: garyb Post Number: 10243 Registered: 07-2001 |
while Tucker is in the background... Do we write to much? I write everyday, as do many, but would we be better off to write a lot less - once a week, month, year? Or is writing like a runner who benefits the more he runs? (For some reason, pitchers do not believe that.) I'm not really talking quality, because I suspect that only about 10% is quality and 1 is superior, and don't see that changing writting less. Your thoughts, please. Smiles. Gary A River Transformed The Dawg House July FireWeed more War/Peace | ||
| Barbara Martin
New member Username: babs Post Number: 28 Registered: 01-2007 |
I do try to write something everyday. Whether it's a poem, a paragraph, a blog post, a journal entry, or an expressive email, I'm under the impression that daily writing sharpens the skills. Of course, we can't forget to get out and live life - it's the living that gives the subject that special and unique edge. | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 9272 Registered: 11-1998 |
I believe that people's writing schedules are like people's eating, sleeping, bathing (and every other thing you can put on a schedule) habits, Mr. B. In other words, highly individual. That being said, practice does make perfect. You can't expect to get to virtuoso level on the piano if you don't practice, preferably every day. Same thing applies to writing. The mistake is thinking that writing "practice" is always going to produce publishable material. Sometimes it will; often it will not. But writing practice is important whether you end up with a viable product or not. I think your ratios are probably about right -- if you write every day, about 10% will be of substance, 1% might be superior, and the other 89% should probably be assigned to the practice file. What I'd really like to see (if I could convince people) is less rushing to post. Letting something cook for a while is often a good idea. Things come to light in a couple of weeks (and with the distance and perspective that come with putting things aside for a while) that are not always apparent immediately after putting the pen down. I would also like to see people continue to refine the work, rather than tossing it aside in favor of writing another poem right away. Pulling out those poems that have been assigned to the practice file and seeing if you can't refine them is worthwhile effort. Perhaps not as fun as writing something new, but editing can make something valuable out of something flawed. I'd like to see more time devoted to editing and refinement. People often forget that that's writing, too! Love, M | ||
| penny
Advanced Member Username: funnyoldlady Post Number: 2301 Registered: 06-2006 |
Hi Gary - I figure it's a matter of percentages. The more I write, the better chance I have (maybe) of getting something decent. Even if it's 10,000 - 1, it's at least that good one. I try to write every day. penny (-:= Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry. - Mark Twain. | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Senior Member Username: garyb Post Number: 10244 Registered: 07-2001 |
M, there might be reasons to post quickly. Mine is simply that I proof badly. I do two poem of the day sites - here in the trains - and at BlueLine in the House of 30. I do believe there's nothing I've written - published or not - that might benefit from rewrite. Smiles. Gary A River Transformed The Dawg House July FireWeed more War/Peace | ||
| Fred Longworth
Intermediate Member Username: sandiegopoet Post Number: 894 Registered: 05-2006 |
Poems are like skin. Most of them stay flat and featureless. About 10% of them, though, develop little bumps, like teenage acne. In about a tenth of these, the bumps grow and grow into full-fledged boils. These I send to journals, with a straight pin, a pack of matches, and a tiny tube of triple-antibiotic. I always enclose a cover letter written on a sheet of kleenex. Fred | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Senior Member Username: garyb Post Number: 10245 Registered: 07-2001 |
Fred, sometimes identified as WMD... Smiles. Gary A River Transformed The Dawg House July FireWeed more War/Peace | ||
| Will Eastland
Member Username: dwillo Post Number: 69 Registered: 07-2006 |
I was advised that poetry is an art learned by practice and imitation. As far as imitation goes, I read as much excellent poetry as I can. The practice part means writing/revising as much as I can. I was also told that the way to have a great idea is by having lots of good ideas. Just some thoughts, as M said, this probably varies from person to person. Take these dreams and lay them to rest in a quiet room in their Sunday best. | ||
| Lazarus
Senior Member Username: lazarus Post Number: 2649 Registered: 10-2005 |
My question, along similar lines, is whether writing is an art or a craft. (For this exercise-think of the difference between a painter and a novelist) I've been in this debate a number of times, and here is what I've come up with: Craft: Writing (a good finished piece) requires collaboration- usually editing for clarity, or at least revising by the author, as M said, after some time has passed. Writing requires practice and knowledge of accepted rules of communication. Writing doesn't have to be creative, such as texts and reports, so can be done by anyone with a knowledge of language. Art: Writing creates something from experience, where nothing existed before. Writing requires inspiration. Writing creates something original. Writing makes an emotional connection to the reader. ~~~~~ I don't want this to simply come down to semantics, but isn't it true that the word "artist" usually denotes painters, sculptors, even actors, but writers are not considered artists, they are called practitioners of a craft, hacks, yeomen, journalists, reporters, or in the case of medium; novelists, poets or historians. Now that I got that out of my head; I think that it's good to take some time off writing. While regular journaling is good to keep the ideas flowing and knock out some of the bad ones, if you keep your thoughts in for a while you can reach a tipping point where the poem or idea has bubbled long enough and is ready to gel, then you'd better get to writing it or you'll lose it. For some people who are very prolific, Gary for sure, they may have several ideas bubbling at a time, and may have all these things surfacing at their required moment, and if that's everyday, well then good for them! I agree with M about waiting to show some of the stuff I write. I even made a three day rule- but I break it all the time. I wish there was some way to control my enthusiasm for a piece right after it has come together but the fact is- I love everything I just wrote, and I want others to love it too! But after a day or two I usually have poster's remorse, and that leads to regret when the POW comes out or other kinds of non-support. Then I just come to the conclusion that I'm probably not very good. -oops I'm letting everything spill out here, better go get my journal before I really start to stink! "When I sense an electrical charge around a person, event, or place I know there's a poem in it" ~ Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge Poetspennies eBay Window | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Senior Member Username: garyb Post Number: 10257 Registered: 07-2001 |
I would have to look up the names but one Chinese Tang poet wrote over 1000 poems, another about 1000 - and they are consider equal in talent... Smiles. Gary A River Transformed The Dawg House July FireWeed more War/Peace | ||
| Kathy Paupore
Moderator Username: kathy Post Number: 4369 Registered: 12-2003 |
Gary, I've been accused of being addicted to poetry. Here I am every day in this chair staring at this screen, pounding on the keys. I try to write every day, get cranky when I don't for a few days. So, it is also a mental health issue. Anyways, the more I write the better, whether it be writing, revision, or crit. I feel it helps with the skill and the clarity. IMHO it is also necessary to try different forms and styles of poetry. Everyone develops a comfort zone, but it's a good thing to step outside of it and try something new. Another good way to sharpen skills and find inspiration. I also think it's important to read every day or do something that keeps the mind active with words, whether it be word puzzles, novels, poetry. The old adage goes "use it or you lose it."  KYou're invited to: Wild Flowers "A poem is made up of words and the spaces between them." WCWilliams | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Senior Member Username: garyb Post Number: 10267 Registered: 07-2001 |
I missed the important part of Laz's post. Craft - the techniques of form, metaphor, sound, rhyme, et al. Art - the images, emotion, creativity, etc. I have seen technical manuals written with great art, and fiction with exceptional poetry (Bradbury comes to mind). I have no regrets when a poem busts - this is a workshop, not admiration society (though I loves you all). And Kathy, I agree tis an addiction. The Suns and States are running through my mind constantly. Smiles. Gary A River Transformed The Dawg House July FireWeed more War/Peace | ||
| Barbara Martin
New member Username: babs Post Number: 32 Registered: 01-2007 |
Yes, and when we combine the skills as Lazarus described by "craft" with the "art" of writing, the written piece is dynamic. I guess I usually refer to such examples as "poetic" (poetic work, poetic author) regardless of the nature of the writing (fiction, poetry, reports, etc). Of course, the dynamics of combining craft with art can be applied to almost anything. IMHO, to keep doing the same thing everyday does not produce improvement. Effort must be applied to perfect the skill and I have to branch out physically, emotionally, and spiritually for creativity and inspiration. | ||
| Lazarus
Senior Member Username: lazarus Post Number: 2653 Registered: 10-2005 |
Barb- love this- "To keep doing the same thing everyday does not produce improvement." Perhaps why feedback is so important. If anything, it gets us out of our comfort zone and makes us look for ways to improve- if the crits are accurate and applicable. "When I sense an electrical charge around a person, event, or place I know there's a poem in it" ~ Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge Poetspennies eBay Window | ||
| Zephyr
Senior Member Username: zephyr Post Number: 5726 Registered: 07-2003 |
Several people here have mentioned comfort zone... adding my tuppence worth I agree doing the same thing every day doesn't necessarily improve it. I sometimes wonder where the trail blazers are these days, it takes courage and effort to attempt something different and step aside from what the establishment considers good. That doesn't mean rejecting what is already of value in poetry, it means growing and stretching, incorporating something new etc, and yes sometimes we have a flop,nothing ventured - nothing gained, so what, folks here are supportive and appreciative of many different styles and I really value the crits here. LOL as for addiction, my partner says I am a pain if deprived of time for poetry! I agree with M about revising old work, I was looking through some early haiku today and pared some down to a new clarity and brevity. I keep failed poems in file called works in progress, fertile ground for new ideas. When I read other poets I do see them as artists and appreciate their unique styles and like Laz find it harder to be as objective with my own work, though time helps in that respect...months later...did I really write that rubbish?  (Message edited by zephyr on January 10, 2007) Best wishes Zephyr Igor Stravinsky In order to create there must be a dynamic force, and what force is more potent than love? | ||
| Barbara Martin
New member Username: babs Post Number: 34 Registered: 01-2007 |
Lazarus, I agree with your application of the importance of feedback. I forgot to mention I also understand about having enthusiasm for a new piece and wanting to share it with the world and wanting them to like it too. Whenever I finish a piece (whether a painting or poem) I call it "my latest and greatest." It's very difficult for me to be objective about one of my fresh creations. | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Senior Member Username: garyb Post Number: 10269 Registered: 07-2001 |
Good points. I would still be writing sing-song if not for the forums and the inspiration they provide. Well, not rhyming sing-song and probably with broken meter but stuff right out of the first grade if that good. At one time, poets might have penned in privacy, never sharing, etc. I've heard it said. But in this day, with each of us teaching each other and expanding our horizons, we are building better poets and someday will usher in the Golden Age of Poetry. Smiles. Gary A River Transformed The Dawg House July FireWeed more War/Peace | ||
| Kathy Paupore
Moderator Username: kathy Post Number: 4386 Registered: 12-2003 |
Gary, a golden age, our own T'ang! And yes, poetry is both an art and a craft. Don't we all paint with words, whether it be images, feelings, memories etc.? For me poetry is also a GIFT, first of all that I have some ability to write it, and second that I can share it here at Wild. KYou're invited to: Wild Flowers "A poem is made up of words and the spaces between them." WCWilliams | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Senior Member Username: garyb Post Number: 10299 Registered: 07-2001 |
Kathy, but maybe more humane than the Tang... We paint with words gathered from gardens, collected along the road, found in a musty attic... We sculpt from clay, oatmeal, granite, water We dance to the rhythm of alliteration, the beat of free verse We write... Smiles. Gary A River Transformed The Dawg House July FireWeed more War/Peace | ||
| Kathy Paupore
Moderator Username: kathy Post Number: 4403 Registered: 12-2003 |
Gary, post that in Creative Vis. KYou're invited to: Wild Flowers "A poem is made up of words and the spaces between them." WCWilliams |
