Poetry- Writing and Reading

Most men will never openly admit that they like to write poetry. They can tell you about their rock song lyrics, but you will not hear the word poetry come out of their mouths. The reason why is obvious. Most of them are scared of being viewed as feminine or even gay, and poems are for women. Right?

There is of course one exception to the rule. If the motive is to impress a girl, he can overcome his worries and read her a love poem. However, poetry is not only about love poems and romance.

Still, many of the great poets in history are men. How can this be? I suspect that many men write poems in secrecy.

Nevertheless, there is hope. Technology is not commonly viewed as a way to encourage people to create art and poetry. Ironically enough, it can turn out to be the solution for an insecure poet.

Instead of becoming embarrassed over writing poems, he can now enjoy the freedom of the anonymous Internet. By creating a pseudonym and signing up on a poetry site, shy poets can finally share poems with the world. One such free poetry site can be found here Poetry Site.

So at last, a man can share his poems without having to worry about what colleagues or friends will say.

Happy writing!

• Leave a comment... (0)

I adore writing poetry. Ill arm myself, with pen and paper at the ready, and accept any challenge of conquering a new poetry form.

Last year was the first time I questioned whether or not I could meet the challenge and bury it on the battlefield. Sure, Im a perfectionist, but what could make a person whos played with poetry for almost thirty-five years hesitate before charging? It was the narrative form.

Im not talking about the ballad or epic - which are types of narrative poetry - or other rhyming narratives. Im referring to the more modern, freer, narrative poetry. It was different than anything Id ever done before. To me, it seemed more like a story than a poem. I even remember wondering how they could get away with calling it poetry.

EXAMPLES TO READ: (both easy to find on Google if you arent familiar with them)

Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden
The Wood-pile by Robert Frost

I write stories and poetry, but when I write a poem - Im in poetry mode, and I felt stuck in neutral. How could the Poet-in-Me mix the two?

Stephen Minot said, in Three Genres - The Writing of Poetry, Fiction, and Drama, “Narrative is as natural a structure for poetry as it is for prose.”

Poet-in-Me then rationalizes that Story-Writer-in-Me borrows stuff from the “Poets Toolbox” to write more effective stories, so why not knock on her door and borrow a couple of things?

Narrative Poetry Basics in Brief

BRIEF HISTORY

Narrative Poetry is poetry that tells a tale and can be traced back to Homers Iliad and possibly beyond.

MUST HAVES

*Tell a story.

*Pay particular attention to rhythm and sound.

COULD HAVES or Whats The Poets Choice In All This?

*YOU choose the form or whether or not to even use a particular form (aka ballad, etc.)

*Imagery - depth of imagery up to the author - but keep in mind that a primary part of poetry is imagery, and you are writing a poem that tells a story, not a short story.

*Rhyme - use it or not - internal, external or none.

Since Ive tried using narratives in my poetry, I feel as if Ive written some of the best work I ever have in my life. It has opened a door I never knew was locked and I crossed a threshold into a land I never knew existed.

Simply, It has helped me grow as a writer.

WRITING EXERCISE: If you are a writer that really considers yourself more of a poet, try out narrative poetry as a way to build a bridge to story writing. If you consider yourself mainly a storywriter, use the narrative form to ease your way into poetry.

• Leave a comment... (0)

“It is difficult to get the news from poems, yet men die miserably every day for lack of what is found there.” -William Carlos Williams (1883-1963)

Poetry does have a place in our world, a necessary place. Less and less do we find poetry taught in schools, and many people say poetry doesnt belong in our lives. That idea is wrong, sadly wrong. However, a resurgence of teaching literature and poetry has occurred, even to teaching literature to medical students and others in the health-care fields, according to Dr. Pereira.

The study and writing of poetry brings much to our lives. The Rev. H. C. Beeching agrees in “An Address on the Teaching of Poetry” Ambleside Online because the study of poetry sharpens powers of observation and helps one store memories. He states, “…the purpose of poetry is to communicate or extend the joy of life by quickening our emotions.”

Peter Pereira, MD, writes in “The healing power of poetry,” The Writer March 2007, that “the reading and writing of poems can help us (physicians) develop empathy and thus become better doctors.” Empathy is defined as an emotional connection and understanding. Therefore, Beeching and Pereira agree on that point: the purpose of poetry helps with emotional understanding.

Pereira goes on to say that since physicians have less time with their patients than ever, they need to develop listening and interpretive skills. The study of poetry, especially the lyric poem, may be an way for students to learn needed skills.

Empathy is using ones imagination to be in anothers position. Poetry exercises ones powers of imagination as well as helping to gain skill in the use of language. Doctors, nurses, aides, as well as family members, friends, and business people need those skills.

Two other things Pereira believes to be true about the purpose and need for poetry are that reading and writing poetry can help patients facing life-threatening or life-altering illness. I addressed this in my article “Writing through Troublesome Times.” Poetry helps a person to “vent” and to pour emotions onto paper or computer screen, and then to manage the emotions and pain involved.

Pereiras third idea is that the reading and writing of poetry can help heal the world. The quote I used to start this article addresses that thought to some extent. The doctor states, “Poetry of witness has long been a way that cultures and civilizations all over the world remember things - their war stories, the cultural milestones - and give voice to the oppressed or the disappeared.”

A way to bring some healing not only to individuals, but to the world, gives poetry a purpose and a need that cant be ignored.

• Leave a comment... (0)

Poetry and love, in fact two simple words but with such great emotions. When you combine the words it becomes a stunning phrase that literally can move hills. Should you read or listen to a poem? I like to do both. The written word can be that beautiful when used by skilful authors.

However, when you listen to a master narrator its also appealing. This article is mostly about love poems on audio books. I have also added some quotes from the authors of the poems that I have chosen.

The Sonnets by William Shakespeare
There is no grading in this listing but I felt I had to start with Shakespeares The Sonnets. They serve as one of the most beautiful romantic love poems ever written and also give us an idea of the mind of the genius behind these captivating words.

William Shakespeare quote:
“Shall I compare thee to a summers day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summers lease hath all too short a date.”

If Thou Must Love Me
This is Elizabeth Barrett Brownings appeal to her lover to adore her only for herself, and not for any qualities that may fade away.

Quote by Elizabeth Barrett Browning:
“Who so loves believes the impossible.”

My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose
Robert Burnss well-known ode blessing the eternal power of true romance.

Quote by Robert Burns:
“O, my luves like a red red rose Thats newly sprung in June:
O, my luves like the melodie Thats sweetly played in tune.”

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love
Christopher Marlowes emotional appeal to his truelove to escape with him and live a romantic country-life with him.

Quote by Christopher Marlowe:
“Who ever loved that loved not at first sight?”

12 Valentines Poems
12 Valentines Poems is actually a small collection of romantic poesy as its best.

There are twelve specially selected favorites. To mention some of them; Edward Fitzgeralds meditations from The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, Edward Lears comic verse The Owl and The Pussycat, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, John Donnes The Sunne Rising and lines from John Miltons Paradise Lost, Robert Herricks Delight in Disorder and Shakespeares Shall I Compare Thee to a Summers Day.

Listening and reading love poems can be a great source of joy. However, there is actually one better way to indulge these words by masters: Read the poem to your dear one yourself. Get inspired and surprise your love with a passionate sonnet by Shakespeare this evening.

• Leave a comment... (0)

Writing style reveals the personality, thoughts, and voice of a writer in his or her prose. Effective writing style depends upon a combination of the following: audience, type of writing, punctuation, word choice, sentence construction, and overall presentation. Exposition-a genre of writing in which the purpose of the author is to inform, explain, describe or define his or her subject to the reader. Expository writing is a mode of writing in which the purpose of the author is to inform, explain, describe, or define his or her subject to the reader. Expository text is meant to expose information and is the most frequently used type of writing by students in colleges and universities. A well-written exposition remains focused on its topic and provides facts in order to inform its reader. It should be unbiased, accurate, and use a scholarly third person tone. The text needs to encompass all aspects of the subject. Examples of expository writing can be found in magazine and newspaper articles, non-fiction books, travel brochures, business reports, memorandums, professional journal and encyclopedia articles and many other types of informative writing. One of the most familiar and basic forms of expository writing is the five-paragraph essay, which features an introduction with a clear thesis statement, three main body paragraphs and a conclusion. Narration-storytelling, as found in short stories, novels, drama, and personal accounts. The Narrator is the entity within a story that tells the story to the reader. It is one of three entities responsible for story-telling of any kind. The others are the Author and the Reader (or Audience). The Author and the Reader both inhabit the real world. It is the Authors function to create the alternate world, people, and events within the story. It is the Readers function to understand and interpret the story. The Narrator exists within the world of the story (and only there–although in non-fiction the narrator and the author can share the same persona, since the real world and the world of the story are the same) and presents it in a way the Reader can comprehend. The concept of the unreliable narrator (as opposed to Author) became more important with the rise of the novel in the 19th Century. Until the late 1800s, literary criticism as an academic exercise dealt solely with poetry (including epic poems like The Iliad and Paradise Lost, and poetic drama like Shakespeare). Most poems did not have a narrator distinct from the author. But novels, with their immersive fictional worlds, created a problem, especially when the narrators views differed significantly from that of the author. Argumentation-the writer tries to persuade the reader to agree to a new belief or to take a course of action. Also called persuasive writing. Description-the writer uses sensory details to show the reader what is being written about. And in the end we wanted to say that were hoping that our article helped you.

• Leave a comment... (0)

A literary agent represents writers in addition to their written works to publishers and film producers and helps in the sale and contract talks. Literary agents frequently represent novelists, screenwriters and sizable non-fiction authors. They are paid a certain percentage (ten to twenty percent; fifteen percent is usual) of the sales they negotiate for their clients.

Authors many times utilize agents for assorted purposes: a couple of popular, powerful, and profitable publishing houses do not accept submissions from somebody without a agent. A experienced agent knows the marketplace, and might be a wellspring of valuable career advice and education. Being a publishable writer doesn’t routinely make you an master on modern publishing contracts and practices, especially where television, film, or foreign rights are involved. Several authors think best to have an agent direct these things. The reasons are varied. Some writers don’t want to negotiate or deal with financial areas.

Literary agencies could range in size from a single agent who supports maybe several novelists, to a large firm with senior partners, sub-agents in addition to clients numbering in the hundreds. Most agencies will specialize in certain genres like new age books, horror novels or textbooks. Virtually no agents will represent short stories or poetry.

Anybody might label himself/herself an agent in the book world, in addition to can only legally take up to 20% of the customers fee (15% is the norm).

Authentic agents and agencies in the book world are not required to be members of the Association of Authors Representatives (AAR), then again most are. Outstanding professional agents virtually always learn their trade while working for another agent, although some cross over to agenting following working as editors. It routinely takes years for entry-level employees to grow to be sub-agents as well as obtain their own stable of profitable authors. They may in due course decide to try it on their own and form a new agency, or they may stay with their original agency in hope of rising to the top.

Genuine agents do not charge reading fees, demand retainers, bill novelists for the value of submissions or other operating charges, or otherwise collect payment from any source other than the sales they make on their clients interest. They likewise will not place their clients work with a vanity press or subsidy press. Both these practices may indicate that the author is dealing with a dishonest agent. A new shameless practice involves referring the writer to a so-called “professional editor” or “manuscript doctor” who is in cahoots with the agent. The ensuing edit may or may not be commendable, or of professional quality, and is virtually always high-priced.

A customer typically establishes relationships with an agent through querying, though the two may meet at a writers conference, through a competition, or in other ways. A query is an unsolicited proposal for representation. Various agents request different elements in a query package. It typically begins with a query letter that explains the purpose of the writings and any writing qualifications of the writer.

If an agent likes a work, he/she will request a partial, which is typically a few chapters of your work. Frequently, contracts between agents and clients are simply verbal; although, an increasing percentage of agents are turning to written contracts to make the deal explicit. Generally, if you get a rejection letter it will be a form letter.

• Leave a comment... (0)