On Poetry

I wanted to write a bit on this in the next newsletter, but it is taking a long time for me to get to this, so.. briefly.

We have a full and active Poetry board. More than any other board.

I would love to see more of the poets attempt the assignments and post the results in either my or Alex/Happiness' optional assignments board ( ie. if you do poetry that is in response to an assignment it doesn't go into the poets corner board).

My greatest feeling and wish for this pod is to keep encouraging the workshop factor. I admit I'm not in the poets corner much - my specialty is stories, and there is only so much of me to go around so I try to focus my skills where they might best be used.

AND, I'd be very interested in seeing what comes, as poetry, to the assignments.

Love to all,
Sandra

Re: On Poetry

Yes Sandra … I heartily agree. I'd love to see the poets attack some of the assignments with a gusto … but poetry has it's  own Muse and one is often taken by it, and then, creates a poem.

 I would still encourage poets to do the assignment work … there is a school of thought by some poets that suggest that if you don't write a poem everyday then you're not a poet … some songwriters feel that also … (yes I can quote them if you want) … it's debatable to say the least.

I think the current Poet Laureate of Britain … not sure if he's the Laureate of the UK … suggests that a poet should write and stretch themselves no matter what … so to do the assignments would perhaps be a good exercise in writing poetry, although I find this hard to believe even as I write it … the emotion is often needed to spur a poem on, but there's no harm in experimenting and giving it a go and Diving into it … I agree wholeheartedly that the nature of the pod is a workshop, and I'd like to see more of that with the poets corner … however a poem is a poem, and how good it is doesn't actually matter most of the time. The nature of a poem and it's creation, is not any different to your process I feel.

There is I feel, a distinct difference for poets as opposed to writers of prose in the whole thing. What that is, I'm not quite sure … and to be honest I often feel it's a way of saying, hey I'm in control of this, and the Muse takes me where she will … I could easily argue that that is so for prose also.

Personally I'd like to see the poets on the pod just do some of the assignments (anonymously if need be) … I feel the discipline of just writing is somewhat of a nobrainer at times, but the process you encourage, is a release and a connecting with my own Muse in a way I could never have imagined, and I'd like the poets to get this also … when it comes down to it, we are all writers, no matter what disipline we choose to use to express ourselves.

I'd also encourage the prose writers to tackle some of the assignments in a poetic form as well … I also yearn to see our poets do some more prose.

I want to emphasize your statement also, that this is the Diving Deeper Workshop and that's why you have a strong focus on how to comment on anything that is wriiten.

Your assignment  dear Sandra, is to write a poem (lol) … beginning with  the phrase …  Jim was right … and I'll do the same :–)

Great to see you back,

Jim x

Re: On Poetry

so to do the assignments would perhaps be a good exercise in writing poetry, although I find this hard to believe even as I write it … the emotion is often needed to spur a poem on, but there's no harm in experimenting and giving it a go and Diving into it … I agree wholeheartedly that the nature of the pod is a workshop, and I'd like to see more of that with the poets corner … however a poem is a poem, and how good it is doesn't actually matter most of the time.

Re: On Poetry

Yes to all!!! I really hope that every board of this marvellous place is alive and sparkling of activity … and that as many as possible would also do the task of real profound commenting (talking to myself here).

And I would like to write-wise dive in something scary - boy if I do - but what? That's the question … suggestions? Maybe I should try to write garbage - jidderish - nonsence/sence/sentence … maybe … My Muse, show me the border I have not yet crossed, gimme the envelope I haven't pushed - dare I ask for this?

Your wish is my command!

(and I'll wait in horrorred amusement)

Re: On Poetry

:-)
Well the sad thing is that 'something scary' is rather like our Hais. You can't think them from here.

But you can sit down at your computer, fingers on the keyboard, and wait, open, vulnerable, and watch / feel what goes on in your body, the thoughts, ideas. Let them flit by… what is the one you do not want to write ? Or it could be the one that gives you the most excitement (fear and excitement are more or less the same thing). But I can't tell you… only you will know, when you sit down. Watch what you avoid, that's a good indication ;-)

Or just start writing, anything, and give yourself enough time ( a couple of hours…) to see what happens, something usually does, if you give it space and time.

Love,
Sandra