Creative Writing 101: The Benefits of Developing Your Poetic Skills
Poetry is an artform. It is designed to stretch the mind’s eye, touch the heart and entrench the senses… This article by Michele Cameron Drew was inspired by the recently published "Making Your Poetry Better" by Stephanie Moore and by lazy poets everywhere.
This desire to inspire
Haunts me everyday
Often as of late
To share a better way…
Photo Courtesy of rec_marc and SXC
No Specifics
Let me start by saying that I am not attacking or surveying anyone in particular. Although my opinions may be unpopular, they are my opinions and they encompass the internet, not just Triond writers. This is my 4th article on this subject(the prior three being tossed for fear of offending someone) and perhaps I will finally send one to publication.
About Me
Since childhood I have been expressing myself through the arts. Second only to music, writing to me is an extension of my soul. Writing poetry to me is akin to dreaming out loud on paper. I eat, sleep and breathe verse. Being a somewhat accomplished, published and awarded poet who has been writing for more than 30 years, I feel quite confident with speaking my mind on this subject. I have written poetry in many forms and have an eclectic style. I was raised on the classics in all genres of artistic expression, so my opinions may be slightly biased, but I still develop my skills every day and I will continue to develop and grow them until I take my last living breath on Earth.
Disturbed
I often find it disturbing to read the myriad of bad poetry(or not so good poetry) that is displayed on the internet, that with just a touch of skill could be amazing and beautiful. It takes much away from the serious poet. People just don’t seem to read much new poetry anymore. I can understand why. Personally, I often avoid it myself now, which is very sad considering that poetry is my forte. But, I find it difficult to find a gem in a deep ocean of granite, without a jack hammer. Sifting through the works of the masses has become a tiring process. I more often find myself pulling up some Shakespeare, Poe, Longfellow, Blake, Dickinson, Sandberg, Byrnes, Frost, Tennyson, the Brownings, Marlowe, Whitman or other classic poet or find some of my favorite contemporary writers and read their works, hoping for something with depth and beauty.
Saddened
I find it particularly sad that when a serious writer tries to hand out constructive criticisming or even constructive ideas about poetry that they are often attacked and berated by the masses in any writing forum. Yes, I understand that freedom of expression is important, after all, isn’t that why we are all here? Are we not attacking said author’s right to freedom of speech by those very comments?
The Proper Skills
Poetic Expression is an art form which requires a set of skills, just like any other profession or form of art. You may be born with talent, but the skills are acquired and require continuous use and development. I believe that many “modern poets” hide behind the mask of free speech as a cop out for lack of these skills or just plain laziness. Just tossing out a bunch of thoughts and publishing them, is not poetry or even what I would consider prose for that matter. Would you have the refrigerator repair man come out to fix your computer? This is probably not the way that you think, right? I have met slews of great writers who simply don’t put forth the effort it takes into writing poetry. They could be amazing poets if they just set out to learn a bit more about what they are doing. It is not the same as putting together an article. If one wants to build or repair automobiles, they do not study airplanes.
Writing Better Poetry
After reading the lovely and well written persuasive piece “Making Your Poetry Better” by a new writer to Triond named Stephanie Moore. I was inspired to write on this subject once again. I was also once more appalled at the comments of a few individuals. Although some of Stephanie’s article may have come off as arrogant(which to me it did not), I would think that it would appear arrogant only to those who would use free verse and freedom of speech as an excuse for laziness and lack of skill. This is not limited to just poetry.
Although I have only read a bit of Stephanie’s work(a few haiku and an article or two which were excellent reads), her opinions on poetry are quite valid, especially in certain places that we are all familiar.
Below are my notes from Stephanie’s article “Making Your Poetry Better” mixed with thoughts that have been rolling around in my head for months. This piece was worked for about ten minutes, with only a touch of polish, but I could rework this for days or even weeks.
Quoted from Stephanie Moore: “Communicating your heart takes effort. Think how often spoken words fall short! Now tell me, poets: How can you communicate your heart when you confuse your readers with misused words and obscure references? How can YOU communicate in YOUR voice when you sound like every other Hallmark card and angst-ridden rock song out there? How will you get your reader to respect your words if YOU don’t respect your words enough to choose them carefully? I leave you with this: webster’s definition of the word *art*: skill acquired by experience, study, or observation (the art of making friends) , or an occupation requiring knowledge or skill
All of you have what it takes to write poetry. It’s no secret: work.”
My First Draft as Prose:
Conveying from one’s heart
Is difficult at best
Spoken words fall shortMisused words, Obscured ideas
A minds eye view
A heartfelt loss
Without the proper careArt equals skill
Plus talent
Plus workTurned Verse:
Communication of the heart
Where spoken word falls short
Can you expect to stand apart
With such a lame retort?Art defines as skill and talent
Rework it, it’s not hard
And you will find it sounds
Much better than a hallmark card.It starts out as a sketch
Then color wanders in
Warmth and life we breathe into it
From the artist’s pen.Refined With Imagery But Probably Still Incomplete:
From a Tiny Speck of Dust
Conveyance of one’s heart
In sweet poetic interlude
Requires a bit of skill
It’s not a simple thing to doTo build a mighty forest
From a tiny speck of dust
Thesaurus in one’s hand
Parchment, quill and ink a mustAt first to sketch the framework
With the artist’s mighty pen
Then ambiance and color
Softly wander inThroughout the toil and trouble
Stroking with Thesaurian brush
Springs forth from desolation
Forest fashioned green and lushSo my inspired comrades
Arm thyself with tools of trade
Contemplate poetic form
Peruse a classic once per dayCompile your toolbox wisely
Furnish it with skills inside
Your work will rise much higher
From the aptitude you’ll findFor it requires more than talent
And an artist’s loving touch
To build a mighty forest
From a tiny speck of dust
The work is probably still somewhat incomplete and I will fine tune it and publish it later, but with polished skills and a little time and work, it is becoming something to be treasured. You can see the dramatic change from one draft to the next.
I hope this defines some of the benefits of developing your poetic skills more clearly for those of you that need a more “hands on” approach. Try studying a few classic works daily, expand your vocabulary by learning a few new words, open up a thesaurus, learn a little more about form and imagery. Strive to create an artwork, not just write down some thoughts and put them online. These suggestions will help you with all of your writing, but they really are necessities in poetry.
Let your inspiration soar! Write it all down! THEN and only then, before you publish it, transform it into something amazing and beautiful! You all have the ability, desire and talent. Why not develop your skills and excel at what you love?
—Michele Cameron Drew
More of My Poetry
Poetry Related Articles
- Poetic Form 101: Part 1, The Basics
- Creative Writing 101: The Benefit of Developing Your Poetic Skills
A Few Good Triond Poets
Copyright © 2008 Michele Cameron Drew. All rights reserved.
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January 12th, 2009 at 6:47 am
A valuable piece of writing tuition. It takes me back to how I used to teach my children at school to improve on their work. I do actually follow this method and sometimes I come up with quite a decent piece but as you say it is hard work.
Christine
January 12th, 2009 at 7:04 am
It’s takes work to learn the skills, but once you learn them and apply them it’s like creating any other piece of art. Like I said in the article. I spent about ten minutes writing that piece. But for a beginning poet it would take much longer to bring a work to that stage. I don’t follow this method with each and every work either, this was just an example of how MY mind worked on this particular piece. The point I was trying to get across is studying and learning from the classics will bring you to a place where you can build a work that easily and THEN perfect it.
January 12th, 2009 at 7:11 am
The best is learned from successful producers. Thank you for all your wisdom. I value your numerous talents and now your willingness to teach and encourage.
January 12th, 2009 at 7:12 am
A very interesting article. I enjoyed reading it very much.
January 12th, 2009 at 7:34 am
First, I want to say thank you so much for the mention of my name.
Secondly, I am a big fan of ‘Poe’ and ‘Frost.’ I have a collection of their works.
Thirdly, I agree with you on every word and some. I also think Stephanie Moore is a very intelligent writer. Unfortunately, I too,
have seen those unnecessary attacks towards others for speaking the truth.
Great article, Michele! Thanks for shedding light on this.
January 12th, 2009 at 7:50 am
This is a valuable piece for writers. When I do write poetry it is fast and furious.I only wish that I could follow a method for writing poetry. If I sit down and actually try to write…I get nothing but a jumble of words.
January 12th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Laurie, it’s good to see you.
The reason that I said write(or type) it all down first and then go back and refine it is that most often the best part of the verse comes straight out in a flowing motion, especially with prose, but this was pulling from what Stephanie said and my own thoughts so it was a little bit different.
January 12th, 2009 at 8:30 am
A great learning article for me Michele!
January 12th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Thanks for this write.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:26 am
I have to agree,that writing out your shopping list and calling it a poem, is not something I enjoy reading.
I did find it hard being educated publicly on Triond, by a learned reader, he wanted me to change a piece of work of mine, which, yes could and maybe should be tweeked, but I feel by me.
I have tried a new style,it is non rhyming, something I have never considered before, those who have read it,enjoy it,so I am going to say, don’t be afraid to experiment.
Re-read this article,as I have, there is a valuable lesson here and also in the one of Stephanie Moore.
I read the works of Philip Larkin and Sara Teasdale.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:31 am
I really enjoyed this article. I guess I’m still one of those lazy poets. I’m just beginning to read more poetry from successful poets both old and new. I’m also writing with more care thanks to Drew Diligence, who through his comments(even though some considered them to be harsh) has inspired me to read more and give more thoughts to the things I write.
January 12th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Well, the fourth time’s a charm. Perfect choice of words and brilliant examples for poetry. If anyone is offended by it, I fear they “doth protest too much!” Never fear, however, because strong, powerful, and truthful words have been delivered with such astounding grace. Thank You.
January 12th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Instructive fact,about poems.
January 12th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Very interesting, Michele. I really agree with you on everything. I am aware that no matter how much someone knows about a subject there’s still a lot more they don’t know and can learn; learning is a never ending process. You only stop learning when you think you know it all.
January 13th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Very informative.
January 13th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I love the fact that when you write it’s about brutal words and honesty. That’s why I love ya! You’re not afraid to take risks and put your heart on the line and on the paper.
January 13th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
This is really a very educational article. Through triond, I have come to love poetry. I don’t think I’ll ever be a poet, I’m glad I’m learning a lot here. Your work can help me discern better poetry.
January 16th, 2009 at 2:43 am
Every useful article!
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:51 am
A well stated argument for honest appraisal of work that is not a procession of saccharine compliments as so often occurs on many poetry sites. I post a fair number on Yahoo Answers where there are a small number of superb writers (including one publisher who has accepted some of my work!) in between the angst ridden teenagers and word manglers with limited vocabulary and less grammatical skills! I am new to Triond and only posted my first couple of poems here today, so I am looking forward to seeing how things go.
January 27th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Michele, I thank you so much for reading my article and for being supportive.
The poetry article was written from my own experience, since I was flipping through some of *my* old notebooks and what I found was embarassing.
So, I collected some of my own symptoms and wrote about it. Most of the comments were supportive, still I was surprised when one comment tried to make it sound like I was discouraging people from writing, when I was really trying to help!
I think this article does a better job of getting all writers to judge their work and I hope you write more like this.
January 31st, 2009 at 10:01 pm
I learned so much from this and hope I could apply this to improve my poems. Thank you very much.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
This article was full of great info. I have always loved to read poetry, but I have never been able to compose it. I guess we all have our writing strong points and weak points. I look forward to reading more from you.
April 25th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
I can fully relate to your bit on “Saddened”, highly agreed.
July 18th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Good.
Thank you.
While reading your post, I thought about the artists. The situation on the field of modern painting looks very similarly. Isn’t that symbolical? We are dealing not with writing (or painting) but the morality- we face the decrease of spiritual values in moder art.
April 23rd, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Well thanks, Michele, for the nod in my direction.
It is very much appreciated. Great article by the way. Thanks and have a good one.
September 12th, 2010 at 11:50 am
wow’ this article is good i very much enjoyed it.
i started writing poetry a year ago, I’m not saying its a good/ or an excellent write but it helps me make sense of myself.
‘Trapped Desires
‘flowers trapped inside desires
that can’t be eased’
let me linger around you, like an everlasting fish’
let me fulfill your wish with candels’
let me release thi’
To the power of beauty ” the ability to attract so many.
Beauty’
Nightingales, surround me
as a fly to another entity
be aware of my heart
and my infinate beauty”
November 6th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
A poet see things in a different perspective than others. Sometimes a poet comes up with a great stuff after going through some miserable situations. It’s something we can compare with a Gem that attains it’s ultimate beauty after years of withstanding the hard circumstances.