  Noticing Newbies
This week: Poetic Independence! Edited by: Stephanie Grace  
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| Noticing a "newbie" isn't so easy when what may be commonplace to one person is new to another. I think this newsletter should not only celebrate the notice the new members of this site, but also introduce those that have been here for years to something new to them. We are all newbies at something, in our own way --and, I hope, even some veterans of this site will find something that makes them feel fresh [and new] when they read my words... |
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Hello again, my darlings, and a big welcome to my new darlings!  Last time we sat for a chat, I encouraged you all to rebel against the world (okay, maybe it didn't happen quite like that...) and create your own world. This time, I thought we'd turn our attention to poetry.
There have been many, many, many different poetry forms recorded throughout history. Sure, that's great (Who doesn't love variety, right?), but it can also be overwhelming. Even worse, it can flat-out zap you of all inspiration.
 Note: I do recommend looking through forms to help with a block, but we're not talking about when you're blocked this time.
How do I figure? Well, here's a short tale (mine): Before I found WdC, I would write poem after poem. All free verse, sometimes they rhymed -usually, they didn't. When I started posting to WdC, I kept receiving reviews that mentioned my crazy syllable counts or lack of structure. Before I knew it, I was counting all syllables, fitting everything to a form, and rhyming more often than not (Forget meter... Meter and I don't get along)! I found myself focusing so much on the form and explaining how the poem was constructed that I stopped being free. I was constricted by the tap of my fingers and the offerings of rhymezone.com. Put simply: I was no longer just following my heart and instincts; I was being led by the technical aspects instead of my own words. Hence, form zapping inspiration. 
Stream of Conscious writing can help, I'm sure, but I just can't do it. Instead, try a list of words (think magnetic poetry without the magnetic) and rearrange them into a poem. Make sure the list is varied... long words, short words, (don't forget an 'a' or a 'the'). Sure, syllabic count can still wander into your brain, but the focus of putting those words together in a meaningful way can take so much focus that you simply don't have the brain power to count the syllables or seek out rhymes (This trick will work better if your list doesn't contain any rhyming words). Yes, you should use all words on the list! 
I honestly feel that free verse is the best way to get out emotion. Without focus divided between form and words, you are able to just get out what you need to say and release your emotion(s). I am not saying that formed poetry lacks emotion -that is most definitely not the case, but when you have an emotion so strong that it feels like you'll suffocate if you don't cry it out with some ink, who has time to worry about syllables?
This time, I'm encouraging you all to break free of your poetic chains! Sit down, let it out without caring about or counting the technical flaws. If you need to, just write a paragraph, break it into lines and remove a few words or change some punctuation -you have a poem! Share a memory, describe a photograph, whatever sparks some emotion in your heart so much so that you just can't breathe until you've released it!
Forms are great and can help with writer's block, but lack of form can be of greater help when you're emotions are running high or your heart is shattering. Trust me, I've been there.  Besides, if your words can't fit into a form, who says you can't make your own? This is your world, poets, and you are just as free to mold it to your preference as a fiction writer in a post-apocalyptic tenth planet from the sun!
 ,
Stephanie Grace |
Here are some new poems from poets that know they don't need to follow rules nor some strict form!
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To be honest, when I wrote "Noticing Newbies Newsletter (June 6, 2012)" , I was kind of letting off steam after seeing someone's writing ripped apart for not being realistic. I cannot tell you how flattering it is to know that I pushed a few off of a proverbial cliff and forced you to land on your own terrain! Turf of clouds and spiky skies of grass? I'm in --and I'm glad to see that some of you are willing to let go of the world we know and create the one that you want for your characters! Fiction just ain't fiction if it keeps us in reality, right?
From mulberry: Dear Stephanie Grace, Thank you for giving me permission to create my own world. I needed that.When you said,"be true to yourself and your own needs, wants, and imagination! If you can't, then why write at all?" it really hit home. I will write with a new perspective from now on.
 You give me too much credit, but I am so thrilled that you're seeing the reality of fiction writing! The only permission needed is your own. It's your world! (Just promise me that you'll never have Henry VIII send a text message nor eliminate autumn and winter).
From Minna : I loved this newsletter. Especially what you said about our fantasy worlds becoming reality. It is something I've been believing in...
Minna
We read to escape reality and many of us write for the same reason. Lucky for those of us that write, we get to escape reality every time that we take pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. For those that cannot imagine their own world, writers create their escapes. Thank you for allowing people an escape from their reality!
From Vivian  : Excuse me while I snicker at a comment you were kind enough to which to give a polite response. Someone insults you and uses incorrect grammar while doing so: "a lot of things make me twitch or make me want to scream, yell, and throw punches." means your a jerk. Which if written correctly would read: "A lot of things make me twitch or make me want to scream, yell, and throw punches" means you're a jerk. *shakes head* Sad, so sad.
Thank you, Vivian! We are a kind people, us WdC members, but I really never thought someone would speak out against proper grammar nor my personal quirks. I really thought I was engaging my audience by being funny... So much for my comedic career, but I'm sure my twitches will prove to be useful someday....
From magicmayflower: Thank you. Words I needed to hear, I have been struggling with images and you have made me realise, that they can be anything I want.
Thanks.
Magicmayflower
I can't even imagine how many great writers throughout history have had to let go of reality and just let their words create their own worlds! At some point, just about everything seemed impossible or illogical. Many things we have today would have been scoffed at just a few decades ago. Imagination keeps life interesting and keeps the world moving forward --or gives us a great escape!
From Cerulean Raven : I loved your letter from the editor about fantasy writing. It's so true that some of fantasy writing's allure lies in creating a world that no one else can see until you show it to them.
Amen to that! It is so freeing to get lost in another world and I always find myself delighted when it really comes to life around me. Such books and stories, though, tend to put a damper on my reading because I just want to stay in that world instead of moving on to the next! |
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Noticing Newbies: July 04, 2012 Issue [#5131]
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