When I began writing, A key to writing in rhyme, I could not predict how many "keys" I would cover in this brief series ... which is why I didn't title it, Ten keys to writing in rhyme ... yet here we are at #10.
Writing poetry sometimes runs along similar lines. You might not know how many stanzas you'll end up with. The poem itself should tell you when it is finished, which requires that you listen to it.
Knowing when it's done ... listen.
Impatience has sometimes led me to conclude that a poem I've been writing is finished, when it actually has much more to say. This is one reason why I generally advise letting a piece ferment for a while.
When I wrote Airship, I originally left it at five stanzas. I shared it with a brilliant online poetry group I belong to, but then I began to hear that it wasn't the poem that it could be; they wanted more.
I looked at the poem again with an open mind, and listened to it with a view to the group's comments. At some point, it began to go in a whole new direction, though not necessarily the one they'd offered.
Just the mere mention that Airship needed more made me realize just how impatient I had been to give it my stamp of approval. This poem now stands at fourteen stanzas, and is a much better piece.
Whether it comes from a writer's group, a friend or relative, or from the voice of the poem itself, give all counsel some measure of consideration. My poems have greatly benefited from all of these.
Though this is my last instructional "key" in this series, it is not my last word on the subject of writing in rhyme. There will always be so much more to say, but for now, let's recap the headings we covered:
1. Seek out published poets who rhyme.
2. Immerse yourself in rhyming verse = READ!
3. Begin with a line and see where it takes you.
4. Immerse yourself in your poem = muse = atmosphere.
5. What is the shape of your poem?
6. Find the ambiance of your poem = atmosphere.
7. Poetry = a two-way conversation.
8. Editing = weeding.
9. The naming game ... titling your poem.
10. Knowing when it's done ... listen to your poem.
I sincerely hope that you found these post helpful. Please let me know, via the Add Comment section, (below), if you have any questions or would like to leave me a comment. In the meantime:
I will be attending the Clockwork Alchemy 2014, Alternate Empires Convention, May 23 - 26. Please click here for more information on this event. I invite you to visit me there at my author's table.
On Saturday, May 24th, I will be reprising this series, Keys To
Writing Rhyming Poetry, at 10 am in the Author's Salon. I have also been invited to participate in a few other panels that weekend.
Writing poetry sometimes runs along similar lines. You might not know how many stanzas you'll end up with. The poem itself should tell you when it is finished, which requires that you listen to it.
Knowing when it's done ... listen.
Impatience has sometimes led me to conclude that a poem I've been writing is finished, when it actually has much more to say. This is one reason why I generally advise letting a piece ferment for a while.
When I wrote Airship, I originally left it at five stanzas. I shared it with a brilliant online poetry group I belong to, but then I began to hear that it wasn't the poem that it could be; they wanted more.
I looked at the poem again with an open mind, and listened to it with a view to the group's comments. At some point, it began to go in a whole new direction, though not necessarily the one they'd offered.
Just the mere mention that Airship needed more made me realize just how impatient I had been to give it my stamp of approval. This poem now stands at fourteen stanzas, and is a much better piece.
Whether it comes from a writer's group, a friend or relative, or from the voice of the poem itself, give all counsel some measure of consideration. My poems have greatly benefited from all of these.
Though this is my last instructional "key" in this series, it is not my last word on the subject of writing in rhyme. There will always be so much more to say, but for now, let's recap the headings we covered:
1. Seek out published poets who rhyme.
2. Immerse yourself in rhyming verse = READ!
3. Begin with a line and see where it takes you.
4. Immerse yourself in your poem = muse = atmosphere.
5. What is the shape of your poem?
6. Find the ambiance of your poem = atmosphere.
7. Poetry = a two-way conversation.
8. Editing = weeding.
9. The naming game ... titling your poem.
10. Knowing when it's done ... listen to your poem.
I sincerely hope that you found these post helpful. Please let me know, via the Add Comment section, (below), if you have any questions or would like to leave me a comment. In the meantime:
I will be attending the Clockwork Alchemy 2014, Alternate Empires Convention, May 23 - 26. Please click here for more information on this event. I invite you to visit me there at my author's table.
On Saturday, May 24th, I will be reprising this series, Keys To
Writing Rhyming Poetry, at 10 am in the Author's Salon. I have also been invited to participate in a few other panels that weekend.
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