Poetry: January 06, 2010 Issue [#3489]
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Poetry


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  Edited by: Red Writing Hood <3 Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter



“With me poetry has not been a purpose, but a passion.”

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)



“Poetry is finer and more philosophical than history; for poetry expresses the universal, and history only the particular.”

Aristotle (384 BC-322 BC)




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Letter from the editor



Resolutions, Goals and Disappointments.


Regardless of whether or not you will be entering the site contest:

http://www.writing.com/main/handler/first_in/1/item_id/597313-Dear-Me--Official-...

let’s talk about resolutions, goals and disappointments with regards to poetry.


Where Do I Start?

This part requires reflection. Take into consideration those things you didn’t get to last year and the new things you want in the new year. Write them all down as if you are brainstorming a new story or poem. Want to learn a bunch of new poetry forms? Maybe you want to write like Mike (as in Michael’s Lally, Burch, or Wigglesworth). Want to get your chapbook published? Perhaps you just want to write one decent sonnet. Let them be your wildest dreams right now, just let them all out. Be practical in a later step.

Now, start putting them in order of importance. It’s okay to put several at the same level of importance.
Since it isn’t usually practical for most people to allow poetry to be the end all and be all of one’s life, look at the top three. Which one of those can you visualize the most? Don’t pick the one you think is the most likely. Which one can you see yourself doing, and enjoying most.


How Do I Put That Into a Goal That Works?

First step is knowing what it will take to achieve your goal. It will be different if you want to publish your chapbook compared to learning new poetry forms. You will also need to be specific here. How many new poetry forms do you want to learn? Do you want to self publish that chapbook or have a small press publish it?

Now, take those steps and split them up throughout the year. This is the time to be honest with yourself and decide if this is a feasible one year goal. If it is, great! Keep making your steps—keeping in mind your unique schedule. If not, decide how much you can achieve this year. Keeping in mind there are some things you do not have control over (like a publisher’s decision to publish), but there are also things you can control (like how many submissions you send out each week).


How Can I Avoid Disappointment?

Writing is a tough field, and disappointments lurk everywhere. There are some suggestions I can make to make it easier.

1) Post your goals where you can see them. Think about making a daily or weekly list where you can check off items as you complete them.

2) Get a buddy who has similar goals. I find it very easy to disappoint myself, but I don’t like disappointing others. You can encourage each other, work together, and even make challenges or competitions with each other. There are several groups on WdC that could help you with this, too.

3) Analyze past performance and figure out what kept you from your goals before. Then, put things in place to help you overcome those obstacles. My biggest stumbling block is I take on a whole lot more than I have time for. I need to be honest from the start about what is achievable for me. I have two part-time jobs, go to school part-time, and have four kids who need me for different things on a daily basis. Kids, school and work are priorities, so I put other things on the back burner where they simmer until they dry up and stick to the pan.

4) When you find yourself missing a step, or two, or three—forgive yourself. Reevaluate your steps. If you need to, alter them and start over.


Now I want you to share your poetry (and other) goals with me. How are you going to make it work for you? Do you need a buddy? Is there a WdC (or other) group online or offline that will help you achieve your goals? And add anything else (encouragements, challenges, tips, etc.) you’d like to share with the newsletter subscribers.


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Editor's Picks


Theme: Goals, resolutions, disappointments, and some other stuff thrown in.


Resolutions (2010) Open in new Window. [E]
New Year's resolutions aren't always kept - but alway's important. (Form: Dorsimbra)
by 🌕 HuntersMoon Author Icon

 
Image Protector
stuck to you: a collage Open in new Window. [ASR]
glueing words in your image
by Cappucine Author Icon

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by A Guest Visitor

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by A Guest Visitor

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by A Guest Visitor

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by A Guest Visitor

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by A Guest Visitor

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by A Guest Visitor

 13 Miles to Go Open in new Window. [E]
We each have our own goal.
by Lou-Here By His Grace Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 
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Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Ask & Answer



Have a question, answer, problem, solution, tip, trick, cheer, jeer, or extra million lying around?

If so, send it through the feedback section at the bottom of this newsletter OR click the little envelope next to my name Red Writing Hood <3 Author IconMail Icon and send it through email.


Comments on last month's newsletter:


By: NOVAcatmando Author Icon
Comment: I liked what you said in this edition, I'd just like more discussion on it. Dark comedy in particular can evoke a strong reaction in the reader that, perhaps, an overtly confessional poem does not. *Delight* Health and Peace ~ Catherine


By: Maria Mize Author Icon
Item: "A NIGHT AT THE OPERAOpen in new Window. [E]
Comment: I have a few (fictional) poems written in fun, sort of off the cuff. This is one of them. Enjoy.



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