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This week: Get Rid of Your Fear of Writing Poetry! Edited by: Crys-not really here  
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Get Rid of Your Fear of Writing Poetry!
A lot of writers seem afraid of writing poetry. I credit high school English classes for instilling part of the fear. For many of us, school taught us that poetry was boring, full of "rules" and symbolism that only the most intelligent of us could understand. Fiction, on the other hand, seemed more accessible. It could be about almost anything our imaginations could come up with, and it seemed like risk-taking with different genres was socially acceptable. It's no wonder so many people claim they "aren't poets," even if they tried their hand at it as angst-ridden teenagers.
I hear a lot of people who claim they can't write poetry base their reasoning on misconceptions about the genre. That's why I've compiled this list of things you can do to change your attitude towards poetry and get over your fear of writing it!
 Write about what you know-- or don't. As I've written in previous newsletters, poetry can be about your inner emotions and personal experiences, or it can be totally made up. If you tend to write fiction because you don't like to write about yourself, try creating a character and writing from his or her point of view. Think of it as writing a short story, only in poetry form.
Don't be intimidated by forms. Not all poetry has to rhyme, and not all poetry has to be in a specific form. That's a misconception. But if you're interesting in learning about forms of poetry, start out with one that doesn't require you to use a specific meter. Meter has always been my weakness, and I think it can be overwhelming to some new poets. There are plenty of forms that allow you to be creative and expressive without feeling squeezed into a box.
Learn the rules, and then learn how to break them. Yes, poetry has rules. That's what makes it poetry. It's necessary to learn the difference between a simile and a metaphor, how to use alliteration, and how to rhyme. But chances are, you know that stuff already. So give yourself permission to play with the traditional "rules' of poetry. That goes for forms too.
Your forms to your advantage. One of my favorite things to do is to change the end words in a villanelle or mess with the rhyming words in a sonnet. No one says you have to stick strictly to a traditional form. If it fits your poem, do it, and have fun with it!
Read good poets! Change your mind about poetry by reading poets who are entertaining, modern, relevant, and break the rules well. Look at poets like Ted Kooser, Mark Doty, Denise Duhamel, and Gerald Stern (want to look at sonnets a whole new way? Read American Sonnets.) for examples of highly-accessible poetry.
This is just a starting point for reluctant poets. I'd love to hear what tips you have for writers who are scared to conquer poetry! |
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Thanks to everyone who wrote in about my last newsletter, Punctuation in Poetry!
Hi Chrys, I agree with your information on punctuation in poetry for the most part. Thanks for sharing.I dont think that every line has to end with a period, though. Sometimes the line is written so that the thought carries into the next line. Lewis Carroll is a poet I can think of who does not end each line with a period. -smjones
Agreed.
In terms of punctuation, I think poetry is one of those you-have-to-learn-the-rules-before-you-can-break-them things. Weird punctuation can be used to great effect IF the poet understands how ordinary people interpret a certain punctuation mark. Only by understanding punctuation can a poet use it in unorthodox ways to create unexpected and original effects in a poem 
Spawn of Sylvia Plath 
Yes!
Amen! I completely concur with your thoughts about punctuation in poetry. This is a great topic and one that needs to be addressed!  Thank you for a terrific newsletter. I hope to read the poems you listed. It's always fun to check them out. -warriormom
Back in 1959 My English teacher taught that there must be a comma after every line but the last line in a poem. I don't think many people accept that now, but it is hard to free myself from an old lesson. -
Loved your topic, Miss Crys-not really here . Punctuation in poetry is often my nemesis. Or is it when to break the rules? Whichever, thanks for the advice. -JACE 
Thank you for this awesome article! When I review poetry, this is always one of the first things I look for. Using proper punctuation not only makes sense, but it can increase the depth and meaning in your poetry. -Marci Missing Everyone
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Poetry: August 14, 2013 Issue [#5833]
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