| Home | Stories | Poems | Articles | Photos | Links |
 Poetry: December 09, 2009 Issue [#3434] |
  Poetry This week: Edited by: redridinghooMore Newsletters By This Editor   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  “Poetry comes nearer to vital truth than history.” Plato (428 BC-348 BC) “Poetry is the record of the best and happiest moments of the happiest and best minds.” Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)    Poetry, Comedy, and Other Animals, er, Emotions In many societies it isn’t acceptable to weep publicly, punch animate or inanimate objects, and howl emotions like anger, frustration, and despair. So many people turn to poetry as a way to express the feelings they have inside. Writing poetry in an emotional state can be cleansing, but doesn’t always make great poetry. One of the reasons for this is the poet is too close to the moment or emotion they’re writing about.*** Because laughter is a socially accepted way to express the feelings of joviality, poets don’t always utilize poetry for this purpose. This creates an opportunity to create poetry in a more detached manner. This doesn’t mean you don’t remember the feelings; however it allows you to see situations in a new way— when you aren’t filled with the emotion you can permit more than emotion to play a part in the poem. In this case, hopefully in a way that allows you to bring out the funny. Here is a poem I wrote that won a local poetry competition last year:
I pulled myself out of the emotional part and tried to find a funny spin on the situation. Most, if not all, poets have been here. By stepping back it allows us to see all sides of the sadness, problem, or drama. I’m just as invested in this poem as my more emotional work, but I’ve pulled back in order to see (and present) the humorous side. In this case, with happy results.  Remember to write all sides (um, best not in the same poem, though, lol), and from all emotions. There may be personal or poetic growth that come from it—and, ooo, those little gems of poetry you can treasure by yourself or share with others.  ***I’m not telling you to stop writing this type of poetry. I’m also not telling you that all poetry of this type isn’t great. Some of it is amazing to read. Only you can decide why you write and for what ultimate purpose it will serve. 
Theme: Show me the funny! This first one wasn't listed as comedy, but I chose it because it also talks about writing, and used the word "pukey" like I did above. I had to share it (and it's own creative side) with everyone. 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter! http://www.Writing.Com/main/newsletters.php?action=nli_form  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! http://www.Writing.Com/main/newsletters.php?action=nli_form Don't forget to support our sponsor! InstantPublisher.Com: Self publishing made easy and affordable. All file types accepted with many options. Starting at $100 for 25 copies in 7-10 days! Visit us today!  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 redridinghoo and send it through email. Comments on last month's newsletter: Submitted By: omniblueeyes Submitted Comment: Awesome pointers. Bookmarked? Can I bookmark this? *looks* Nope, so I shall save  Submitted By: merlack Submitted Comment: Thanks for an awesome newsletter! I've done many poetry reviews on WDC and I think many of them involve me pointing out the usage of JUST. We aren't friends. Thanks Again! I continue to find "just" and "only" sneaking into my work, lol! Submitted By: ransomme Submitted Comment: I love the article on dead words, will be putting this in my favorites for further use. grannym Submitted By: jansand Submitted Comment: I am terribly sorry but he dead word list indicated is one of the most prejudiced and unthoughtful approaches I have come across in a long time. I enjoy using appropriate and original language and to flush away common and very useful words and even cliches is bad advice. It's not a matter of exiling them totally but choosing how to use them well. Don't be sorry, I welcome all opinions. I assure you I put great thought into each newsletter. While I disagree with you about the dead word list I do agree that any and all editing should be done carefully and with consideration of personal writing style, writing objective, and target audience. Eliminating or replacing words without thought would not help the writer or the reader and was not my intention with the article. My intention was to point out areas that often need editing, why things like dead words, excessive adverbs and cliches aren't the best choices, and how you can use your word processing program to help edit. Submitted By: pammierose Submitted Comment: Wow...great information. I am currently writing three books and this information is going to be very helpful. I truly think these tips will make the difference in "good" versus "it's ok" writing. Thanks a Ton! PammieRose Submitted By: mike3l6 Submitted Comment: I'd like to thank you for including my piece, "Leaving Love Behind" in the current issue. I did not know it was even being used. What a pleasant surprise! I found out from a member of my reviewing group, saying she saw it listed here so I had to come check it out. Thank you again, I'm honored to be among the chosen few. Have a wonderful day! I try to let author's know they're being featured, but many times I'm rushed with several deadlines expected all at once. I'm glad someone let you know! Submitted By: joy4rain Submitted Item: "Facing the Day" [E]Submitted Comment: A friend dared me to stop being so serious with my poetry so I decided to try submitting the one funny piece I have written. Whether you choose to use it or not, I hope it makes you smile! I'm glad your friend made the dare and that you accepted it. You've inspired this week's newsletter Submitted By: gemininski Submitted Item: "Invalid Item" Submitted Comment: Hi, I love the newsletter and was wondering if your kind readers could give my submission a try? Thank you all for your kind comments and feedback. I enjoy reading it all. Keep 'em coming!  To stop receiving this newsletter, go into your account and remove the check from the box beside the specific topic. Be sure to click "Complete Edit" or it will not save your changes. |
This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright.
