Tag: writing poetry

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Writers Chat

Writers Chat Recap for April Part 1

Writers Chat Recap

Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Brandy Brow, is the show where we talk about all things writing, by writers and for writers!

“Because talking about writing is more fun than actually doing it.”

10 Ways to Win at Writers Contests with Julie Lavender

To enter or not to enter? Often writers struggle with this question when it comes to writing contests. Author Julie Lavender joins Writers Chat to share a treasure trove of tips and information on entering contests, especially at conferences. Benefits, costs, guidelines, are just a few of the topics Julie covers. If you’re contemplating entering a contest now in or the future, this episode is for you.

Watch the March 29th Replay

Julie Lavender is the author of 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories, published by Revell, and Children’s Bible Stories for Bedtime, published by a Penguin Random House imprint. She recently spoke on a Focus on the Family Broadcast about showing love to a child and would be honored if you’d check out the interview here: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/epis…. Julie, the author of 1000+ newspaper and magazine articles, has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and is a wife, mom, and grandmommy.

Come Write With Us: Poetry

Poets Rachael M. Colby and Patricia Tiffany Morris share various elements of poetry, introduce unfamiliar forms (such as reverse poetry and blacked-out poetry) and guide us through writing poems with a couple different exercises to try. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a poet, this episode will deepen your understanding of using descriptive language in your writing. Besides, you may be a poet who doesn’t know it!

Watch the April 5th replay.

Rachael M. Colby, born and raised in Jamaica, an award-winning writer, wife, mom, beach bum, and artist. She writes to glorify God, encourage believers, and reach the lost. She connects culture’s questions with Christianity’s answers, inspires faith, and motivates through articles, devotions, poetry, and interviews. Her work has appeared on Southern Ohio Christian Voice, Inkspirations Online, Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Blog, and the Oak Ridger newspaper. You can connect with Rachael on social media or her website, https://tattooitonyourheart.com.

Patricia Tiffany Morris, writer, artist, and brainstorming creative. Her eclectic awards from 2019-2021 ranged from poetry, short fiction, children’s stories, to suspense and inspirational prose. Earning first place at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference (BRMCWC) in 2021 for her split-time novel. Patricia also holds publishing credits at The Ekphrastic Review, Word Weavers Int, Lyrical Iowa, and Guideposts. Now an empty-nester, she’s inspired by her rhyming husband. Connect with Patricia on social media or https://www.patriciatiffanymorris.com.

Co-Authoring – Am I Meant to Work with Another Author? With Hope Bolinger

In this episode of Writers Chat, multi-published acquisitions editor Hope Bolinger, brings a wealth of knowledge to the subject of co-authoring. She’s co-authored eight of her eighteen books. From details on the nuances of co-authoring to its unique challenges and advantages, Hope sheds an exuberant light on the subject. If you’ve ever thought about co-authoring, then this episode will help you decide if working with another author is the right path for you.

Watch the April 12th replay.

Hope Bolinger is a Managing & Acquisitions Editor at End Game Press. More than 1300 of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer’s Digest to Keys for Kids. She has worked for various publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, and literary agencies and has edited the work of authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams. Find out more about her at hopebolinger.com

Writers Chat is hosted live each Tuesday for an hour starting at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET
on Zoom. The permanent Zoom room link is: http://zoom.us/j/4074198133

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Guest Posts

Do You Know These Benefits of Writing Poetry?

Guest posts

Poetry is such a beautiful form of literature. It allows you to say so much without having to write pages and pages. Through symbolism, rhymes, rhythmic, and aesthetic language, poetry can truly express the author’s deepest emotions and wildest thoughts. And, the best thing about poetry is that it brings certain benefits to the author.

The benefits of writing poetry might be a mystery to you, but we’re here to tell you more. We’ve put together a list that will help you learn just how good poetry can be for you, mentally and physically. Let’s take a closer look.

1. Expressing Emotions

The number one benefit of writing poetry lies in expressing emotions. This is crucial for those people who have trouble dealing with how they feel.

And, one thing’s for sure- you should never swipe your emotions under the rug.

Through writing poetry, you’re able to:

  • process the emotions you’re feeling
  • use creativity to express them
  • deal with them in your poetry and let them go

That means that poetry helps you let go of certain feelings instead of constantly holding on to the past. And, this is extremely beneficial for your mental health and inner peace.

2. Escaping Reality

We all need a break from our reality every now and then. And, poetry allows us to create our own little world and escape in it whenever we like.

People who write poetry regularly report that they feel shifted away whenever they’re in this process. Here’s what that means:

  • writing poetry takes you to your happy place
  • you feel relaxed, stress-free, and inspired
  • you can rest from the daily noise and tension

Escaping your busy reality is a good idea, and poetry is one of the best ways to do it.

3. Building Self-Awareness

Learning about ourselves and getting in touch with our inner-selves is never a bad idea. This is something we should try doing for as long as we’re alive.

Why?

Because it helps us build self-awareness and grow stronger on a personal level. Here’s how poetry helps you build self-awareness:

  • you express your ideas and emotions in your poems
  • you do it intuitively, which makes it honest
  • you re-read those lines and gain new insight about yourself

Poetry allows you to learn about yourself, grow, and improve.

4. Memorizing Important Moments

When certain things happen in our lives, we like to hold on to them. Whether it’s a beautiful memory or a life-changing event, it’s good to be reminded of your past experiences.

But, holding it all inside can be potentially harmful to our mental health. This is why it’s a good idea to write it down through poetry. This way, you’ll be:

  • getting it out of your system
  • making sure it’s never forgotten
  • allowing yourself to re-live it whenever you read the poems

Angela Baker, a literary critic, and editor at Trust My Paper, says:

“Poetry is one of the best ways to preserve some of the most important moments of your life. When you turn them into poetry, they’ll forever remain alive and available for you to re-live them. That’s the beauty of poetry.”

Angela Baker

5. Remove Emotional Pain

Some of the most beautiful poems were written as a result of great emotional pain. When we suffer, we feel most inspired to write poetry because we feel the need to ease the pain we’re feeling.

Poetry helps us remove this emotional pain, and here’s how:

  • we bring it out of ourselves
  • we deal with all the emotions we’re feeling
  • we find relief and peace

Writing poetry benefits those who are struggling to heal from a recent emotional episode and need a hand to do it successfully.

6. Improving Cognition

Poetry isn’t just beneficial for our emotional side. It also has a positive impact on our brand and cognition, so we can almost say that it’s making us smarter.

Here’s why this is the case:

  • writing poetry is a complex process
  • it requires us to combine the words, hidden meaning, symbols, rhymes, and rhythmic
  • this process makes our brain active and stronger

Poetry helps us train our brain into being sharper and working smoothly. As a result, our overall cognition, memory, and focus are improved.

Final Thoughts

Writing poetry is an immensely enjoyable and beneficial process we should all try. People who write poetry experience significant benefits and improvements in their well-being.

Hopefully, the benefits listed above helped you understand just how valuable the process of writing poetry is. Use it as inspiration to start enjoying writing poetry more.

Donald Fomby is an experienced freelance writer and amateur poet. He currently works as an editor at Supreme Dissertations. Donald mainly focuses on literature-related topics and aims to provide practical advice his readers can apply easily

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The Poet's Pen

Poetry, Poetry Everywhere – Poetry Topics

Sometimes poets are asked, “Where do you find things to write about?” Everything is a possible subject, although there are some topics you might want to refrain from tackling. Below is a list that offers some ideas for your next poem.

Possible poetry topics

  1. Describe something. Paint a picture with words – mountains, a stream, a new vehicle, etc.
  2. A response to something – a rebuttal about something directed at you or a cause you support.
  3. The scent of something – baking cookies, cinnamon, roses, hay, etc. It could also be a bad scent such as decay or death, the smell of medicine or a hospital. Along with scent don’t forget the other senses of touch and taste. Think of the creamery coldness of ice cream or the feel of silk.
  4. A special occasion such as Christmas, a birthday, an anniversary.
  5. An emotion – love. hate, fear, excitement, joy, etc. 6
  6. Someone you love. Children make good subjects.
  7. A pet or other animal. Describe its fur, eyes, teeth, or intelligence.
  8. A color, its scent, how it makes you feel. What would the color look like if it were a person?
  9. Religion or a lack of.
  10. Personify a disease. For example, describe arthritis as an old man.
  11. Ravages of time, an age. This could be a place or a person reflecting on his life.
  12. Write about your first something – kiss, job, child, pet, etc.
  13. Look to history – select a time or historical subject to write about.
  14. Books can offer inspiration. For example, the Bible is full of great ideas.

Have fun. Use the above suggestions to spark your own poem.

Darlo Gemeinhardt writes middle grade novels. She believes that there is a story in every dog. In her spare time she takes care of 1 husband (of 40 years), 29 dogs and trains with TALLAO, K-9 SEARCH AND RESCUE. Visit her at From the dog pen.com

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The Poet's Pen

Giving Thanks

There are many ways to show gratitude and writing a Thanksgiving poem is the way many have expressed themselves over the years.

“The New England Boy’s Song About Thanksgiving Day”  written by Lydia Maria Child in 1844, is one of the most well-known poems of thanksgiving. (Although, you might recognize it as the song “Over the River and Through the Wood,” published in 1897.)

The poem describes a sleigh-ride through the snow. It begins with, “Over the river, and through the wood to grandfather’s house we go”.

Other well-known Thanksgiving poems include: “The Pumpkin” by John Greenleaf Whittier (1850); “No. 814” by Emily Dickinson; “Fire Dreams” by Carl Sandburg; and “Thanksgiving Time” by Langston Hughes.

The Bible also has thanksgiving verses, many of them poems. The books of poetry are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
This year as you prepare for Thanksgiving why don’t you try your hand at writing a Thanksgiving poem.

Give Thanks in Everything
by Darlo Gemeinhardt

You see dirty dishes in the sink,

But I see the wonderful meal we had.

You see dog hair on the couch and floor,

But I see pets offering unconditional love.

You see piles of dirty clothes to wash,

But I see we have clothes to wear.

You see an old crippled body,

But I see someone who has had a long life.

You see kids who need a bath,

But I see the future.

You see the overall messiness and confusion,

But I see family.

You see the need to hurry away,

But I see the need to give thanks.

Darlo Gemeinhardt writes middle grade novels. She believes that there is a story in every dog. In her spare time she takes care of 1 husband (of 40 years), 29 dogs and trains with TALLAO, K-9 SEARCH AND RESCUE. Visit her at From the dog pen.com

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The Poet's Pen

What Makes A Good Poem?

All writing is about “words” but poetry uses concise words in a concise order. One word in a  poem can make a drastic difference in how the poem is perceived. Sometimes changing one word can make or break a poem.

Look at the following example from THE EAGLE by Alfred Lord Tennyson

He  clasps the crag with taloned hands (my version) or–

He clasps the crag with crooked hands (the way Tennyson wrote it)

Do you see how much smoother Tennyson’s version reads?

Which of the following two poems by an anonymous writer do you think is better?

A
The spoken or written word
Should be as clean as a bone,
As clear as is the light,
As firm as is a stone.
Two words will never serve
As well as one alone.

 

B
The written word
Should be clean as bone,
Clear as light,
Firm as stone.
Two words are not
As good as one.[1]

A Good Poem:

  1. comes from the poet’s heart.
  2. touches your heart.
  3. makes you want to read it again…and again.
  4. like the Bible, each time you read it you see/learn something different.
  5. creates a new image by juxtaposing different things together.
  6. uses clear, memorable, concrete images
  7. tells a story.
  8. creates a world inside the poem

The next time you write a poem, think about how the words fit together. Try replacing a word of phrase with a different one to see which one is better.

[1] Perrine, Laurence, LITERATURE Structure, Sound, and Sense, Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc., New York, 1970. p.565.

Darlo Gemeinhardt writes middle grade novels. She believes that there is a story in every dog. In her spare time she takes care of 1 husband (of 40 years), 29 dogs and trains with TALLAO, K-9 SEARCH AND RESCUE. Visit her at From the dog pen.com

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The Poet's Pen

Numbered Poems

This month I thought we might do something different and fun. I want you to write an 81 word poem with one word on the first line, two words on the second line, three words on the third line and so forth. You will end up with 17 lines total. The lines can rhyme or not. It doesn’t matter. Your poem should tell a story or give us a glimpse into something.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A DOG AND CAT

Dog (1)
has fleas (2)
making him itchy (3)
causing him to bark, (4)
and bark, bark, and bark (5)
only after playing in the hay (6)
and then chasing Cat up a tree. (7)
When night comes you’ll find Dog and Cat (8)
snuggled with each other under the soft comfy covers (9)
dreaming of bones, and mice, and goodies galore. (8)
And as the new day breaks early, (7)
Dog stretches and yawns, Cat purrs (6)
both ready to go out (5)
and start everything over (4)
again and again. (3)
Dog has (2)
fleas (1)

There’s no end to the variations you can do with this: Alternating the number of words per line. 6,7,8,1,2,3,6,7,8 You get the idea.

Email me your poems. I would love to share them on my website.

Darlo Gemeinhardt writes middle grade novels. She believes that there is a story in every dog. In her spare time she takes care of 1 husband (of 40 years), 29 dogs and trains with TALLAO, K-9 SEARCH AND RESCUE. Visit her at From the dog pen.com

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A Pinch of Poetry

Found Poetry: Poetic Forms I

In honor of National Poetry Month (April), I thought we could take a few moments to explore writing a poem today.

Not too long ago, I discovered a form of poetry I had not known before: found poetry. According to https://www.poets.org/found poetry is similar to a collage. And it’s exactly what it sounds like. You “find” your poem by collecting words, phrases and lines from different sources. This unique type of poetry can be used with all ages.

Disclaimer: if you borrow someone else’s words be careful about plagiarism, especially if you decide to publish your poem.

How do you “find” a poem?

There are many ways to compile a found poem. My first recommendation is to begin with a theme or message. Then you can limit yourself to one or two sources that have that common theme, such as the obituaries or personal ads.

Another approach is to start looking for words and let them lead you to the theme or message.  As you scan through several sources, pull unique words and phrases from each of them that seem to connect.

Creative places to find your poem

Think outside the lines for this type of poetry. The inspiration can come from anywhere, including the back of a box of cereal! Here are a few sources to get you started:

*Instruction manuals, especially for electronics or games

*patient prescription printouts that come along with medications

*terms of agreement, privacy practices brochures, and other legal stuff no one reads

*warranty information

*book, movie or product reviews

*news or magazine articles

*advertisements, billboards, slogans

*literature, especially short stories, novels, and poetry (again be mindful of plagiarism)

*emails, Facebook and Twitter posts, and other social media forums

*recipes or food labels

*Bible verses, passages, and sermon notes

*street signs, political signs, and other signs

*song lyrics or movie subtitles

*websites

*wanted, for-sale ads, personal ads, obituaries

This list really could go on forever. Part of the fun is finding a unique place from which to gather your words.

Once you have your words, phrases and a general idea of the theme, let the creativity flow.

[bctt tweet=”Write your next poem from the back of a cereal box. #poets #poetry”]

Tips to jump-start your poem

Consider these suggestions if you’re not sure how to get started:

*Write a “How To” poem using an instruction manual, recipe and/or prescription information.

*Compose a funny poem by skimming through terms of agreement or warranty information. What kind of poem could you write that explores offering a “limited” warranty on something unusual, say a relationship?

*Take a line from another famous poem and write a poem in response.

*For younger children (and adults), try cutting out words and arranging them into a poem like making a real collage on paper.

For more about found poetry, click here.

Now it’s time to challenge yourself. Once you’ve written your found poem, share it below. Don’t forget to tell us where the words came from because many times that is part of the fun!

[bctt tweet=”Where will you find your next poem? #poets #poetry”]

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A Pinch of Poetry

5 Ways to Keep Your Poetry Simple

Simplicity is extremely valuable when it comes to communicating through poetry. I’ve always wanted my poems to positively impact the reader rather than turn them away.

From my experience, here are five things to keep in mind as you craft your own poems that will allow readers to appreciate them fully.

1: Relatable Subject

First, choose a recognizable subject that will resonate with your audience. If the reader can relate to the subject, he or she will appreciate the poem that much more. Many poets, if not all, write from the unique inspirations of everyday life. Example

2 : Simple Language

You might be tempted to use academic words or jargon in poetry, but I recommend that you do this sparingly and only for a certain effect, such as humor or reverence. Your ideas can still be complex, and you should use unique words and phrases. Just make sure your poem on the whole is decipherable. Example

3: Comprehensible Message

What meaning do you want to convey through your poetry? Whatever it is, try to make sure that it fits our common experience. People understand themes such as beauty, death, joy and disappointment. Choosing a simple message will make sure that the reader “gets it.” Example

4: Clear Imagery

Every poet should use figurative language and poetic devices to create imagery and mood in their poetry. That’s where the true complexity and skill comes into play. Whatever techniques you use should create easily visualized images that touch one or more of the five senses. Example

5: Familiar References

Allusion is a powerful poetic tool, but it can often leave the reader confused. If you make references, try to allude to people, places, events, etc… for which most of your readers will have some knowledge. If you make an obscure reference, the readers might miss the entire point. Example

Knowing Your Audience

Most of these suggestions have to do with knowing your audience. As you consider these ideas, also keep in mind your readers. If they will understand academic vocabulary, obscure subjects and references and extraordinary topics, then by all means use them.

Warning: Simplicity Doesn’t Mean Easy

[bctt tweet=”If it’s too easy to write, then you probably didn’t try hard enough. #writers #poets”]

I want to be very clear about what I mean by keeping poetry simple.

When writing poetry using my suggestions, you may be tempted to simplify the techniques. For example, forcing rhyme in a poem at the expense of your diction (word choice). Or using clichés instead of coming up with original similes, metaphors, etc…

Be reminded that writing poetry shouldn’t be an easy task for you, the poet. It takes much skill to craft a commendable poem that resonates with a reader. If it’s too easy to write, then you probably didn’t try hard enough.

Just saying.

Because poetry is an art, we want it to be worthy of appreciation as well as accessible to the world. We want our readers to understand it, but not oversimplify it so it loses its aesthetic value.

And I’m not suggesting that you should never write poems that have mystery and depth—both add value to poetry.

I simply believe that the complexity should mostly challenge the poet rather than the reader.

Do you have any other suggestions for writing understandable poetry? Tell me below.

[bctt tweet=”Let the complexity of poetry challenge the poet rather than the reader. #poets #poetry “]

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A Pinch of Poetry

Keeping Poetry Simple

One of my goals as a poet is to make poetry practical and less intimidating for writers while respecting it as an art form. Maybe that’s why I get a little irritable when I see poets going to great lengths to make their poetry enigmatic.

I’m not saying that we should write greeting card poetry or Mother Goose poems. And I’m not implying that poetry should be an easy craft.

What I mean is that in the very act of writing a poem, an artist is trying to convey a message to a reader. If the reader walks away baffled and frustrated, what purpose has been accomplished?

Complexity and mystery have a crucial role in crafting the poem, but they shouldn’t be the reason people avoid it.

Of course, part of the enjoyment of poetry is figuring out the artistic secrets hidden within the words. But it shouldn’t take a doctorate in linguistics to excavate the meaning.

Because poetic trends come and go kind of like the style and color of jeans that’s in for the year, I have a proposition.

Let’s make poetry simple again.[bctt tweet=”Let’s make poetry simple again. #poets #poetry”]

Yes, I’m swimming against the complicated wave that contemporary poetry seems to be surfing. Maybe I’m kind of like my hero William Wordsworth when he started writing British poetry that everyday people could understand to rebel against the sophisticated language and concepts of his predecessors.

I, too, believe poets need to write so that people can experience it and understand it at the same time.

Poetry should always push your writing and creativity to its limits. Since poetry is an art, we have to keep in mind that it should be approached with respect and effort.

Consider William Carlos Williams “The Red Wheelbarrow.”  This  unusually short poem is recognized as a brilliant work of poetic art.

Isn’t the simple beautiful?

The poet intricately paints the image of a rain-glazed, red wheelbarrow, sitting near some chickens. The first words “so much depends” along with the imagery of rain creates a solemn mood so you know someone’s very life is affected by this simple everyday object.

Williams’ renowned piece proves that a uncomplicated poem can create a powerful image and mood.

Another one of my favorites is John Updike’s “January.”

In four succinctly crafted stanzas, the poem captures the beauty of a snowy winter day. Everyone can relate to the short gray days of winter when the sun seems distant.  The poet’s language invites us to imagine the artifacts of winter, such as the lacey, barren trees and a frozen landscape.

What I’d really like writers to realize about poetry is that a simple poem can be just as moving as a more complicated one.  Complexity definitely has it’s place in structuring the poem and creating powerful imagery and mood, but it shouldn’t rise through the surface to create confusion.

Just remember that simplistic poetry–like a piece of art– can still radiate with sophistication if you use your words and techniques effectively.

Disclaimer: you might not get a book contract by taking my advice on keeping your poetry simple. But maybe together we can turn the tide.

I’d love to hear your opinion. Do you prefer complexity or simplicity when it comes to poetry? Tell me below.

[bctt tweet=”Simple poetry–like art–can radiate with sophistication if you use words and techniques effectively. #poetry”]

 

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A Pinch of Poetry

5 Tips to Jump-Start a Poem

Have you ever struggled with blank page disorder?  I have.  Most writers face this issue at one time or another.

Sometimes we just need a little inspiration.  Here are five tips you can use to jump-start a poem today.

Find a spot where you can sit and observe. Observation is an effective tool for any writer. You might want to visit a coffee shop and listen to the conversations stirring around you. Or you may need to find a quiet place outside to experience nature. Regardless of where you choose to observe, be sure to find a place that will take you away from your normal routine. Take notes on everything you observe in that location, using all five senses.

Skim the recent news headlines for anything that catches your attention. Scientific discoveries, world news, and even weather reports can inspire a poet. Look for extreme events, rare occurrences, strange happenings, or moving stories that capture some unique aspect of life. Skim the article(s) for key words about the subject and then add a few of your own thoughts.

[bctt tweet=”Find inspiration for poetry everywhere–the news, Facebook, or your local coffee shop. #poetry #writing “]

Check your social networks for interesting conversations. Find a news topic or conversation that strikes your interest. Write down key words, phrases, descriptions, images, and personality traits that you observe through the interactions. Next, start writing a poem in response to that topic or conversation. For example, you could begin with “So, you went to Hawaii for a vacation…” Continue writing in a voice that is commenting on or responding to whatever people are discussing on the social network.

Try to find an unlikely comparison, also known as metaphor. If you already have an idea in mind, write down everything you can about the subject of the poem. Then think of a concrete object (one that appeals to your five senses) that is dissimilar to your subject. Write down attributes of the differing object. Once you have all of the ideas out on the page, look for connections. Is there a way to describe your subject as if it were the other object? I recently wrote a poem where I compared automobiles to snail shells—two very unlike items until you are caught in horrendous 5:00 traffic on your way home.

Get in touch with your emotions. Over the past week, have you experienced any joy? Or maybe you encountered someone who angered you. Capture the details of your experience on paper and either write about it or focus on how the emotion affected you most. For example, if you had a fearful moment, describe what fear did to you. Was it like a monster ripping you to shreds, or was it more like a cockroach scuttling about your feet? When you use personification or metaphor to characterize emotions, they become very powerful characters in poetry.

Now it’s time to get writing.  After you take notes, simply start writing on that white page.  I know it’s difficult, but once you start writing the poem out, it will begin to take form.

[bctt tweet=”Combat blank page disorder with 5 Tips to Jump-Start A Poem.  #poetry  #writertips”]

Do you have any other creative tips to jump-start poetry that you can share? I’d love to hear them below.