[stylist] the secret to writing poems

[John Lee Clark]

Ben:

Rule number one: Read tons of poetry.  You will not like everything you
read, but you'll find some things that are great for you, and also what
really impresses you may change in time as you develop.  But above all,
read.  Read.  Read.  Read.

It will naturally rub off on you as you digest all sorts of poems.

The same goes for any category.  Good novelists read novels endlessly.  Good
memoirists read memoirs endlessly.  Good writers read lots.  It is good to
read in different categories, although only a few can truly excel in
multiple categories.  For example, I love reading good novels, but writing
fiction doesn't suit me for some reason.  Poetry, I can write.  I can also
write polemics, but not as well as I write poetry, but good enough to get
essays published regularly.

You can read some kind of textbook or take a class, but the very best thing
is to read.  

If you want to try poetry writing, first read a lot of it.  Go to NLS and
borrow a ton.  Or surf the Net, poetry publications.  Subscribe to the
Braille edition of Poetry magazine.

John 



-----Original Message-----
From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of ben micek
Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 8:40 PM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: [stylist] the secret to writing poems


this might sound kinda dumb but i'll ask it anyhow. what is the secret of
writing poetry? i've tried writing some when i was a tad bit younger but i
don't think i did so well. 

Benjamin micek 


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