[stylist] Chris and William, RE: Poem - "Magician"

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Chris,

Sometimes we feel stupid or embarrassed to say we don't understand
something, but I don't think anyone should ever feel this way. If you
don't understand material, you don't understand it, and for anyone to
judge or belittle, it says more about that person than the one
courageous enough to ask questions and be forthright and say they don't
understand it.

I agree that during an open discussion you can learn so much. In my
workshop classes during university, I felt I grasped text much better
after a group discussion even when I got the point of a given piece.
Discussions help bring clarity and allow for new thought for both reader
and author.

As the writer, we often get frustrated when readers don't get what we
meant. We defend and over-state what we meant, but perhaps we need to
take comments and suggestions and find where we can make clearer and
precise.

I don't know how many have seen the film Saving Mr. Banks, but the
reaction Travers has about Disney's interpretation of her series is
actually quite common among writers. We know what it means, we had an
intention, a purpose, and when others don't see it, we are frustrated,
disappointed and even hurt. We need to be open to what others see in our
work though, in my opinion. No one else is inside our heads, viewing our
thoughts and writing process. When readers don't get there, we can't be
quick to to declare them fools or even be surprised. Sometimes readers
have little to suggest that's helpful, but sometimes, we need that
feedback to grow as writers and make our work better.

So here's to open discussion that's non-judgmental, grin.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chris
Kuell
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2014 8:12 AM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] Chris and William, RE: Poem - "Magician"


Hi Jackie,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. On the one hand, I agree with you.
After 
Bill explained his poem, when I went back to read it again, I saw
exactly 
what he was doing, and what he meant, and I gained a better appreciation
for 
the poem. Similarly, when I was sighted and used to visit art museums,
often 
they'd have a little card discussing a painting or a sculpture, which
gave 
me a better appreciation for the work. Once I even tailed a tour guide, 
listening as she filled people in on the artist's lives, and discussed 
various aspects of the artwork which really helped me to get more from
the 
art.

On the other hand, I can't help but imagine the stand-up comic on stage,

telling jokes that either make the audience crack up, or he flops. After

all, if he needs to explain why his joke is funny, the chances are it
isn't.

But jokes are often a lot simpler than poems. I've read poems where I'm
not 
sure what the poet is trying to say, but I love the imagery, the
phrasing, 
the emotion in the work. I'm probably way off base, but I might imagine
the 
poet in a broken love affair, or fighting with her parents, or simply 
contemplating the nature of god as he sits on a beach on Cape Cod. I
might 
not be on the right track of what the poet was thinking, but I still get

something from the poem. Other times, I just scratch my head.

Now, having written all this, about 16 months ago I started a book group

here in my town. We read a different book each month, then meet at each 
other's houses to discuss it. And I can tell you, I've learned something

from every single discussion. No matter how I feel about a book, someone

else sees something different, and it always makes me go--oh, I didn't
think 
of it that way. That's very interesting...

So perhaps poetry, for me, might be best enjoyed when I have the
opportunity 
to discuss it with others, to share ideas and bounce perspectives
around.

chris


 


_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://writers.nfb.org/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bpollpeter%40hotmai
l.com