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The Definition of Poetry

IMG_1818Poetry is not my genre of choice. Not because I don’t appreciate it, but because I’m more comfortable writing short essays and fiction.

Ever since National Poetry Month, though, the folks in the creative writing class at Harwood Place have challenged me to read more, write more, and discuss more poems. They continue to produce wonderful pieces, so I in turn bring them examples of works by published authors, essays on the aspects of poetry, and prompts to feed the muse.

Last Saturday though, one of the writers asked me point blank, “What’s the definition of poetry?” and I thought, Oooh…this might be a good time to guide them back to the personal essay. I mean, how much do I really know about the form and function of a good poem?

Well, I do know this: teaching is learning. So, I answered their question to the best of my ability with words like succinct, imagery, and cadence. Then, I went home in search for more. I found this article on the meaning of poetry that includes a quote, which, for me, answers the question well:

Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful.
~ Rita Dove

And, I left them with a poem that speaks to this definition somewhat. Go read “One Good Thing,” (posted on The Writer’s Almanac on September 15th)  by Edwin Romond. It’s a beautiful look into the light and life a father discovers during a simple moment with his son. My favorite line from the poem is the prompt for next month’s meeting:

this is one good thing.

I want to say more. But, I really want you to go read that poem and reflect on your own “one good thing.” After all, that’s part of the gift in poetry: reflection.

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What Happens When a Writer Goes on Jury Duty

You write a piece of flash (fiction or non…I’ll never tell).

The Juror

IMG_1774Like cattle they herd us into assembly to sit and wait for an indeterminate amount of time.

“Thank you for serving.”
“Make yourselves comfortable.”

But it is crowded and cramped, and the air is thick with a tangle of smells.
My coffee.
This bagel.
That guy’s hash browns.
A smoker smothered in two-packs-a-day.
Someone’s feet.

And, sound carries.

Well across the room is “Jim” who answers every single phone call.
“Hello, this is Jim.”
“Jim speaking.”
“Hello, Jim here.”

Jim, Jim, Jim.
Jim is a busy man, and I am suspicious.

I take out pen and paper and consider details about Jim, the phone man: possible age, demeanor, “notes to self” kinds of things I might want to recall later.
No laptop but wears suit.
Happy to be in close space with strangers.
Laughs too loud.

And when he finally admits in one call that, “Yeah, it’s in the basement,” I think, Ah ha. I’ve got him.

Guilty.

~
What in your life drove you to write this week ?

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Blogging: What Matters Most

apple and booksWhen I sign up to lead a workshop, I know I’ve just signed on for a win-win experience. Not only do I get to talk on a topic about which I’m excited, but I also benefit from the research I do in preparing for the workshop: I learn more (or re-learn what I’ve forgotten) about whatever I thought I already knew.

This is especially good to remember when a workshop gets cancelled for one reason or another, which was the case with my Blogging and Social Networking for Writers, II. I know, Boo. But life happens, and we move on. And hey, the prep I did was not in vain. You’re here (grin).

So, before I file all that research away for another day, I’ll share a couple of tidbits with you.

Your website, or your blog (sometimes, they are one in the same), is your calling card. Your P.O. Box online. Meaning, if you’re an author, people will Google you. You want them to see in one quick screenshot a glimpse of who you are, and you want to hook them long enough, so that they’ll scroll through a little more. Here are two tips on blogging aimed at keeping your readers’ attention.

The Layout

Think of your [blog] like a room–the only room in the house you can show to the world…where every item is displayed for the sole purpose of impressing visitors. ~ Maria Ribas

Determine what you want readers to see on first click. While you may be broadcasting a list of your publications, you’re also giving readers a taste of your writing and your style. Make sure your blog design reflects your style

IMG_0118Also, allow for easy navigation. Here I think of a time years ago when my husband and I went on a tour of homes and saw several different bungalows decorated in all sorts of styles. One house was full–every window sill, every shelf, every table–of nicknacks and tiny statues and…wait, was there a mannequin? I think there was a mannequin. The place was eccentric, definitely told me a lot about that person, but I couldn’t wait to get out of there. And, I didn’t want to go back.

When that quote above says “every item on display for the sole purpose of impressing,” that doesn’t mean every single clickety-click link or scrolling tweet or slide show. Don’t put a mannequin on your blog. Keep it simple. Keep it clean. Keep it uncluttered.

The Post

Use your space to your advantage. We readers in the digital age have a short attention span. And sometimes, as writers, we’re battling against constraints of tiny, mobile screens. Follow a few simple guidelines for posts.

  • Write good headers that give readers instant information on what to expect and/or keep them reading.
  • Keep paragraphs short and incorporate bullet points or bolding.
  • Limit your post in word count: 600 to 800 words is a good range.

IMG_0784Think like an artist; consider the flow. In painting, there is a focal point. Everything on the canvas drives the viewer’s eye, no matter where they begin their study, to that point. And usually, that flow is directed by lines, shapes, or images throughout the painting.

Think of your blog post as your canvas. Make your post easy to read with formatting and white space, but keep the reader’s eye on the page with images.

There’s more, but I can’t give away all my secrets. Instead, I’ll leave you with a few resources for further reading:

What (or who) is your go-to guide when it comes to blogging?