Stepcase Lifehack posted some tips to improve your writing including: “Befriend a dictionary” and “Keep a little notebook for moments of inspiration” as well as seven other useful tips to improve your writing. I personally enjoy the quotes from famous writers — especially the quote by Joseph Heller: “Every writer I know has trouble writing.”
Category: writing
30 poems in 30 days: update three
As stated previously, Deborah offered a challenge to write 30 poems in 30 days. So far, I’ve been able to keep up with it in spite of a summertime cold and an urgent freelance job that evolved into a larger project than I anticipated. Still, the discipline of writing a poem a day, or at least a poem sketch a day, has proved to be rewarding in and of itself. Two benefits have come out of this exercise so far:
- the generation of new material and
- brain dumping stuff that’s been cluttering my mind.
At least one poem sketch so far helped articulate something I’ve been struggling with for a few months. Forcing myself to write at least once a day brought that struggle up from the subconscious and allowed me to form it into a personal poem. Somewhere in my reading I came across a poet, or writer, that said writing every day, even if it’s only for your own eyes, is good practice in writing content for others. My writing professor at the university encouraged students to write a novel for yourself first. Even if the novel is intended only for you, it is worth writing it. And sometimes it may find audience elsewhere.
How to Take Command of Any Meeting
How do you like that emotionally rich, evocative headline? Copyblogger offers 12 other emotive headlines with emotional benefits explained after each headline. The emotional benefit to the above headline, How to Take Command of Any Meeting” is “feeling respected.”
30 poems in 30 days challenge: update two
Deborah offered a challenge to write 30 poems in 30 days. I took up the challenge and so far I’m on schedule with one poem a day. Maybe after the challenge I’ll translate the poems from handwritten form to digital, but for me the urgency is to get it all down first. It’s kind of like catching butterflies or lightening bugs.
One interesting item is that the poems have developed a theme. When I accepted the challenge I wasn’t planning on writing 30 theme-based poems, but somewhere under the surface it appears in each page of the poems I’m composing. I guess I’ll find out if it changes course by the end of the challenge.
30 poems in 30 days challenge: update
In spite of a very crazy week I’m still on track with the 30 poems in 30 days challenge. The rain delays on Monday afforded me time to compose a page-length poem. It’s no where near the ideal of composing 75 lines of poetry per day, but it’s a much needed discipline just to fill a page in my moleskine notebook.
30 poems in 30 days challenge
Deborah (of 32 Poems) invites interested persons to write a poem a day for the next 30 days. The invite was sent out on Sunday (and I didn’t read it until today… so, I’m a bit late), but I think I’m up for the challenge. Anyone else?
Read more details about the challenge here: 30 Poems in 30 Days.
Writing tip: Read it aloud
“Reading aloud lets you craft great writing” writes James (of Men with Pens) how goes on to offer a few tips on writing including:
- We Have Voices in Our Heads
- Have You Lost Your Voice?
- Reading Aloud Without Saying a Word
Link: How to Become a Better Writer and Get Readers Loving You
The last couple months I’ve been writing scripts for a proof of concept (POC) audio production. Often I’ll find myself pausing during a reading and re-write portions of copy because it sounds weak or clunky or maybe too upbeat when it should be somber. During a recording session with other voice talent, we may continue revising copy because transitions, though they look good on paper, may not perform well. So, yes, reading your writing out load us beneficial to improving writing skills.
Writing tips from C. S. Lewis
Here’s a few writing tips from the author of Til We Have Faces:
1. Read good books and avoid most magazines.
2. Write with the ear, not the eye. Make every sentence sound good.
3. Write only about things that interest you. If you have no interests, you won’t ever be a writer.
4. Know the meaning of every word you use.
An honest sinner
It’s either a clever turn if a phrase, or not. “I grew up in the Bible Belt…” the anonymous contribution to The Sun’s Readers Write section begins and concludes that “…it was better to be an honest sinner than a dishonest churchgoer.”
The phrase that arrested my attention is “honest sinner.” Juxtaposing words in that fashion are delicious.
So, I looked up the etymology of the words to see if the anonymous author is clever or something else.
“Honest” comes from the Latin meaning “honorable.”
“Sinner,” or its root word “sin,” as far as I can find comes from the Latin meaning “guilty,” thus sinner means “guilty one.” Further, “sin” means to “miss the mark,” specifically, “to miss the mark of righteousness.”
So the anonymous author constructs a phrase meaning “honorably guilty” or “honorably missing the mark.” Either conclusion (“honorably guilty” or “dishonorably attending church”) seems disappointing. To open up the phrase a bit more — the author proposes that it is better to honorably miss the mark than to charade dishonorably in church. At this point I realize that the anonymous author reveals a logic similar to that of wet noodles. I’m too disappointed to continue to write about the author’s logical fallacies and philosophical short cuts.
Writing tips: Establish writing goals
Here’s some writing tips from Copyblogger:
- Write down your goal
- Divide your ideas into sections
- Editing, your deadly new friend
For more tips visit this link: 7 Quick-Start Techniques for Fighting the Fear to Write
On a personal, blogging note — I took a hiatus from blogging awhile ago. I switched blogging platforms and then quietly began blogging on WordPress.
Back in 2004, a good friend of mine encouraged me to begin blogging after he attended an open mic where I read a few poems. He told me that my poems connected with listeners and said my writings might resonate with blog readers. So I committed to writing a thousand blog posts. For three years I posted something almost every day. As I drew closer to the goal, I sort of cheated by posting links and videos with brief commentary, but I wasn’t posting original material as I did when I began. When I had reached that goal of a thousand posts I stopped. Quietly, I hoped that the blog writing would lead to a book manuscript and maybe publication. Book publishing is quite a challenge (I’ll share more about that later in the week). But, if I didn’t have the encouragement of a friend and a goal, I would not have written prolifically for a three or four years.
One thing to add to Copyblogger’s list is a writing partner or writing group. Writing can be a lonely craft and the support of friends is essential to stay on task and accomplish your writing goals.
Writing book reviews
The nice thing about writing reviews of poetry books is the ongoing education I am receiving by reading contemporary poetry.
Often I am mistaken as a student on the bus. Last week an older woman asked me if I was a student at UNCA. I told her no and that I was reading a book to write a review of it. Later that week, a man on the bus asked me if I was in college. Again, I told him no and that I was reading a book (a different book of poems (I read two books last week)) to wrote a review about it. He then began to tell me about a book he read that absolutely amazed him. It was a narrative nonfiction book about Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition. The conversation was amiable.
I came away thinking that must I look like a student. I suppose there are worse things to look like.
Unwritten Poetry Rules
Wikipedia is not the beginning and end of research
…students don’t consult enough sources. Wikipedia is so easy and accessible that it stands out from all other reference works. Thirty years ago, students might check several encyclopedias…. Now, it’s Wikipedia first and, too often, last.
Mark Bauerlein, via The Chronicle of Higher Education. Link.
Next week, I start another 30-day Poetry Marathon… I’ll write one poem per day.
Deborah Ager. Link.
The elegant lie
Sunday, I had the opportunity to sit in the WPVM studios during a broadcast of WordPlay. Katherine Min read from Secondhand World
The secret lives and desires of poets and writers
From The New Yorker:
Part of the reason there were no real biographies is that little was known about Gibran’s life, and the reason for that is that he didn’t want it known.
Link.
And from Slate:
…one of the most troubling dilemmas in contemporary literary culture…. the question of whether the last unpublished work of Vladimir Nabokov, which is now reposing unread in a Swiss bank vault, should be destroyed–as Nabokov explicitly requested before he died.
Link.
From 1000 Black Lines:
- Jessica Smith, Burn it. Poetry burns well. And it is a fitting end for poetry, esp. anything from that angsty juvenile period…
- 1000 Black Lines, Thanks for the advice. I’ll burn it along with all the friendship bracelets, florescent T-shirts…. Who needs to worry about the high cost of heating fuel when burning poetry is such an affordable alternative?
Link.
Writing tips from published authors
Remember grammar class?
Of course you don’t. Based on the blogosphere, it must not be taught in schools anymore.
If you are one who remembers grammar class, this is great: Diagramming the Preamble to the US Constitution. (via Boing Boing)
If not, visit Grammar Girl: Link.
Are you part of the Facebook-hating mob?
Read this from AdPulp:
Hugh Macleod is not part of the Facebook-hating mob… but he does like this critical Guardian piece on the politics behind the company.
Investigative journalist, Tom Hodgkinson, says he hates Facebook in his lead. He then delves into a deep background check on the money men behind the soc net.
Link.
An interesting report regarding Facebook. But the journalism is questionable. When a journalist expresses bias before “objectively” reporting the story two things occur. One, the integrity of the investigation is compromised due to the predetermined objective of the journalist. Two, by framing the story as an anti-Facebook article, the journalist sets the reader up for biased propaganda that is supposed to convince the reader to hate Facebook. And that is not journalism. It is a well researched essay at best or simply an op-ed piece.
How do you write?
Instead of the romanticized “how do you write?” maybe the question should be what do you write? Or, maybe, how well do you write?
I suspect, that a publisher doesn’t give a flying flip how one writes as long as it is well written and it moves (i.e. sells) magazines, books, or what ever tool is used provide literary content of merit.
Poetry blogosphere rawk star
Holy Shoot! About.com’s poetry blog listed and linked to my list of 7 things you should know about being a poet.
Crazy, right? Does this make me a poetry blogosphere rawk star? No. It means I spend way too much time blogging when I should be working… er… writing… like poetry or something.
Okay, so, About.com visitors, thanks for visiting. If you want to actually read schtuff that was published (poems, essays, etc.) follow this link. To read a weekly column I used to write go here.
7 things you should know about: being a poet
Since lists and confessions seem to be on my mind; Aaron McCollough, a University English lecturer, offers his advice. Here’s the first two, read the rest by following the link:
- There’s generally no such thing as royalties in poetry. You don’t get a dime from the books you publish, even if someone actually buys a copy. If your heart is set on being a professional poet, either score a lecturing job or get used to Ramen.
- The most common way for new poets to get their work published is by entering in poetry contests. They cost money and are usually only won by people already established in the poetry community. Good luck.
(via Deborah Ager) Link.
Deborah Ager offers her 7 things here.
Coffeehouse Junkie offers 7 Things:
- Consider it a hobby if you live anywhere outside NYC.
- It is a selfish drug that deepens your addiction the more it is practiced.
- Open mic events are both the Poetry Den and Poets Anonymous.
- Get a real job–preferably a job that requires brainless activity so you can focus your addiction with lucidity.
- Get used to the rejection of literary journal editors, poetry contest judges, friends, family and countrymen.
- No matter how well crafted your poetry becomes, it will be read far less than the graffiti adorning urinals in Waffle Houses across the country.
- Expect to lose your house, spouse, dog, and dinner for the sake of poetry, and if you don’t lose any of the previously mentioned count your blessings because you’re probably losing sleep in exchange.
Peace out, my lit junkies.
Write Stuff: Pursuit of the personal essay
I’ve been sharing what I learned during a 5-week writing course in my Write Stuff columns. This week’s piece, Rain–everyone needs it like everyone needs a great narrative, continues the story.
Last week’s post, Rain intensifies the drama of the question, evoked the following response:
…one of the most profound statements I’ve ever read. —Tammi
Write Stuff: The art of personal essay
For my Write Stuff post I’ve been sharing what I learned during a 5-week writing course. Later I will explore what I gleaned from a 1-week writers residency.
This week’s piece, Rain intensifies the drama of the question, continues the story.
Last week’s post, Where does rain come from?, evoked the following responses:
One of the things that I don’t like about taking classes… is the people who fall over themselves to impress the instructor and can’t follow instructions. —Finn
I believe that the majority of people there are just like you – they simply want to learn the ins and outs of the craft and ultimately become better writers…. At any rate, have more confidence in your writing abilities because… judging by what you’ve contributed to this blog so far, you are well on your way to becoming one of the greats. —Karen
I’m sure that your essay didn’t seem silly… the… polished pieces are jumping ahead of the process and undermining your teacher’s efforts. —Tammi
Coffeehouse Junkie 