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LadynStFreknBed said:
Annie, one thing that helps me when I'm writing poems with a particular meter (like iambic pentameter) is to first write several lines without worrying about the meter-- just to get my thoughts down. They are the important points that I want to make in the poem.

Then, I look at what I wrote and start marking the accented syllables in bold. If I'm not absolutely certain which syllable in a word is accented, I check an online dictionary. The accented syllable in the pronounciation key for that word is either in bold or has a ' after it.

After I have my keywords and phrases marked, I feel ready to start organizing my thoughts in the poem's form. I think most forms are typically iambic pentameter, which just means that their are 10 syllables in a line and every other syllable is an accented one.

A lot of times, my keywords or phrases can be used as they are. Sometimes, I have to change them to fit the form, but I try to change them in a way that improves them. I may look at a phrase that I thought I wanted to put in, and in making it fit the form, I stumble onto something even better.

Oh, here's a hint for iambic pentameter-- small words are usually easier to work with! Words with three syllables can be a bitch unless the middle syllable is the accented one. You see what I mean? Some words with three syllables are easier to use-- like "creation" The middle syllable is accented, so if the syllable before it and the syllable after it are accented, then it's fine.
But, take a word like "poetry"- a three syllable word in which the 1st syllable is accented. Try to use "poetry" in iambic pentameter and it forces you off meter.
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Is there a dictionary you would recommend? I've been using MSN Encarta

NorthernPA4U said:
One thing to remember, almost all of us are going through exactly what you are going through. Don't think you are the only one that has a good poem for a trigger, and find on writing down our thoughts that we don't have to work it over and over again. We do.

While the English language lends itself to the alternating stresses in a sentence than makes iambic or trochaic poetry so much more common, we don't talk that way, and so it takes all of us some amount of work to do this.

Also, not EVERY line in a poem needs to conform to type. Sometimes we just can't make a line better no matter how much work we put into it. Let those things go.

Don't stress too much over it. What you are doing is absolutely normal.
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That'll make a change then I've never been 'normal' all my life .......
 
As recent as forty-some hours ago I knew the theme of today's New Poems Review would be Penetration. What I didn't know was what an easy review day the theme of Penetration would make.

As usual however, the present hour forbids focused examination and relation of these fascinating findings; so stay tuned or tune in at a later time, like around supper and some wonderful gems will be revealed, yes, to worldwide eyes, at least potentially.

Also, a brand spanking new idea has been spread out on a great big table and it might be awhile before it's ready to dish out to what shall surely be many mouthwatering tongues, because the ingredients are yet being selected and the actual preparation methods are not yet decided. But it's coming and boy what a great moment when it does finally come.

Be back later.
 
Look, I started this with the intent to make it the opening monologue to today's reviews, but I see, because of the deeply fascinating subject matter, it might get a bit involved. And now I just got distracted, so I'll have to do this piece by piece and then when it comes to the actual Reviews, I'll just paste that part up in the O-fficial Review Thread. It must be so this time.


During a recent fling of private correspondence with a local Lit member the subject arose regarding the difference in the atmosphere between storyland and poetry, which then effortlessly branched off into related realms of exploration. Somewhere amid the chaos that always ensues when those private Lit member interactions attain their imminent heights of profundity, I let slip out the sliver of personal info about my history here with voting. Because you know, a submitting Lit member does have that option, to click the votes on or off. Within the safety of private messaging walls the other Lit member coerced me to disclose that when I first started to expose what I was calling poetry, and so being rather unsure and shy about it, that inner stress potential could be greatly minimized if when I submitted a work of poetry that I make sure the voting option was rendered null, in other words, turned off.

When I told this Other Lit Member such info via the private portal I tried to think of a way to say why, and though what I chose to say wasn't what I really wanted, this wasn't a real poem where every single word counted. So I said something like turning off the voting help to protect those 'soft spots'... I might've said 'soft places' or 'place'... If I went down into the archives and nosed around I could find those precise words, but this is not the time or place.... well, the recipient of those words as well as my disclosure of such private matters took closer notice of my usage of soft places, and replied with that metaphor taking up a prominent position in the overall message. And I was taught a very valuable lesson and was given handfuls of chewable gems, all different flavors, and boy have they opened up my mind up to whole new ways of looking at the world, especially this world, this Lit world.

continuation coming soon...
 
So anyway, this Lit member who privileged me with the exchange of message interaction said that covering up one's soft spots could hinder potential growth, meaning in this context, growth as a poet, or growing in the writing of poetry or poems. Meaning, that if the aspirant poet would have to sooner or later allow those soft spots to become vulnerable, meaning, that turning the voting on symbolized doing that: opening oneself so their soft spots were exposed. Somewhere in this haze of new learning was raised the concept of 'penetration', that turning on the voting was like opening those soft spots to penetration and thus growth, as a poet.

Well that kind of reply was frankly stupefying.

First reaction was like, wait a minute. Easy for you to say it like that, about being penetrated and not minding, kinda looking forward to it, liking it. Opening up to potential penetrators. You're a chick (that's who this other Lit member was, one of the Lit Chicks, but all strictly biz, poet to poet, so don't even let those seeds inseminate your imagination). I'm a guy. Penetration is not a foreign concept for chicks. But I'm a guy. I don't get penetrated. Nobody penetrates this guy. If there's any penetration going on, I'm the penetrator. Because that's how I'd always thought of it. The writer's/poet's works seeking to penetrate the reader (in my case, at least the prose, it's usually readers who are lost and stop to ask for directions).

It wasn't until later I thought of it in a different way, thinking under what context it might be good to be the one being penetrated, even as a guy. And there are a few.

Okay the thought balloon just popped... more later.
 
UnderYourSpell said:
Is there a dictionary you would recommend? I've been using MSN Encarta
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When I write poetry, I have a few windows open.. dictionary.com, poetry.com, and google.

Dictionary.com I use to check spelling, accented syllables, and definitions.
Poetry.com, yes, big, bad poetry.com, I use for the "Need Help Rhyming?" section. They have a function that will list rhymes, synonyms, antonyms, and related words. Do Not Submit Poetry There!!! In case you are unfamiliar with it, it's a scam. But, I still use that websites tools.

Then, on my window for MS Word, I may have a sample of the kind of poem I an writing or the rhyme scheme and meter, so I don't forget. Under the sample poem or my little notes about the poem form, I start just writing the words and phrases I want it include in the poem.

Then, I mark the accented poems and start to actually write the poem.

That's just what works for me. I find it easier to be organized that way and have my keywords and phrases on the page and accents marked before I begin the actual writing of the poem. Others may not need all those steps. I feel more comfortable with my little process. You just need to find what works best for you.
:heart:
 
I am not what you would call an organised person in fact the very opposite would be true, which was all very well when my memory was sharp but due to maybe age or lack of honing my memory tends to bluntness, plus living with a poltergeist (oops a husband who MUST move everything) there are things in this house that may be lost for centuries. Personally I think we have gremlins or it may be my resident ghost, who I might add keeps blocking me from writing a sestina about her (I wonder why?) because even in this house there can't be that many places to hide stuff. But I digress ummm where was I? Oh yes if I have to set everything down before hand I just simply run out of steam but I will give it a go as quite frankly my way isn't working for me on the rest of these forms.
 
I'm not organized either. And, I do different things for different creative pursuits. While I am fairly organized when writing poetry most of the time, my art supplies look like a tornado hit. When I write, I prefer quiet or a familiar movie playing in the background. When I paint, I like loud music. When I draw, I like quiet music.

It's just what feels right to me.
 
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I need peace to write which I think Ron finds annoying because of this challenge thing I keep shutting myself away. I haven't painted for years but I think I was the same for that but I can read a book and watch TV at the same time and keep up with both plots!
 
Lost hold of the penetration theme. It'll come back. No hurry. Could be essay material. Hm? No hurry.

Sheila, I did it. Thanks to you. I think it's fairly interesting. But as usual, others disagree. I think because the valentine's theme is not so obvious. But whatever. Smile smile smile. Fun fun fun.

Annie, you're doing fantastic. Try not to panic. The year is young.
 
hmmnmm said:
Lost hold of the penetration theme. It'll come back. No hurry. Could be essay material. Hm? No hurry.

Sheila, I did it. Thanks to you. I think it's fairly interesting. But as usual, others disagree. I think because the valentine's theme is not so obvious. But whatever. Smile smile smile. Fun fun fun.

Annie, you're doing fantastic. Try not to panic. The year is young.
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But I am not! I will be 59 on Thursday!
 
Your valentine's story is up, hmmnmmish? I'll have to go check it out! My score is stuck at a miserable 3.78. pretty pathetic, but I don't care. I like the story, and that's all that matters.

I have to run. My sons are waiting for me to get my work done for today, but hopefully tonight I'll have a chance to read your story.
 
Funny you'd say that, because I was just telling that dear buddy of mine that the suffering he must endure will someday make someone very happy. He'll be happy to know it has come true.
 
ah. bare pate strumming by the shore, tide coming in...

been dabbling with the illustrated idea, but boy it's more tough than I expected; have new and real respect for those who put those together; no cakewalk, but it's a fascinating world.
 
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