endless_scrolls (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
endless_scrolls) wrote2007-08-17 08:05 am
endless_scrolls) wrote2007-08-17 08:05 am
Entry tags:
Declarations of a Poetic Novice
Title: Declarations of a Poetic Novice
Type: Prose
Prompt: Write a poetic statement
Warning(s): ...I actually sound smart
Disclaimer: Prose by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
tao_empress and should not be submitted stating otherwise.
Notes: When I had to turn in my poetry portfolio at the end of last semester, my professor asked each of us to write a poetic statement about what we've learned during the course of the class and about our writing process. It's kind of like a writing manifesto I suppose. And thus, this will probably mark the beginning of me posting up a string of revisions from my precious poetry since I had to drastically change and re-write 10 of them for the portfolio.
I am still unclear as to how to write this, but as always, I will try my best and hope that all comes out well in the end.
Prior to making the decision in taking this course, I will admit that I had my expectations, both of myself as well as the class, none of which actually required me to completely change my style or preference of writing. Stubbornness seems to be a common trait among the living, or at least most of us. Though, needless to say, I was open to making improvements, particularly in having a better understanding of the lyrical flow that came with writing poetry as well as interpreting the writings of others. Initially I think that was my goal in taking the course and allowing myself the opportunity to write and be exposed to so much poetry. My mind is a confusing thing, taking things too literal and yet so filled with abstractions.
Hard as I would try to avoid thinking about them, abstractions would come to me as I wrote each poem for class, like second nature. Learning to at least tone down my use of them seemed to be my biggest obstacle, and I have no doubt that it still is. But I would like to believe that my overuse of them has lessen since the beginning of the term. And if not, then I suppose I have a lot more work to do.
As for the rest of it all, the writing process, the editing process, the over all near production and completion of a piece of writing (because in my experience, a project is never fully complete), it has reminded me of why I chose to subject myself to such demands on my creativity and imagination.
When writing or in the process of writing, I find that there are few limitations for me where subject is concerned. I have always prided myself in being able to think outside of the spectrum of ideas in my writing. For me, being unique equates to being remembered. My reasons behind wanting my writing to be just so are unclear, though I believe it has something to do with my quiet demeanor. The phrase “It‘s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for” has always amused and intrigued me. And so, it was with the first poem that the decision to write it from the perspective of a goldfish came easily and perhaps somewhat mischievously. Maybe it is some crumb of eccentricism that is laying dormant in my psyche but the prospects of presenting a new concept or an image from a different standpoint, especially a strange one, brings a level of satisfaction for me and only heightens with the reaction of my audience. Whether it be praise or discontent, any sort of reaction that is the equivalent of “wow” is enough to make my day just a little bit better and brighter. Though of course, constructive criticism is always nice as well.
After a concept is chosen and the actual writing process is underway, things become a little more difficult. As stated before, avoiding abstractions has been very difficult for me during the course of this term while attending class. As a result, I have come to the conclusion that I think in abstractions. But maybe the whole world thinks in abstractions and that is why they can manifest themselves into our thoughts so easily. Clichés are less difficult to avoid but they are there as well. But it is hard to not think of them, especially when trying to describe an emotion or experience that many have attempted. You find yourself falling back on commonly used expressions and descriptions, an easy way out in a sense I suppose. I think that was the problem that I had in the beginning, still have now, but as I said before, I would hope after a semester of struggling with that issue, I’ve gotten better at it.
One of the ways that I managed to bypass my instinctual reaction to using such clichés could and most likely would be considered apart of my eccentricies as a writer. I’ll use the revised version of Smoke Addiction as an example. As I was rewriting the poem, I started thinking about the ways that smoke can move. Given that neither I nor anyone in my family smoke, the task became rather difficult as I would have no personal experience to draw upon and would have to rely on imagining the experience. That was easy enough I recall, though I started getting too involved in my mindset. Soon enough I had found that my hand would start moving in the air in a snake-like motion every time I came to a point where I had a need to describe the movement of smoke. For that, I will always be grateful that I had chosen to work on that piece in the privacy of my own home instead of working on it at the library or some other place on campus.
I think, that is the reason why I write, or at least just one of them. It is not the end product that entices me to create literary works, either poetic or prose. It is the process in which they come into being that is my drug of choice. Writing, editing, working hard on something until it is the best that you can make it; that is what draws me to the process. Ultimately, it is in my belief that such an attention to those little details and such dedication in those stages of the process make writing, for me, more enjoyable, though far from easy.
Completed to turn in by May 4, 2007
Type: Prose
Prompt: Write a poetic statement
Warning(s): ...I actually sound smart
Disclaimer: Prose by
tao_empress and should not be submitted stating otherwise.Notes: When I had to turn in my poetry portfolio at the end of last semester, my professor asked each of us to write a poetic statement about what we've learned during the course of the class and about our writing process. It's kind of like a writing manifesto I suppose. And thus, this will probably mark the beginning of me posting up a string of revisions from my precious poetry since I had to drastically change and re-write 10 of them for the portfolio.
I am still unclear as to how to write this, but as always, I will try my best and hope that all comes out well in the end.
Prior to making the decision in taking this course, I will admit that I had my expectations, both of myself as well as the class, none of which actually required me to completely change my style or preference of writing. Stubbornness seems to be a common trait among the living, or at least most of us. Though, needless to say, I was open to making improvements, particularly in having a better understanding of the lyrical flow that came with writing poetry as well as interpreting the writings of others. Initially I think that was my goal in taking the course and allowing myself the opportunity to write and be exposed to so much poetry. My mind is a confusing thing, taking things too literal and yet so filled with abstractions.
Hard as I would try to avoid thinking about them, abstractions would come to me as I wrote each poem for class, like second nature. Learning to at least tone down my use of them seemed to be my biggest obstacle, and I have no doubt that it still is. But I would like to believe that my overuse of them has lessen since the beginning of the term. And if not, then I suppose I have a lot more work to do.
As for the rest of it all, the writing process, the editing process, the over all near production and completion of a piece of writing (because in my experience, a project is never fully complete), it has reminded me of why I chose to subject myself to such demands on my creativity and imagination.
When writing or in the process of writing, I find that there are few limitations for me where subject is concerned. I have always prided myself in being able to think outside of the spectrum of ideas in my writing. For me, being unique equates to being remembered. My reasons behind wanting my writing to be just so are unclear, though I believe it has something to do with my quiet demeanor. The phrase “It‘s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for” has always amused and intrigued me. And so, it was with the first poem that the decision to write it from the perspective of a goldfish came easily and perhaps somewhat mischievously. Maybe it is some crumb of eccentricism that is laying dormant in my psyche but the prospects of presenting a new concept or an image from a different standpoint, especially a strange one, brings a level of satisfaction for me and only heightens with the reaction of my audience. Whether it be praise or discontent, any sort of reaction that is the equivalent of “wow” is enough to make my day just a little bit better and brighter. Though of course, constructive criticism is always nice as well.
After a concept is chosen and the actual writing process is underway, things become a little more difficult. As stated before, avoiding abstractions has been very difficult for me during the course of this term while attending class. As a result, I have come to the conclusion that I think in abstractions. But maybe the whole world thinks in abstractions and that is why they can manifest themselves into our thoughts so easily. Clichés are less difficult to avoid but they are there as well. But it is hard to not think of them, especially when trying to describe an emotion or experience that many have attempted. You find yourself falling back on commonly used expressions and descriptions, an easy way out in a sense I suppose. I think that was the problem that I had in the beginning, still have now, but as I said before, I would hope after a semester of struggling with that issue, I’ve gotten better at it.
One of the ways that I managed to bypass my instinctual reaction to using such clichés could and most likely would be considered apart of my eccentricies as a writer. I’ll use the revised version of Smoke Addiction as an example. As I was rewriting the poem, I started thinking about the ways that smoke can move. Given that neither I nor anyone in my family smoke, the task became rather difficult as I would have no personal experience to draw upon and would have to rely on imagining the experience. That was easy enough I recall, though I started getting too involved in my mindset. Soon enough I had found that my hand would start moving in the air in a snake-like motion every time I came to a point where I had a need to describe the movement of smoke. For that, I will always be grateful that I had chosen to work on that piece in the privacy of my own home instead of working on it at the library or some other place on campus.
I think, that is the reason why I write, or at least just one of them. It is not the end product that entices me to create literary works, either poetic or prose. It is the process in which they come into being that is my drug of choice. Writing, editing, working hard on something until it is the best that you can make it; that is what draws me to the process. Ultimately, it is in my belief that such an attention to those little details and such dedication in those stages of the process make writing, for me, more enjoyable, though far from easy.
Completed to turn in by May 4, 2007
no subject
no subject
But I'm glad you liked the piece. Every word was written from the heart. <3