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Writing poetry!!! (rrrgggh!)
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Writing poetry!!! (rrrgggh!) |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
It seems that I cannot write anything these days. When I try, it seems forced and all I can feel is frustration. I used to be able to just pick up a pen and let the words flow but that doesn't happen anymore. And it REALLY sucks when you want to write something but can't write what you are feeling.   Elizabeth |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
someone out there please help me? |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
I know exactly how you feel, Elizabeth. I don't know what to say to help. Maybe just relax and don't worry about it. That's what I'm trying to do. Maybe then inspiration will come. Sometimes I am afraid that this wonderful part of my life is over. That it will end as quickly and unexpectedly as it started. Maybe just a phase of life to pass through. I hope not but then who knows? Sorry, I don't know what else to say, I know this isn't any help, but just know that you are not alone in this. Me too! Well, we can always just read everybody else's stuff! That helps me sometimes! Hang in there, Elizabeth! I'm rootin' for ya! Denise |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
I think Writer's Block hits for a lot of different reasons. And I don't think there's any one, single cure for it, either. One of the things I've discovered about myself is that, as I stretch my writing muscles, my expectations start to rise. I want my next theme to be deeper and more profound than the last, my style to be more fluid, more perfect than what has gone before. And then - I freeze. I suddenly can't write anything, because everything I try doesn't meet those expectations. The solution when that happens to me is to stop trying so hard. I purposely write something with every intention of just throwing it away. It doesn't have to be good, because it's not going to be a keeper. I'm just practising, just playing. Only when I stop trying to be "better" do the words start to flow again. Don't know if that helps any. Probably not, since we all hit that wall for different reasons. But rest assured, we do all hit from time to time!  |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Denise~you hit the nail on the head. That is exactly how I feel, and I also fear that this is over. Thank you for your support. Ron~I've been through that too! I try to write a sonnet (many times) and so far have not succeeded. I suppose I could try the challenge poems--maybe that will help! I hope so! Nail to the mast her holy flag, Set every threadbare sail- And give her to the god of storms, The lightning and the gale! -Oliver Wendell Holmes |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Elizabeth! I just went through this so I know how you feel! Trust me, we all have this problem from time to time. I got so upset that I started to think maybe I should just sell my computer and get a job as a greeter at WalMart! I'm not sure what changed for me. I started a document with half poems..bits of phrases.. I just sat here and wrote things down..not intending to write a poem at all.. just words on a piece of paper. They're still there, someday I'll go back and see if any ideas are worth salvaging. I listened to music that inspired me. I read poetry - not on the forum as that upset me - how dare they all write like that! At that time I envied all of you your ability to write. I was jealous and mad! Don't stop trying. Even if it sounds forced. The flow will work again...trust me. So here's my challenge...close your eyes. (You really have to keep them open so you can read this, so go back after and close them  ) Imagine your favorite place in the whole world (swimming in a vat of freshly brewed beer - nope). Smell it. Listen to it. What sounds do you hear? What do you feel? Now open your eyes and write a list of words to describe your place.Read your list....how do you feel about that place? Write a line...how do you feel about the sound, the smell of that place..Write a line...now finish the poem. A very good book to get for inspiration and tips is 'Creating Poetry' by John Drury. I use it sometimes to 'exercise' my brain! Hope this helps! |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Interesting that now that I have this topic posted and I have some advice, a poem seems to come (perhaps that is something we should all try when our brains get cramped? ). Hopefully it will be done soon!PdV-funny, I hadn't even read your post on this subject, but earlier today I made a list of all that reminds me of my subject matter (Christmas) and then the poem started! Thank you for your reply and your challenge. Someone out there must really like me-lately I've been so frustrated over this, and then it just goes away!  Nail to the mast her holy flag, Set every threadbare sail- And give her to the god of storms, The lightning and the gale! -Oliver Wendell Holmes |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
That's great, Elizabeth! Can't wait to see it! Denise |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Elizabeth: I am relatively new to poetry writing but I suffer from writer's block from time to time between inspirations. Those lags actually provide me with an opportunity to work on foundational stuff ... reading poetry and books/articles about poetry. I also write some light-hearted things from time to time (like "Damn, I'm Thirty") for practice. In find the light hearted stuff is relatively easy to write and I can experiment with different sounds and rhythms freely. Don't know if this was of any use to you (I hope it was). See ya. Jim "If I rest, I rust." - Martin Luther |
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JOY 14 Senior Member
since 1999-09-22
Posts 1419Wisconsin USA |
Elizabeth, I know how this feels. Maybe give it some time and take a break. At least that's what I do. Pretty soon I know the poems will be flowing once again! Just don't force it. Sometimes I will force it and the poetry comes out looking like exactly that! Something that was written because of having to write it! Well, those are my thoughts. Hope you are back in the swing of things soon. JOY |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Jim-I am relatively new myself (I have been writing for almost 14 months now). Reading poetry is an inspiration for me as well as being foundational work. Joy-I know the feeling well! When I try to force poems, they usually don't go anywhere. The inspiration always comes. Thank you both. Elizabeth "Boys and girls together, me and Mamie O'Rourke Tripped the light fantastic on the sidewalks of New York." |
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Bojopy Member
since 2000-01-03
Posts 391 |
I did not read all the responses but if I need to I will. What I like to do is write in a fillibuster! Ok what I mean is just write without caring what comes out as long as I do not stop to think about it. I think our subcontious will do the rest! I also pick up a dictionary somtimes and just randomly look up words and hit upon somthing interesting to write about. Oh yeah and reading other poetry really helps to come up with ideas you never knew you had! "Write down what you say if what you say is not written down" (Bojopy) |
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