~ The Poet's Place Cafe~

by Jay O'Toole

Rated: E · Message Forum · Writing · #1937709

A place for discussion on poetry, reviews, contests, etc.

<< Previous • Message List • Next >>

Reply • Post New

Apr 1, 2019 at 6:21pm

#3260914

DISCUSSION: The rigors of revision

by Dave

Okay. You have released the muse that resides in the creative, or artistic, side of your brain to create a slew of fantastical images and whimsical situations in a flurry of inspiration. Now it is time to put the other side of your brain to work--the analytical, critical side that will sift through all that grist and sludge to find the golden nuggets for polishing and arranging into a sparkling piece of treasure.

This can be a difficult and painful process. After all, this is your beloved brainchild we are talking about here. The first thing you must do is learn to look at your work objectively. Reviewing the work of other poets can be helpful to do this. The work of other members in this group as well as the public forum of WDC provide excellent opportunities to do this.

Break the poem down line by line, word by word, syllable by syllable. Identify the things that are working well in the poem. Locate the obvious errors of syntax, spelling and punctuation. Look for cliches, gaudy phrasing, unclear language, weak images, and any other flaws that weaken the focus of the poem. Then go back one more time with the thought of finding any way possible to strengthen it further. Sometimes it is the words around the trouble spot that need changing.

Workshops, writing groups and other students or poets can help to identify these flaws. Before exposing your work to those elements, you should be ready to accept honest criticism. If you are too sensitive about your work, this may not be the right path for you. Weigh the responses and sift out the good, constructive suggestions for possible use while discarding the useless ones.

Occasionally, it may turn out that the first draft needs no revision, especially in the shorter forms, such as haiku. After five or six revisions, it may start to sound flat and lifeless. In that case, it may be useful to put it away for a time and come back later with a fresh perspective. The important thing is that it seems right and sounds natural, no matter how hard you struggled with it.

Ultimately, this is your poem, and it’s up to you to decide when it is finished. The more you read over your work and experiment with revision, the more you will gain confidence in your ability to critique your work objectively and make that final decision.

ASSIGNMENT: Make a list of your pet peeves. If you were sent to hell, what torment would you dread most? Write a poem about it using imagery, rhythm and sound effects to SHOW us that experience.

Let the creativity flow from your soul!
Dave

MESSAGE THREAD

DISCUSSION: The rigors of revision · 04-01-19 6:21pm
by Dave