Comments on: Things Every Poet Should Know #1, “No-Nos” http://AlexMcG.com/2009/04/things-every-poet-should-know-1-no-nos/ Writing in Bits and Pieces Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:07:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Flavio Jr. http://AlexMcG.com/2009/04/things-every-poet-should-know-1-no-nos/comment-page-1/#comment-7177 Flavio Jr. Sun, 22 Aug 2010 19:47:11 +0000 http://AlexMcG.com/?p=426#comment-7177 divine. divine.

]]> By: Ashlee http://AlexMcG.com/2009/04/things-every-poet-should-know-1-no-nos/comment-page-1/#comment-5461 Ashlee Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:37:39 +0000 http://AlexMcG.com/?p=426#comment-5461 Dude I think your slightly full of shit. To me poetry is about art, getting something across and even sometimes getting feelings out and onto paper. Not about whether the structure is right or not. As for the bad poetry, its not like everyone can write a master piece the first time around or even the second time. Everyone starts out badly when they first try something, that is what learning and practicing is all about. I don't see how those words can "cheapen" the poem, does that mean every word cheapens poems? Poetry is about writing something that you feel comfortable with and that still sounds nice. For some of us poetry is a way to express our feelings. Dude I think your slightly full of shit. To me poetry is about art, getting something across and even sometimes getting feelings out and onto paper. Not about whether the structure is right or not. As for the bad poetry, its not like everyone can write a master piece the first time around or even the second time. Everyone starts out badly when they first try something, that is what learning and practicing is all about. I don’t see how those words can “cheapen” the poem, does that mean every word cheapens poems? Poetry is about writing something that you feel comfortable with and that still sounds nice. For some of us poetry is a way to express our feelings.

]]> By: Club Penguin http://AlexMcG.com/2009/04/things-every-poet-should-know-1-no-nos/comment-page-1/#comment-3592 Club Penguin Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:59:03 +0000 http://AlexMcG.com/?p=426#comment-3592 Your site ranks really well in google.au, just figured i'de post and say greetings from down under Your site ranks really well in google.au, just figured i’de post and say greetings from down under

]]> By: kozel http://AlexMcG.com/2009/04/things-every-poet-should-know-1-no-nos/comment-page-1/#comment-3285 kozel Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:09:05 +0000 http://AlexMcG.com/?p=426#comment-3285 ?????? ???????? ??? ??? ??????? ???! ?????? ???????? ??? ??? ??????? ???!

]]> By: rinedisthe http://AlexMcG.com/2009/04/things-every-poet-should-know-1-no-nos/comment-page-1/#comment-3139 rinedisthe Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:53:00 +0000 http://AlexMcG.com/?p=426#comment-3139 I consider, that you are not right. I am assured. I can defend the position. Write to me in PM, we will talk. I consider, that you are not right. I am assured. I can defend the position. Write to me in PM, we will talk.

]]> By: cheat man http://AlexMcG.com/2009/04/things-every-poet-should-know-1-no-nos/comment-page-1/#comment-2710 cheat man Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:49:18 +0000 http://AlexMcG.com/?p=426#comment-2710 hehe i love it. nice blog! thanks hehe i love it. nice blog! thanks

]]> By: JK http://AlexMcG.com/2009/04/things-every-poet-should-know-1-no-nos/comment-page-1/#comment-1283 JK Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:23:02 +0000 http://AlexMcG.com/?p=426#comment-1283 Hah, I've got that last rule down to heart. I know I suck! Hah, I’ve got that last rule down to heart. I know I suck!

]]> By: Alex McG http://AlexMcG.com/2009/04/things-every-poet-should-know-1-no-nos/comment-page-1/#comment-1215 Alex McG Mon, 25 May 2009 01:17:12 +0000 http://AlexMcG.com/?p=426#comment-1215 Ally, it might have been easier for some readers to swallow if I had constructed this as a guide to writing awful poetry, sure. And, if I intended this to be a stand-alone post, I might have done that (if I had thought of it.) But the series I'm starting is meant to be a relatively straight-forward series of advice for poets, not exercises designed to give advice without people realizing it. Your idea is definitely a good one, just not what I have in mind. As for when it's appropriate to break the rules, that's another post ;) The vampire/werewolf thing: I'm with you 100% there. Though I think vampires are rather over-played in general. I just know them too well and have seen them too often for them to be interesting. ("Vampires are irrelevant") The "Kill your darlings" thing: I agree... mostly. While it is definitely a good idea to bite the bullet and rework (or even cut) your favorite lines for the sake of the poem, some of your favorite lines can also be what makes the poem. If you're stuck, "killing your darlings" can be a great way to get unstuck, but (since, as we know, all poets are pack-rats and thieves) I hardly ever <em>completely</em> scrap my favorite lines. After I cut a great line, I like to write it down in my moleskine... or on a scrap of paper filed with your other scraps of genius. You never know when coming back to that line will set off a brand new poem (even if that line doesn't make it in.) Thanks for all the comments, guys, even (or perhaps especially) the less-that-laudatory ones. I love to see and take part in discussions like these. Keep it coming! Ally, it might have been easier for some readers to swallow if I had constructed this as a guide to writing awful poetry, sure. And, if I intended this to be a stand-alone post, I might have done that (if I had thought of it.) But the series I’m starting is meant to be a relatively straight-forward series of advice for poets, not exercises designed to give advice without people realizing it. Your idea is definitely a good one, just not what I have in mind.

As for when it’s appropriate to break the rules, that’s another post ;)

The vampire/werewolf thing: I’m with you 100% there. Though I think vampires are rather over-played in general. I just know them too well and have seen them too often for them to be interesting. (“Vampires are irrelevant”)

The “Kill your darlings” thing: I agree… mostly.
While it is definitely a good idea to bite the bullet and rework (or even cut) your favorite lines for the sake of the poem, some of your favorite lines can also be what makes the poem. If you’re stuck, “killing your darlings” can be a great way to get unstuck, but (since, as we know, all poets are pack-rats and thieves) I hardly ever completely scrap my favorite lines. After I cut a great line, I like to write it down in my moleskine… or on a scrap of paper filed with your other scraps of genius. You never know when coming back to that line will set off a brand new poem (even if that line doesn’t make it in.)

Thanks for all the comments, guys, even (or perhaps especially) the less-that-laudatory ones. I love to see and take part in discussions like these. Keep it coming!

]]> By: Ally http://AlexMcG.com/2009/04/things-every-poet-should-know-1-no-nos/comment-page-1/#comment-1211 Ally Fri, 22 May 2009 15:45:03 +0000 http://AlexMcG.com/?p=426#comment-1211 Upon further consideration, another helpful tip: "Kill your darlings." No, don't write poems about murdering your aforementioned unrequited love. If you have a line you REALLY REALLY LIKE!!!1! it's probably too much; cut it and say it a different way. Tough, but a good way to get rid of oversentimentality and smarmy cleverness. Upon further consideration, another helpful tip: “Kill your darlings.” No, don’t write poems about murdering your aforementioned unrequited love. If you have a line you REALLY REALLY LIKE!!!1! it’s probably too much; cut it and say it a different way. Tough, but a good way to get rid of oversentimentality and smarmy cleverness.

]]> By: Ally http://AlexMcG.com/2009/04/things-every-poet-should-know-1-no-nos/comment-page-1/#comment-1210 Ally Fri, 22 May 2009 15:27:06 +0000 http://AlexMcG.com/?p=426#comment-1210 Does anyone really question that there is a ton (a butt-ton?) of truly awful poetry out there? Alex, maybe it would be more illustrative if you formulated some rules for writing wretched poetry that makes the reader wince whenever he/she considers the poem. Then we can talk about when it's appropriate to break rules :) I have another theme-to-avoid, as well; file it under "taking yourself too seriously:" don't compare yourself or your unrequited love to a vampire, in any way. Or a werewolf, or a vila, or any other well-known mythological creature associated with sex and pain, or, in fact, shapeshifting. Sea hag? Now that would make me sit up and listen. Does anyone really question that there is a ton (a butt-ton?) of truly awful poetry out there? Alex, maybe it would be more illustrative if you formulated some rules for writing wretched poetry that makes the reader wince whenever he/she considers the poem. Then we can talk about when it’s appropriate to break rules :) I have another theme-to-avoid, as well; file it under “taking yourself too seriously:” don’t compare yourself or your unrequited love to a vampire, in any way. Or a werewolf, or a vila, or any other well-known mythological creature associated with sex and pain, or, in fact, shapeshifting. Sea hag? Now that would make me sit up and listen.

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