Poetry Information brought to you by free Poetry contests    

Rules for Writing Poetry


You've been writing poetry since that first assignment in your high school writing class. You know the rules about writing poetry, right? Are there rules? Well, if you frequent the poetry forums across the Internet as much as I do, you'd find that there are a lot of amateur poets who adamantly declare that there are no rules for writing poetry and if someone even suggests reading poetry or books on poetry, many of the amateur poets will throw up a defensive front. My opinion seems to swing fervently toward the opposition. You have to know the rules before you break them; at least that's what I always say.

I know that writing a sonnet in iambic pentameter is an art that has been buried in the tombs of the renaissance, but understanding it, along with the numerous other dying closed forms of poetry, is a powerful tool when writing that prosy contemporary piece. Being a great poet demands an intricate understanding of the way in which language works its edges into a reader's conscience. A poem is a mosaic of sounds, syncopations, and images. All of the little fragments of a poem must work together in a unified fashion to culminate in something refreshing and new.

Refreshing and new? Well, you might wonder how understanding such archaic attributes of poetry such as meter and rhyme might help a contemporary poet craft a refreshing new poem. It is all about the sound and the innovation of it. Even scientists stand on the shoulders of those before them. You don't have to manage a perfect rhyme or a measured foot in a poem to be jumping from the inspiration of Shakespeare's sonnets, but having those rhythms and rhymes teetering in and out of the wrinkles in your brain will send a very subtle vibration of sound through your very own pieces.

In summary, read, read, read, know the rules, and then break the rules. Goodness help you, please break them.

Here are some references to help you along the way:

-Books:

The Practice of Poetry: by Robin Behn

Writing Poems: by Robert Wallace and Michelle Boisseau

A Poetry Handbook: by Mary Oliver

-Websites:

www.poetrylessons.org

www.poetrymagic.co.uk

http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/poetry-explication.html

http://www.poetry-portal.com/poetry.html

-And don't forget to read some contemporary poetry:

www.poems.com

http://www.pedestalmagazine.com/

Devrie Paradowski is a freelance writer and poet. Her poetry has been published by several literary journals and she has written dozens of articles for various publications including "Poetry Renewal Magazine," and "Poetryscams.com." She is the author of the chapbook, "Something In the Dirt," which can be found at http://www.lulu.com/content/108560 . In 2001, Devrie founded a popular online literary community ( http://www.LiteraryEscape.com ) that has become highly respected for some of the most honest and in-depth poetic critique on the Internet. In keeping with her commitment to inspire amateur writers to hone their skills, she also founded a local writer's group called, "The Fire and Ice Writer's Group."


MORE RESOURCES:

Reflecting on the perils and poetry of self-esteem
Baltimore Sun, United States - 4 hours ago
By garrison keillor When you look at the audience numbers for TV and then add up the incarcerated felons, Alzheimer's patients and confirmed barflies in ...


New York Daily News

Gloomy Poetry: Governor does his best with a disheartening message
The Post-Standard - Syracuse.com, NY - 2 hours ago
David Paterson tried to stir them Wednesday with poetry and calls for shared sacrifice. At the start of his meticulously memorized, hour-long speech, ...
Governor Says New York Is in a Perilous Situation New York Times
If only Paterson's plan was as good as his fancy words New York Daily News
A call for greatness Albany Times Union
Albany Times Union
all 387 news articles


SF Library Hosts Reading of Jack Spicer’s Poetry
Berkeley Daily Planet, CA - 10 hours ago
By Ken Bullock Special to the Planet Forty-three years after the poet’s death in San Francisco, My Vocabulary Did This to Me: The Collected Poetry of Jack ...


Visual poetry
Utica Observer Dispatch, NY - 34 minutes ago
Diavolo is visual poetry of sorts combining theatrical performance and physical dexterity while commenting on and capturing the humorous patterns and darker ...


Poetry Out Loud competition is coming to Ventura in February
Thousand Oaks Acorn,  USA - 8 hours ago
The Ventura County Arts Council has announced that the Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura's downtown cultural district will host this year's Poetry Out Loud ...


Colorado Celebrates 20 Years of Cowboy Poetry
Fence Post, CO - 5 hours ago
This concert sets the tone for the five days of cowboy poetry and music. Organizers say, “In celebration of our 20th anniversary we’re putting on several ...


BBC News

Turkey restores citizenship of celebrated poet
The Associated Press - Jan 5, 2009
He wrote some of his best poetry in prison, including his epic masterpiece, "Human Landscapes." Poetry written in prison was smuggled abroad, bringing him ...
Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet regains citizenship guardian.co.uk
Poems of freedom from behind iron bars, exile Hürriyet
Turkey rehabilitates poet Hikmet BBC News
Cultural Diplomacy News - The Epoch Times
all 99 news articles


Poetry, fiction, memoirs on book club list
Arizona State University, Tempe - 18 hours ago
Memoirs about growing up in Nogales and surviving a bicycle accident, poetry that was written in China and a novel about biracial sisters are on the ...


New Year's Eve Moon Pie-raising inspires poetry at Mobile City ...
Press-Register - al.com, AL - Jan 7, 2009
By DAN MURTAUGH During Tuesday's Mobile City Council meeting, Councilman Clinton Johnson wrote and recited a poem inspired by Councilman Fred Richardson's ...


Poetry Quiz: "False Friend"
eNotes, WA - 16 hours ago
I use my own poetry in my classroom so that students can see that I am not asking them to do anything I am not willing to do myself. ...

Poetry - Google News

home | site map
© 2006