Writing Poetry Tips, Part Two: Write it, Own it
A Short Writing Lesson
Anonymous poets/authors/playwrights/journalists are cowards. Either the poet lacks confidence in their words and is seeking feedback without ridicule, or the poet is writing something offensive and/or controversial and is afraid of reprisals.
Either way, shame on you!
When I say anonymous, I am not referring to pseudonyms. I'm referring to poetry, or stories, that have no author identification whatsoever. In a free and safe society there is no excuse for this.
No One Is Going to Kill You
Before you start submitting your hate mail to me, let me clarify my point.
I understand. There have been times when poets or storytellers could have been (and were) killed or jailed for their ideas. That time time still exists in some places in the world. That time may someday exist again here in the good ole US of A. But, unless your life or liberty is immediate danger, own up to your writing.
In my poetry workshops, anonymous poems are not allowed. No one in a class room is going to behead you for your ideas. They may excoriate your writing, they may lambaste your style, they may hate your writing, but they won't hurt you. They won't threaten your liberty.
Sticks and stones.
If you expect me, or anyone else, to read your poem, you need to offer some kind of identification. I don't care if it's a pseudonym. If you don't respect your work enough to tell me who you are, I won't respect it enough to read it. I'm not going to mock your poetry if it's bad (okay, maybe I will... but not to your face!). Writing, especially poetry, takes practice. And courage. Not every poet, not every poem is good, but, be proud of your work. Robert Frost wrote bad poems, Billy Collin writes bad poems. Not many, but some. You can still see their names at the top of the work, under the title.
If you're not proud enough to put your name on it, why should I waste my time reading it? I'm not going to hate you if you spout a different opinion then mine, even if it's a mean or hateful one.If you're going to be controversial and be anonymous, you lose all credibility.
I won't hate you, but I might hate your work if you don't put our name on it.
Write it. Own it.
all rights reserved. Copyright Justin W. Price November 10th, 2011
Thanks for Reading.
Learn to Write Poetry
More Writing Tips:
- Writing Poetry Tips, Part one: What Can I say?
a lot of novice poets try to use fancy and cultured language. Don't! - Writing Poetry Tips, Part Three: The Found Poem and the Enjambed Line
Poetry tips. Using endstopepd and enjambed lines, using found poems to practice. - Writing Poetry Tips: In the Palm of Your Hand, a book review
A review of a fantastic poetry handbook by a fantastic American poet.
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