And by a break, I mean taking a break.
Since I began writing I’d always considered myself a fiction writer. The most fascinating aspect of writing for me was creating a digestible reality. Telling the truth and having it heard and absorbed. Fiction can change a person’s heart–their ideas. Sure, other avenues of writing can as well, but I don’t think Dickens would have been as successful displaying his troubles with his society as vividly in another writing form.
The snob in me says poetry has a greater power. It elevates the mind in just a few lines.
So I come to a crossroad and say certain messages are stronger in certain forms. Or hey, maybe it depends upon the writer.
I’ve discovered a flip in my writing form and I wonder…why do I feel guilty for it?
I’ve long considered myself a fiction writer, but for months I’ve put poetry above fiction. All my time and energy goes into my poetry.
Paul Auster said something similar happened to him while he was in college (or was it after?) He was a fiction writer whose fiction just wasn’t coming together. He began writing poetry, which is what he first published. Later he went back to fiction and was able to click the puzzle in.
Fiction is my first love, but poetry has taken my heart. I’m not abandoning it, I’m just giving poetry precedence.
Sometimes it takes the learning of poetry to create a great fiction author. Maybe I’m one of those people who needs poetry first.
But those of you who have felt the same guilt at switching or taking on a new form of writing–don’t. What’s most important is good writing. So, whatever you do, just practice until you can say you do it well.
Sound advice! Your words, your worlds, create your way 🙂
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Thanks! 🙂
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Okay or new plan Write a story about a poet, that way you have free excuse to use a bunch of poetry, OO ooo Especially if the other poets in the story each have a distinct voice you must master in order to craft this tale. Forget whatever I was talking about I’ve got some fictitious poems to write.
ECHO ECHO
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You know, not a bad idea. Lol
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Sorry I’m a crazy person or something, I don’t even know if I’m being serious or joking half the time, but I want it on the record I didn’t start writing a story about a bunch of poets, though knowing me if I end up being reminded of this in a couple of months I’ll do it, for now my plate is far too full of Harmony and Apple related stuff…. This fits more in line with that spinning globe storyline and I haven’t touched that in years, for good reason.
ECHO ECHO
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Your words certainly carry a definite resonance, for me, poetry was an escape from technical writing which very much part of my work, and not unenjoyable for many a year. It was a welcome mental holiday that kept me refreshed but in a City Break kind of a way.
Now I no longer write technically or do research or any academic reading or write (oh the relief of not keeping references) I am starting to move from poetry to experiment with fictional worlds and discover the fictional universe.
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That’s interesting. This all started for me when I started my current job, which is writing for a local newspaper. Poetry is a nice break from all the facts I have to keep up with. And with writing so much at work I’m less inclined to write so much at home, so poetry is less daunting.
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We all switch from time to time. Whether that means writing curricula, essays, poems, reports (it’s still writing), even sermons. One field goes fallow while the others flourish. In the end, what needs to be will assert itself. Be ready when it comes.
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Thanks, I hope I will be.
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I think I’m whatever I feel like. I was a fiction writer, did poetry(still doing it, it’s a weird experiment I’m doing with it though,sometimes I love it and sometimes I hate it) and now I’m focusing more essays.
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I definitely try to experiment in all forms. Sometimes I struggle sometimes I find I like it better. Like, as much as I want to write moving personal essays, I struggle with it because I have a hard time being serious about myself. But then again, I just need more practice.
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Our priorities as writers evolve over time. I’ve also felt conflicted about treating poetry as a priority over fiction, but at times, I have. We’re writers, first and foremost. It’s all part of our personal writing journey, and it’s all positive. Fiction was my first love too, and will probably be my last. Yet, I also love poetry and blogging. All are essential to me, but at different times, the order of importance will vary. I’m sure it’s the same for you.
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Yes, it is! The more I’ve realized this the less guilty I feel. There’s no need to box myself into only one outlet of writing.
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Read this post the other day and meant to comment. Well, I finally got around to it lol.
I was the same way when I started writing a looonnnggg time ago lol. At age 19 or so. Well, the same but inversely proportional. I started writing poetry mostly because the college English class I took told me that (with The Red Wheelbarrow as an example) absolutely any word creativity can be poetic and poetry. That excited me! I’ve written many poems over the years, with a few of them actually being good lol… But you’re right, I think. It’s the quality and fun in creating that quality.
When I started fiction writing, I missed poetry for lots of reasons. I thought my fiction wasn’t that good. Too many rules in fiction. And the fact that poetry always had a punch to it…that greater power you mentioned.
Now, I just write what is called for by my inner self.
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Well at least you got around to it 🤣
I think a part of my change of heart comes from my progress as a writer. I’ve worked my on poetry, so I see a greater change (for the better hopefully), whereas because I haven’t worked as much on fiction, I’m more discouraged.
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I have a friend who writes both poetry and short stories, and is talented at both. Her practice of writing crisp, tight, and often cryptic poetry makes her fiction writing all that much better, I think.
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That’s so interesting. I have found that I write extremely narrative poetry even when I’m struggling with my fiction. I find it fascinating to tell a story in poetry. And on the flip side I tend to be too narrow in fiction. Whoops.
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Take a poem and embellish/expand it to the point where it’s fiction… Then you’ll have fiction, tight and crisp but with emotional intent. Just a thought.
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A great thought for the day…
I have been writing (non fictional) poetry for the last few years, so I can understand, completely, where you are coming from, ventures new and all that.
I would like to write fiction too, but for me, my problem is:
How can you write poetry from your heart, if you haven’t had the actual experience?
I’d appreciate your advice.
Thanks
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I think it’s the same for fiction – the idea behind it, not necessarily what’s happening in the poem. My favorite poem I’m written is (basically) about climbing a mountain. I’ve never climbed a moutian (I’m talking the dangerous kind of climbing) but in truth my poem was about peace.
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Yes I see, thank you for your advice, it seems then, that this could be another step forwards in exploring our imagination and fantasies. I shall have to give this a try. Inspired by your inspiration thank you
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