What’s in a Poem of your Own?

When you write your poems, what are you thinking?  Do you consider the subject, style, form, word count, spacing, verses, line count or what?

Each poem is yours individually.  It is after all your poem.

Recently, I had someone I don’t know criticize one of my published poems suggesting I rearrange everything to their liking.  Did I do that?  No, of course not.  It is my poem, after all.  The suggestion is something I considered, but the poem was already published.  Not only does the critic, who I have no idea if they actually are a writer or what, insult the poem but also insults the publisher.  The editing is best for the pre-publishing not afterwards unless the publication simply wants it to go that way.

Would I consider a re-write of my poem?  I looked at it, but I liked it the way it was.  It was based on a personal experience and thoughts I had while composing the poem.  I think as a reader of poems you can take away what you want to from a poem realizing you aren’t necessarily going to like what you read and that if it were yours you may have written it differently.

Respect the poem!  Or at least respect someone else’s work.  If you don’t like it, you certainly can move on and not read it or read it again.

If you are the poet, remember, it is after all your poem and it’s up to you if you want to get feedback on how to do it differently if you want.  I also throw out that old adage, consider the source before changing anything!

Fresh paper and Length Doesn’t Matter

I just got started a new journal for writing new poems.  It’s like a fresh start of words.  My biggest dilemma was in choosing which journal I wanted to use next.  Of course, I have a lot of them!

What to put inside is next.  What type of poems do I want to write this time?

Sometimes people comment on the length of my poems.  I write short, long and medium poems.  I think it depends on the poem itself as to the length.

Same with the journal.  I think it depends on the journal itself how you write in it.

This particular one is being filled with more feelings and retrospective type poems.  And I’m using my favorite color ink, too!

That’s the way to do it - get your journal (or your notebook) and your favorite color and write (or type away)!

How to Sell more Poetry Books, 101

I admit I do sell an occasional poetry book to people who like to read my work.  Some I know.  Some I don’t.  I sell books and ebooks.  I sell online and in person.  I’ve sold more books in person than I have online.  Although these days it’s starting to be equal numbers when it comes to sales.

But how do you sell more poetry books?  How do you sell poetry if you don’t have your very own arts and craft or book store or booth?

I tried to think of some ways today.  I thought about peddling them from my car, always be carrying one around to sell, offer a workshop and sell them there, have a reading and sell, etc.  I’ve used online ads before offering bundles of books for a discounted price.

I suppose it helps to talk up your books everywhere and to sell them anywhere you find a reasonable place to sell them with an audience who will want to buy.  Maybe poetry events are a good place to try like a slam.

I have yet to determine the best way to sell more poetry books!  I did have an experience with a crowdfunding that raised enough money to buy several of my kid poetry books for kids.  That’s another way to go.

If you think of anything I haven’t thought of to sell your poetry books or if you have a method you use that works well, please let me know!  I think everyone should always have a poetry book in hand!  Just saying.  Poetry is life.  And books!

Poetry Readings

Poetry readings!  If you are a poet, then you probably want to attend them, participate in the open mic and maybe be a featured reader.

It’s such a rewarding experience if you are a poet.  You learn so much.  You meet so many other fellow poets.

And you feel out your poems in a different way.  Hearing them out loud so different than reading them.

The next time you have a free evening check out the local readings in town.  You’ll be glad you did.

Poetry and Addictions

Could you say I’m addicted to poetry?  Yes!  Recently, I told myself I needed to limit how many poetry books I buy or acquire because I have so many unread on my poetry bookshelf right now.  (Yes, I have a poetry bookshelf - don’t you?!?)

As I’ve taken time to begin sorting through things at home and at work, I’ve been looking at what I need to keep and what I don’t.  Same for the rest of the things in life:  such as eating and online!

I have been trying to give up certain foods for some time - you know the ones that taste good but that are so bad for you.  I have had a bit of luck with it, but it is hard.

The hardest thing for me to give up so far is not poetry, but soft drinks!  Yes, they are addictive - or really the sugar is.  I never drank the diet ones.

I have spent the last week giving up this addiction of mine.  I’ll see if it sticks!

Examine what works.  Examine what doesn’t.

Sometimes, it’s time to realize, like I did with soda, you don’t need it to live.  Poetry, however, I do need to live ....I just have to space out my purchases more so I have time to actually read the poetry I buy!

No Picnicking, Support your favorite author

I have seen those words every time I sit in a cafeteria I go to and wait.  What does that mean?

They don’t want you using their tables to have a picnic.  They want you to buy their food.

But often they don’t serve something I can eat.  I will, however, try to purchase something there.

It’s called support.  I need to support the use of their tables and chairs for the time I’m sitting there taking it away from other paying customers.

Same with books.  Do you support authors and poets or do you always want to read everything for free?

Of course, there is a slew of content for no cost online.  Still, everyone has to eat.

The next time you read a particular author’s work for free, think about supporting them by buying a book or e-book.  Support is support.

And we all thank you.

Reading to Write

If you want to write, you should read, right?  But how to read?  Electronically, magazines, online articles, books?

You should read how and what you want.  If you prefer one medium over the other, then choose that. There’s no right way to read.

I like to read e-books when I travel.  If I’m not driving, I still cannot read a regular book or magazine in the car without getting car sick.  But I can read an e-book for a little bit.

I still love physical books and even magazines.  I use 2 e-book readers on my phone to read e-books.  I usually stick to online for news articles.  But I will also read the newspaper.

We either trade in the books for credits at a used book store (and get more books) if we don’t keep them.  We recycle everything else.

Reading, I know, makes me a better writer.  I am amazed, and not in a good way, of those folks who won’t even listen to an audiobook much less read a book who then call themselves writers!  Is it impossible to write without reading?  I’m sure it isn’t.  But to write well, it’s good to open up your mind to someone else’s way of writing.

If I’m working on a particular type of book or article, I may stay away from reading that same thing while I write so it doesn’t influence my work.  Research, though, is the exception.  If you don’t read, how can you research?

Reading gives you a chance to see how other books are marketed.  It also gives you a chance, sometimes, to connect with the authors in a positive way.

If I’m not writing, I’m going to be reading.  I read poetry every day unless I just can’t access it for some reason or if I’m not feeling well.  I think reading poems, and reading in general makes me a better writer!