Category: Writing Tips

The Poet Within

· Leave a comment ·

“What should I look for while writing poetry?” A simple, straight forward question asked by a student who has been penning down lines and lines of verses, she calls “poetry”.

My immediate answer would have been “finding unusual in the usual”.

Technically, we are laid down by rules to writing poetry. The muse spins the words from the imagination that’s shaped to sleek avoiding the clichés; then laid to rest for a while, before re-reading it several times to tone it to perfection.

Well, poetic endeavours waylay grammatical rules often. Also, experiential learning enlivens rhyme, rhythm, meter, stanza and forms into newer poetic gestures that, over a period of time gains recognition.

A good practitioner of poetry writing feels poetry of others as his. Just like the use of Five W’s and One H, the poet at heart applies his senses to know the poem. Of course, our emotions will never fail us.
However, it is the freedom of expression and the unbridled thought patterns that encourage a healthy poetry.

On a practical note, “what does your audience want to hear?” should linger in the mind.
Indeed most of us are ruled by our hearts while writing poetry. We love them with their vices, and occasionally tread the path of rules to regularize them to acceptance. Apparently, it is interesting to analyse the way poet’s think.

But, what makes poetry lovable? I guess, only our “state of mind” at “that moment” can tell. May be it is our “poetic assumption” .

Want to Write, But Don’t Know How

· Leave a comment ·

Writing comes naturally. I agree. But when a student asked me, “How to write?”, I had to think differently. Reason, writing may come naturally but what makes a good writing requires serious preparations.

Learning to write well involves mastering the language, practicing daily and expressing well. Here are some tried and tested simple steps. For a quick read, I restrict them to FIVE points.

1. Reading improves language: Writing requires a good command over language and grammar. Whether you are planning to write in your mother tongue or English, it is through reading articles/ books regularly that, you can strengthen your language.

2. Begin slowly, but write daily: Forget what you have been doing all these years. If you are determined to write, make it a habit to write everyday. Always remember, practice makes a man perfect. In fact, it is by practicing that you develop your own style of writing.

3. Endless subjects and creative thinking: Without wondering “what should I write about”, select your subject/topic from things that inspire you. It can be a newspaper article on wrist watches, beautiful scenery on your way to a holiday destination, the baseball game you had viewed on the internet or your pet dog that keeps you company. Use words to the best and think creatively to make your subject interesting.

4. Re-writing, a practice tool: Sometimes, you may lack the confidence to deal with a subject on your own. However, you can make an attempt to rewrite an article from a newspaper or magazine, and realise your strengths and weaknesses.

5. Presentation and content matters: The aim behind writing is to convey your subject/topic very well. But it is a good presentation of the subject that draws attention of an audience. There is nothing to worry if you manage to write only a few sentences as a beginner. Gradually, you will master the art of expressing in pages.

Writing is a slow and steady process to a sure win. There are no short cuts to good writing. Hence, if you are a beginner, it is essential to remind yourself to be patient and keep working hard towards your goal.