Confess Your Demons

poetinahat · Aug 8, 2010

Let's talk about what holds us back, what keeps us from writing, or what keeps us from writing more. Or better. Let's get those demons out, so we know we're not alone. Maybe we can share tips on slaying these horrid things.

What holds you back as a writer of poems? What is the biggest obstacle you find, your thundercloud, your shadow? How do you recognise it?

Mine - my biggest right now - is keeping an idea simple. I have a very hard time limiting my scope, and instead of writing about, say, a dewdrop, I might end up thinking about acid rain and the effects of dehydration. So I have pages and pages of first lines, and they always get overwhelmed by a universe of possibilities. I can't cover them all, so I write about none. And I stop.

I wouldn't be able to recognise this myself except for two things:

I have a profound appreciation for good, simple, well-framed poems. I admire the poet's ability to keep the focus clear and uncomplicated, not to include peripheral glimpses. Because it's so difficult for me, I appreciate it all the more when others can do it.
I'll talk to a fellow poet and confess, and they'll see what I can't. Maybe this is akin to trying to cut one's own hair: the mirror may be accurate, but just try to work based on the reflection.

So, what about you? What breaks your heart slowly?

Albedo of Zero · Aug 8, 2010

poetinahat said:
What breaks your heart slowly?

poetry

Xelebes · Aug 9, 2010

I'm not so intense with writing. I'll wait until I have rhythm, mode and a subject I want to write about. Probably the biggest block is the meter and rhythm - but it is also my enabler.

Priene · Aug 9, 2010

Despair. Does for me every time.

oneblindmouse · Aug 9, 2010

What holds me back? The feeling that it's all been said before, that my attempts to transmute ideas, images, emotions into words will end up as empty well-worn clichés; also, that what I want to write is too painful.

KTC · Aug 9, 2010

I really can't say that anything holds me back. BUT I do need to be in a lyrical/rhythmic mood. I know when I am in this mood, because it's almost like I speak poetically. (-; Whenever I'm in this mood I just like to put words together on the page and see what alights there. I really don't think before I write a poem...I just play with the sound the words make. I love the lyrical quality of words...and I love finding the right mix so that when read the poem kind of lulls you into a passionate relationship with language. My Demons? Sometimes I can't touch this lyrical/rhythmic quality...it's nowhere near where I reside. I just wait patiently for the next train to come through the station...then>>>>> I ride it.

I hope some of that makes sense.

Paul · Aug 9, 2010

oneblindmouse said:
What holds me back? The feeling that it's all been said before, that my attempts to transmute ideas, images, emotions into words will end up as empty well-worn clichés; also, that what I want to write is too painful.

Well I think poetry is a bit different than prose, but that's prob another thread.

For me at the moment it's distraction - other people, things to do - in other words -, nothing.

but as oneblindmice and others seem to suggest it's the whole 'heavy expectation' thing. that is a real killer and thankfully I haven't suffered from it in twenty months or so. The whole writing a piece before you even put 'pen to paper' is the fear of failure, fear of not achieving authenticity etc. The key is letting go of that external editor/ audience, cos that's what it is - the subconscious need for external approval subsumed into 'my own integrity is at stake' and manifest as a 'perfection or nothing' mentality = inertia.

I can now start from a simple image, allow it to exist, look at it with no judgement.

generally I think writer's block always stems from the 'expectation thing'.

ajc · Aug 9, 2010

I think the key is to not think you are too brilliant. Accept that some of your stuff is gonna suck. Do not worry about the outcome; the process is what is important. It might be that crappy poem that leads to your best poem. Think of each writing experience as a stepping stone, a discovery zone, a platform form for pieces of you to rest. Just write.

Priene · Aug 9, 2010

ajc said:
Accept that some of your stuff is gonna suck.

Nope, I won't do that. Maybe when writing novels, but never in poetry.

poetinahat · Aug 9, 2010

i feel better seeing all of your demons. Mine doesn't look so bad anymore.

I'll allow myself to write some crap poetry, but you lot won't get to see it, that's certain.

KTC · Aug 9, 2010

poetinahat said:
i feel better seeing all of your demons. Mine doesn't look so bad anymore.

I'll allow myself to write some crap poetry, but you lot won't get to see it, that's certain.

writing demons are only bruises we give ourselves.

KTC · Aug 9, 2010

i only aspire to make a playground in which my words can frolic

Guffy · Aug 9, 2010

I like, "a playground for frolicy words"

My problem is that the words in my head don't match the words on the page. That's why its important for me to get some feed back once in awhile. I don't aspire to be a great poet, just to be able to write what i think would be enough for me.

KTC · Aug 9, 2010

poetinahat said:
ajc, this is why we have a Critique board. It's instructive to receive feedback on a poem, but only if we've gone some way toward making it worth reviewing.

please don't BEAT ME, poet...but I WRITE my poetry here. I just open the new thread and start typing. What you see is brand spanking new. I know, I know...I'm bad.

ETA: But thanks to this thread I felt inspired to throw something together this morning!

poetinahat · Aug 9, 2010

KTC said:
please don't BEAT ME, poet...but I WRITE my poetry here. I just open the new thread and start typing. What you see is brand spanking new. I know, I know...I'm bad.

ETA: But thanks to this thread I felt inspired to throw something together this morning!

But you, Mister Magic, are always worth reading. Due both to talent and practice. You work hard for the money, and it shows.

KTC · Aug 9, 2010

oh lordy. now i just feel all embarrassy. and blushy. i thank you.

poetinahat · Aug 9, 2010

What I think we're onto here is a couple of things:

1. what keeps us from starting, and

2. what keeps us from finishing.

My demon right now keeps the poem from beginning; I think what we're also talking about is what keeps us from saying it's ready to show to others.

oneblindmouse · Aug 9, 2010

poetinahat said:
What I think we're onto here is a couple of things:

1. what keeps us from starting, and

2. what keeps us from finishing.

My demon right now keeps the poem from beginning; I think what we're also talking about is what keeps us from saying it's ready to show to others.

Very true. But what started as a sharing demon then grew into a starting demon, and my words are now languishing amidst the unborn and not even getting the chance to frolic. It also doesn't help that the standard in this forum is so high! But, as one poster says above, the trick is to let go of the inner censor, and let the crap flow. Amidst the crap there might be a lotus blossom!

Steppe · Aug 9, 2010

We humans are very gracious in our high opinions of ourselves vs other forms of life on the planet. I've been told that the very smallest life forms (microbes) really rule the world, not us. What does this have to do with the discussion?

I love to give the little things their due. So many folk want to write about the large stuff and their poems often show the attempt. Which leaves the whole world of the small really undiscovered and unappreaciated.

Seems to me though that a good method for a poem is to start small and continue small (unless you are Walt Whitman), untill you feel you have enough going in the poem to let it grow into a very large story. Which brings up the point of whether or not you are writing a poem as a story or to uncover the mystery of the small events or happenings or things around us.

Some folk simply think big and need to write big. Go for it.

KTC · Aug 9, 2010

i have no idea why size would come into this discussion? none at all.

KTC · Aug 9, 2010

let me rephrase that...because i swear i did not mean to come across as confrontational. (-: could you please elaborate?

ajc · Aug 9, 2010

KTC said:
i have no idea why size would come into this discussion? none at all.

People who say size doesn't matter have small

poems.

Feiss · Aug 10, 2010

I would say my biggest demon comes from self-doubt, and the doubt about my writing. I wonder what kind of impact I'm making, and often come to the conclusion that it doesn't make any impact at all. How my writing is perceived comes into play as well. Basically, I end up asking myself "who gives a shit?"

GREAT thread btw

salvo · Aug 10, 2010

The biggest thing holding me back is not being able to write poems that aren't about myself. They're all like, "I... I... I..."

Steppe · Aug 10, 2010

Well I was trying to answer Poets OP,KTC. "what holds us back", "keeps us from writing more". He went on to say he was having problems "limiting his scope" because he would see a "universe of possibilities". Some times I think our plan for the poem is to large and should be shortened or a new plan brought in.

I'm not advocating short poems for everyone. But sometimes it might help to get us back on track.

New poets often feel, I think, that a poem needs to include the intire history of, say Indiana, to be recognized.

If a poet has the talents for an epic, write an epic.

Confess Your Demons

Numbers are beautiful

That didn't hurt

Delerium ex Ennui

Out to lunch

The new me

Stand in the Place Where You Live

What do I know?

Out to lunch

Numbers are beautiful

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Stand in the Place Where You Live

still writing

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Numbers are beautiful

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Numbers are beautiful

The new me

...

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Stand in the Place Where You Live

What do I know?

Sleeps during the day

...