This semester, I have a Creative Writing class. In regards to my writing, it has been nothing but helpful. Not only is it pushing me to write every week, but the teacher has taught me ABOUT the writing of poetry and what actually makes a good poem a good poem. I have a new found appreciation for poetry, and I feel that I am a stronger writer for it.
I would like to share with you all something that I was taught, and I'd like to start with a quote from my professor. He got it from a poet who's name I can't remember, and google didn't help since I don't think it's the EXACT quote.
"Let's shake this poem and see what falls out."
In order to be strong poetry, a poem has to be written with concrete language. The same applies to prose. Without concrete language, there is nothing to visualize; there is no imagery. A poem is nothing without imagery. What is concrete language? Concrete language is something that interacts with your five senses: touch, taste, smell, hear and sight. Examples of concrete language: chair, red, soft, cat, run, mattress, plant, windowsill. If it's not concrete language, then it's abstract language. Examples of abstract language: love, hate, joy, thought, optimism/pessimism, cryptic, as well as any emotion. You can absolutely write about abstract concepts such as "love," but if you use concrete language to describe "love," you will have a far greater impact than if you use abstract language.
Another thing to keep in mind is: If a word isn't contributing to the poem, is it worth keeping? I used to put every word I knew into one sentence so that I could "accurately describe" a scene. I even went into a thesaurus for a while and picked out synonyms of words so I sounded cooler. It doesn't really work out, and it makes it difficult for the readers to see the imagery in the poem (if there is any without concrete language) or to even understand the poem. For example:
A wind of fur extrapolates through the autumn channel
Harassing the fragile frame for some life-squeezings.
Wouldn't it just be easier to say:
The cat runs into the kitchen the moment I open the refrigerator.
It asks me to share the milk with a soft bump of its head.
What is clearer? What can you see better? What makes more sense? What is easier to read?
I understand everyone has their own writing styles, and there's no shame in that. Everyone should be proud of their own writing. But as I do, everyone else has room for improvement in their writing. It's not art if you're finished with it. I hope this little blurb helped some people out with their writings. All of the above can be applies to prose as well! Thank you for taking the time to read. :)
Omg. A pirate?! YES! BOOYA! PIRATES FOR EVAAA!! I just invaded your page and i'm taking up space. I seriously dont know how I found you. Ithink I was just randomly clicking people. HM. Wasteing more space! Ack! Dont mind me. I'm bored..
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I hope this little blurb helped some people out with their writings. All of the above can be applies to prose as well! Thank you for taking the time to read. :)
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*purrs, insanely flattered*
Sorry, hun 
One's for writing, one's for drawings. RipfangDragon felt SO cluttered
