Poetry Theories

Writing is an art form, writing stories is not that different from poetry, and storywriters can use poetic writing tools to enhance their story.

Poetry Theories
Poetry has about 360 different forms plus what variations writers may add at their discretion. That's a lot. My favorite type is the old fashioned rhyming type. But I'm told all forms have similarities. Here are some points for writers of whatever type of poetry, to ponder.



1. Music of poetry.

Remember Mum or Dad or someone reading Nursery Rhymes aloud when you were a wee infant. Poetry. For many years I read aloud to my children, my grandchildren and to the residents of an Old Peoples Home. I learned to read well. Poetry has music and reading aloud will help you to hear the music of your work.

2. Rhythm

The rythm is really only the beat of the music. Reading aloud will show that too, and any flaws there may be. try it! I did and found myself not up to scratch.

3. Picture

Paint a picture with words. Take the reader with you, to see what you see,feel what you feel, share with you your pain or your joy. It is not easy at first but will come with practice.

4. Flow.
This is where I have troubles at times. Water flows, slowly in the lowlands but fast and furious down the mountains. Set the pace of your writing to suit the subject matter. Long words may slow things down, short ones to speed things up a bit.

5. Feelings
If you have a sad subject, then make the reader cry. Put your emotions at the time of writing, into the poem. Your reader will thank you.

6.Rhyme
In many forms of poetry rhyme adds another dimension to the writing. It enhances the music and the rythm. If you choose to use rhyme then make it seem natural, not forced or fake. Some forms of poetry do not use rhyme at all.

7. Meter
This is an area where I do have difficulty. Specific types of meter are a requirement in some types of poetry. I won't go into those. Traditional Poetry:- Poetry that rhymes, is usually better with a regular repeating syllable count.
Do not slavishly follow the syllable count if it interupts the music and flow of the poem.

To learn more about writing, read. Read whatever you can find of the type of writing you want to do. Then imitate it.

Reading aloud is wonderful, but, do your aloud reading as a reader not a writer. The writer owns the copyright - the reader owns the written work.

In my research I read in 'The Little Red Writing Book' by Mark Tredinnick
, the following :- A good writer is a careful and a critical listener. You are your own work's first and most important reader. If you don't listen to it carefully, it's probable that no one else will.

Hope this helps someone. If not, then maybe someone can help me with their comments.

Thank You