If you recall my last blog finished with a mention of breaking rules but in an informed way. At the last session of the SaveAs Writers monthly meeting, I read out my sonnet Seen Through a Prism of People. This was an example of a new form of sonnet that I have devised with a … Continue reading 2019 Summary
The Volta
A sonnet may juxtapose two contrasting ideas to generate interest or emotion. Where can you place this join? Right at the end might work, like a punch line in a joke, a big reveal. Shakespeare did this to such an extent the trick was named after him. In this blog, let’s look at where else … Continue reading The Volta
First Version
You can write a poem in fifteen minutes. A common poetry workshop exercise is to start from some inspirational object or image handed around the participants. Each puts their hand into an envelope and pulls out a photograph. Of an ice-like quartz crystal. Of a misty water-meadow. Or perhaps of the Mona Lisa. Then each … Continue reading First Version
And the winner is …
Everyone. I’m going to cover festivals and competitions this time. A competition is an opportunity to have your newly written work measured against others. Apart from the kudos you might gain, who else is going to benefit from a competition? Often these are part of the essential fundraising for a literary or arts festival. All … Continue reading And the winner is …
Using Metaphor
In this series of blogs, I have tried to give you my personal view on how to write a poem, in particular a sonnet. I do not want to get too technical, there are books for that. It is now time to look at metaphor. This word stems from the Greek verb metaphorien “to transfer”. … Continue reading Using Metaphor
