Blogging Around

This was my response to Marika's post about the process of writing her poem:

Marika-

I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on your poem, especially because I've read your poem and know what it's about. I can definitely relate to your confusion about the "widowed images" part. I spent hours trying to come up with a widowed image of my own! I think sometimes with poetry you just have to wait for an idea to come to you. I disagree with how you described your poem though. I think it's a lot deeper than you think it is!

-Kate

I also read Margot's post about her poem, and I found it really interesting to compare different people's strategies to revising their poems.

Margot-

Infinity and vastness scare me too! I'd be interested in reading your poem, or at least hearing your thoughts on the subject, because I think it's a fascinating topic. You seem to have a great idea for your poem from a "form is content" perspective. I really liked reading your post because I've had a lot of similar feelings about the revision process. I think sometimes it's difficult to part with pieces of your writing that you've grown attached to. While I was writing my second and third drafts, I often had to remind myself that the changes were just for Mr. Allen, and I could keep a copy of my poem just the way I wanted it. However, now I like the "Mr. Allen" version of my poem better than the original! That may not be true for you, but I think sometimes the initial response to criticism is feeling defensive, but once those feelings have calmed, you might realize that the changes really were for the better.

-Kate

Metacognition: Poem

I think it's important to note that, unlike a lot of other people in Academy, I enjoy writing poetry. I'm not going to pretend to be some master poet (I have just as much difficulty understanding poetry as anyone else--trust me!), but I can say that something about it really moves me more than any other from of writing can.

The fact that I like poetry is important because, I have to admit, I have a difficult time motivating myself for things that I do not enjoy. For example, in English, it was much harder getting myself to sit down and read King Lear than The Kite Runner, simply because I enjoyed The Kite Runner more.

I think my appreciation for poetry was a big factor in the process of the assignment. As soon as Mr. Allen explained the requirements, I rushed home to my computer, eager to start writing. I write poetry occasionally in my free time, so I looked back at some of my previous poems for inspiration. I also read some poetry online and flipped through some of the handouts we got in class. I think this method was helpful because it got me thinking about writing style and the essential elements of a poem.

While reviewing my previous poems, I stumbled across one I had recently written, and it struck me as a subject matter that fit the assignment. Basically, I took that concept and re-worked it into my first draft.

The first draft wasn't difficult. However, it was difficult for me to edit the poem for the second and third drafts. I think I was just so opposed to changing any of it, which I now realize was completely wrong of me. This assignment helped me realize that writing is a process, and you can always improve your writing.

Next time we have a writing assignment, I think I will apply the strategy of looking at other pieces of writing for inspiration. It just seems to put me in the "writing mood" when I read the work of really great writers.

My main goal for future assignments is to be open-minded to the draft process. I have to realize that constructive criticism exists for that very reason: to construct, or edit my writing and make it better.