The Place of Poetry in Journalling
May 5th 2010 12:00
About two months ago, my grandmother bought me a wonderful new notebook to write my poems in. Upon receiving it, I decided to start a poetry journal. It's amazing both as a poet and as a writer-nobody's looking, so I can just write what I feel, and the feelings flow so much better in poetry. It's been a wonderful experiment so far, and it's journalling I can stick with.
What does that have to do with the Dear Diary workshop? It might not have anything to do with your personal project, but if your character is a poet, it's an interesting thing to explore. Your character might write their journal in poetry form, or they might just write the occasional poem. They might even-especially in a more modern era-have part of or maybe all of a poem they like written by somebody else.
Poetry expresses things in ways narrative can't. It might have something to do with the rhythm, or just the way the words look on the page. But in some ways, and for some people, poetry is even more powerful than any prose can ever be.
Remember that poetry is usually metaphorical. It's not about just saying what happened-it's about using images and rhythm to really bring out the story you're trying to tell. And it can be an amazing thing.
Is your character a poet?
What does that have to do with the Dear Diary workshop? It might not have anything to do with your personal project, but if your character is a poet, it's an interesting thing to explore. Your character might write their journal in poetry form, or they might just write the occasional poem. They might even-especially in a more modern era-have part of or maybe all of a poem they like written by somebody else.
Poetry expresses things in ways narrative can't. It might have something to do with the rhythm, or just the way the words look on the page. But in some ways, and for some people, poetry is even more powerful than any prose can ever be.
Remember that poetry is usually metaphorical. It's not about just saying what happened-it's about using images and rhythm to really bring out the story you're trying to tell. And it can be an amazing thing.
Is your character a poet?
| 77 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by RedParrot
To answer the question, no, Elgin is not a poet. He is - ah - sensitive to the written and spoke word and the precision of language. I don't think that all the diary entries reflect this. Perhaps this is most evident when he is angry or expressing a hotly held view.
I find myself thinking a lot more about the universe in which Elgin exists and the general circumstances of being a vampire .. part of the point, I am certain.
In the original screen play (and here to a much much lesser extent) one considers the roles of humans in the vamp world. Not always are they just schnackies for the peckish. Humans perform a function and I can see some of them having a symbiotic relationship with some vamps (also in the s/play).
We shall see what tomorrow brings.
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
Elgin may not be a poet, but his words read almost as if he were.
Vampires have thousands of years to become familiar and confident with language; it's no surprise to me that the greatest vampires of history have had eloquent voices.
~Dianna
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
I didn't even realize I was on the front page. Thanks for your support
~Dianna