My Heart's In the Write Place

Dear promising poet, for me, modern poetry provides a peek into a poet’s inner world. Through this artistic medium, a poet speaks in expressive language of imagery and metaphor conveying varied textures of emotions and observations experienced or imagined. My advice to a novice poet of any age would be the following tips. Explore language and the nuances of words; the subtle differences in meaning, expression or sound. Employ interesting word combinations. Use techniques like ‘alliteration’ (the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words, e.g., ‘trickle tender tears’ or ‘revive in rising rivulets’). Or, utilize ‘assonance’ (when two or more words,close to one another repeat the same vowel sound but start with different consonant sounds, e.g., ‘light the fire’ or ‘smooth move’). Have FUN and ‘PLAY’ with word play. Read poetry in different forms silently and aloud. Notice rhythms and rhymes or non-rhymes, note how the printed words look and how the spoken verse sounds (soft, harsh, slow, fast..). Practice your artistry and craft daily. Write with emotion, and if need be, with wild abandon or with delicate thoughtful introspection as you explore the quiet nooks of your heart and soul. Use your sensory powers and compose with words using sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Bring imagination to life and let your verse touch a reader’s heart and their physical being. Allow the reader to taste and smell the fruits of your words, build descriptive imagery and let emotions be envisioned, (my elation rose like a bouquet of balloons) or (my elation deflated like a popped balloon). Let your written words be heard whether it’s 'whispering' breezes or 'booming' thunder. Keep a journal and record creative thoughts, interesting ideas, phrases or words that come to you. Use your power of observation and soon your muse will see poetry all around you. Also, edit your poetry through the creative process, tweaking your work works! When your muse begins to nod, sleep on it! If you find your inspiration and imagination are stalemated, let the poem percolate and come back to it when refreshed, your rejuvenated muse will respond. Each day is a new dawn of inspiration! In my life, poetry has been a healing and an expressive art form.The exhilaration and satisfaction I feel when I create an ‘art piece’ from my emotions, observations and imagination is self-empowering. Poetry allows my mind to have wings and fly. My favorite themes are: love, lost love, spirituality, introspection, nature, beauty, life, fantasy My favorite reference sources are: www.dictionary.com, www.thesaurus.com, www.howmanysyllables.com, www.rhymezone.com My titles of favorite poems I’ve written (in order of preference): 1. The Influence of God 2. The Age of Summer Love 3. A Tear-ful Conversation With My Daughter 4. Colours of Parisian Nightlife 5. Starlit Diva 6. With Finespun Fingers 7. Chalice of Ambrosial Dreams 8. Melody Moves 9. Where Do Prayers Go 10. Gossiping With Zephyrs My literary background: I’ve always loved self-expression and had journaled for years prior to writing poetry. My poem “What My Eyelids Hide” will be featured in “Upon Arrival” an anthology published by Eber and Wein. I also have a degree in Fine Arts. For three decades, I was a business owner in the health and fitness field where I put my creativity to work through the art of choreography and the necessity of advertising - a poet wears many different hats! My suggestions for a book title are: ‘Do the Write Thing’ or ‘You’re On The Write Track’ Susan Ashley May 26, 2018 ~ Third Place ~ Contest: Tips For Modern Poetry To Budding Poets Of All Ages Sponsor: Line Gauthier