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Viv Wigley

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Putting the feelers out

Blog Posted by Viv Wigley: 4/1/2015 12:09:00 AM

Hi. First blog, so I thought I'd give it a bizarre title that bears no relevance to my physiology.

I left a comment for Rhonda-Johnson Saunders on my poem 'Millpond daybreak', regarding my experiences when composing a poem, about sometimes you struggle, scribble, edit and question, and sometimes you're in the zone and it flows easily or, as in the case of the poem in question, almost appears like a developing photograph. I know recently, thanks to owning a Blackberry phone, I can use the notebook to record a thought or phrase for future use (it's getting out of hand now- I think I'm a hoarder) and in some cases compose a verse on the move (Haiku- 'Spider web') which is a real boon. I know with some competitions on radio and here on Soup, I can stare at a blank screen for ages like a Radio operator waiting for a response from the Titanic, and get nothing. It's not so much about distraction- I've generated stuff whilst doing the hated ironing, so I don't know. Maybe inspiration is a constantly moving tide like the Van Allen belt, and it washes into the psyche at leisure. I find that doing too much research on disciplines and grammar clutters me and takes a chunk out of creative freedom. Maybe I'm just worrying to much over nothing. Anyone out there care to stick their oar in? Thanks in advance for your input. Warmest regards, Viv

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D.W.
Rodgers

Date: 4/2/2015 9:40:00 AM

I agree with most of what has already been said but must note that we all are individuals. While I agree that establishing a routine and inertia are important to my life, from exercise to writing, there are times when I discard routine to focus on a deadline (often income generating) activity. Like you Viv, my poetry is often started from a single line which I'll jot down.,although I use a pencil and paper not my blackberry. Later I'll look at it, try to read my writing and see if it can be worked into a poem.

D.W. Rodgers
Date: 4/2/2015 5:18:00 PM

Thanks Viv - but I must correct my misdirection - I forgo writhing and verse when facing a work related deadline

Viv Wigley
Date: 4/2/2015 3:51:00 PM

Thanks, Dave, and I'm impressed that you can fulfil something as ethereal as verse to a deadline, and get a result. High five! Regards, Viv

Debbie
Guzzi

Date: 4/1/2015 7:44:00 PM

Yup I love sticking in oars - do what you do! No matter how when or where you do it. The most important thing is to give your writing a priority and keep it. Say you can only spend an hour a day at it- OK- that's fine -just do it daily! [No matter the outcome!] Later on after the the idea or the motion is formed in words then you can go back and think about the grammar [PS I hate it! Who doesn't] After awhile though you will find the verse itself is better for having cleared up the grammar & that IS pleasing!

Viv Wigley
Date: 4/2/2015 1:04:00 AM

Thanks, Debbie, I've started leaving work-in-progress for a day or two, to come back with fresh eyes, as I do with my paintings (which I've left for a while- must get back in the saddle). Viv x

Robert
Lindley

Date: 4/1/2015 6:25:00 PM

Write with the heart, let the head rest and on certain poems come in later to tidy up! Poems I keep in my private stash I wrote and never dared to "tidy up". Sometimes the uncut gem is the sunshine as it is.. with no filtering rays applied... My oar just hit the waters.....my boat is large as I like room to stretch my legs.. Welcome and great first blog!

Viv Wigley
Date: 4/2/2015 1:01:00 AM

Thanks, fellow hoarder- a little chaos is no bad thing. Regards, Viv

Constance
La France

Date: 4/1/2015 6:20:00 PM

Viv, you are not alone, take comfort in that, I go no where without pen and paper, I never know when something will impress me to write, so I must be prepared, when I am creating a poem, I start with a blank page and just write whatever comes into my head, sort of rambling, then I take the best of what I wrote and write that on a blank page then I mould that into the theme I am going for on another blank page and then the hard part, moulding it into a particular form on another blank page and I love every moment of the process, I am usually surrounded by dictionaries and paper by the time I am finished, of course I could use the computer but I am a paper and pen kinda girl . .

Viv Wigley
Date: 4/2/2015 1:00:00 AM

Obviously your techniques is effective, judging by your lovely creative output. I've used the multi sheet paper method a few times, and the ones with my initial thoughts hastily written look like they were scribbled on a rollercoaster :) . Thanks for contributing. Viv x

Casarah
Nance

Date: 4/1/2015 5:44:00 PM

I know what you mean, I get inspired at the weirdest times, like in the shower, or trying to sleep. I carry a notebook constantly. But sometimes I sit and force a write by rule and measure and that result is spectacular, while other times I let my fingers dance on the screen and poetry forms, either way, or any way it come---capture it! :)

Viv Wigley
Date: 4/2/2015 12:51:00 AM

It obviously works, Casarah, because I love your work. Must challenge myself facing a blank more often, then. Viv x

Robert
Stoner Jr

Date: 4/1/2015 2:05:00 PM

I agree with Frederic ,well said Fredrick. I know I can over write sometimes thinking of form. If I create a piece from immediate muse I'll save it and rewrite in the form I had in mind, sometimes I save both versions. That may include a rhyming piece I rewrite into a verse. It's a playground try all the toys and save everything. I wake in the night and get up to write a few lines of inspiration and return to them next day. When I write I blast the words out as they come and return when finished to do all the errors capitals punctuation etc. ,the flow is important to me.Many times I write the end of a piece and work to that. Muse is everywhere and nowhere just depends on me :o)

Viv Wigley
Date: 4/2/2015 12:49:00 AM

Thanks Robert- I too tend to awake in the early hours, punch some ideas into my phone and then let them rise, like yeast, for a day or two before playing with them- saved me from some shoddy work, I can tell you. Regards, Viv

Frederic
Parker

Date: 4/1/2015 11:36:00 AM

I believe that poetry is the soul communicating through the head.Inspiration comes when they are in sync.Anything can cause that connection..a leaf spinning through air..a bird floating above..the look from a loved one...sadness..happiness..anything..frustration comes when one tries to hard to connect the head and the soul..there is also the companion heart..I've read many a poem that was structured in its form but lacked the heart of a poet..my oar has been placed in.

Viv Wigley
Date: 4/1/2015 12:40:00 PM

Thanks for paddling in, Frederick, yes the heart's the engine room. Regards, Viv

Jan
Allison

Date: 4/1/2015 2:40:00 AM

I think of writing as like going to the loo Viv - sometimes the words flow .... like verbal diarrhea - other times your brain is constipated LOL . All I know is I carry a notebook around with me all the time - when i first started writing I had to stop driving home one when inspiration hit and I simply had to get the words down:-) Hugs Jan xx

Jan Allison
Date: 4/2/2015 2:14:00 AM

lol

Debbie Guzzi
Date: 4/1/2015 7:45:00 PM

cool metaphor [syringed] wow Viv!

Viv Wigley
Date: 4/1/2015 7:39:00 AM

You'd have made a dreadful taxi driver. Interesting how our database of words and phrases ends up like a game of scrabble. Sometimes, a line just gets syringed into your head. I carry a pack of tissues, just in case. Viv x

Rob
Carmack

Date: 4/1/2015 12:23:00 AM

I totally agree with limiting Grammar's touch upon poetry.

Rob Carmack
Date: 4/1/2015 1:55:00 AM

Yes, or in some cases, chains instead of strings.

Viv Wigley
Date: 4/1/2015 12:38:00 AM

A bit like tying a string to a toy glider to make it a kite. Now it's a kite, it's not a free flying glider any more. Thanks, Rob. Viv

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Putting the feelers out

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