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The Grahamburglar Biography

The Grahamburglar is not my real name. Please try not to look so shocked. There's not too much to know about me. I have always (ok, ok, not ALWAYS) enjoyed writing. I feel that it comes quite naturally, and while I am certainly not an expert poet, I enjoy playing with words, experimenting with new ways to describe or think about something, and I enjoy reading the work of others for inspiration. My life tends to alternate between too busy and too uneventful. Most frequently, it is during the lulls that I do my writing. I hope on occasion you find in my work something of value, and if not, well...

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Your Purpose

Blog Posted by The Grahamburglar: 5/2/2016 8:23:00 PM

Hey All,

I know I am not well known on the site, sadly, my very hectic schedule makes it difficult to write as often as I would like. Today, I was thinking about why I write. I don't really know that most of my poems set out to accomplish or convey anything particular, but as I start creating them, they kind of take on a life of their own.

So here are the questions: when you sit down to write, do you start with a purpose in mind? Do you have goals for your write before you start, or, like me, do you just kind of let your mind improvise the purpose as you go? On a bigger scale, is a there a larger message, or unifying purpose, that tends to run through several, most, or all of your writing? If so, what is it? Do you put it in there intentionally, or do you tend to just wind up writing about a certain subject without really meaning to?

I guess I'm just curious about the process of writing that others engage in. So share your methods. Share your process. If you're comfortable, share your muse. I'm genuinely interested.

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Tom Quigley

May 4, 2016 at 9:06 AM

Here's a window into my process: http://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/poetus_interruptus_771801 Pretty much it. Poetry on a schedule, write it down before it goes away, put it together later. :-)

The Grahamburglar

May 4, 2016 at 4:47 PM

That's a good one Tom. I can certainly relate. Do you find that your writing tends to follow a theme, or do you just write whatever you can, when you can?

Charmaine Chircop

May 4, 2016 at 8:12 AM

Its hard to just sit and write for me : ).. Manytimes, a word or a statement or a song hits me unexpectedly..I get inspired to write what I feel at that moment..I scribble some words and build up a poem around those words.A poem can take an hour..it can take a day..or I can forget about it ..then get o it later...days after..Its not always the same.Btw- Nice to have you back here...Hope I ll have some good quality time to visit your posts soon.

The Grahamburglar

May 4, 2016 at 4:43 PM

Yes. I think what you've described is how it is for me most of the time. Unfortunately, I seem to get my best ideas while cruising down the highway...haha, not an ideal time to jot down notes, so I often end up forgetting...then recalling much later and trying to piece it back together.

Charmaine Chircop

May 4, 2016 at 8:13 AM

Im always editing and editing..At times I wish to edit even after I see my poem published : )

Nette Onclaud

May 3, 2016 at 4:34 PM

i go by instinct and spontaneity using the tenet of natalie goldberg--- just write without editing, keep the words fresh and allow the images to just flow; then look at the whole piece where a gold mine lies.. after this, allow the poem to take its shape and edit... her book, " writing down the bones is like a bible to me... huggs

The Grahamburglar

May 4, 2016 at 4:51 PM

Sounds like I should be shopping on Amazon right now...haha, maybe I'll look for it after finals. Thanks for sharing. -G

Cyndi Macmillan

May 3, 2016 at 4:37 PM

I LOOOOOVE writing down the bones! Yes!!!! I lent it to another writing friend. LOL... never to be seen again!

Carrie Richards

May 3, 2016 at 10:14 AM

Everyone here has explained beautifully, how their poems are created, and can take a life of their own, sometimes beyond our expectations. The challenges help create ideas, especially when I feel I have wrung myself dry,...however the ones that usually turn out the most satisfying are poems that simply erupt, fast and furiously in a rush of words without too much analysis.., just rushing through my head. Then, I'll go back and try to make sense of it all.....then refine, refine, edit and edit, until it feels right. I never seem to stop wanting to make it better than it was, however the first draft that came from the unconscious, is the spark that lit the fire.

Cyndi Macmillan

May 3, 2016 at 4:45 PM

YES! Exactly! Love this, Carrie!

The Grahamburglar

May 3, 2016 at 4:30 PM

I agree, I love it when that flood of inspiration hits. I find that carrying my journal helps me get more ideas because when I start thinking about something interesting, I can jot down a few ideas, which I come back to later. Anyway, yeah, I think it's most satisfying when the poems just sort of start flowing, almost on their own.

Andrea Dietrich

May 3, 2016 at 9:10 AM

Great blog topic! A long time ago I struggled to write poems. I did not know what to write about after I exhausted family and my favorite experiences. Then someone told me, something that changed my life forever. They said, "Do challenges. Just sit down and make yourself write." This was back in 2003. I sat down and did a challenge. I thought a while about the topic until the correct "Form" to write in came to me. I only need one phrase in my mind to set me off in a good direction. Sometimes the body or ending of the poem comes slowly. Other times I know very soon how it is going to end and I work toward that goal! It is magical and I pray it never stops.

The Grahamburglar

May 4, 2016 at 4:53 PM

Yeah, I don't care much about the contests being actual contests, I just appreciate them because they provide a list of ready-made writing prompts. Getting recognized at all is just gravy. =p

Andrea Dietrich

May 3, 2016 at 3:18 PM

EXactly! the contests are perfect for motivating us. I know some people think it's all about writing for ourselves, etc. well, i am a competitive person and my personality type enjoys contests and challenges. (aerobics "just do it" kind of gal vs. Yoga and meditation types). I think the mind follows the body and how we work it!! We are all so different! If we feel confident and just tell ourselves, "I WILL write something for this challenge", nine out of ten time it HAPPENS. But once in a while I honestly am stumped and I finally will ditch that topic if nothing comes to me. Some people believe in numerology or where the moon or some other planet is "in their chart" I wonder if we are somehow influenced by our astrology?!! (On certain days I am so empowered to do several poems instead of just one)

The Grahamburglar

May 3, 2016 at 12:28 PM

I should add, that in my dry spells, I've found this site to be a way to grease up the rusty gears. The contests with their built in writing prompts are a perfect way get things going again.

The Grahamburglar

May 3, 2016 at 9:38 AM

Do you find that the more you write, the easier it is to come up with things to write? Sometimes, when I haven't written for a month, let's say, I find it much harder to get those wheels turning again. But when the mood strikes, sometimes I almost can't stop, and I'll write several poems in a couple of hours.

Robert Lindley

May 3, 2016 at 5:48 AM

I write about the many various subjects that strike me, about my past life, future hopes/dreams etc. Always with the intent to reveal/inform, we are all human and make mistakes. Imparting wisdom and lessons learned to others as well as therapy for my addiction to this writing curse/blessing.. Yes, an overall purpose is to give to others and maybe let some know no matter how bad life gets there is always future hope to cling to, as is evidenced in my long life and current blessed living with loving wife, family and friends. As a poet , I believe writing should have a purpose (message), even if its only to entertain or say to the world- Hey, I exist..

The Grahamburglar

May 3, 2016 at 9:45 AM

I agree with you Robert, that there is a sort of unwritten law, perhaps implied in the very act of writing itself. When something is written, it should communicate, otherwise, the writer is stealing time and energy from the reader, and giving nothing back in return. I've actually toyed with the idea of trying to write something beautiful, that literally conveys nothing. I haven't figured out quite how I want to do that yet...

Anthony Mark

May 3, 2016 at 5:01 AM

i just write without any thought to the outcome ( hence i get chewed over grammar and puntuation) i write as quick as the reader reads and quite often put it into a contest or just on here without actually reading it... i find that to be quite scary and exhilerating, to read my write for the first time,..then again i am plain weird, a song , a sentence, a throw away word all steer me to write in THAT! moment, i have no set subject, except the darker side of human nature which intrigues me , my personal philosophy is if you have to spend more than 3 minutes on a write, it becomes a task, one that may reap rewards, but not a captured moment... great blog

The Grahamburglar

May 3, 2016 at 9:50 AM

I do this too from time to time, but perhaps not quite as extreme. Unfortunately, I am too pedantic to just throw grammar and punctuation to the wind, unless it's an intentional act. But, I almost never spend less than three minutes...I think that is a real talent if you can translate your thoughts that quickly and still produce something coherent! The notion of capturing the moment is definitely an interesting intention.

Stephen Pennell

May 3, 2016 at 2:26 AM

No I start with good intentions usually a competition but if some thought pops in my head I go off on a tangent stepphen

The Grahamburglar

May 3, 2016 at 9:51 AM

Yes...this is exactly like most of my writing. I feel a little aimless sometimes, hence my line of questioning. I wonder if I were to have a more defined intention, or purpose, whether my writing might become more meaningful, either for me or others. Not sure though.

Rob Carmack

May 2, 2016 at 10:13 PM

Really no formal process or method, it just happens when I see something that inspires me. I never know when it is going to happen, but when I see something, the right something, I know it's time. Before joining this site, those somethings could be years apart.

Cyndi Macmillan

May 3, 2016 at 4:35 PM

I am working towards becoming a professional writer (I was asked by a major Canadian publisher to rework a picture book manuscript and turn it into a first chapter book. I've done so and mailed it priority post on Monday. Hopeful, but not overly-confident. STRESSED would be the word...lol

The Grahamburglar

May 3, 2016 at 9:55 AM

I agree! This site has been a bottomless well of inspiration. The community here is also very supportive and quick to offer their insights or give positive feedback. I really enjoy hearing how people interpret some of my writing...and very frequently, I will read a line, or an idea from someone else's work that ignites that little spark, and off I go. It's great.

Rob Carmack

May 3, 2016 at 7:54 AM

Stephen, one of the things I like about this site, so much to observe and learn and you never know when inspiration is going to hit you.

Stephen Pennell

May 3, 2016 at 2:31 AM

rob spot Im the same my poems usually had a theme something happened in my world or the world ! never wrote so many since joining the soup lol

Cyndi Macmillan

May 2, 2016 at 8:48 PM

Interesting blog! How I write and why I write is never stagnant. Sometimes, a poem has been 'lodged' in me for years, even decades, and I finally have been able to release them. Other times, I become aware of something and the words tumble out (I recently wrote a poem about the Geneva Free port and how priceless works of art are put into crates. Monets, Picassos, Matisses ... CRATED. I had to write about it) I revise my work almost neurotically and I submit my work to journals. Some poems are written for my daughter... little love notes to the future her. Like all writers I've met, I write because I must. It is as much for self-preservation, as for self-expression. Cheers. Cyndi

The Grahamburglar

May 4, 2016 at 5:19 PM

Hey, good luck with your book! I hope it makes you rich and famous. And thanks for sharing your process...it seems that we're all busy people just squeezing our writing into our schedules when we can, haha.

Cyndi Macmillan

May 3, 2016 at 5:16 PM

Lastly, as far as the poetry ideas that stew for years, most of these deal with specific memories/key events in my life that somehow marked/marred me forever. It's like they are there, but refuse to come out... they are scared to come out...

Cyndi Macmillan

May 3, 2016 at 4:44 PM

Three of my poems have been accepted by Room, a literary journal established in the 1970's in Canada. The poems they accepted ROARED out of me. They were revised, but their core philosophy immediately formed on the page.

Cyndi Macmillan

May 3, 2016 at 4:41 PM

So my file simply said, "colour blindness poem to be" I added images and words.. like a brainstorm... just slapped them on the page... later... it became a poem.This works for me (as the mom of a young girl, I do not get to write when I want to write)

Cyndi Macmillan

May 3, 2016 at 4:40 PM

I sometimes write one word into word and just title it about the idea... like... hmm.. okay, recently I had an idea about colour blindness. When I realized what it truly meant, it haunted me. I knew what I wanted to say, but I needed more time.

Cyndi Macmillan

May 3, 2016 at 4:36 PM

The Grahamburglar

May 3, 2016 at 10:00 AM

I recall in school being told to outline, then write, then revise, revise, revise. Take a break. Then come back and revise some more. I was far too much of a procrastinator for that method to be useful. Are you a writer by profession? How do you keep track of your ideas? Particularly, the ones that you stew on for years or decades?

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