Introducing Me

[Phlebas]

I've been reading through forums, and decided to register, in the hope that I'll gain the courage to start posting and responding. I'm more of a prose writer, and used to giving and receiving feedback on prose, but I'm hoping to extend my knowledge to poetry. I've read and studied poetry, but it seems hard to develop and absorb information without specific feedback.

My prose background will hopefully mean I'll avoid some of the more common problems of amateur writers, but I can't promise that my work will have any poetic rhythmn or form. I am willing to learn, however.

Phlebas

[Dani B]

well, welcome!

A willingness to learn is probably the best thing you could be armed with when entering PFFA. Enjoy your time here--there is much to learn.

best,

Dani B

[Phlebas]

It's kind of you to bother responding to such a bland post, in a way. Your point about a willingness to learn is well taken, and I have already made several resolutions about what I should learn next. Proper use of semi-colons, for example. I ignored them, until now. This was sheer laziness, I admit, and I now intend to study that subject.
The Using Semi-colons (http://www.virtualsalt.com/semicoln.htm) pages seems concise, but I suspect more detailed research is needed.

In case anyone is interested in my influences, my prose writing led to me being involved in a writers group which included poets and prose writers. The poets organised a short workshop with the Tasmanian poet Anthony Lawrence, where he emphasised avoiding cliche and mixed metaphors. That's when I decided I should learn the craft. There was an emphasis on natural metaphors, or at least that's what I felt from most of his work. I've read a number of local poets who seem to write about the landscape I'm used to, such as John Kinsella. I like reading work that uses familiar scenery.

I've usually enjoy poetry I'm exposed to, such as the Thomas Hardy, Bruce Dawe and the WW1 poets we did in school, but never committed myself to reading and writing poetry in general, as prose was much simpler in some ways. Now I'm keen on broading my horizons.

[Little Skittle]

My prose background will hopefully mean I'll avoid some of the more common problems of amateur writers, but I can't promise that my work will have any poetic rhythmn or form.

Poetry does not always require specific form.

Oh yeah, and welcome.

Little Skittle

[illegitimatesonofee]

*battle cry*

Come my good man! *edit w/apologies*(or woman)
The bellows of this mighty battle shall forge your broadsword of prose into poetry's razor rapier. As for myself, should I survive, it would be worth all horrors to have aquired a command...of meter.

If however this prove to be our final field, Vallhalla awaits and the Great Hall. Strewn with loose-leaf.

whippin' up a little courage casserole-
ill.

[emitchel]

Welcome to PFFA. There are some wonderful learning aids here called the Blurbs of Wisdom. They even include discussions of punctuation.

Also, PFFA has a Prose forum.

[Jeanne G]

Hi Phlebes,

You've stated right off that you've been actually reading the forums, before posting, so you are off to a flying start. If only more newbies would do that our high flounce ratio might be so much lower. But then again, we wouldn't have the amusement park we like to call "Outside". Your prose background will certainly help your grammar right off, but you seem to have noticed poetry is very different, and very difficult compared to the (relative) freedom of prose. Damn it's a fun challenge though. Have fun, and be prepared, critters are very blunt around here, you'll need a thick skin and wopping sense of humour, but the bluntness is what makes this place the bestest, most honestest workshop around.

Welcome.



Jeanne
*save the semi-colon*