The whole CONCEPT of creativity is NOT following rules
No, that’s the whole CONCEPT of rebellion.
You needn’t rebel to create (although it often helps, 'tis true). At least two of the sources that wrote the bible were following explicitly the rules of the early Catholic Church - wouldn’t you say they created something wonderful?
Depends on what you mean by “wonderful”…If you mean as a guide to the human soul, and a referance to moral uprightness, then sure, I’ll give you that one. If you’re talking about a well written, stiring book, then no, they didn’t create something wonderful. While there are parts of the Bible that are very well written, there are by far many more sections that are extreamly difficult just to read, much less be moved by.
andros
Member posted 10-13-1999 05:31 PM
[sarcasm]
Yeah, look at all the people since Shakespeare who managed to write as well as he did. Since playing by the rules is formulaic and easy.
[/sarcasm]
Yeah, and a lot of his Sonnet’s suck…And what makes you think he was playing by the rules then?..Hell, he might have been going against the type of writting style he had been taught…after all, we’re teaching our children writing skills based on styles that were popular a couple hundred years ago…Just because he wrote great stuff, doesn’t mean that his is the only style worthy of merit.
As far as improving before you share, how do you know if your writting is imporving unless you get feedback?..Further, I know there is much ado sometimes about discovering a known writers earlier works…seeing how he developed, and matured as an artist. And lastly, if ya don’t want to read it…don’t. Just like if you don’t like a particular author’s writting style, you don’t have to buy his book. If you don’t like someone expressing poetry on their web page, hit that damn “back” button…I’m sure they won’t miss you.
I haven’t lost my mind, I have a tape backup around somewhere.
Aren’t the Bible and Qu’ran (in the original Hebrew, Greek, and Arabic) written in the form of poetry?
I don’t know who is credited with the format of written prose, but I was under the impression that most literature in history was written as verse, and that rhyme patterns were not necessarily a primary concern.
Atrael: guess I touched a nerve. I certainly didn’t mean to. I was directing my question mostly at Brithael.
But I’ll ask you, then: Is showing off all you’re interested in? Do you have to have people ooh and aah over your work to be validated as a person? Or can you be happy creating for yourself?
-andros-
“Listen Children Eternal Father Eternally One!” Exceptions? None!
-Doc Bronner
andros–
You see the obviouse flaw with that last statement don’t you?..I’ll take it in the spirit it was meant though.
No, you don’t have to have people ooo and ahhh over you…but if you are trying to improve your style, feedback is helpful.
Perhaps these people just want to share something with others. If I write a poem about a loved ones death, and it helped me deal with the emotion that ensued, maybe those same words would help others deal with their pain. Would I do it?..nope…anything I write to express me emotions, I keep private…but if someone else want’s to post it out there for everyone to read…more power to them.
I haven’t lost my mind, I have a tape backup around somewhere.
I’m not sure about the Qu’ran but the original aramaic scrolls of the OT are absolutly poetry. And they are stunning. The King James version is a total piece of shit.
By no means is the whole bible written in verse, though. The majority (especially the Greek NT) is narrative prose.
No one knows who the first writer of prose was, but one of the very first (perhaps the first) cohesive prose narratives (i.e., novel) was The Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient Sumarian masterpiece written in cuneiform. This epic, incidently, has many included Sumarian myths which mirror and predate those told in the Hebrew bible.
It really depends on the culture. Most of the early Greeks (from Homer to Socrates) wrote nothing down, while the earlier Indian (the sub-continent), Egyptian, and Sumerian cultures left extensive records.
Atrael, you’re right–the only way to improve is to practice and receive feedback. I would add that the feedback should be from someone who knows quality, but otherwise, you’re 100%. If someone wants to post their dreck, more power to them. It may, as you say, stimulate someone. It certainly does not mean I have to read the shit.
That said . . . no, I don’t see the “obvious” flaw. Elucidate?
-andros-
“Listen Children Eternal Father Eternally One!” Exceptions? None!
-Doc Bronner
Well sure you can…but do writers have to share their stories?..or Artist their paintings?.. musicians their music?..IMO, most people that try to express themselves in some manner do want some attention…For example, if I were an artist (sorry other thread is stuck in my head) and I just hung my work around my house for my enjoyment…'cause I liked it, and you stopped by for a visit, am I looking for praise?..Rather difficult area to speculate.
I haven’t lost my mind, I have a tape backup around somewhere.
Oh, my! This is certainly getting nasty! Who is to say what ‘good’ poetry is? It seems to me that it is completely subjective, unless you are trying to write a haiku or other poem with a specific set of parameters. Even then, whether the subject is worthy of a poem, or whether the poet chose the ‘best’ words to describe said subject are things that are, shall we say “in the eyes of the beholder”. (I didn’t want to say ‘subjective’ and make this post into a tongue- twister
Quick question, would you rather discourage new potes from emerging becasue their intial poem wasn’t “perfection”, or encourage them so they get better?
I am sick and tired of more experianced poets belittleing beggining poets. I am 15 years old, and just starting out, and I find it amazingly soothing and enjoyable. I don’t need 500 older poets to cut me down. I love it when people will give me an honest critiqe ( sp? ) But I don’t see the need to call a piece of writing " garbage"
If it it comes from the heart, and is an honest expression of an idea, then beauty can be found in it. If only because it released an idea that was welling up inside sombody. ( IMHO )
Give these * *
clay feet
wings to fly * * *
* * to touch
the face of the stars *
Sunflower, don’t let anyone try to convince you that, for whatever reason they’ve managed to concoct, your brand of poetry isn’t good enough. Anyone who tries to do such a thing is a foolish snob and not worthy of the gift that you would give them by allowing them to read what you’ve written.
Read the poetry of others, listen to what your teachers have to tell you about celebrated poets, learn the different “accepted” styles of poetry. But don’t forget that your stuff is just that…yours. Unless I’ve missed something, it’s still legal (in this country, anyway) to write however you wish, about whatever you wish.
“ChrisCTP-…the sweetheart of the SDMB…” --Diane
Chris’ Homepage: Domestic Bliss
Just had to say that. Me, I can’t stand rhyming poetry; 99 times out of 100 it sounds like nursery rhymes.
Anyway, good poetry is in the eye of the beholder. if you like it, great. If you don’t like it, great. Who cares? My mom is a published poet, as is my godmother. I was raised around a lot of poetry. I have written poetry that a lot of people seem to like (won contests and stuff, too) and a lot of people also think it’s total crap. Fine. I don’t really care. Writing it helps me express my feelings and I’ll do it if I please.
