Poetry Of Course:

A website especially for Poets,
Devotional Writers,
Children’s Picture Book Writers,
& Poetry Editors --
to help you write & edit poetically

Why do people begin to write poems or want to write manuscripts with poetic qualities? The reasons may vary from one poet to another, but these characteristics commonly occur in varying degrees at various levels of professionalism:

• Artistic Expression - Poets who begin to write in childhood often have a special gift for playing with words or writing poems with a strong sense of musicality. These poets may later have fun writing poems for children or writing highly poetic fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages.

• Connection with Other People - Eventually most poets want to show their work to others, who may or may not be too encouraging! Fortunately, a parent, grandparent, or teacher will frequently recognize at least a hint of literary talent and nurture an interest in poetry.

• Therapeutic Value - People in all age groups and cultures often begin to write poems as a creative outlet for potent feelings, memories, or emotions. These poems serve a purpose similar to journal-writing and can bring healing and interesting histories to family members. Since publication is not the purpose for this type of writing, the poems might not connect with readers or be suitable for print! However, when revisions have other people in mind, therapeutic poems can speak well for readers who can’t express themselves.

• Publication - As poets begin to gain confidence in their poetic ability, they usually want their poems to be accepted for publication in print journals or online e-zines. Since many many other poets want the same, those who love poetry and take it seriously will be apt to read and study poetry journals as well as time-tested techniques and diverse forms of poetry before submitting a batch of poems to an editor.

• Literary Contribution - Once a poem or two has placed in a literary journal or anthology, the poet may begin to see the value of his or her work as a contribution to the literary arts. This glimpse of a literary world much bigger than oneself often draws poets to pour over classical and contemporary poems in anthologies and the works of poets who have won prestigious awards such as the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. 

(c) 2010 Mary Harwell Sayler, Lake Como, FL

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