Writing Basics
Tips for New & Young Poets
| Read in the genre that you wish to write. Read anthologies first to find writers you like. Read those writers you like thereafter. Also browse libraries and bookstores, taking chances. Read writers of the past as well as contemporary writers. Read writers who have been accepted as masters. Never stop reading. |
| Write: Learn the basics of English. Learn writing from the writers you have liked: yes, copy them at first. As you do this, you will slowly change from copying to finding your own voice. Write something every day no matter who short. Take notes, jot down ideas. |
| Publication: Purchase books and magazines which list literary magazines and their editorial guidelines. Read literary magazines. Purchase the magazines you like. Read magazines which publish beginning writers and also the university magazines. Your first publication will be in the magazines which seek newcomers: do not shoot for the most respected literary magazines first. After you have some publication to your credit, begin to submit to better quality magazines, in other words, take a step up the ladder. Don't jump up the ladder. And, don't be discouraged by rejections because everyone is rejected multiple times although they do not advertise this until they are famous. Once you have a good list of publications, submit to the very best magazines, which are usually published by universities here in America. |
| Perform: Read your work at open readings and slams as often as possible. Attend readings by established writers. |
| And the Literary career: This is where writing becomes more businesslike. If you are serious about literature, if you wish to become a "poet," you should think about beomg near those who already have established literary careers. In America, in poetry, you will usually find those with literary careers are connected to universities, or, academia. They teach as instructors or professors, workshop from university to university, seek and gain grants, as they write and publish. Since there is not much money in poetry, one must find employment that will put food on the table and clothes on the back. You may want to settle near a university where literature is obviously important. Then, you might take university courses from an established poet. You should pariticipate in literary activities. You should socialize and make connections with others in the courses as well as the instructors and professors. You should demonstrate in some way that you want to fashion a literary career. You may be fortunate to be mentored by an established poet who is at the university. You will learn from other writers and mentors what they have learned from their experience in their literary careers. Letters, telepone calls, emails, of recommendation from your mentor will help move you from editor to publisher in your career. You might seek employment as reader or associate editor with literary magazines or in publishing. As you participate in the literary scene and become well known, you will probably begin to move away from the university as you slowly establish your own literary career, publishing in magazines, chapbooks, and books, gaining grants and awards. Or, you may gain an instructor or teaching position at the university. You will move around the country for readings and workshops as well. Your career will be developing as that of so many other poets has in the latter part of the 20th Century. You will be inside the literary scene with access to all the resources which are necessary for your success as a poet. And then - there is the other way of creating a literary career - the Allen Ginsberg way - the way of the Beats - to note those outside the academic community who made literary careers. Or William Carlos Williams who opposed academia and made a literary career with contacts in the then "small press" scene. Those with the right poetry form, the right subject, at the right time in our nation's emotional or spiritual life, could be jettisoned to the top of the literary scene, even the Pop scene, making contacts in spite of themselves, in spite of resistance from others, academia, to provide the poetry that society needs at the time. Take Bukowski, who is not a favorite poet of mine, even though I do not have strong academic connections, who has become an American literary icon. Take the Language Poets who battled their way inside academia after their long struggle against academia. There seems to be no reason to the success of this "outsider" type poet, but that success exists and it might be the way that suits you as a person. |
The Maine Literary Coffeehouse is a BLOG at which you may post
literary news and events, book and magazine publication,
writers' tips, etc. After each post, there is a "Comments"
link that you should click so you can create your post...
http://melitcoffee.blogspot.com/
 |
/