The workshopping process was something that greatly improved my work throughout the semester. At the beginning of the year, I would read my poetry to myself and think that it read well, that what I was writing was substantial and creative. But when I was able to have my peers read my work, certain things were pointed out to me that I never would have thought of if not for the workshop process. Certain things that were disclosed to me: sometimes a cluttered, complicated image is not the best one. An image that is clear, concise, and brings out some sort of emotion is usually the best. Also, poetry can be vague, but being vauge for the sake of being vague is not a recipe for good work. I have found that, although you are writing for yourself, you are also writing for the sake of the reader. The revisions I made in my portfolio reflect the work I made to make my poems more accomidating to the reader. Although the strange is welcomed in this genre, I have found that the simplest form, however strange, usually works best, as is the case for most things.
Michael McCune
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I also think the workshops have been most beneficial to me. Poetry can be interpreted in so many different ways and by doing the workshops in class I think many of us were able to read poetry through someone else's perception for a change. It has also definately been a great experience that has generated alot of useful feedback that I have been able to use when working on my portfolio revisions! I feel as if all of the critic I received during the workshops has helped me to grow as a poet and a reader of poetry. The workshops were an awesome way to get to know everyone as a poet as well. It's amazing what our class came up with as far as different and unique poetry goes! Cheers to a great semester :)
ReplyDeleteKaty Haines