In February and March I addressed good openings for almost any kind of writing here at the FWA blog. And in April we meandered in the middle of poems. So now, let’s talk about how to nail the perfect ending to a poem. (I apologize in advance if this turns out to be a bit of a rant. Bad endings to good poems drive me crazy!) Perhaps the most egregious crime of bad poetry is when the poet tries to … Read More »

In February and March I addressed good openings for almost any kind of writing here at the FWA blog. Now, we come to the more difficult bit for most of us. Once you’ve invited your readers in, what are you going to serve them? Stale crackers and old cheese are just not going to cut it. I’ve done a bit of research on this, as well as a lot of thinking. (When I can unfreeze the little gray cells this … Read More »

Last month I posted about four ways to roll out the welcome mat for our readers by providing easily accessible openings. And I said, if the opening is too longwinded then readers may not have time to figure out your point, or the why of the piece. Too obscure and immediately readers must decide if it’s going to be worth their precious time to figure things out. Too overused, trite, or tiresome and readers may think there are better things … Read More »

It’s the opening of a new year. So, let’s talk about openings. You want your home to have curb appeal and your front door to be inviting—to say Welcome! as it opens. (At least most of us do.) It’s the same with a piece of writing. The last thing you want to do is to put a roadblock, or an overstuffed couch, in the way. Openings are tricky—help your reader Poet Billy Collins says, “Usually I try to create a … Read More »

I’ve been thinking about how one generates ideas for poems, stories, novels—or anything for that matter, like engineered new-fangled whatnots, or works of visual or auditory art. I suspect some of you are like me, wasting time thinking you don’t have an idea. And so, you don’t write or make other kinds of art. Last year I attended a program by Florida professor and poet David Kirby (FSU) hosted by the Florida State Poetry Association. During that session he talked … Read More »

Sit your chastushka down and raise the vodka in salute. Does that sound a little naughty? Well, it might. The chastushka is a short funny, ironic, or naughty Russian verse form, often on the same intellectual level as the limerick. If you’re quick on the draw and love working with silly rhymes, or satirical themes, the chastushka is for you. It can be a lot of fun. It’s a folk style that’s engendered many a rowdy competition—or friendly one. The … Read More »