For this new year I have decided to try my hand at writing poetry professionally. In the past I have written poetry for my eyes only. The only time I have shared my poems is on this blog. I am usually a very private person. Blogging on this site is the most I have "talked" to anyone in a long time. Just ask my sisters. They can only keep me on the phone for a couple minutes. Putting myself out there is going to be hard. My hopes are to have at least one poem published by the end of this year. Of course, I would love to have many more published.
I have been reading up on how to write poetry professionally. Poems need to have metaphors and similes in them. I'm good at similes, but not so much at metaphors. Their definitions are so close that they can be confused with one another.
Metaphor: n. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison.
Simile: n. A figure of speech in which two essentially unlike things are compared, often in a phrase introduced by like or as.
I have now challenged myself to work very hard at understanding and using metaphors in my poetry. This means reading a lot of poetry and finding the metaphors within them. At least I will enjoy the endeavor.
My question to you is: Do you use metaphors and similes in your writing? If so; which one comes easier to you?
SIS BJ aka Aleena Blackwood
I have been reading up on how to write poetry professionally. Poems need to have metaphors and similes in them. I'm good at similes, but not so much at metaphors. Their definitions are so close that they can be confused with one another.
Metaphor: n. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison.
Simile: n. A figure of speech in which two essentially unlike things are compared, often in a phrase introduced by like or as.
I have now challenged myself to work very hard at understanding and using metaphors in my poetry. This means reading a lot of poetry and finding the metaphors within them. At least I will enjoy the endeavor.
My question to you is: Do you use metaphors and similes in your writing? If so; which one comes easier to you?
SIS BJ aka Aleena Blackwood
Posts
14 comments:
Good morning BJ,
I love your ambition. It will take you far. I also think you should share more of your poetry with us.
I use both metaphors and similes but I think metaphors come a little easier to me. I know I could improve on both and tend to learn from other writers.
Have a great day! It's snowing heaps here.
SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi
Hi Barb
It's snowing heaps here as well,though probably not as much as you're getting.
I do intend to share more poetry.
So it's metaphors for you. I plan to learn from others as well.
BJ, I've used both but I'm not sure which I use more. I'm impressed that you write poetry. It's way out of my league. :)
Like Tori, I use both, Tori. It just depends on what I'm writing at the time.
I love poetry, but I'm not very good at it. My only rhyming is kept to the witches' spells.
I use both. I LOVE metaphors. My critique partners tell me that I sometimes use too many so I carefully choose which to take out and which will remain. I approach it like a diamond expert who knows that the right cut on a rough stone makes the gem sparkle.
BJ, I think it's fabulous that you're taking such aggressive steps to pursue your dream. You have a goal. You have the drive and talent. You can do it!
A word of caution. You might want to be careful about posting any poems here that you hope sell to a publication. I do believe I read somewhere that once you put a work of art on the Internet some publishers consider that 'work' already published (in a way). I could be wrong though. Will have to look into that.
As to metaphors and similies, yes, I use them. But since I don't think I'm particularly great at it, I use them sparingly. Mary S, on the other hand is a master at metaphors!
Keep reading those 'how to' books. Personally, I find books on craft amazingly helpful. Wishing you mega inspiration!
SIS Beth
Hi Tori,
It's good that you can use both. I feel the same about writing books.
Hi Linda,
I love witchy rymes. They are full of magick.
Mary Stella,
Send some metaphor energy my way. I could use it.
Hi Beth,
Thank you. I will take your advice and not post poems that I want to publish.
Thanks for the mega inspiration wish.
Best of luck, and I wish you to have many more than 1 poem published by the end of the year!
B.J.,
Congrats on your decision to pursue having your poems published. I always enjoy them and I'm sure you'll achieve your goals!
SIS Bren
Olga,
Thankyou for the good luck wishes!
Bren,
I am so happy that you enjoy my poems. That means alot to me.
Post a Comment