JOURNEYS THROUGH WRITING

Writing for Fun and Introspection


  1. Featured Project    "Memory Story" = Poem, and Peter E. Murphy

  2. Featured Writing Links:  Peter Murphy's Homepage and an article about him, Poetry Daily, and POET'S ONLINE

"O SON OF MAN! Write all that We have revealed unto thee with the ink of light upon the tablet of thy spirit. Should this not be in thy power, then make thine ink of the essence of thy heart. If this thou canst not do, then write with that crimson ink that hath been shed in My path. Sweeter indeed is this to Me than all else, that its light may endure for ever." --Bahá'u'lláh: Arabic Hidden Words 71

  1. "Memory Story" = Poem and Peter E. Murphy

    During the colder months of the year there is nothing more comforting than writing, (especially while sitting in a soft chair, and drinking cocoa.) Today, try writing a poem! Peter E. Murphy, our featured Poet, says that a poem is a "memory story". And, what better time of year to ponder where we've been and where we are going than this?

    Here are a few ideas I gleaned from a wonderful poetry workshop I attended this past summer under the direction of Mr. Murphy, Poet, Writer and Educator. The workshop focused on the work of Poet Robert Hayden, (and I suggest that you read some of his poems, they are very inspirational in themselves.) But, these suggestions were very helpful to me and I hope you will see the value in them too.

    Again, a poem is a "memory story", so...

    * Relax and get comfortable

    * Think back to a vivid memory

    * Try to remember how all your senses were involved in the event

    * What did you see, hear, feel, smell, taste, and know?

    * When you are ready write down all the thoughts that come to mind, do not attempt to put them in any order at this time.

    * When you feel you have finished, look at what you've written - it may be a poem now on it's own, but if you want to re-arrange your thoughts, this is the time to do so.

    * When you feel your poem is done, read the following "Style Sheet for Revising Poetry" by Peter Murphy.

    MURPHY'S STYLE SHEET FOR REVISING POETRY

    1. Cliche
      Eliminate cliches which are the vermin of imaginative writing. Initially fresh images, cliches have been taken over and made mundane by too frequent usage. They have lost their original authority, power, and beauty. They raise their predictable heads (aaah, a Cliche!) in the early drafts of even the most experienced writers. Turning a cliche against itself by intentionally using it in an inverted form can revive it. Puns can give a cliche a renewed life. However, if a poem is merely going to repeat a cliche, cut it.

    2. Abstract
      Identify all abstract or general nouns and replace them with concrete or specific ones. Words like "love," "freedom," "pain," "sadness," "anger," and other emotions and ideas need to be channeled through the physical imagery of the five senses, Sight, Sound, Smell, Touch, Taste (SSSTT). Creating original metaphors is the most difficult part of poetry writing, not just for beginners, but for those who have been working with words for years. This, however, is what makes a poem distinctive and interesting.

    3. Verbs
      Fortify the physical character of the poem by using strong action verbs instead of linking verbs and verbs in the passive voice. Because active verbs and concrete nouns are more visceral, dynamic, and persuasive, they reduce the need for modifiers. Avoid overusing the -ing form of verbs because it dilutes and reduces their strength. It is like driving a speedboat without raising the anchor.

    4. Compress
      Cut, compress, and condense! Imagine that you must pay your reader a dollar a word to read your prose. Naturally, you will want to use few words to say as much as possible. Then, imagine that you must pay your reader five dollars a word to read your poetry. Compress, especially when the progress of the poem is impeded by imprecise or indecisive language. Try the following experiment. Put a gob of frozen orange juice on your tongue. This pure, concentrated slush, without any liquid to dilute its sweet potency, is so pungent it stings. Make your poem like that. Cut everything that can be cut until whatís left penetrates the flesh with its sweet, burning flavor.

    5. Risk
      Be daring in your writing. Experiment and take chances. Risk-taking adds originality and spontaneity to the poem which leads to imaginative and linguistic breakthroughs.

      Read a wide variety of contemporary poets so that you will begin to understand the breadth of poetryís language and modern imagination. You will also become more conscious of its many voices. You cannot mature as a poet unless you read widely. If you refuse to read, you refuse to grow.

    (c) 1995 Peter E. Murphy (Used by permission)

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  2. Featured Writing Links:

    *Peter E. Murphy's Homepage Find out if there is a workshop near you. Mr. Murphy says: "My workshops and conferences are well-known for their challenging, yet supportive atmosphere which encourages imaginative risk-taking and promotes freedom and transformation in my participants' creative work."

    * Poetry Daily "A terrific anthology!"

    * POET'S ONLINE And, Mr. Murphy suggested this web site which posts a new poetry writing exercise every other week

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