Creative Writing For A Compelling Read

One of the keys to successful poetry writing is finding the right words or phrases that will captivate the reader's attention from beginning to end...and leave the reader with a sense that they want to come back for more.

By the very nature of poetry's structure each piece is comparatively short and the writer must therefore find a way to create a mood and inject sufficient dynamics into each poem to capture the reader's attention and retain it for the duration of reading the piece. If the opening stanza doesn't appeal and create a sense of wonderment or curiosity in the reader's mind you've lost them.

Much like advertising, writing, whatever the genre, must grasp the reader's attention right from the start and hold their interest through to the end of the piece and give a sense that they want to see more. The reader needs a sense of what the poem is about, where it's going, and where it will take them. Like a good journalistic piece, poetry must contain the W-5's to satisfy the reading experience.

To succeed in creative writing there has to be an element of uniqueness. Give the reader something out of the ordinary, something they haven't read a million times before. Invision your piece from a different perspective and illustrate that clearly from the outset. A pleasant walk in the meadow has been done infinitum but if the reader gets a glimpse at what is experienced during that walk along the meadow, something unique that other writers may not have touched on, then you're onto something good.

The use of powerful descriptive words that will ignite the reader's senses will bring the piece to life. Take a look at the following piece that I wrote on this topic. Watch for the key words that give this poem life:


A MEADOW SONG

Alone with my thoughts in a meadow walk, sauntering lazily, hearing meadow songs.

Tall grasses dance to a valley breeze
Fragrant, inviting, tranquility there
A bumblebee hovers, then swiftly gone
Cattle stand grazing, my presence ignored

A pasture lined with serpentine oak
Statues of nature, limbs heavenward reach
The farmhand labours tilling the soil
A plot for the garden and wheat fields grow

Whispy clouds sweep a powder blue sky
Bathed in sunshine, an artist's dream
Splendour on canvass, a stroke of the brush
Sweet sounds of summer, a meadow song

Copyright 2004 by Don MacIver


This piece generated considerable reaction because it tweeked readers' sense of recall of just such an experience they had enjoyed, whether recent or in the distant past (or would like to experience some day). They longed to relive the moment...and did so in this verse.

The power of descriptive wording cannot be underestimated...it is the lifeblood of writing that sets it apart from the rest, gives it that something special, that unique quality that the enjoyment of poetry is all about.

Examples of my writing can be found at http://www.poetryvine.com/apoetsview

Don MacIver
author, Journeys In Verse

Pope John Paul II & Poetry

Poetry has historically had its niche audience in comparison to devoted readers of fiction and non-fiction books, bios, mystery, romance etc. however poetry has had en ever-increasing readership and having read poetry the desire to see more is for many inevitable.

Poetry is a remarkable journey, one where many human emotions and senses are explored, often to very personal levels that are not experienced in any other genre of writing. Poetic verse can be very powerful with profound impact on the reader.

I was intrigued yet not surprised to learn recently that the late Pope John Paul II had an affinity for poetry for many years. His passion for reading poetry extended to personal writings of his own. A man who dedicated his entire adult life to the church and the well-being of his fellow man around the globe found great solice from reading poetry and sharing his own written works, eventually, for the world to see.

Writing poetry has opened up a whole new world for this author, a new dimension in communications on a level that I had never perceived sharing with another soul not that long ago. Writing is a continuous journey, an exploration of one's self and the world that surrounds and reflections in verse has generated a phenomenal response from fellow writers and devoted readers that is both gratifying and bewildering at the same time.

As in the words and teachings of a leader of the church, poetry too can be spiritually uplifting, enlightening and a source of great enjoyment and wonder for the reader. Indeed it often spawns inspiration for the reader to produce poetic verse of their own, whether for their eyes only or to be shared in published form.

As a published writer I maintain my own website at http://www.apoetsview.wsmcafe.com where I feature a few of my written works and related links. I also have an extensive archive of my published poetry at http://www.poetrypoem.com/apoetsplace .

What a remarkable sense of accomplishment it is to be told you have written a "brilliant masterpiece", truly an amazing journey.

Don MacIver
author, Journeys In Verse

The Poet In Us All

Some time ago I went to the local shopping mall with a number of purchases in mind, one of them being a special card for a lady I had just begun dating. I, of course, sought something of a romantic verse to illustrate my fondness for that special lady, who incidentally is now my wife. I wanted something poetic, something that would be unique and reflect the special things that we seemed to have between us.

As I scanned card after card it became increasingly clear that what I was reading seemed horribly generic and not at all the personalized verse that I sought after so ardently. As I stood there in the greeting card isle pouring over a sea of affection in folded print a thought occurred to me...I can write like this. Perhaps it was time to put my own pen to paper and create that personalized message as a special gift for my loved one.

So I put each card back on the shelf and left the store, determined to sit down to the computer the next morning and see what words I could find to express my feelings for this wonderful mate of mine. Lo and behold, I began to wax poetic rather readily. I put together a point-form draft of ideas for the piece and then set out to craft an affectionate expression complete with stanzas and a fairly smooth-flowing, charming poem that upon presentation to my beloved proved a very pleasing and heart-warming experience for her to read. That first poem is framed and hanging on a wall in our home to this day.

The writing of this first attempt at poetry quickly spawned further poetic writing and as the positive comments flowed in I began to deliberate on whether I should be considering publishing my poetry. Indeed, numerous of my family and close friends began to encourage me to explore this avenue post-haste. I reflected on this idea of writing creatively for some time.

It did not take long to decide to pursue my newfound writing skills. With all the praise and evident emotion expressed by those who read my work it became increasingly clear that I should share my writing with the reading public. Whether writing poetry brings any commercial success seemed a secondary consideration at this point.

I have been asked many times where I come up with ideas for writing and why I have not pursued writing long ago...I just didn't know I had it in me.

I am now well on my way toward publishing my second book, as yet untitled. Even if a single copy of my books were never sold I have discovered a hidden talent, the poet within, and am overwhelmed by the most gracious response I have received from fellow writers and devoted readers of my work.

I have several online places where I create and archive my poetry, all linked through my website at
http://www.apoetsview.wsmcafe.com . The past two years have been an amazing journey...may the creative juices flow for many years to come.

Don MacIver
author, Journeys In Verse