MODULE 8: FINDING YOUR VOICE & MAKING YOUR POETRY, YOUR OWN

The learning objectives of this module are:

• To understand the importance of finding and defining your unique voice as a poet.
• To understand the importance of sharing your work with people whose opinions and experiences you value.
  

INTRODUCTION

In the previous modules we have explored some of the techniques and tools most often used by poets. We have also looked at the mechanics of improving the poetry you may already be writing. These elements are absolutely essential in building a strong poem, and the hope is that you never complete a piece of poetry in the future without carefully considering its structure, rhythm, form and the various other literary devices you need to write a great piece of work; for without these devices you are writing prose, not poetry.

The next step is to look at which elements you place more emphasis on than others, and then how to pull all of these things together in order to create your own distinct 'voice'. This is a crucial part of your journey as an evolving poet; cultivating your unique voice and defining your own particular style. There are a great many poets who have a distinctive style and voice, and who we quickly recognise by just a few words or lines of their work. So how do you develop yours?

Understanding the techniques we have covered in this course so far will help you make the choices you need with regards to form, structure, imagery language, line length, rhythm, tone, metre and the 'sound' of your words. By applying the tools of your learned trade into your writing, your unique voice can be then be created.

DEFINING YOUR VOICE

If you've been writing poetry for some time, the chances are that you have started to find your 'voice', and are already developing a style of writing that you feel most comfortable with. A 'voice' is very much about your personality within your poetry, and your authenticity when writing poetry. Poetry is NOT narration or conversation, so your voice as a poet should be very different to your voice as a writer of prose. But how do you show your individuality in your work?

AUTHENTICITY

Firstly, authenticity does not mean deep introspection or baring your soul to the world. It just means the quality of being real or true, of representing one’s true nature or beliefs, either of one's self, or of another person or subject, and to find your voice in your work You MUST show this authenticity in every word of your poetry; you must believe in what you write, and you must have passion in writing what you believe.

THE COMPONENTS OF VOICE

As you practice writing poetry, take the time to become attuned to the subjects you like to write about, and explore the various ways you might like to write about them. Be experimental in developing you 'voice', and be open to evolving, changing and developing; just because you have started to write poetry in one specific way, it does not mean there are not lots of other, better ways of getting your message across to your readers.

WORDS AND IMAGERY

As we have discussed, BE AWARE of the words that you use. Question them, EVERY TIME!. To choose one word means not to choose another, but the other might be a better word or work better. Look at alternatives and their nuances of different meanings in the context of your poem. Understand how the words you use might resonate with your readers. Read your word choices out loud; do they match the 'sound' you are looking for in your poem? Examine the metaphors and similes that you decide upon. How bold or imaginative are the comparisons you draw upon and are they saying something specific about your message and the way you think? If not, are there better metaphors and similes you could use? Be relentlessly imaginative.

METRE, RHYTHM AND LINE LENGTH

What metre do you most like to use or most comfortable using? Are you concerned with strengthening the musicality of your poem, or is it more important for your readers to consider the various concepts and ideas within your lines, with pauses and places of emphasis? Do you like to use rhythm as a way to heighten emotion? Are you happy with the line length within your poetry? If not, should you shorten them, or make them longer? Can you say what you want in just a few lines, or do you like to carry your thoughts and message over from line to line, expanding upon your ideas?

To develop your own style and voice, you MUST ask yourself these questions EACH and EVERY time you write a piece of poetry.

TONE AND MOOD

The tone of your poem has implications for both how the piece sounds when it is read, and the mood conveyed through the words. The way you organise your words and sentences, and your use of punctuation, can bring different meaning and attitude to your writing. For example: e.e. cummings experimented greatly with form, punctuation and syntax to find his unique form of expression, and this experimentation also created various moods within his work.

[anyone lived in a pretty how town]

By e. e. cummings (1894 - 1962)

(Lines 1 - 16)

anyone lived in a pretty how town

(with up so floating many bells down)

spring summer autumn winter

he sang his didn’t he danced his did.

Women and men (both little and small)

cared for anyone not at all

they sowed their isn’t they reaped their same

sun moon stars rain

children guessed (but only a few

and down they forgot as up they grew

autumn winter spring summer)

that none loved him more by more

when by now and tree by leaf

she laughed his joy she cried his grief

bird by snow and stir by still

anyone’s any was all to her

READ WIDELY

To find your voice you need to read, a lot. If you read a lot of poetry you soon find what styles and structures you prefer, as well as those you are not so keen on. And then, once you know what styles and structures you prefer, focus on finding those poets you most admire, and whose words and work make you envious, and read everything they have written, over and over again. Copy little pieces of these different poets, and then combine them into your own style and 'voice'. There is no need to reinvent the wheel; there are so many poets who have created beautiful poetry, just use what is already out there and mould it into your own unique perspective.

SHARE, OFTEN

To find your voice you must hear your voice, and sometimes the best way to do this is through other people. Sharing your poetry with people whose opinions and experiences you value, and who you can trust to give you truthful but kind feedback, is a great way for fine-tuning your voice. Ask them questions like: "What do you hear when you read this poem?" "What kind of voice do I have?" “What words and imagery stand out for you the most and why?” “How does this poem effect you?” Discuss your work with them. Consider joining poetry writing groups, not just one that allows you to read your work aloud, but a group that evaluates and offers advice. Poets create from the heart, so don't join pretentious poetry writing groups that put your work down, but look for groups that offer honest, constructive critiques of each other's writing, while respecting the energy and emotion that may have gone into creating the poems. Try a few groups out until you find one you are most comfortable with. Also, poetry writing groups can often be a great source of inspiration; with individual or group exercises and calls for submissions on particular themes and topics, can keep you from procrastinating with your work too. Plus, of course, not only are poetry writing groups a great way to meet other poets, they are an excellent way to actually listen to other people's work and identify sounds and styles you most like.



CONCLUSION

We hope you have enjoyed this 8th Module. In this module we have looked at finding your own distinctive voice in poetry and how, using metre, rhythm, line length, tone and mood, you can really make your work identifiable as your own.

MODULE 9

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