Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Topic: Advice on Writing Poetry

10-Second Review: The differences between observing and writing.

Title: “How to Create Emotional Landscapes.” Marilyn Taylor. The Writer (August 2008), 15-16. The Writer is a magazine by writers for writers. Its purpose is to encourage writers to keep on writing.

Quote: “Let me simply emphasize, then, that there are two kinds of landscapes—the kind we experience with our five senses, and the other kind—the kind that takes shape in our minds, supplying every poem with an identifiable mood, a definitive stance, a clear point of view.”

Comment: This quote probably does not mean much to most people, but it does to me. It reminds me that objects, persons, landscapes, etc. don’t exist in themselves, but as part of your mood, stance and point of view. It’s not enough simply to observe. The subject needs to take shape in your mind. For those who can appreciate it, that’s a big distinction. RayS.

The purpose of this blog is to share interesting ideas I have found in recent American professional publications dealing with the teaching of English at all levels, elementary, secondary and college.

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