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Storytelling in Verse: Dramatic Verse.

Status: 
Program description/goal: 

Description: A workshop to explore the concept of Dramatic Verse

Leader: Wesley
Moderator(s): Rula

Objectives: To write and critique both a monologue and a small one act play with multiple characters in verse.

Level of expertise: Open to all

Subject matter: Held within Storytelling in Verse we will write theatrical style poetry (closet theater) and discuss prose versus poetry, characterization, dialects of characters, reflection in the monologue and story structure in the play.

Length: 
37 days
Number of participants (limit): 
10 people
Skill level: 
Date: 
Sunday, September 7, 2014 to Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Short description: 
This workshop will be devoted to writing "closet" drama in verse.

Comments

This is a workshop I've waited a long time for and I hope to have a lot of participation because of (or in spite of) the subject matter.
As I said in my blog what we will be writing is a pair of "theatrical" pieces (don't let that word scare you) in verse.
This is known as "closet drama". It is drama written to be read only and not performed.

Poetry is divided into three classifications: Lyric, narrative and dramatic.

Lyric poetry is by far the most common and comprises likely eighty percent of all poetry. Narrative poetry is a poem that tells a story through a narrator and characters. In dramatic verse the characters speak for themselves without added narrative.

The first of our two poems will be a monologue (or soliloquy) spoken by a single character.
Only the character's voice may be heard. A soliloquy need not tell a story. It can be reflection on the part of the speaker or perhaps an admonition to the reader. The only requirements is that it be a single voice and poetry.
The second will be a one act play featuring two or more characters. This also need not tell a story, though we hope they shall. It can run the gambit from a two character conversation (as in "Waiting for Godot") to a full on theatrical construct (as in "A Midsummer's Night Dream").
I will talk further on the form as the hordes of masochistic poetics come racing to my side.
I hope to see you here. It should be fun.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
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author comment

Time condensed in my mind as I look around.
I find like souls spread thinly on the ground
Tell me if you can help these feelings so fine
Is there a reference to these thoughts of mine

I looked into the shadows to see if you were there
They said you had left and I seemed to not care
What a fool I have been, if only I could have seen
That the shadows I chased, had not really been

Please return to the things we had that were true
There are many things that I failed, now I can do.
I took your ways and made them mine it wasn't fair.
Can we sit together here under this tree and share.

It is late or early here, I just jotted these lines down to see if this is the sort of thing you need for the workshop,
Yours Ian.T

.
There are a million reasons to believe in yourself,
So find more reasons to believe in others..

In.....

Keep Writing,
Carrie

"Quoth said the Raven, NEVERMORE"

Exactly. Your monologue features a single voice in reflection. Would you like to be included in the workshop?
And Carrie... I assumed you would. You are already listed.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

To guide me a bit. I am good at writing prose but am I understanding that we are putting it to poetry

Keep Writing,
Carrie

"Quoth said the Raven, NEVERMORE"

If this sort of monologue is something that can be used to express a story then count me in, I can modify this write but not needed as it grows into a story if I should let it.
I just jotted it down to show you and ask if this was along the lines you were looking for,
Yours Ian.T

.
There are a million reasons to believe in yourself,
So find more reasons to believe in others..

Shakespeare's Hamlet (his soliloquy is possibly the most well known blank verse in the English language), A Midsummer's Night Dream (taking note of the rhyme) and my personal favorite Byron's Adam and Eve.
Also, much of Keat's Endymion is Dramatic Verse.
Dante's Divine Comedy is one long monologue and Homer of course is also dramatic verse.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

would include '''people'''.... like me
who know nothing about poetry

what you need is
''poets'' like

Ian..... raj.... serendipity ... alidzain...esker
stan
and so many yes
mand

they read me
whenever they can

but secretly smile

poet is loved!

Considering this one loved.
Nothing plesses me more.
Say yes?

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words
........Robert Frost☺

Please follow me on Instagram
https://instagram.com/poetry.jo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

I'll try, just to learn something new but like Carrie, I'll need some guidance.

Alid

and welcome.

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words
........Robert Frost☺

Please follow me on Instagram
https://instagram.com/poetry.jo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

This is a hard subject for me. If you have the patience to guide me, sometimes explains it three different ways as intend not to get it right way, count me in. I'm running a renga so I'll try to keep up and hopefully learn something.

*Collaborative Poetry Workshop* American Version of Japanese Poetry ~ Renga ~ Haiku, Senyru, Tanka.

Neopoet Community

And don't worry, I have a wealth of information to share. You have the requisite skills.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

thanks

*Collaborative Poetry Workshop* American Version of Japanese Poetry ~ Renga ~ Haiku, Senyru, Tanka.

Neopoet Community

I think this is a good medium for a 'Killer' soliloquy! Killer and Sir Gee can then have one of their 'brotherly' episodes, for the one-act play! Sounds like a lot of fun! ~ Gee

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

Unite. I am pulling the Raven out of exile to bring Nevermore forward for her dramatic debut. Let the two do their dance....this should b fun

Keep Writing,
Carrie

"Quoth said the Raven, NEVERMORE"

You're right, I think it will be fun.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

skip me as usual

I'm adding you. Your input and poetry will be very welcome. Bring your esoteric style and party with us.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

Wesley and I have invited everyone here for this shop.
it would be great to have you
Shall I add you?

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words
........Robert Frost☺

Please follow me on Instagram
https://instagram.com/poetry.jo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

there was no definite or limited number of lines.
What are the limits here, though I know you're always looking for the limitless.
Is there any, sir?

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words
........Robert Frost☺

Please follow me on Instagram
https://instagram.com/poetry.jo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

but I'm not considering limiting length. Should we?

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

It would my pleasure to join.

Cheers

Leonard Daranjo

"When the waiting stops, the living begins"

You've been added.
Thanks for joining.

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words
........Robert Frost☺

Please follow me on Instagram
https://instagram.com/poetry.jo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

so I will begin early just discussing what Dramatic Verse is. Probably in a few days. I hope everyone is on this thread, but Rula could you count who is actually here and who we need to tell to come here. I want everyone to get updates and that means they have to comment on this thread. I will count too, but I'm bad at math and fear to miss someone.
I will also post a small blog discussing the same.
Welcome to everyone who is already here. Prepare your theatrical side. We will start very soon.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

Hopefully all those listed, the ten of them, excluding myself and you, are serious in joining and they will share their inputs as soon as the discussion is started.

Let's wish they will all be able to steal some few moments from the real life to enjoy themselves as soon as the workshop got started.

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words
........Robert Frost☺

Please follow me on Instagram
https://instagram.com/poetry.jo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

is the slate full yet if not may I be included

Chrys
Let your mercy spill on all these burning hearts in hell(Leonard Cohen)

You are included and welcome.

We have a full slate of participants, so I will likely move a little on the quick side, but I'm sure no one will have trouble keeping up.
Also, since we have the maximum and more involved (if anyone else wants in I will welcome them) I will not wait and will begin tomorrow.
Everyone is invited to come in full costume and make up.
A tidbit to give you something to think about-

What we will be writing is commonly referred to as "closet" drama. It is a play or monologue written to be read and not performed. Though both types of dramatic verse we will attempt should be written as though they may be produced on the stage that is not our chief purpose.

Tomorrow then. If anyone has an opening thought on the workshop please feel free to share. I hope to have a rousing discussion on a poetic form I believe most participants seldom use.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

I thought it is necessary to look into different definitions of the monologue:

* According to vocabulary.com

"A monologue is a speech delivered by one person, or a long one-sided conversation that makes you want to pull your hair out from boredom."

more...

http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/monologue

** According dictionary.com, monologue has many definitions:

   to mention one:

1. "a part of a drama in which a single actor speaks alone, soliloquy."

more...

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/monologue?s=t

 

Maybe these definitons  would lead to what are the main characteristics of the monologue.

Anyone likes to add?

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words
........Robert Frost☺

Please follow me on Instagram
https://instagram.com/poetry.jo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

although I suppose the bard would disagree. This would be a good time for me to thank Rula in advance for moderating our workshop. We have worked together in the past and not only has she been a dream to work with, but she has pulled my fat out of the fire more times than I can count.
Thank you for being here Rula.
I will be listening to your monologue until the end of space-time.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

Thanks for both, the trust and the appreciation.

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words
........Robert Frost☺

Please follow me on Instagram
https://instagram.com/poetry.jo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

There are three genres in Western poetry.

They are lyric, narrative and dramatic.

Lyric poetry comprises the majority written in the English language. It is poetry in which the “music” of the language predominates. It is generally a first person poem expressing the emotions and thoughts of an individual even when the individual is not expressly named. Originally lyric poems were sung or chanted. The term “lyric” refers to the ancient poet’s “lyre” in which he/she accompanied the recitation of the poem.

Narrative poetry tells a story. It will most commonly use the third person omniscient as its chief voice, though characters within the story will also speak for themselves. The most ancient of this form is epopee (or epic poetry). Homer, Virgil and Ovid all wrote in the narrative form. The traditional “ballade” is also narrative. Though this form is used sparingly today some modern poets such as Jimmy Santiago Baca, Louis Simpson and Andre Hudgins all use the form.

The last genre, which concerns us, is dramatic poetry. It is poetry written to be performed as a play. The ancient Greeks developed the form as part of Dionysian festivals and performed them with single voices augmented by a chorus. These “plays” were comedic or tragic. Many of the surviving poems of Sophocles were dramatic in nature and for the most part tragic. Aristophanes wrote satirical comedies.
Aristotle differentiated the two categories by saying that “tragedy portrays men and women as better than they are and comedy as worse.”

In the seventeenth century Shakespeare wrote many of his plays in verse. Look to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “All’s Well That Ends Well” for rhymed verse written chiefly in iambic pentameter. Although verse drama is seldom used today many poets such as T.S. Eliot and William Butler Yeats have written serious plays in verse.

Beyond comedy and tragedy dramatic verse is divided into two categories which will comprise the exercises in the workshop.

The first is the monologue (or soliloquy) in which a single voice is heard. It need not tell a story, but can be (and commonly is) the reflections of this voice on any subject. Only one voice can be heard and it is in the first person speaking directly to the reader or to him/herself. The most well known soliloquy in the English language is Hamlet’s which is written in catalectic iambic pentameter as blank verse.

The second is the play where multiple characters speak for themselves and tell a story without narrative. Though many such plays may employ a narrator, this voice must speak in the first person and be a character in the play.

To begin our discussion before starting our first exercise (the monologue) I will ask a question. How does dramatic verse inform the other two genres of poetry?
As we discuss this and other questions for the next few days I invite the participants to begin working on their monologues. It should be a piece of some length, comedic or tragic in nature and may be on virtually any subject. Do not post them yet.

Some of the subjects we will discuss are characterization, dialects, story structure and yes… meter.
I hope this workshop offers an opportunity for poets to explore a genre of poetry not within the realm of their “comfort zone”.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

if we are going to start the workshop with all the things you have laid out, then can we have a separate Blog, or stream for each section, as Stan's workshop has reached 166 Items and it would simplify the reading and learning of each section if it was separated.
It is so annoying and takes up so much time to have to look at so many comments from the teachers or the students.
Thanks for listening I hope the workshop will be the first to do this.
Yours Ian.T

.
There are a million reasons to believe in yourself,
So find more reasons to believe in others..

it takes so long to scan down so many poets
and hardly anyone will read all

what I do is go straight to the last post and work backwards the new posts are in yellow

Chrys
Let your mercy spill on all these burning hearts in hell(Leonard Cohen)

my name has been added
thanks to Snowman Rula and Ian

Are you ready for the monologues and if so, do you want them here or on stream...?.........stan

what they think dramatic verse is or is not, then we will post on The Stream.
Ian, I'm going to leave all the comments here on this thread as I don't expect them to become quite as numerous as Stan's.
This workshop will concentrate more on the individual posts of monologue and play and their following critiques than on general conversation I think.
Lovedly, I am gassed that you have joined a workshop and look forward to your contribution.
In the meantime, everyone give me some thoughts on what you understand concerning dramatic verse and we will begin posting in a few days.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

well I have already posted one
along with Ians
shall re-post it wherever y0u
say hope it will meet your way
call me loved still anyway
lovedly
is only technical
by the way

Dramatic poetry is the thoughts or script or plays written in poetic form to tell a story or voice out the thoughts of the character in the poem. Am I right or am I way off?

Alid

Your description is spot on and very succinct. Let's call it the description of the workshop.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

I don't understand much that I can retain. I learn differently from most so this going to be a challenge. I will start by contrasting the 3 so I can better understand them. Then writing the story will be a whole other understanding process. Lol. So, I hope you got patience for this learning challenge participants. Lol.

*Collaborative Poetry Workshop* American Version of Japanese Poetry ~ Renga ~ Haiku, Senyru, Tanka.

Neopoet Community

This will be easier than you think.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

I will try and will need your help to not do that. Lol

*Collaborative Poetry Workshop* American Version of Japanese Poetry ~ Renga ~ Haiku, Senyru, Tanka.

Neopoet Community

Is it not necessary to connect the character in one poem with that posted by another for sake of continuity of a story? I await clarification from either of you.

Regards,

raj (sublime_ocean)

No. According to sir Wesley's syllabus, we are writing separate monologues. Each is writing his own complete monologue, then we are critiquing each others'.
Thank you raj for asking. Hope this clarifies any confusion that others might also face.

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words
........Robert Frost☺

Please follow me on Instagram
https://instagram.com/poetry.jo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Thank you Rula for clearing the cobwebs in my mind. Appreciate your quick response.

Regards,

raj (sublime_ocean)

We'll be running the collaborative effort after dramatic verse. For now your two poems in this workshop are stand alone pieces. A monologue (which we will start posting in a few days) and a one act play. Both are yours and yours alone.
It has been my hope that this simple workshop would offer sort of a trial run for storytelling on the part of the participant. Then we will try the Grand Experiment of telling a large narrative story with one another.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

Thanks for the clarification.

Regards,

raj (sublime_ocean)

Everything that is not at peace with its self can be described as dramatic, from a feeling hot or cold the dramatic side can be brought in.
Trying to understand something no matter how simple or small can bring a dramatic response.
Just can't think of anything really that cannot be written of in a dramatic way damn it, even these bloody hard poetic workshops become a dramatic scene, now I can write freely, but there is no need to curse, there are many words in my Thesaurus and memory to use other than damn and bloody lol.
So the end product is that anything can be expressed as a dramatic write when needed, just the way I do it, I wonder if there really is any subject that cannot be written so,
Yours Ian.T

.
There are a million reasons to believe in yourself,
So find more reasons to believe in others..

You are talking about "dramatic" as an adjective. In that sense any poem is dramatic, even if comedic. Here we use "dramatic" as a noun. A specific form of poetry in which the characters in the poem speak for themselves without the addition of a narrative. The poet does not speak, the characters do and that is how we are discussing "dramatic" in this workshop. It is one of the three chief genres of poetry, Lyric, Narrative and Dramatic, all of which I am using as a noun.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

Something just click in my brain. Are you saying for a poem to be dramatic, I write in the first person and write the second person in their first person?

*Collaborative Poetry Workshop* American Version of Japanese Poetry ~ Renga ~ Haiku, Senyru, Tanka.

Neopoet Community

as a genre means that the characters in the poem are all speaking for themselves in the first person.
For example: I could write "John doesn't like Jane and said she is a ninny." This is not first person.
Or
John: I don't like Jane. She is a ninny.
John is speaking in the first person. The first quotation is not "Dramatic Poetry" as a genre. The second example is.
This is very different than something simply being dramatic. All poetry is dramatic in one sense or another as it deals with emotions. But we are speaking of Dramatic as a genre of poetry equal to Narrative and Lyric.
The characters must speak for themselves without narration.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

I love how you've put it.

I believe our poetry is a reflection of our own lives, and since our life/ lives in a way is sort of dramatic scenes, then, what we write IS in a way dramatic. I think there is a very fine line that MIGHT separate lyrics from closet drama, IF any. In fact, I think all the lyrics can in a way be monologues as long as they are written in first person for they reflect our emotional feelings and they "tell" (narrate) something about our personalities as human beings (Characters).

I don't know if anyone here agrees with me or if you have another point of view.

Please feel free.

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words
........Robert Frost☺

Please follow me on Instagram
https://instagram.com/poetry.jo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

I think it's poetry which tells a story and might even tell it from many characters' points of view......stan

anything from chicken little running around thinking the sky is falling to the Shakespearean tragedies

from funny incidents to murder a very broad subject just about anything can be made a drama as many time it depends on the person writing it. Where one may be a "drama queen" and everything is dramatic another may see nothing at all and takes all in stride

Chrys
Let your mercy spill on all these burning hearts in hell(Leonard Cohen)

needs to read my answer to Ian. Don't confuse something being "dramatic" (an adjective) with "Dramatic" poetry as a genre (a noun). The bottom line is that Dramatic poetry means that the character speaks for him/herself without the addition of a third person narration. Thus we write a soliloquy (a monologue) spoken by a single voice (no narration) and a one act play in which the characters tell the story (with allowance for succinct stage directions which we will talk about later.
All "Closet Drama" means is that the play is written without the intent of being performed. However, for it to be successful we must write it as though it would be performed.
So again, "dramatic" is an emotional work. "Dramatic" is a poetic genre.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

A poetic woodpecker just tap on my brain. So you're saying Dramatic poetry is to be written two different ways—adjective •describing the character?—and noun •identifying the character?.

So there should be something in the story that alert you that the poem is either Closet Drama— or Perform Drama.

*Collaborative Poetry Workshop* American Version of Japanese Poetry ~ Renga ~ Haiku, Senyru, Tanka.

Neopoet Community

there is no difference between Closet Drama and Performance Drama. The first is simply not "intended" to be performed (like what we will write), the second is "intended" to be performed.
As to "dramatic".
As an adjective, dramatic means that something is overtly emotional.
As a noun, dramatic is describing a particular type of poetry.
Like I said, don't over think this.
I will post my example of a monologue later today after another proofread. In it I hope everyone will take note that there is only one voice speaking. There is no narration, no other characters are quoted. There is but one voice speaking in the first person.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
http://www.neopoet.com/mentor/about

author comment

Looking forward

*Collaborative Poetry Workshop* American Version of Japanese Poetry ~ Renga ~ Haiku, Senyru, Tanka.

Neopoet Community

The voice that we as poets generally use is our own. Read one of our poems and we hear ourselves talking. Dramatic Verse offers the poet an opportunity to create and utilize a voice other than his/her own.
A personality. A personality with a different sounding voice, with different mores and taboos. A personality with a perspective that may very well be at odds with the poet.
If the monologue or the play does not use personalities that are different the poet might as well simply write with his/her own voice.
In my monologue I present a personality whose circumstance is something I could never relate to. It is out of the realm of my understanding. I take a bit of care to not say something "out of character" and I create a voice that is not mine.
This is one of the points of creating dramatic verse. A different voice from a very different perspective. Perhaps even something alien (as in my monologue).
Some of the ways we can achieve this is through "tricks of the trade" such as dialect (the voice speaks differently than we ever would) and perspective (perhaps even the antithesis of the poet's ideals).
Using a different voice liberates us to use subjects we would not normally broach.
A soldier praising abuse in war, a mother willingly abandoning her children and why she would or a half breed Angel despising his lot in life.
When writing your monologue use a different, though singular voice and be sure it is a voice we hear and not simply the poet.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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Simple one letter word ain't it? yet it's a very powerful one in any writing. You say that we often write in our own voice and that's true. BUT when we write in our own voice it usually causes the reader to assume the persona of the protagonist. When scribbler writes "I came upon a house today." he becomes the protagonist and when somebody else reads the line the reader, if the writing is done well, takes on the identity of the character and thus sees through the character's eyes. The Reader comes upon the house. For the reader reads "I" ..........stan

"I" agree. One of the things I hope to get across concerning the soliloquy is that we can often speak with a voice not our own OR the reader's, so that when I say "I" it is clear "I" am a separate personality neither poet nor reader. A personality unique.
Anxious to see "your" personality unique.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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post them to The Stream for everyone. Be sure to include in the title "Dramatic Verse Workshop".
It should be a work of moderate length and take care to write for us in verse. Dramatics allows easily for us to slip into prose. Our task is to write poetry with a single voice in the first person.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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Poetry is a play written in poetry form or something to that effect.

Keep Writing,
Carrie

"Quoth said the Raven, NEVERMORE"

Nothing more than that. A play written as a poem. The monologue also.
Which brings me to characterization. For this to work the voice needs to be distinct from the poet's. In other words the "character" needs to be unique enough that we can picture them in our minds.
If we only speak with the poetic voice we usually do, we are wasting the form.
Everyone, in your monologues, attempt to create a very distinctive voice. A "character" and not merely good poetry.
Although it is very hard to do so, try experimenting with a dialect. Give the character an "accent" by writing the words phonetically. A little bit of "y'all" goes a long way to pointing out our character's nationality and thereby their personality.
I anxiously await everyone's posts. Please make sure you visit each monologue (and later the plays) and offer your "critique". Do not merely comment. Ask yourself, did they create a distinct personality to be their voice? Did they write poetry or did they allow themselves to slip into prose? Does the rhythm of the poem flow like poetry or stumble like ordinary speech? Did they restrict themselves to only one voice? Is the subject matter relevant to the character or did the character simply speak for the poet?
That last is hard. As poets we all have a specific voice that will profess our beliefs and attitudes about everything. Is the character speaking something that is relevant to him/her alone or could you put the words into anyone's mouth and have it work? We want to be character specific. Our character is saying something only they would say regardless of the poet's beliefs and attitudes.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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I looking for you example.
I think I understand. So I'm going to try this.

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Concentrate on making it "personal". Create a character to speak for you. Don't let it be the poet, but someone else.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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Character to speak for me. Yep it maybe in my skill but I got to draw it out of the clutter in my brain. The main thing at this point an example of how the character speaking for me sounds. It sounds like a narrater. Would she her be the key words to used?

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"I" or "me" we write in the first person. "He", "she", "her" are not.
Think of a personality other than yourself and allow them to talk to us.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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That sounds easy enough. So my first one poem is written in "i" and "me". This is a soliloquy. And that's what you want?

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"I", "we" and everyone.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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Everyone? How I do that in a soliloquy?

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.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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Please post them on The Stream, so everyone can critique them. Make it "personal". A voice other than the poet's and I trust I will see many examples very soon.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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I have asked Ian.T to write for me, as I find it hard to convey my moods and thoughts to paper, I am too angry at being made to look a fool as if I wasn't there.
Damn it man you do it to him sometimes.
Just read Ian.T's words that I give him.
Another year has passed and the same old, same old, I just hate everything, I hope he gets this across to your readers.
I hope he writes the second part with truth, he knows I am a lying bastard but we shall see what he does.
Yours, Jack Sparrow..

.
There are a million reasons to believe in yourself,
So find more reasons to believe in others..

Not that I can say anything quickly...
Please keep in mind that the one act play need not be on the same subject as the soliloquy. It certainly can if you desire it, but it need not be.
Please look in on our submissions. We have some very good contributions (read examples) already. Go and critique.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
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too much goes above my silly head

oh my dear why are you so silly

coz I understand fuck all of what here goes on

ah I see the nuances of dramatic and dramatic take it as a
a verb or adjective as snowman says it

yeah yeah you got it

you said you were silly

yes but did you mean I said it

of course not Mr silly twas for here

who are willy nilly?

hahahaa who is silly

not you, you are willy nilly

well now shut up all will come to know who is

what my dear

silly!

Will this do Mr,

Say Sir !

Snow in the man ?

.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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I can submit as it is
or expand the drama more
beyond the beyond
the garden where only ROSES abound
tis time to Garden of Eden to go around
is my drama sound??

WHERE NOW IN HEAVEN OR EARTH
WILL THAT SoLE GARDEN BE FOUND

last two lines r not like shouting
partial blindness
snowman sirrr

working on my monologue as we speak...will post as soon as I get it finished...

Keep Writing,
Carrie

"Quoth said the Raven, NEVERMORE"

patient.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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Trying to develop my character but it is taking me longer than I expected....

Keep Writing,
Carrie

"Quoth said the Raven, NEVERMORE"

to stream my contribution such as I understand the workshop to be

Chrys
Let your mercy spill on all these burning hearts in hell(Leonard Cohen)

.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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was posted a few minutes ago....when you get around to it

Keep Writing,
Carrie

"Quoth said the Raven, NEVERMORE"

Some of our contributors have expressed a difficulty in creating and sustaining a voice in their monologue.

" The writer's voice is the individual writing style of an author, a combination of their common usage of syntax, diction, punctuation, character development, dialogue, etc., within a given body of text (or across several works). Voice can be thought of in terms of the uniqueness of a vocal voice machine. As a trumpet has a different voice than a tuba or a violin has a different voice than a viola, so the words of one author have a different sound than the words of another. One author may have a voice that is light and fast paced while another may have a dark voice.

In creative writing, students are often encouraged to experiment with different literary styles and techniques in order to help them better develop their "voice". This aspect varies with the individual author, but having this asset is considered positive and beneficial to both the writer and his or her audience."
Wikipedia

In our monologues we are speaking with a single voice preferably not that of the poet. In poetry the voice is the character speaking whether it is a narrator or a specific character.
For example in Keat's "When I Have Fears..."

"When I have fears that I may cease to be
before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain,
before high piled books in charact'ry
hold like rich garners the full ripened grain..."

Here the voice is that of the poet.
In much poetry there will be heard multiple voices such as a narrator describing the action of one or more characters who are also speaking.
When we write our play we will be speaking in two or more voices that are generally not going to be that of the poet. Personalities that speak for themselves.
To find a voice one must first find a "character", then allow the character to speak.
In Rula's poem the voice is that of a distraught mother in a war torn nation.
In Stan's that voice is Death.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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Is that of a serial killer with multiple personalities. If you pay attention closely, you can see where the tone changes, as if there are two people telling the story but only one person actually speaking...it needs some work but it is at least a start.

Keep Writing,
Carrie

"Quoth said the Raven, NEVERMORE"

developing multiple characters for use in our own play? If so, do you want each character to have their own solo posted on stream?

No, the play should be a single unit with two or more characters (two or more voices) each distinct from the other. I will post my example today to give a general idea on how to format the piece. This is a play in verse so the characters must interact.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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Don't stop submitting soliloquys and their revisions, but it's time to move on.
I am posting my example of a play in verse. Consider it an example in format, but by no means carved in granite. This is a creative endeavor and you must offer us your take on a dramatic play written in verse.
However, please take note that their are two distinct voices and I titled each comment with the name of the character speaking.
There can be no narration unless the narrator is a character in the play. In other words, no third person omniscient voice is allowed. All voices speak in the first person for themselves and carry the story along in that manner.
On story, it need not tell a tale, but can be (as the soliloquy) the reflections of two or more characters on any subject.
The only extra phrases allowed are simple stage directions. Even though this is "closet" drama (meaning drama or comedy not written to be performed) it must read as though intended for the stage.
As example I write a few quick notes as to the location of the play and some movements of the characters I deem important.
Do not feel hurried. We have lots of time, but start putting your one act plays together. If you have a finished product feel free to post it.
As always everyone please be sure to critique everyone's submissions. This is a collaborative workshop.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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in a reasonable amount of time, please tell me here on the main thread. I'm scatterbrained, but I don't want to miss ANYTHING.
Please direct me to your submission if I seem to have overlooked it.
Also, everyone please make time to look in on each other's submissions. We have a lot of growth in what most feel is an odd direction for their poetry and that is as I intended. Dramatic Verse will not be everyone's cup of tea, but I feel the experience can add depth to each poet's traditional form of writing. Please don't miss anyone's attempt to write "out of the box".

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
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on Sunday...so far only lovedly has seen it. It didn't stay on the stream for very long so I am not surprised if it got missed.

Keep Writing,
Carrie

"Quoth said the Raven, NEVERMORE"

I'm not sure why your is miss. Go to the play an copy it's link, then paste it in your comment here so I can see it.

*Collaborative Poetry Workshop* American Version of Japanese Poetry ~ Renga ~ Haiku, Senyru, Tanka.

Neopoet Community

Please see revisions to the first part of my play, it should be in the stream for those of you who missed the first attempt at this, it is entitled The Girl Who Didn't Exist, please read and let me know If this clarifies any confusion/the voices etc.

Keep Writing,
Carrie

"Quoth said the Raven, NEVERMORE"

I see you're going to force me to search for it in the midst of so many. I'm under the weather so I'll try

*Collaborative Poetry Workshop* American Version of Japanese Poetry ~ Renga ~ Haiku, Senyru, Tanka.

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Glad you found me!!! It was reposted in the stream as I made changes to the way it was formatted so it was less confusing for everyone. I added in a little background as you would see if you were reading this out of a script/book. I really am a much better prose writer than poet.

Keep Writing,
Carrie

"Quoth said the Raven, NEVERMORE"

you have made so many comments
can you simplify all and gistyfy ALL
so that we all are on the same grid

you please post another one call it
jist yes

JIST

all will read it

and I am really sorry for being away during the last few days as I had a dear guest who really needs my care.
I wish I am not disappointing anyone with me being unable to comment on the second part of the workshop submissions.
I appreciate everyone's understanding. I'll try to compensate as soon as possible.
Thank you

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words
........Robert Frost☺

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❤❤❤❤❤❤

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words
........Robert Frost☺

Please follow me on Instagram
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❤❤❤❤❤❤

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words
........Robert Frost☺

Please follow me on Instagram
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The first was more so prose. This is hopefully more so poetic verse. I'm glad it works. Looking for Wesley expert opinion on its poetry elements.

*Collaborative Poetry Workshop* American Version of Japanese Poetry ~ Renga ~ Haiku, Senyru, Tanka.

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with bells and danglies.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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However, I won't be closing the shop right away as I have a number of poets who are on a roll and I want to encourage that (Carrie?) and I would like to see Barbara clean up her typos. That is the only thing lacking in what is a tour de force for her.
If anyone has another attempt at a soliloquy or play I would love to look at them and I believe everyone else would as well.
At the very least I trust this has given our participants an opportunity to explore what appears to be a very new form for most.
I want to thank everyone for their input. I have learned a great deal and, after all, that's the only reason we do these workshops... so I can learn. I believe the term now is... LOL.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
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You used "LOL?" This has been an enjoyable experience. I am currently working on converting all that I have done here into script form so it can be put on the new site I am on. The hope is this will go to e-book and move forward from there. Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to unleash the craziness that lurks in the bargain basement of my mind :)

Keep Writing,
Carrie

"Quoth said the Raven, NEVERMORE"

I'll check for the errors. Grammar errors is my thorn I can't seen to get it out lol. Been sick the whole time. During my and your workshop so full concentration was a challenge but I did my best. Now I'm getting laryngitis again. Been to the dr Tuesday she prescribed Meds for inflammation in my body. Feeling good like when I was in my 30s. Now this. Lol

Beautiful workshop. I enjoyed it much. Thanks for inviting me. I learned to write storytelling, dramatic verse and a play from scratch.. I had a hard time figuring this out before. Now I'll be writing a lot of plays and soliloquy in dramatic verse for a while. At least until the next thing i learn after thinking I couldnt learn.

Well done Wesley.

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Your problems were mere typos and not grammatical errors. A grammatical error is a flaw in the writing. A typographical error is nothing more than a boo boo. Your only problems were simple mistakes that are fixed with proofreading.
As for publishing, well... I wouldn't how to begin.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

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I think I got the typos. Stan said there errors in my tenses. So I figure I'll find those and fix them also.

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Now if you could teach me to write a book and get it published you've done magic. Lol.

*Collaborative Poetry Workshop* American Version of Japanese Poetry ~ Renga ~ Haiku, Senyru, Tanka.

Neopoet Community

guess I need to post final solo for my poem

for teaching us something very new. It has been a wonderful experience.

Alid

I think this shop has been of great value in helping us all give thought to the actual story which is within most poetry. And it was done in a pretty non-technical way...........stan

I'll leave things open for a little while for any late submissions. I never want to discourage anyone from producing if I can't help it, so it will have to be pretty obvious everyone is finished before I call it. Probably in three or four days.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
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I thank everyone's participation in what proved to be an interesting foray into a form I don't think many of the participants have ever explored. Though it is not a format commonly used today and I expect very few of you to use it in the future (Carrie notwithstanding) I am a firm believer that every experiment in verse enhances what we do write.
If anyone has further questions, about dramatic verse or anything at all, I invite you to PM me and we'll have a conversation.
Let me use this opportunity to welcome our newest mentor, China Blue. If anyone is looking for help with their poetry and feel this now official mentor can suggest some new directions, then PM her and ask. She is waiting to help. We will have her on the Mentor Board as soon as Andrew can figure out a technical glitch.
Welcome Chrys.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
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Working on this in script form since it seems better suited that way. I will post the link for all to see so you can follow along. Stan, I received your message and will be responding as soon as I finish this paper due for tomorrow's class and study for a big test on Thursday. Thank you Wesley for the opportunity even though I didn't meet the criteria...I still learned some very valuable things.

Keep Writing,
Carrie

"Quoth said the Raven, NEVERMORE"

I know venturing into the unfamiliar is tough but the rewards are usually worth it.

I am Milford Lowe

The richest guy around,next to Horrods , with a bushy moustache, un-mistakenly American.. Settled in UK.. A cigar like Churchill and a rose like Nehru.. I adorn...Love to show off my pot belly, as if its a modern mobile ATM. I have a body guard standing by in the crowd, who'd be like the bouncer in a bar downtown ,where nudes dance. I was making love to a new date ,a beautiful young bubbling belle, when I saw what I did from the corner of my eye. I can't disclose it ,as my face was dug deep in her boobs. Well Sir how would such a character do for you.

You make us all busy with the "Study in Pink" storytelling that we have almost forgetten to thank you for your effort to teach us something even some professors are unaware of .
Please note that your effort is so appreciated.

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words
........Robert Frost☺

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I must agree 100%.

*Collaborative Poetry Workshop* American Version of Japanese Poetry ~ Renga ~ Haiku, Senyru, Tanka.

Neopoet Community

.

W. H. Snow

A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley

Learn how, teach others.
The NeoPoet Mentor Program
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