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Really, truly, a must read.

Submitted by weirdelf on Tue, 2011-08-02 04:33

The more I read of "The Ode Less Travelled" by Stephen Fry (British Comedian) the more I regard it as an essential tool for beginner through to advanced poets. Beautifully, accessibly and humorously written it covers everything you need to know. Do yourself a favour and get a copy, it is invaluable.

My reference bible is "The Poet's Manual and Rhyming Dictionary" by Frances Stillman.

You want to read more of a poet's work or find a poem by title? www.poemhunter.com
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ use it! Spellcheckers are fallible.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ is a writers site that has some good sections on grammar. Word processor grammar checkers are no use whatever in relation to poetry.
http://www.rhymezone.com/ rhyming dictionary

and a final hint, always read poems aloud, your own and others. There is no better test of poetry.
hope you find these useful,
If anyone has any others to suggest I will edit them into this blog.
cheers
Jess

Comments

Candlewitch

Tue, 2011-08-02 10:36

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Some very useful information here!

always, Cat

*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.

weirdelf

Wed, 2011-08-10 02:32

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however I feel they'll probably get lost in the enormity of your blog, which is in serious need of an edit. Did I see in the comments that someone offered to do that for you?

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

Hooded Stranger

Wed, 2011-08-03 17:31

Hooded Stranger's picture

Jess,

thanks for the links - very useful.

"My bible is "The Poet's Manual and Rhyming Dictionary" by Frances Stillman" - my bible too!

regards,

HS

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Workshops are now open:
http://new.neopoet.com/workshop/find
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With all that I am and all that I could be, I walk this earth, yet nobody sees me.

Candlewitch

Mon, 2011-09-05 12:52

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"The Poet's Manual and Rhyming Dictionary" by Frances Stillman" - I have this book, too at your recomendation. Even though I don't often rhyme, I still find it very useful.

always, Cat

*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.

weirdelf

Tue, 2011-09-06 22:39

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it's the poets manual part that is most valuable.

I've been getting a bit discouraged lately. Most Neopoets don't seem to want to learn, or at least not learn by reading. The very worst poets on this site are the ones who claim themselves as their own favourite poet, then there are the ones who say they who never read poetry and pretty bad too are the ones who claim they "write from the heart" .

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

weirdelf

Mon, 2011-09-05 13:45

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I won't give up, but am truly feeling a bit discouraged.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

scribbler

Wed, 2011-09-07 00:04

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Whether a poet seems to want to learn or not, he/she can't help but pick things up by reading and writing. It will show as improvement over the long haul.........stan

weirdelf

Wed, 2011-09-07 02:31

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if they write only, and don't read, they learn nothing.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

loved

Mon, 2011-09-05 13:38

loved's picture

I commenced composing poems,
As early as eight years
When my first poem

The Truant,

Composed in a class,
Was taken away by my Principal

It was about an incident,
When schools kids went a riot....

I don't remember what I wrote
But ever since I have composed
Poetry of my own
And
as you must have noticed
No two poems of mine are alike,
They neither rhyme nor chime
But so many friends,
I can now claim as mine.

This too is hardly a piece
Yet I know you may like it.

loved

weirdelf

Mon, 2011-09-05 13:50

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but young or old when discovered,
poetry is a balm for the the soul
a filler for the hole
and makes us more whole.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

Kailashana2

Mon, 2011-09-05 14:11

Well Jess, than by your definition, I am the very worst poet on Neo. It takes a hell of a lot of unmasking to write from the heart.

~A

weirdelf

Mon, 2011-09-05 14:17

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All poets write from from the heart, some just do it better than others by learning their craft

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

Kailashana2

Tue, 2011-09-06 08:36

Agreed but this is what you wrote: "The very worst poets on this site are the ones who claim themselves as their own favourite poet, then there are the ones who say they who never read poetry and the very worst are the ones who claim they "write from the heart"."

EH?

~A

weirdelf

Tue, 2011-09-06 22:36

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I'll edit it
ta

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

loved

Mon, 2011-09-05 14:17

loved's picture

but a creation of the
Human Mind

He/now She is needed
for the masses
if there is a soul
of which i am doubtful
why deny the only God
to the devouted

loved

weirdelf

Mon, 2011-09-05 14:26

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God is a just a palliative for the ignorant who can't encompass the universe in all its grand natural beauty.
http://new.neopoet.com/weirdelf/blog/tue-2011-08-30-1923

All concepts of god are just a lack of science.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

weirdelf

Mon, 2011-09-05 15:08

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You can get rhymes online at
http://www.rhymezone.com/

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

author comment

raj

Mon, 2011-09-05 14:50

thanks for sharing the links...i will read the contents via those links at leisure...should be very good learning tools based on your recommendations...

raj (sublime_ocean)

scribbler

Mon, 2011-09-05 21:32

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All this information you have posted should be most useful. Not sure whether I'd use a rhyme dictionary though. Would be far too easy lol......stan

Hooded Stranger

Sat, 2011-09-17 11:31

Hooded Stranger's picture

Dear everyone,

I use this site:

http://www.rhymezone.com/

which is good for rhyme alternatives, dictionary, alternative words, near sounding words...blah, blah.

you may find it useful.

regards,

HS

--------------
Workshops are now open:
http://new.neopoet.com/workshop/find
--------------
With all that I am and all that I could be, I walk this earth, yet nobody sees me.

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