Advice to Writers from a Poet

 

Charles Beaudelaire, French Poet

Charles Beaudelaire,  a Frenchman lived from 1821-1827. He was a poet, an art and literay critic, and a translator. His most famous book of poetry was titled Les Fleurs du mal which translates to The Flowers of Evil. Earlier today, I saw a quote of his posted on Facebook by a friend. Simple but lovely. Beaudeliare said "Always be a poet, even in prose". 

That got me to thinking about the words we use when we write prose, whether it be a piece of fiction, an essay, a memoir, or an article. Our aim is to get the story down, or the pertinent facts for the essay or article. or the highlights of a life in memoir. 

What we should also do is use lovely words and phrases as we write, just as Beaudelaire suggested. Doing so will bring whatever you're writing to life. You'll paint a picture for the reader with your words. 

Yesterday, I critiqued a short essay for one of the women in my online writing group. She described a desert walk with the pen of a poet. She could have merely told me she went for a walk in the desert, but she truly painted a picture of the scant but significant vegetation, colors, and more. In that respect, she did write like a poet. 

Word choice when we write is one more important element in our writer's toolkit. Why write 'I saw a flower.' when you could say 'I noted a peach-colored blossom whose  ruffled petals were as fragile as a butterfly's wings.'  The second sentence paints a picture for you. 

Word choice when describing a character in a story leaves a lasting impression on the reader. An example:  'Merle's shoulders slumped, and he kept his head lowered, so I had no idea what color his eyes were. What I did note with alarm was the empty space where his left ear should have been. What had happened to him? His hands were shoved deep into the pockets of his wrinkled trench coat. When he suddenly raised his head and smiled, I could only describe him as radiant. He made me feel like the sun had reappeared after a spring storm.' 

If your character is standing at the rail on the deck of a ship, consider what he/she sees. A perfect spot for some description to make your reader feel as if he/she is tanding next to that character. 

A word of caution, however. Don't overdo it, as then your writing becomes almost overkill. For instance, writers who use three or four adjectives before one noun on a consistent basis just might turn their reader away. 

When you edit and revise a first draft, consider your word choices. Look for places where you can add more in the way of description or feelings. 

When you write prose, write like a poet--with flourish, with heart, and with emotion. 

A contest winning poem of mine that illustrates some of what today's post entails. 

Artists All

Painting with oils,

watercolors brushed across paper,

clay molded by loving hands, 

marble chiseled to exquisite form.

Artists ply their trade

by the golden light of day,

by the velvet depths of night

with passion and joy.

One more artist joins the ranks.

The writer brushes words over paper,

molds a story bit by glittering bit,

chisels a novel to survive the ages.

Life stories are gathered 

from country roads to city streets,

written from the depths of a heart

bursting with intensity and rapture.

Artists all, masters of creation,

be they painters, sculptors or writers,

leaving footprints on canvas, marble and paper--

heartfelt tributes embraced by mankind.

                                     --Nancy Julien Kopp