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weirdelf
By weirdelf, 2 August, 2011

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

weirdelf

weirdelf

13 years 11 months ago

Thanks Ian,

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?

Hooded Stranger

Hooded Stranger

13 years 11 months ago

Jess

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

Candlewitch

Candlewitch

13 years 10 months ago

Hi Jess,

"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

weirdelf

weirdelf

13 years 10 months ago

As you know I don't often rhyme either,

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" .

weirdelf

weirdelf

13 years 10 months ago

sprung!

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

S

scribbler

13 years 10 months ago

hello

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

loved

loved

13 years 10 months ago

Poetry Is a God Given Art

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.

weirdelf

weirdelf

13 years 10 months ago

I don't believe in god,

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

K

Kailashana2

13 years 10 months ago

Well Jess, than by your

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

K

Kailashana2

13 years 10 months ago

Agreed but this is what you

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

loved

loved

13 years 10 months ago

Sir God is

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

R

raj

13 years 10 months ago

Jess

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...

S

scribbler

13 years 10 months ago

hello

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

Hooded Stranger

13 years 10 months ago

Rhymezone

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