The Compelling Need to Write: A Journey into Poetry
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Chapter 1: Discovering the Poet Within
A few years ago, if someone had suggested that I would frequently engage in writing poetry, I would have thought they were out of their mind. I would have likely dismissed the notion as absurd. The intricacies of rhythm, meter, and the meticulous counting involved simply overwhelmed me.
However, there came a moment when I found myself grappling with an emotion that prose could not convey. In that instance, I reluctantly turned to poetry—my last option after exhausting all others. Since then, I've delved into research, immersing myself in the works of poets like Dickinson, Whitman, and Keats. I've also explored various texts about poetry itself, which I believe offer valuable insights into writing as a whole.
Currently, I'm engrossed in Rainer Maria Rilke's 'Letters to a Young Poet,' a collection of correspondence between him and Franz Kappus, who sought feedback on his poetry. The bravery it takes to share your work with a renowned author is something I can hardly fathom, yet Rilke's writing resonates with the same fears and quest for guidance that we all experience.
Rilke's advice is straightforward: "You ask in the letter if your poetry is good. You ask me… here is what I want you to do. Stop all that. You are looking outward, and that, more than anything, is what you should not be doing. The only thing to do is: Go into yourself. Look for the reason that is making you write; see whether it has put down roots in the deepest place in your heart… ask yourself, Do I have to write?" (Rilke 4–5).
He emphasizes that the answer of "I must" is indeed a valid one.
So, I pose this question to you: Must you write? Identifying the passion that fuels your desire to create can significantly boost your motivation to pick up the pen or open your laptop.
For further exploration, I encourage you to read the book; I’ll include a link to the translation I have below. You can also find an affiliate link for the book along with a list of my recommended reads.
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Resources for Writing Well
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Chapter 2: The Importance of Self-Reflection
In the journey of writing, self-reflection plays a crucial role. It allows us to understand our motivations and refine our craft.
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