Because I'm working on an erotic poem and my anxiety & nerves are so high I feel like I am gonna puke. I actually have to stop every little bit to take a deep breath.
I'm liking this but worried about other's opinions. This is the most personal piece I have ever written
Aw, I'm sorry Haneiko.....
The only thing I feel is the emotions I'm feeling at the time of writing...
Sometimes I'm crying hard. It does feel a bit vulnerable sometimes.
Poems are very personal.
I would say do the best you can and edit/rework as needed.
Maybe work on it when you are more relaxed?
You can ask for help here too.
Big hugs for you sweet friend.
My poems are on the sexy side, most of the time I am laughing and cracking up.
They often turn me on, so I have to stop to take care of things. But, I love to write poetry and can write them out fairly quickly.
Just relax and don't over think them. Let them flow out of your mind.
I think I can relate to the whole anxiety about putting yourself down on paper, although it's not fear for judgement that I felt.
I remember seething with anger when I wrote The Apology (still one of my favorite pieces to date). My fingers were literally shaking at one point and my chest was constricting, burning almost. Had to go for a run, right after, to cool down.
End result: I was quite happy with what I'd cranked out, but I don't think I want to revisit that place. Too dark. Closure has been found.x
(P/S: Yeah, have to say, I have no clue how ABG cranks out amazing poetry on a rather regular basis!)
Write for yourself first because you enjoy it and everyone else second even if some don't like it. There's always going to be people who won't like it for this or that reason, most of whom you will never hear from. The absolute best movie ever filmed in your opinion? Someone doesn't like it. Best song on the radio in your opinion? Someone doesn't like it. Not everything is liked. Focus on the people you know who will like your poem.
I may have been anxious writing my first poem. I don't really remember.
At this point I am always totally confidant that my work will be fine. Maybe not great, but pleasing.
Of course, some of those who never cared for my work would probably think that "ignorance is bliss."
To be frank, always write what you feel. Then read it over well, and try to make sure your work makes you proud.
With time and practice you will try new and more exotic ways to express your feelings and thoughts. And they will be good. Believe it.
Well it depends. If I am writing a poem about an emotional subject I will probably be in that mind set. Just as I would get horny writing an erotic story. Our mindset controls our moods. Natural to feel stress if writing about a stressful subject.
If I find myself anxious or nervous while writing poetry, I know I'm not in the zone, and the results will suck! I quit and come back to it later. Great poetry flows when I'm in a near zen state. Then the beauty of the poetry calms me and nearly makes me weep with wonder at how it flowed into my mind... from where? Poetry is a beautiful mystery.
Well it's done. I'm glad I kept working through the nerves because I love it
I've given it to a couple of friends to read before I submit & the general consensus is 'Wow'.
just waiting for 1 more person to take a look before I submit
My ears were itching.?
Steph you so make me smile. You're not talking about me are'ya?!?
I'm of the belief that if you're not a little uncomfortable, if you aren't stretching in your skin then you are not really putting forth an effort to create. I know that may sound corny. But, if you're only going to scratch the surface, play around with an idea, regurgitate what you have already read or said, then why bother. So what, you're hurt or in love or in hate or experiencing inexplicable pleasure. What makes it yours, unique, worth screaming or laughing about? For me, poetry is the meat of it all. It is the core. It is an art form that uses words to say what words can't. It's the way it's on the page, the image in the mind it creates, the spaces it leaves and creates. Don't bore me with pure self indulgence, confessional tripe that rhymes a little and you didn't feel like dedicating enough to it to make it in another category. That's an insult. Send that latest love a PM please, leave out the punctuation if it makes you feel better. Spare us.
Steph may be a little mad at me for this one, and a lot of writers do not agree, but I think you do need to consider your reader to a certain degree. Don't look for their approval, that stifles creativity. To be heard AND UNDERSTOOD is important to me as a writer. I have a strong need to communicate, to understand myself and others too. It may not say to the reader what I intended, and that's the beauty of words, but if it said something or provoked some type of internal reaction then I'm quite satisfied. I write for me, but I'll be honest here. I share to be heard. To reach out your hand and have someone touch you back with understanding--even if it is just one person. I'm never a lonely person because of that, even when I'm alone.
I'm learning though, so take it with a grain of salt. I'm learning from a lot of you. And, I'm thankful. All I have is my ability to feel, even feelings that are not my own at the start, I'm trying to interpret them.
Good luck Haineko. Thanks for the shout out Dirty_D--you are brilliant.
I write poetry when in the throes of needing a breath to come down on after suffering not umbrellas on my noggin as people want something for zilch at the shop
What Poppet said. I don't know WHY I have a compulsion to write yet, except that I used to fuck around when I was way younger and then laid off for decades to raise a family, pursue a career, etc. I guess I started when I first came to Lush several years ago and read some of the stuff and realized, as Steph sorta hinted at in his subtle way, that hell, I CAN DO BETTER than that guy. So then the creative juices started to flow. Oh, and I also found a room here where they show dirty pictures, so that was cool, too.
“It's nice sometimes to open up the heart a little and let some hurt come in. It proves you're still alive.”
If my non-erotic non-love poetry makes someone else nauseous or induces vomiting, I usually take it as a compliment.
I also get very anxious when I post a story or poem. I worry whether anyone will like it and respond.
I used to get nervous before football games while I was suiting up and putting my pads on. Sometimes I would have to go vomit. As soon as I got onto the field and got my first hit in, I was fine and actually stoked and ready to do some head hunting.
Dive into the action. Go ahead, write and post, you'll get over the nervousness soon enough. Write for yourself and enjoy it. You'll get the best results that way.
I write when I can't hold the words in any longer. I write from different places in my subconscious, whether it comes from a place of love, longing, loss, fear, pain or insecurity. I try to write honestly about the things that I struggle with in hopes that even one person will relate, and then I know I am not alone in my struggle. I write about love often but I write it from a place of fear, if I lose my personal battle with my health..... he will always know the depth of my love. I get so very nervous before I submit something. I try not to worry about approval, but I am just human and we thrive on the acknowledgement that our feelings are accepted. The erotic genre is new to me and I struggle with being as honest about the insatiable being that is who I am.
I would never have been brave enough to write a single word had it not been for the amazing examples here. I feel so free to have found an outlet for all that emotion. A huge thanks to those who inspired me. I also have a great editor who knows me well enough to say " what the hell are you thinking" when I totally miss the boat. Nerves are a part of the process, just be proud of what you are writing. Think of it as a beautiful extension of yourself.
It's up and awaiting verification.
I may do audio for it as well. By "I" I mean ask for a volunteer due to my voice not being suitable for audio