POETRY INVOICE ON A TALK WITH ESV_KEKS
Host: Prince Joe
Guest: Esv_keks
TOPIC: LITERARY DISCUSSION ON EDITING AND SUBMISSION.
H: sir. Like we always do, in 1 word, describe yourself?
G: Weird.
H: Hmm, thoughtful.
Quick one, sir, concerning tonight's topic, let's start from the angle of EDITING. To your experience, do you have better meaning of what editing means?.
G: Well. In my opinion. Editing simply means correcting, condensing, and modifying/revising the first draft of any literary work of art before submission to any journal, magazine or anthology is being made.
& the sole aim of editing is to bring the work closer to perfection. If not perfection.
H: I will take it from here. "Perfection". Sir, for any work of art, drafted, are you saying, there must be perfection as regards the meaning of your editing?
G: The truth is. Every work of art is subjective. No matter how good it is. Since as a writer you're not writing just for yourself. People will certainly feel differently about what you've written. Some will tell you this is the best piece they've read. Some will tell you you've not written anything. Well. That's by the way.
The point is. There are certain things you must look out for during the course of editing. Like the grammatical errors, the wrong use of punctuation marks, excessive use of words, lack of imagery, metaphor and so on. If those things are carefully checked and looked into. Then your work is close to perfection.
Subjectivically, there may not be a perfect work of art. Even after editing and editing. It may just be closer to perfection. After it's passed all the necessary tests I listed above.
H: Good. Now, I get you.
Also, sir, I do love you to enlighten us, on what it takes to edit a work of art, example: when you write a poem, you are done, do you start editing from the dictions, or punctuation marks, or poetic languages, or even titles, which one?
G: Well. There's a term called "revising". It's most times used interchangeably with "editing".
As a writer. What's expected of you is to simply revise your first draft. The main work of writing lies in the place of revising what you've written. It's sad to know that some writers go ahead with Submission after their first draft. It shouldn't be. Revising/rewriting may take days, weeks. As the case may be.
So after the first draft. You read out loud your work to see which word should be removed. Which line should be restructured or reconstructed. Poetry is different from prose. Brevity is bae in poetry. So you check out for excess words/lines that are of no relevance to the poem.
In each line. You check out for the figure of speech. Did I line come out too plain? You then restructure by adding the necessary figure of speech. Your words must be carefully chosen.
You also check out for any grammatical errors and punctuation errors your eyes may see.
Professionally, as a writer. You're not expected to be your own editor. Just ensure you don't stop at the point of the first draft. Revisit your poem.
Once you feel confident in what you've written. Then you can get a professor editor to give a professional touch to what you've written.
You really can't see it all. No matter how hard you try.
For instance. There's a poem I wanted to submit for an online contest. After writing. I felt like I was done with writing. But then. I decided to share it with some fellow writers. And they pointed out where I need to restructure or change. The line or word that should go.
Even if you've the eyes of an eagle. You may not see it all.
Get the service of a professional EDITOR.
H: Let's me pick it from here. "Brevity is bae in poetry". I have read loads of works of some prolific poets, few of them really submit to "Brevity" but still, their works are profound! What can you say in that aspect?
G: In my opinion. The place of brevity doesn't mean your poem have to be very short or of fewer lines.
It simply means you must be INTENTIONAL about every word/line you used. Every word must carry a message. Unlike a prose work where you go on describing and all.
Brevity is - Hitting the nail on the head.
In addition. If the brevity is interpreted in the sense of short lines and stanzas.
It's important to note that each poet must have his own unique voice. Identity. Style.
As long-lines-poets are doing fine. Same goes for short-lines-poets.
H: brilliant.
Now, let's divert to SUBMISSION. I mean, LITERARY SUBMISSION.
Sir, I feel these literary submissions are there to shape us, and to bring out the best in us, but do you think submitting our literary works could be measured to the level of growth in our writing career?
G: Yes. It could be measured to the level of growth. When you submit to journals, magazines, anthologies and all. You leave a digital footprint once your work is accepted. You leave what upcoming ones will feed on when they come in board. You live on even when you leave.
So. Submitting shows you're a step further in your writing career. Because each writer has different reason or purpose why he or she writes. Some for pleasure. Some to make money. Some to be famous or known. Some to leave a legacy. Some to impact lives. Some to educate and enlighten the readers.
Whichever the purpose. Take your ART to a greater dimension. Participate.
That's one of the basic ways to leave a digital footprint.
No one grows in silence. You may keep writing what's thrash for years when your works haven't stepped outside the group you created for yourself and your works. You may not know you're getting better with your art if you don't present them to the world to see.
So submission is essential. But not all in all.
Feedbacks from critics also show if you're growing as a writer.
H: Great. Great.
I have been wanting to ask you a question, it's about REJECTION.
Sir, what does rejection means to you, according to your experience so far?
G: & really. I've been waiting for this question.
First know that your work is subjective. It may be the best piece you've written the whole year. Doesn't make it the best when it gets to the table of judges or contest organizers.
Don't expect to be accepted. Too much hopes on being accepted may way you down. Just WRITE. Write out your heart. Ensure you've duly paid your price in the place of editing and revising that we've discussed above.
In addition. Some works are rejected because they don't follow guidelines. Who are we to blame? The same attention you pay when revisiting. Do the same when submitting.
And to answer your question. I take it as a step further to hone my skill and get better daily: And truly. In some cases. Rejections don't just come because your work is substandard. It comes because of your carelessly during the course of submission. Some wanna rush to get published. Whereas you need to still fix one or two things.
Also. Note that these judges receive hundreds of entries. So going through all and paying deep attention may not be possible. They may pick based on the works that grab their attention.
H: Hmmm, thoughtful.
Sir, in a poem, does anything matter most, maybe for a good poem: diction matters most, poetic justice, or Titles, I hope you get me?
G: Title matters the most.
Title serves as a map/guide into the content. If the title is off. There's really nothing much to expect.
And why? Because that's the first thing you see.
So I just shake my heads when I come across any work without a title.
To me. You've not written without having an inviting title.
It serves as a grabber. That which draws your readers in.
H: Ok. I am yet to be convinced. What about those that put "untitled", above the poem, which serves as their title, what does that suggest to you in that sense? Do you buy the concept of "untitled", and why?
G: Because you're guilty of it. Smiles.
Untitled as a title can pass the test if it's related to the content of your poem.
The title & content work hand in hand.
Remove the title & you've not written anything.
Have you read a published book without a title? Unless without a title has a great effect on the content.
But from my observation thus far. Poems without titles are because the writers are lazy enough to come up with a title.
Your title must be unique. It must be personal to you. It must be concealing & at the same time revealing.
In fact. I always love to title my works in such a way that no other writer will ever come up with such.
And that's the beauty of poetic license. I use that in my titles.
H: Hmm. Thoughtful.
3 more questions to go.
G: You can pick up your title from the content. Say a phase. Or the best phrase or word that summarizes the entire poem.
H: 1. If you're told to Title the story of your life, what Title would you give it, and why?
G: The pARTh I Choose
Because that's what I've become. The path I've chosen to tread on.
My (h)identity.
H: Depth.
2. Sir, I challenge you to write a 5-line erotic poem. But we must not know it's erotic. I don't know how you will do it, but what we want to see is how you will compose your dictions, only the Title must show it's an erotic poem. Just define a woman's body.
Your time starts now
G: T(h)rust
Before your altar, I worship
With open hands to receive
Manna from heaven below.
Before your altar, I worship
To trace my step down
To the promise land.
H: I feel you.
3. Can you tell us WHY you write?
G: To leave a digital footprint when I leave here.
H: Thoughtful.
Anything to tell the budding writers/poets like me?
G: Under editing. Revise your work. Your work doesn't end at the first draft.
Under submission. Even with piles of rejections. Keep submitting. Winners don't quit.
Invest in yourself. Participate in Literary workshop, attend literary seminars and all.
& Finally. Don't just write. Read wide & wild.
Peace.
The End.
Host: Prince Joe
Guest: Esv_keks
TOPIC: LITERARY DISCUSSION ON EDITING AND SUBMISSION.
H: sir. Like we always do, in 1 word, describe yourself?
G: Weird.
H: Hmm, thoughtful.
Quick one, sir, concerning tonight's topic, let's start from the angle of EDITING. To your experience, do you have better meaning of what editing means?.
G: Well. In my opinion. Editing simply means correcting, condensing, and modifying/revising the first draft of any literary work of art before submission to any journal, magazine or anthology is being made.
& the sole aim of editing is to bring the work closer to perfection. If not perfection.
H: I will take it from here. "Perfection". Sir, for any work of art, drafted, are you saying, there must be perfection as regards the meaning of your editing?
G: The truth is. Every work of art is subjective. No matter how good it is. Since as a writer you're not writing just for yourself. People will certainly feel differently about what you've written. Some will tell you this is the best piece they've read. Some will tell you you've not written anything. Well. That's by the way.
The point is. There are certain things you must look out for during the course of editing. Like the grammatical errors, the wrong use of punctuation marks, excessive use of words, lack of imagery, metaphor and so on. If those things are carefully checked and looked into. Then your work is close to perfection.
Subjectivically, there may not be a perfect work of art. Even after editing and editing. It may just be closer to perfection. After it's passed all the necessary tests I listed above.
H: Good. Now, I get you.
Also, sir, I do love you to enlighten us, on what it takes to edit a work of art, example: when you write a poem, you are done, do you start editing from the dictions, or punctuation marks, or poetic languages, or even titles, which one?
G: Well. There's a term called "revising". It's most times used interchangeably with "editing".
As a writer. What's expected of you is to simply revise your first draft. The main work of writing lies in the place of revising what you've written. It's sad to know that some writers go ahead with Submission after their first draft. It shouldn't be. Revising/rewriting may take days, weeks. As the case may be.
So after the first draft. You read out loud your work to see which word should be removed. Which line should be restructured or reconstructed. Poetry is different from prose. Brevity is bae in poetry. So you check out for excess words/lines that are of no relevance to the poem.
In each line. You check out for the figure of speech. Did I line come out too plain? You then restructure by adding the necessary figure of speech. Your words must be carefully chosen.
You also check out for any grammatical errors and punctuation errors your eyes may see.
Professionally, as a writer. You're not expected to be your own editor. Just ensure you don't stop at the point of the first draft. Revisit your poem.
Once you feel confident in what you've written. Then you can get a professor editor to give a professional touch to what you've written.
You really can't see it all. No matter how hard you try.
For instance. There's a poem I wanted to submit for an online contest. After writing. I felt like I was done with writing. But then. I decided to share it with some fellow writers. And they pointed out where I need to restructure or change. The line or word that should go.
Even if you've the eyes of an eagle. You may not see it all.
Get the service of a professional EDITOR.
H: Let's me pick it from here. "Brevity is bae in poetry". I have read loads of works of some prolific poets, few of them really submit to "Brevity" but still, their works are profound! What can you say in that aspect?
G: In my opinion. The place of brevity doesn't mean your poem have to be very short or of fewer lines.
It simply means you must be INTENTIONAL about every word/line you used. Every word must carry a message. Unlike a prose work where you go on describing and all.
Brevity is - Hitting the nail on the head.
In addition. If the brevity is interpreted in the sense of short lines and stanzas.
It's important to note that each poet must have his own unique voice. Identity. Style.
As long-lines-poets are doing fine. Same goes for short-lines-poets.
H: brilliant.
Now, let's divert to SUBMISSION. I mean, LITERARY SUBMISSION.
Sir, I feel these literary submissions are there to shape us, and to bring out the best in us, but do you think submitting our literary works could be measured to the level of growth in our writing career?
G: Yes. It could be measured to the level of growth. When you submit to journals, magazines, anthologies and all. You leave a digital footprint once your work is accepted. You leave what upcoming ones will feed on when they come in board. You live on even when you leave.
So. Submitting shows you're a step further in your writing career. Because each writer has different reason or purpose why he or she writes. Some for pleasure. Some to make money. Some to be famous or known. Some to leave a legacy. Some to impact lives. Some to educate and enlighten the readers.
Whichever the purpose. Take your ART to a greater dimension. Participate.
That's one of the basic ways to leave a digital footprint.
No one grows in silence. You may keep writing what's thrash for years when your works haven't stepped outside the group you created for yourself and your works. You may not know you're getting better with your art if you don't present them to the world to see.
So submission is essential. But not all in all.
Feedbacks from critics also show if you're growing as a writer.
H: Great. Great.
I have been wanting to ask you a question, it's about REJECTION.
Sir, what does rejection means to you, according to your experience so far?
G: & really. I've been waiting for this question.
First know that your work is subjective. It may be the best piece you've written the whole year. Doesn't make it the best when it gets to the table of judges or contest organizers.
Don't expect to be accepted. Too much hopes on being accepted may way you down. Just WRITE. Write out your heart. Ensure you've duly paid your price in the place of editing and revising that we've discussed above.
In addition. Some works are rejected because they don't follow guidelines. Who are we to blame? The same attention you pay when revisiting. Do the same when submitting.
And to answer your question. I take it as a step further to hone my skill and get better daily: And truly. In some cases. Rejections don't just come because your work is substandard. It comes because of your carelessly during the course of submission. Some wanna rush to get published. Whereas you need to still fix one or two things.
Also. Note that these judges receive hundreds of entries. So going through all and paying deep attention may not be possible. They may pick based on the works that grab their attention.
H: Hmmm, thoughtful.
Sir, in a poem, does anything matter most, maybe for a good poem: diction matters most, poetic justice, or Titles, I hope you get me?
G: Title matters the most.
Title serves as a map/guide into the content. If the title is off. There's really nothing much to expect.
And why? Because that's the first thing you see.
So I just shake my heads when I come across any work without a title.
To me. You've not written without having an inviting title.
It serves as a grabber. That which draws your readers in.
H: Ok. I am yet to be convinced. What about those that put "untitled", above the poem, which serves as their title, what does that suggest to you in that sense? Do you buy the concept of "untitled", and why?
G: Because you're guilty of it. Smiles.
Untitled as a title can pass the test if it's related to the content of your poem.
The title & content work hand in hand.
Remove the title & you've not written anything.
Have you read a published book without a title? Unless without a title has a great effect on the content.
But from my observation thus far. Poems without titles are because the writers are lazy enough to come up with a title.
Your title must be unique. It must be personal to you. It must be concealing & at the same time revealing.
In fact. I always love to title my works in such a way that no other writer will ever come up with such.
And that's the beauty of poetic license. I use that in my titles.
H: Hmm. Thoughtful.
3 more questions to go.
G: You can pick up your title from the content. Say a phase. Or the best phrase or word that summarizes the entire poem.
H: 1. If you're told to Title the story of your life, what Title would you give it, and why?
G: The pARTh I Choose
Because that's what I've become. The path I've chosen to tread on.
My (h)identity.
H: Depth.
2. Sir, I challenge you to write a 5-line erotic poem. But we must not know it's erotic. I don't know how you will do it, but what we want to see is how you will compose your dictions, only the Title must show it's an erotic poem. Just define a woman's body.
Your time starts now
G: T(h)rust
Before your altar, I worship
With open hands to receive
Manna from heaven below.
Before your altar, I worship
To trace my step down
To the promise land.
H: I feel you.
3. Can you tell us WHY you write?
G: To leave a digital footprint when I leave here.
H: Thoughtful.
Anything to tell the budding writers/poets like me?
G: Under editing. Revise your work. Your work doesn't end at the first draft.
Under submission. Even with piles of rejections. Keep submitting. Winners don't quit.
Invest in yourself. Participate in Literary workshop, attend literary seminars and all.
& Finally. Don't just write. Read wide & wild.
Peace.
The End.
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