Ten Rules (for writing like me)

Very little fanfare/initial description. I hope these aren't too much--I'm still trying to trim some of the "fat" from them, and maybe I'll do so by having a short, imperative rule followed by a description underneath (sort of like a "1a" or "*"). These rules come from, very plainly, the fact that parts of the modern poetic scene "scares" me by what I perceive as a premium of "nonsense" or fragments because "that's how things work in a (post-)modern society." Yes, there are fragments, but don't puzzle pieces begin as fragments, too? Do your parents congratulate you when you half-finish a puzzle or when they can see Epcot and fireworks, clearly? Anyway, I said little fanfare and there goes a mini-rant. I guess this is why I don't blog much anymore. Oops. Ok, for reals this time.

10 Rules (For Writing Like Glenn Taylor)

1. Make use of music while writing, whether writing directly in response to the music or simply using the music in order to achieve certain headspace.
2. Keep it short and sweet—the end product should be no more than a page, typed.
3. There is no need for a fixed line length; however, avoid ending too many lines end-stopped or enjambed.
4. Make sure the poem is aurally/sonically tight—there should be a natural rhythm, so no need for strict meter or rhyme schemes unless writing in a form that requires them.
5. Compose mainly in the first person.
6. Avoid abstractions for abstraction’s sake—ensure every figure of speech counts, is relevant, and resonates.
7. Make use of black/dry/off-beat humor/wit as appropriate.
8. Focus more on the emotions engendered by the poem, not the “intellectuality” of the poem—being “too cute” is not cute.
9. Make allusions to realistic situations/facts to help ground the poem—if nostalgia is used, avoid using it tritely.
10. Make use of the major theme of relationships (living or non-living) in the poem. These relationships should usually address religion, sex, and/or music.

I'll use these rules (and my mastertape, which I probably won't share) to compose a poem for the first assignment (which I'm pretty stoked about). I probably won't post the poem itself (as I may want to publish it, and journals are weird if you publish "online," and you never know your readership), but I'll make sure that I note my process and be super holistic in terms of how I feel through the process.

That's all for today--I'm not feeling too well, and the king size tempur-pedic (or fast food) may be calling!

-Glenn