Tag: poetry

31 day poem challenge and a gift of writing

by Maja Todorovic, posted in Business in Rhyme, My personal rhyme - from time to time

31

Many of you who have been following my blog for some time know that I participated in the NaPoWriMo 2016 and it was a great experience. Some of the benefits I have described here.

At this moment, particularly in the last couple of weeks I haven’t been satisfied with my writing practice and I think it’s time to stir up things: in the next 31 days, in the coming December I intent to write 31 day long poem. Sounds strange? 🙂 Well, what I actually want to do is to write ONE poem for 31 days. The goal is to add at least three stanzas each day. And why not 30 poems for 30 days as usually challenges go? In this way, I think I will practice more my focus and attention, because as the time progresses I will have to each time read my poem from the beginning in order to continue it. So after couple of days, it will really require to keep up my concentration and follow the thinking pattern.

The second thing is, I want to use this writing experiment as a sort of an emotional tracker, to see how that reflects on my writing every day and are there any fluctuations, especially during holidays.

And the third things is, that this is a kind of ‘gift of writing’ (my birthday falls on 31st December 😉 ) – and use it as an opportunity to challenge myself to improve and observe my writing habits.

Poem post will be updated regularly every day and I will also use #31daypoem hashtag, so it’s easier to follow. If you also want to improve your writing and form a better writing habit, please join me in this fun experiment, share this information and invite friends who you think could really benefit from this exercise. Use the same hashtag so it can be easy to track down.

Once the experiment ends, beside the ’31 day long’ poem as a result, I will share my impressions and how that have impacted my writing in general.

Publishing other regular posts will go as scheduled.

So, how about you, have you participated in any similar writing experiment? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you liked this post and you are interested in getting more inspiration for your creativity, sign up for our free monthly newsletter. For additional tips, follow us on twitter and connect with us on facebook .

 

Poetic inspiration: The length of writing

by Maja Todorovic, posted in Business in Rhyme, Poetic inspiration

poetry_emotion

Count your words by

the strength of emotions they

evoke, not by

numbers.

Maja S. Todorovic

If you liked this post and you are interested in getting more inspiration for your creativity, sign up for our free monthly newsletter. For additional tips, follow us on twitter and connect with us on facebook .

7 actionable strategies to attract more readers to your poetry blog

by Maja Todorovic, posted in Business in Rhyme, Write, create, innovate!, Writer's creative bites

strategy_poetry_blog-2

Did you know that the roughly estimate of number of blogs on the Internet is over 150 million?

And no doubt we as writers do want to find new, interesting ways to attract readers and popularize content. To cut through all that noise of useless information, spam, adverts…it comes especially hard for poetry blogs, since traditionally we are more accustomed to read poetry in books and magazines. But more and more social media networks like Instagram are taking place and becoming a great resource for finding fresh and inspirational poetry – and you do want to take advantage of that.

Today I want to share with you some actionable ways that I have observed to work (especially for some popular poetry blogs here on the wordpress.com platform) and you can easily apply in your blogging scheme to attract more readers. But first of all, be aware that it takes time and persistence. Many of the high visited and read blogs are ‘in business’ for years and their success didn’t happen over night.

  1. Analyze the direction of your blog and readjust your writing sails accordingly

Focus of the blog: do you post only poetry or do you blog also about personal stuff, writing tips, non-fiction articles, ext? Analyze your stats and see which of your posts are most visited and popular. It will give you a clue to what kind of topics are your readers most attracted. If they are not poetry related, than you might need to readjust your focus that dominant part of your writing is poetry. Initially you might lose some of the subscribers, but always keep in mind why do you blog and who you would like to read your blog. Shape your writing according to that.

  1. ‘Poke’ other bloggers

I do believe that the intricate purpose in every blogging attempt is connection and sharing. Link with other bloggers with similar affinities.

That can go by:

  • participating in conversations on other blogs (like comments), which will divert attention to your blog and content as well;
  • offer some type of collaborative work (writing a collaborative poem, story, initiating a challenge or a guest post);
  • interact with your readers – always respond to comments as it is the basis of building the trust between you and your reader – you are increasing the likelihood of reader to share your content/poem.

One of the biggest features in blogging in last couple of years is that this the era of engagement and there you should pour most of your energy. Engage your readers and with your readers in any form – it’s the key to attracting more traffic.

  1. Go visual, where applicable

Poetry is about beauty of language and words – we should never forget that. For traditional blogging format, I still believe that accent should  be on the background and space that allow words to pop up. But blogging trends are changing and you might want to stir up things by pairing your words with adequate visuals which can contribute to your poetry to become even more appealing to the reader.

As I mentioned, Instagram is fostering some great poetry networks and communities. Share your work in the form of engaging photos, videos and you are opening the doors to completely new type of readership.

  1. Post regularly

Google loves fresh, unique and interesting content so update your blog frequently. People will have more reasons to come back, read and share your poetry.

  1. Share your poetry on different poetry platforms

Allpoetry.com and poemhunter.com are useful resources for you to publish poetry especially as a newbie blogger and poet. You can get very good feedback for your writing and increase exposure of your work.

  1. Share your publishing progress and success

This I find especially important if you want to connect with other poets in the blogosphere as sharing your experience can impact and give additional inspiration to other poets when it comes to submitting their work.

  1. Be you – everyone else is already taken

Poetry offers unique experience so your writing will attract unique readers. Most of the tips given here are proven to work, but at the bottom of the line there are no strict rules what grows one blogs – especially when it comes to poetry.

Be yourself and enjoy your creative process – these are the two most important merits. From that space of trustful and peaceful enjoyment , your work will find most intriguing ways to captivate your readers.

Do you have any interesting strategy for attracting more readers to your poetry blog? Please share in the comments below.

If you liked this post and you are interested in getting more inspiration for your creativity, sign up for our free monthly newsletter.

Wabi-Sabi

by Maja Todorovic, posted in Business in Rhyme, My personal rhyme - from time to time

The Japanese

have a wonderful tradition

of admiring to

something that isn’t perfect, called wabi-sabi

and it has become my mantra

each time I look at your scowling eyes,

two dark rampageous

hawks rearing

to feast on my insecurities,

my habit to kneel at your monstrous ego;

Your mouth, enraged volcano

throwing missiles of sharp, burning words

at my bowed, tired head:

wabi-sabi, wabi-sabi,

nobody’s perfect – you for

misuse of uncontrolled power

and me for unused, powerless control.

I’m yet to learn, we are equal – that’s

the perfection you blindly refuse to see.

Maja S. Todorovic

If you liked this post and you are interested in getting more inspiration for your creativity, sign up for our free monthly newsletter.

Poetic inspiration: Write every day

by Maja Todorovic, posted in Business in Rhyme, Poetic inspiration, Writer's creative bites

writing_every_day

Make a pact with yourself that you will write

every day – not because you don’t know how to write,

but simply for learning to love and enjoy your words – no matter

how distant, fake or fade

in the beginning they may stray.

Maja S. Todorovic

If you liked this post and you are interested in getting more inspiration for your creativity, sign up for our free monthly newsletter.

7 prompts to inspire your writing during holidays

by Maja Todorovic, posted in Business in Rhyme, Write, create, innovate: exercises, Writer's creative bites

holiday_writing

Holidays…you like them and you hate them in the same time, right? I don’t know about you, but for me – every holiday I enjoy some additional spare time  I have if I manage to take short travel or read a good book. But sometimes, it can get hard and hectic to fulfill all family duties that are expected of you, do the errands, cleaning, cooking…and guess what – little or no time for writing. As we are entering a ‘red zone’ of holiday celebrations, there are some smart ways you can employ even in the midst of chaos and steal few minutes for your poem writing. Still, being busy with everything else can leave us feeling empty and tired – all you want is sleep and quietness.

Today I want to encourage you even if you are buried over your head with holiday preparations, travel plans and ext. to use that atmosphere creatively and festive, holiday spirit transform into an inspiration for writing.

Here are my top 7 seven writing ideas:

1.If you have some unresolved issues about upcoming holidays, use that as an opportunity to more explore in your writing. What are your current plans – would like to change them? Are you excited or nervous? How would you rather spent your holiday time? You can write a poem, story, or just as an idea for free writing or journaling. This can also serve as a casual warm up writing sessions for something more concrete you have in mind to write.

2.Imagine you are a travel writer set on a new adventure, traveling to a place you always wanted to visit. Where are you going? Who is traveling with you? What are you most excited about? Describe every detail, people, atmosphere, landscapes…For more creative insights on this subject you can also have a look at this creativity exercise and deepen your writing practice further.

3.Try to evoke some dear and meaningful childhood memory you have in relation to holidays. Portray those feelings in a poem that will honor that happiness and excitement you experienced as a child.

4.Remember some funny moment or joke during family gathering. What was funny about it? Did you have a good laugh? Or you disliked it? Use it as trigger to further inspire your writing.

5.Pretend you are a hosting a festive party for your favorite holiday. Everyone is there, your family and friends…everything goes well until something unexpectedly happens. Guests are confused and don’t know how to react to latest developments..

6.What is your favorite holiday? Describe it without actually naming it, but through the usage of your senses: how does it smell, is it cold or warm? Is it noisy,  are you alone? Are you traveling? Employ your senses to the most intricate details and let your imagination takes you from there.

7.You are just about to go to the airport (for your holiday vacation), when your old school friend, you haven’t seen in ages appears at your door. What do you do? You engage in conversation, you invite them in, you are pleasantly surprised or something else happens?

Use these prompts not only to ignite your writing but challenge yourself to examine some of those feelings you might be having about holidays, family relationships and ext. Let your imagination go wild and no matter how chaotic your holidays get, squeeze in some time for writing to release any tension you might have and give yourself a chance to relax.

If you liked this post and you are interested in getting more inspiration for your creativity, sign up for our free monthly newsletter.

Poetic inspiration: just let go..

by Maja Todorovic, posted in Business in Rhyme, Poetic inspiration, Writer's creative bites

writing_past

This is a quick reminder that you can any event treat as an opportunity for expanding your awareness. As a writer, every detail of your life you can turn into a most beautiful story, novel or a poem. And from there new worlds emerge. That’s how powerful is writing.

If you liked this post and you are interested in getting more inspiration for your creativity, sign up for our free monthly newsletter.

Poetic inspiration: Why poetry?

by Maja Todorovic, posted in Business in Rhyme, Poetic inspiration

why_poetry

Poetry articulates your hidden parts:

sensitive but beautiful,

vulnerable but brave.

Poetry reveals your long forgotten treasures

strengths to move you forward

intimacy to keep you warm.

Poetry heals your deeply buried scars

allowing you to travel far,

to new worlds, to moments ajar.

Maja S: Todorovic

If you liked this post and you are interested in getting more inspiration for your creativity, sign up for our free monthly newsletter.

White city

by Maja Todorovic, posted in Business in Rhyme, My personal rhyme - from time to time

It used to be called the White city, my hometown.

And it really was white. I remember, how through my

window I could see where two rivers merge with

sky in the most beautiful lightness…

Yesterday I came to the White city.

Of its entire glorious glow there are only pigeons trying to fly,

not having wings to lift themselves above the grey net

of dark clouds made of sorrows and unlived dreams.

People walk and talk, just as they used to,

but instead of smile they wear masks:

Mask 1: “Good morning boss!”

Mask 2: “I’ll pick up the groceries, dear!”

Mask 3: “What a great game tonight!”

Now, White city is full of labyrinths.

For each room you have to put the right mask.

It helps you navigate.

If you put the wrong one,

streets just swallow you.

The streets…once a safe place to be.

I used to play on the streets of my white city…

Just how many knee cuts they have absorbed!

I’d liked when concrete caressed me on my head.

Streets are now landslides of children cry, abandon lovers,

cars that start only on your yelling.

Skyscrapers don’t exist any more.

Shoe boxes have replaced them.

In public transport,

we have to climb on each other’s heads

in order to move…And that’s the only way for you to know

in which labyrinth room you are.

There are no windows,

and why would you need them?

Sulfur and nitrogen have replaced fresh air.

Is ever light going to return to the White city?

I don’t know. I would like to.

Maybe some new generations

will help rivers merge again with sky

in the most beautiful lightness.

Maja S. Todorovic

Note: This is a poem, published as a part of  The Disappearing project by Red Room Company. It was written as my impression of visiting my hometown after longer absence. Beograd I was born in and used to know, really doesn’t exist anymore. Sadly, but true.

If you liked this post and you are interested in getting more inspiration for your creativity, sign up for our free monthly newsletter.

Will poetry make you any smarter or wiser?

by Maja Todorovic, posted in Business in Rhyme, Read, write, lead!, Write, create, innovate!

dead-poets-society

Few nights ago, almost after 20 years I watched “Dead poets society” movie again. Having poetry as  my regular friend and companion sheds completely new light not only on the understanding of the movie itself, but on the distance I made from a person I used to be to a person I believe I am today.  When I first watched movie, it was more interesting from a teenage point of view – I was in high school and it was amusing to relate to main characters’ early adolescent ups and downs. I certainly don’t attempt to analyze the movie here, but two main messages stuck to my mind after the second watch: how poetry so beautifully offers that different perspective, seeing world from another angle, through different color of lenses, walk in the shoes that can be too tight and make blisters or two big that make us feel clumsy and insecure.

But that is the only truth that exists – there is not only one truth and one reality. You can taste life on many levels and interpret events in endless ways. Poetry acts here as kind of a shortcut to that realization. And once you become aware (which leads me to the second message) is that it somehow gives you a wind in a back, a reassurance that it is OK not to conform; it is OK step out of typical societal expectations.

Will poetry make you any smarter or wiser? It’s hard to say 🙂 But it will help you realize that there is something else, different. It will help you to seize the possibilities and easier to recognize your own capabilities. It’s like sampling life experiences and choosing what you want for yourself.

Each poem is a story, a snapshot of life in particular place and moment in time. You are that third variable, invaluable ingredient that transcends unique experience – both as a writer and reader. Being present with the poem is allowing it to really consume your whole being and from there magic happens – it does have the power to give you strength and courage to enter that different reality. All you need is to let yourself surrender.

I want to once more emphasize that this is not my analyzes and critique on poetic, artistic or emotional value of the movie – merely my thoughts on poetry inspired by it.

For the end of this post I would like to share with you poem by Wisława Szymborska where she so eloquently expresses the uncertainty of our perceived reality and human nature in general. As we are connected but individual, each experience is unique, but universal. Each life is special and so ordinary in the same time.

Could Have

It could have happened.
It had to happen.
It happened earlier. Later.
Nearer. Farther off.
It happened, but not to you.

You were saved because you were the first.
You were saved because you were the last.
Alone. With others.
On the right. The left.
Because it was raining. Because of the shade.
Because the day was sunny.

You were in luck—there was a forest.
You were in luck—there were no trees.
You were in luck—a rake, a hook, a beam, a brake,
a jamb, a turn, a quarter inch, an instant.
You were in luck—just then a straw went floating by.

As a result, because, although, despite.
What would have happened if a hand, a foot,
within an inch, a hairsbreadth from
an unfortunate coincidence.

So you’re here? Still dizzy from another dodge, close shave, reprieve?
One hole in the net and you slipped through?
I couldn’t be more shocked or speechless.
Listen,
how your heart pounds inside me.

Wisława Szymborska

If you liked this post, please share. And, if you are interested in getting more inspiration for your creativity, sign up for our free monthly newsletter.