The Writer's Connection(sm),
a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach(sm)

"The Creative Process of Writing is a
Liberating and Therapeutic Experience"

virtualwritingcoach.com
May 2004

In This Issue:

1. Preview
2. Publisher's Note
3. Poetry Critique Groups
4. Getting into Action


1. Preview

The Writer's Connection explores the creative process of writing and the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and actions. We are an interactive community of authors and readers who share ideas to enhance our knowledge, skills, and experiences in writing fiction in any genre, but our emphasis remains mystery and suspense thrillers.
Published monthly, the Newsletter offers writing tips for authors, coaching suggestions, editing, and marketing information.

Topics are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton and represent only his ideas on producing your first manuscript, and are provided to the general public. Because we are an interactive community of writers, other viewpoints are welcomed and may be printed in future monthly newsletters with permission from Keith Barton.

2. Publisher's Note

May, 2004

Dear Writer's Connection Subscriber,

This month features information about Poetry Critique Groups.

3. Poetry Critique Groups

I had the good fortune to read two poems to the Poets Northwest Society in Houston, Texas. This organization of poets was organized in 1986 by three poets and has grown to over fifty members. The group meets monthly at a local Barnes and Noble and is run entirely by volunteers. Annual dues are only $12what a deal! The Society's objective is to facilitate and inspire poets to write more poetry. They provide information about poetry contests, feature guest poets and encourage members to participate in critique sessions. A favorite activity is called "the read around" in which those poets who wish to read aloud their poems. A critique sheet is provided for participants to become better acquainted with free verse and rhyme, beat, and grammar. Officers are elected annually and include president, vice president, treasurer, membership newsletter, publicity and fundraising. Many of the poets are published and eager to share their craft with newcomers and guests. Members are invited to speak at local community colleges and to enter their poetry in local contests.

As mentioned last month, poetry allows the author and reader to connect on a personal level. Emotion is reflected by alliteration, assonance, similes, metaphors, personification, imagery, and repetition. Poems should be free of clichés and be fresh. Shorter lines are used to create tension, while longer lines are written for a more relaxed topic. Gerunds and participles should be used sparingly and every word should contribute to the poem. The title should be appropriate and catch the reader's attention. The poem should tell a story, create emotional reaction or cause the reader to think or identify with the topic. If metered or rhymed verse, the poem should adhere to a rhyme scheme. Finally the poem should communicate its message without an explanation (used with permission from Claire Ottenstein-Ross, 2004).

Poetry Don'ts (again from Claire Ottenstein-Ross, 2004)

1. No misspelled words.
2. A poem should arouse emotion without becoming too sentimental.
3. It can have a message but not be didactic.
4. Avoid being too wordy.
5. Avoid vulgarity.
6. Don't use a lot of adjective and adverbs.
7. Don't overuse punctuation, because it serves as a distraction.
8. Don't use clichés.
9. Don't become redundant.
10. Don't write poems so personal they are of no interest or importance to the reader.
11. Don't use archaic, stilted or overly formal language. Use your own "voice."
12. Don't make your poem obscure.
13. Avoid punctuation.

I had the good fortune to have my poems critiqued by Claire Ottenstein-Ross, current President of Poets Northwest. She did a fabulous job of taking out the extraneous verbiage and pointing out the difference between "true" and "near" rhymes. Her suggestions were invaluable and helped me become a better poet.


4. Getting into Action

"Getting in to Action" is a monthly feature of The Writer's Connection. In this section of our Newsletter, we will discuss action steps the writer can take to improved his/her knowledge base in writing novels.

This month's recommendations:


1. Join a critique group; it will be fun and you'll learn something.
2. Read your poems aloud for inflection, rhyme, timing, and beat.
3. Go to your local bookstore and look in the poetry section for what is being written today as well as timeless classicse.g. Emily Dickinson.


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Contact Information

Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Voice: 281-893-5405
Fax: 281-893-1735
Web: http://www.virtualwritingcoach.com
E-Mail: keith@virtualwritingcoach.com
(c) Copyright 2003 A. Keith Barton, Ph.D.
All rights reserved.

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The Writer's Connection Mission:

The Writer's Connection is dedicated to helping first-time authors create their first manuscript for publication and to offer an exchange of ideas and opinions from our readers who might be interested in becoming authors.

The Writer's Connection™ is a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach and Keith Barton, Ph.D. and a registered trademark.

We would like The Writer's Connection to be as interactive as possible. If you have feedback, comments, topics you would like addressed, or can suggest additional resources to benefit us all, please email us at any time. Send your e-mail to
keith@virtualwritingcoach.com.

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Archives

You can read previous issues of The Writer's Connection at our archive at http://www.virtualwritingcoach.com/archive.html.

About Keith Barton, Ph.D.

Dr. Barton received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University of Texas at Austin and has been a practicing therapist for over thirty years. He is currently enrolled in MentorCoach and is accepting new clients. He has been an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina, consultant to Fortune 500 companies in executive development, founded and managed Texas Community Living Ventures, Inc., in 1986 for providing group home services to persons with mental retardation, and for the past 13 years founded and runs a clinical practice in Northwest Houston. He writes part-time with the goal of completing one novel a year. His desire to coach others derives from his passionate interest in helping others become attuned to their creative powers of storytelling.

Dr. Barton has training in coaching, cognitive and family therapy and health psychology. He has published articles, made presentations and conducted workshops about:

Anxiety and achievement
Stress management
Self-esteem
Communication skills
Marital/relationship enrichment
Wellness issues
The relationship between psychology and spirituality

© 2003 The Virtual Writing Coach and Keith Barton.