To aspiring poets:
If you’re having trouble finding your niche in poetry, remember things are changing rapidly in the literary world because of the shake up in the publishing industry caused by antiquated systems and the relatively new social media. Indie status and self-publishing are important for all writers today. Going independent is difficult. You absolutely have to do for yourself and your career what the old publishing world used to do for you. That is, what they used to do for you--if all the pieces fell into place and you found an agent or publisher to do the work. I prefer Indie, even with its risks. The old publishing world was just too dictatorial, was inbred, and took a great deal of the money your work generated.
Having said the above, now we have to find a niche for you. But then, why do you have to find your niche? Invent one. It’s not that complicated in the post-structuralist atmosphere of current writing. This climate leaves an adventurous spirit free to roam. Find your own way of presenting ideas within your own structure. Here's a few suggestions:
- Yes, be outlandish and original, invent a new poetry form.
- Attack poetry from a new angle.
- Study the dozen or so forms of poetry including the triolet, limerick, acrostic, haiku, and sonnet.
- Verify the information I’ve offered you first.
- Remember the main criterion for an original poetry or writing form is that the result has to be a quality product,
If you find creating a new poetry form daunting, you can now improve upon an existing form because you’ve studied them. My best suggestion is to never forget to enjoy the process.
--e. smith sleigh
http://bit.ly/iionKS