The Origin of Poetry

Poetry is potent. The rhythmic gush of a poet's mellifluous syllables stir the embers of our frail hearts. In human history, poetry's invisible beat has spurred us into action and we have discovered the far and distant shores of enduring self-revelation. But why? Why does poetry have this grip we cannot see, but holds us helplessly in its narrative? Whether with iambic pentameter or free verse, words, sometimes arcane, sometimes modern, fall into...

That Which Separates

I have often found that two things separate would-be writers from taking wing into the sky of words that they dream of.They read little.They write little.Yet they expect an instant masterpiece to appear out of the nib of their favourite fountain pen.I encounter such writers so often that I have fallen into the habit of asking them "who" they read and then I ask them "what" they are writing.And the usual answer?Hmmm.Well.Cough.Ahem.And then the million...

Descriptive Writing

How do you describe an object, an animal or person and using the alchemy of word transform it into something utterly real in the mind of another? Use the precise word. Use the apt word. Use the senses: visual, auditory, kinaesthetic, olfactory... Use verbs of motion - even for something static... And take your time. Look, really look. Wait, really wait. Observe and catch your observations on cool white paper cut with clean black lines of Indian...