(no subject)
Jan. 1st, 2004 10:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
novapsycheMan, Michigan had their asses handed to them. Not a pretty game to watch if you're not a USC fan.
I finally revised my cover letter. I think it's pretty good--not great, but that's what I get for taking so long, I guess.
Herein please find these poems for your consideration into the Iowa Writers Workshop: "Lazarus," "Broken," "U.N. Bombing, August 19, 2003," "Sole Instinct," "Eyes Wide Shut, July 1999", "Seeking Seminal Soulmate," "Residuum," "The Macaronica," "This Powerless Night" and "[Thighs widen, open]". I hope to attend in Fall 2004.
In this soundbyte era, it is paramount that poets find their true voice, and that means coming up with their own ideas, spoken in ways that no one else could have said them. As Pound expounded, Make it new. Wallace Stevens concurred: poetry is about innovation.
After working in several online workshops, I have learned that innovation takes place in the intersection between mentor and pupil. The dynamic between them sparks a creativity in both that can fuel a genius that would not have existed otherwise. The relationship between student and teacher engenders a freeing atmosphere. That atmosphere can spark great poetry from two people where in solitude they may have produced middling but not above average work.
From interacting in these online workshops also I've found that one learns to revise by listening to the revisionary tactics employed by one's peers. This kind of knowledge consolidates upon itself in the long run, and one learns how to revise more efficiently and effectively at a much faster and intuitive rate.
What the workshops really impart, however, is a continuous sense of striving for excellence. The goal of a workshop is not to simply share work; it is to improve one's skills regarding the craft of poetry. Inevitably, the practice of holding others' work to high standards transfers over into one's own revisionary skills. By evaluating the work of others, one learns how to evaluate one's own efforts. This alone can help safeguard against the problem of sentimentality, which Stevens described as a failure of feeling. One learns to turn a disinterested eye toward one's own work.
Another reason I hope to join the Writers Workshop is to improve my editorial skills. One of the most rewarding endeavors of my undergraduate career was co-editing my alma mater's literary quarterly. I enjoyed every aspect, from organizing and chairing the committee meetings where submissions were judged; to planning the layout and communicating with the printing company as to the exact look of the magazine. Since graduating, I have not let go of my hope of editing a small literary magazine. Toward that goal, I feel that the experience that the Writers Workshop could impart (as well as any opportunities to work on the Iowa Review) would be invaluable.
Thus, I have several reasons for wanting to become part of the Iowa Writers Workshop. I feel I am ready to mentor younger poets and help their craft flourish. At the same time, I am hopeful that the general camaraderie would actify my own poetic muse. Lastly, I feel I am a good poet but a better editor, and I would relish an opportunity to share those skills in every capacity possible.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
This will be sent tomorrow. I'll still overnight it, just to make me feel better. I'll probably send it certified, too.
I finally revised my cover letter. I think it's pretty good--not great, but that's what I get for taking so long, I guess.
Herein please find these poems for your consideration into the Iowa Writers Workshop: "Lazarus," "Broken," "U.N. Bombing, August 19, 2003," "Sole Instinct," "Eyes Wide Shut, July 1999", "Seeking Seminal Soulmate," "Residuum," "The Macaronica," "This Powerless Night" and "[Thighs widen, open]". I hope to attend in Fall 2004.
In this soundbyte era, it is paramount that poets find their true voice, and that means coming up with their own ideas, spoken in ways that no one else could have said them. As Pound expounded, Make it new. Wallace Stevens concurred: poetry is about innovation.
After working in several online workshops, I have learned that innovation takes place in the intersection between mentor and pupil. The dynamic between them sparks a creativity in both that can fuel a genius that would not have existed otherwise. The relationship between student and teacher engenders a freeing atmosphere. That atmosphere can spark great poetry from two people where in solitude they may have produced middling but not above average work.
From interacting in these online workshops also I've found that one learns to revise by listening to the revisionary tactics employed by one's peers. This kind of knowledge consolidates upon itself in the long run, and one learns how to revise more efficiently and effectively at a much faster and intuitive rate.
What the workshops really impart, however, is a continuous sense of striving for excellence. The goal of a workshop is not to simply share work; it is to improve one's skills regarding the craft of poetry. Inevitably, the practice of holding others' work to high standards transfers over into one's own revisionary skills. By evaluating the work of others, one learns how to evaluate one's own efforts. This alone can help safeguard against the problem of sentimentality, which Stevens described as a failure of feeling. One learns to turn a disinterested eye toward one's own work.
Another reason I hope to join the Writers Workshop is to improve my editorial skills. One of the most rewarding endeavors of my undergraduate career was co-editing my alma mater's literary quarterly. I enjoyed every aspect, from organizing and chairing the committee meetings where submissions were judged; to planning the layout and communicating with the printing company as to the exact look of the magazine. Since graduating, I have not let go of my hope of editing a small literary magazine. Toward that goal, I feel that the experience that the Writers Workshop could impart (as well as any opportunities to work on the Iowa Review) would be invaluable.
Thus, I have several reasons for wanting to become part of the Iowa Writers Workshop. I feel I am ready to mentor younger poets and help their craft flourish. At the same time, I am hopeful that the general camaraderie would actify my own poetic muse. Lastly, I feel I am a good poet but a better editor, and I would relish an opportunity to share those skills in every capacity possible.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
This will be sent tomorrow. I'll still overnight it, just to make me feel better. I'll probably send it certified, too.
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(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-01 10:59 pm (UTC)Is the repetition intentional?
"As Pound expounded"
"spark" twice in the following paragraph
"atmosphere. That atmosphere"
"revise" "revision" "revise"
"evaluating" "evaluate"
The repetition has a vaguely hypnotic effect on me.
Also - the following sentence confused me: "Toward that goal, I feel that the experience that the Writers Workshop could impart (as well as any opportunities to work on the Iowa Review) would be invaluable." Perhaps rearrange the structure?
I'm incredibly impressed by the application! They would be lucky to have you. I'm so glad you are going for it!
p.s. I just have some sort of cold - but man - I feel like I'm getting my ass kicked. :(
(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-02 07:12 am (UTC)I'm so sorry to hear that you're sick. I'm still getting over a cold that struck out of nowhere last Saturday. I can't get a full night's sleep because I keep coughing myself awake. :\ *hug* I hope you feel better soon. Make you-know-who bring you some hot soup. :)