a penny for your petulance

Soundtrack: Jump in the Pool by Friendly Fires

My name's Erika, and I've written 13 pages. This is the part where you say, "Hi, Erika" so that I don't feel like such a weirdo. Anyways, I'm pretty happy with my word count for the past few days--even if it means falling seriously behind on my homework. Only 7 more days of school until the summer--long, luxurious days with nothing to do but do nothing... And write, of course ><

This post is about poetry--whoop! I always used to think of myself as a kind of poet, but in truth my version of "free verse" is more like fancy sounding word vomit.

One of my friends and I have teamed up to hold a Poetry Party this Friday. It's a tradition that our families and a few other people have been doing for years--meeting once every few months for a potluck dinner and sharing poetry. Everyone, regardless of age or talent is encouraged to read a poem (it can be something by Poe, of course, if you're so inclined, or anyone really). Everyone who reads gets a number, they're entered in a draw for gift certificates, it's tons of fun.

I've been doing poetry readings for as long as I can remember and reading my poems from about age five on, I think. So you'd think by now I'd have it down. Then again, in those days mumbling something about "A cat and a bat and a rat and, uh... did I say cat already?" was totally acceptable. Now that I'm fifteen, people like something a bit more coherent.

I'm stumped. A few of the people invited are legitimately amazing poets and writers whereas, sure, I can write a short story about people with claws for hands (or, I guess I could...?) but compressing my thoughts and emotions into something as finite as a poem--and then reading it in front of people? It's pretty intimidating.

So I've turned to the internet for inspiration. Some days I honestly wonder how I would've gotten by if I lived, say, forty years ago. Encyclopedias. Lots of 'em.

Any suggestions? Any?

Didn't think it would be that easy, though, did I? Maybe I can write a poem on meiosis, considering that's what I'm supposed to be studying right now. I could just splatter a few literary terms on a page--for instance, this post has no plot--but somehow I don't think that'll cut it.

Quite frankly, I think I just have to put my nose to the grindstone, or whatever it is people say, and get to work.

So what do you do when you're facing a particularly difficult writer-ly challenge? Do you tackle every scene head on, despite your fears? Do you devise a brilliant plan, plotting out every moment, or, in my case, every stanza, before logically working your way through whatever it is that's holding you back?

Good luck with whatever challenges you. Hey, maybe you'll go off and throw your own Poetry Party after reading this. And maybe you'll invite me...? Nope, wasn't counting on it :P

Love,
Erika