read write poem members’ 2010 poetry resolutions, part 2

by Dana Guthrie Martin

This is part two in our special year-end roundup of Read Write Poem members’ 2010 Poetry Resolutions. In this series, I am sharing the responses members left in the 2010 Poetry Resolutions group. If you didn’t participate in the group, you can leave your resolutions in the comments for this series. Feel free to cheer one another on in the comments section as well!

 

Jason Riedy: To rescue a few of my poems from the abyss. Thanks to Joe Milford for the phrasing …

Jeanette: I always have a creative drought after October. I think my resolution will be to write every day. I do this anyway but I hardly ever come up with something I’m satisfied with. I also want to start writing my book again. The whole story is in my head, but I just give up after a few pages mostly because I hate my wording. I think I’m going to push myself harder. Also school is probably the number one resolution for 2010.

Jennifer Saunders: Ah, funny, I have just started thinking about this and writing out my first ideas in my journal. I need more thinking time for all of them, but I do know that I want to apply to a summer workshop for 2010. Getting in is out of my control, but I can focus on taking myself seriously enough to believe that I am allowed to take the time away from family to devote to writing, and to believe that I am good enough to get consideration.

And my second goal for 2010 that I can think of is to send out at least one more submission package than I did this year. (Since this year isn’t done yet, I don’t know what that number might be.)

Another goal has, on the surface, nothing to do with poetry. I want to do something creative with my hands next year: make collages or learn to knit or take a pottery class. I need more, new, different life in my creative life. And that’ll probably show up in my writing sooner or later, when there are new interesting things going on in my life.

Jenny Chu: To read more poetry. To submit more work — boldly. Oh — and utilize the RWP website much much more than I do.

Joseph Harker: I’d like to get things published, put out a chapbook, try some new poetic forms from elsewhere in the world, and be brave enough to attend an open mic. Whether or not that will all happen in a year is … we’ll see.

Katherine Gotthardt: I have many goals, but here are three that come to mind. First, I will continue writing my second collection of poetry. Second, I will continue to market my first collection of poetry (which came out in October). Third, I want to look at everyone’s favorite poets and read some samples to broaden my horizons (and hopefully remember author’s names because I am TERRIBLE at that).

I see many people here who don’t believe in their poetry or are apologizing for it. Please don’t do that! When we judge ourselves, we don’t write. I know you know that, but I have to say it to remind myself as well.

Kevin Harling: My resolutions for 2010 are lofty to be sure. I am finally ready to take my craft to the next level. I believe that as an artist one must be willing to put yourself and your art out there. After only 3 years of actively writing and numerous prods from readers, I can no longer deter myself from the arena of becoming published. I always wondered whether my writing was good enough, but who decides what is good? I do not fear rejection of my work, for me poetry is beyond such things. So 2010 is a year of firsts, a year of seizing every opportunity and seeing where it leads.

Kristen McHenry: I’m not a big believer in resolutions, but I think making poetry resolutions is a worthy pursuit.

1. I will work on letting go of my constant insecurity about my lack of formal education in poetry. All it does is distract me. Every time I read a poem or a poet who writes in a style or “school of poetry” I’m not familiar with, I immediately begin questioning my own work, thinking that I need to change it to make it more like theirs, or worry that my work isn’t “expansive” enough, or experimental enough, etc. I am going to try to shift that energy and approach other poems and/or styles with curiosity and inquiry, rather than immediately drawing the conclusion that mine are lacking or need to be totally rewritten into something other than what they are. I will no longer use this as an excuse to feel bad about my work, but as a tool for improving and increasing my knowledge base and toolbox of techniques.

2. Rather than being scattershot with my reading, I want to choose one poet and see what it’s like to really delve completely and deeply into their work and life for one year. I haven’t decided who yet, but Federico García Lorca is high on the list.

Liam: To balance writing stories, novels and poetry. Also, get better at edit and polishing.

Linda Thompson: Resolution — to look at old poems through a new lens and play with them. Why keep the old poems that need work captive in a journal or file somewhere?

Lisa J. Cihlar: In 2010 I will put together a manuscript. And read more poetry. I have plenty of books here to read, just have to begin.

Stay tuned tomorrow for part three of 2010 Poetry Resolutions!

Dana Guthrie Martin is the founder of Read Write Poem. She resolves to focus on process and craft in 2010, both in terms of poetry and classical music. She also resolves to join a flute choir and to dream only in music and verse.