For my summer work, I wrote poems that are meant to be presented to an audience (commonly known as "slam" poetry. Slam poetry is poetry that is performance based and presented in competitions). I made these pieces for several reasons. Some were written to cope with personal situations and emotions, some were created to express opinions and to make my voice heard so I can make a difference. Some were created to showcase the things that I have experienced and to allow others who have gone through similar things to see that others know what they are feeling and to let them know that they are not alone. My pieces were meant to be shared with people and to be presented live. I hope that these pieces help people to see that they are not alone with their struggles. I also hope that when an audience hears these works, they have a strong emotional reaction to them. The goal of someone performing a piece of poetry is to evoke an emotional response from those who are listening to the reading.
To create these poems, ideas or phrases would randomly pop into my head. I would either write down the phrase and come back to it at a later time, or I would sit down and write a piece and try and incorporate the phrase or idea. Most of the time, I end up writing a poem in one go and putting it off to the side for later editing. Recently, I have begun to write the poem and give it to friends and fellow writers for editing. While writing the poem, I go back and read from the beginning in an attempt to see if the piece flows. During this, I edit and make small changes in word order or word choice in an effort to allow the poem to flow more easily. I used to write the poem and then only read through it and edit it once before presenting it or submitting it to competitions. I now present it to others, (usually my friend Nicole Fegan, who I have been going to Duke Young Writer's Camp with for 3 of my 4 years there) receive their feedback, make changes based on their critiques, and then re-present it to them. Sometimes I end up with 3-4 versions of the poem before settling on a final draft.
I am picky when writing. Usually, the writing is only in one specific notebook (I am currently writing in one that a friend bought and personalized for me at camp) and done with a specific pen. I pick the pen based on several things that may seem odd. The ink has to look a certain way on the paper, the pen has to feel comfortable in my hand, the thickness of the ink when on the paper can't be too large or too small, and the ink has to flow freely. I am also very picky about the paper I use as well, even though the final drafts are usually typed copies. When performing, I either have printed copies of the pieces, but I occasionally have the original poem and read from my notebook. This can be challenging because my handwriting can be hard to decipher.
The common elements in these pieces are that they are all written pieces (they're poetry), they are all personal and hard to share because they are intimate or express secret or exclusive views or stories, and they are all poems that have been edited several times and performed previously (with the exception being "Daily Routine"). All of them were written with the intention that they be presented to an audience. They were all written at Duke as well (once again, "Daily Routine" being the exception). The concepts behind creating these poems were to create summer work that differed from what I normally do in class. Instead of a drawing or painting, I wanted to try and create something performance based. The only thing that I could think of was slam poetry. I chose it because the poetry can be very moving and evoke emotional reactions because you are presenting, live, writing that is designed to move people. There is something outstanding and sensational about hearing someone present the contents of their being in the form of ink, paper, and voice.
Some of these poems were harder to create than others. Some were more personal, some needed more editing, and some needed to be rewritten. I'm From began as a class prompt that was very repetitive and didn't attract an audience's attention. It was rewritten end edited to create 3 different drafts. It went from a poem about the places and people I love and things I have seen, to a poem about DYWC, my love of the people there, and how camp has changed my life. Each line originally started with "I'm From", and it incorporated images from camp, my grandparents' bay house, my friends, my family, the art hallway, etc. Now it is concentrated on camp, the people there, and my development as a writer. I rewrote it so it could be presented at DYWC's "Final Celebration" (a final writing reading that takes place on the last night of camp). "I Want" was originally very emotional. but it lacked plot and movement. This one went through several editing phases as well and was presented at the "Flying Monkey Coffee House" during DYWC as well (a poetry reading that takes place during camp).
However, "Our Voices" had only the one draft and minimal edits made to it. As I wrote it, I would reread it and make small changes in word order, word choice, and line phrasing. I also changed some rhymes, end and internal. "Daily Routine" was written in a similar manner. Both were presented to friends for editing, but small-scale changes occurred.
Creating these pieces has taught me how to write poetry that is intended to be performed versus poetry that is meant to be read by a singular person. I have also learned to take criticism and look at it in a positive way, instead of a negative way. It has taught me to embrace criticism because it can advance a piece and it is given to help the artist, not to hinder them. This process has told me that compliment sandwiches are the best way to give feedback. You give a compliment, then the criticism, and then another compliment. It allows someone to hear the good, the changes, and then some more good. This summer work has also taught me to not let fear hold me back from sharing pieces and that my writing is good and it can change lives. Standing up and sharing something intimate and personal, like a poem, allows you to heal from the wounds you're dealing with, and allows you to share your stories with individuals.
Working on this summer work has helped change me as an artist. Because I decided to push myself outside of my comfort zone, I have had people tell me that my words have changed their lives and that they are helping them cope with their own struggles. I have learned that no matter how scary it can be to present something you made, it will always pay off in the end because you forced yourself outside of the area where you are complacent. Stepping outside the box can be more rewarding than anything else.
I am extremely nervous to present my summer work because the poetry must be read aloud to our class. As far as my memory serves, I have not presented work here in Richmond or Glen Allen as of yet. This makes me shy and hesitant when it comes to doing it, but I also look forward to seeing the reactions I receive (my knees are already shaking and my hands are already sweating just thinking about performing). But I am enthusiastic and ecstatic that I have this opportunity, especially because art is my favorite class. I will also be performing in an area that is accepting of different ideas and contrasting art forms. I look forward to being able to perform!
To create these poems, ideas or phrases would randomly pop into my head. I would either write down the phrase and come back to it at a later time, or I would sit down and write a piece and try and incorporate the phrase or idea. Most of the time, I end up writing a poem in one go and putting it off to the side for later editing. Recently, I have begun to write the poem and give it to friends and fellow writers for editing. While writing the poem, I go back and read from the beginning in an attempt to see if the piece flows. During this, I edit and make small changes in word order or word choice in an effort to allow the poem to flow more easily. I used to write the poem and then only read through it and edit it once before presenting it or submitting it to competitions. I now present it to others, (usually my friend Nicole Fegan, who I have been going to Duke Young Writer's Camp with for 3 of my 4 years there) receive their feedback, make changes based on their critiques, and then re-present it to them. Sometimes I end up with 3-4 versions of the poem before settling on a final draft.
I am picky when writing. Usually, the writing is only in one specific notebook (I am currently writing in one that a friend bought and personalized for me at camp) and done with a specific pen. I pick the pen based on several things that may seem odd. The ink has to look a certain way on the paper, the pen has to feel comfortable in my hand, the thickness of the ink when on the paper can't be too large or too small, and the ink has to flow freely. I am also very picky about the paper I use as well, even though the final drafts are usually typed copies. When performing, I either have printed copies of the pieces, but I occasionally have the original poem and read from my notebook. This can be challenging because my handwriting can be hard to decipher.
The common elements in these pieces are that they are all written pieces (they're poetry), they are all personal and hard to share because they are intimate or express secret or exclusive views or stories, and they are all poems that have been edited several times and performed previously (with the exception being "Daily Routine"). All of them were written with the intention that they be presented to an audience. They were all written at Duke as well (once again, "Daily Routine" being the exception). The concepts behind creating these poems were to create summer work that differed from what I normally do in class. Instead of a drawing or painting, I wanted to try and create something performance based. The only thing that I could think of was slam poetry. I chose it because the poetry can be very moving and evoke emotional reactions because you are presenting, live, writing that is designed to move people. There is something outstanding and sensational about hearing someone present the contents of their being in the form of ink, paper, and voice.
Some of these poems were harder to create than others. Some were more personal, some needed more editing, and some needed to be rewritten. I'm From began as a class prompt that was very repetitive and didn't attract an audience's attention. It was rewritten end edited to create 3 different drafts. It went from a poem about the places and people I love and things I have seen, to a poem about DYWC, my love of the people there, and how camp has changed my life. Each line originally started with "I'm From", and it incorporated images from camp, my grandparents' bay house, my friends, my family, the art hallway, etc. Now it is concentrated on camp, the people there, and my development as a writer. I rewrote it so it could be presented at DYWC's "Final Celebration" (a final writing reading that takes place on the last night of camp). "I Want" was originally very emotional. but it lacked plot and movement. This one went through several editing phases as well and was presented at the "Flying Monkey Coffee House" during DYWC as well (a poetry reading that takes place during camp).
However, "Our Voices" had only the one draft and minimal edits made to it. As I wrote it, I would reread it and make small changes in word order, word choice, and line phrasing. I also changed some rhymes, end and internal. "Daily Routine" was written in a similar manner. Both were presented to friends for editing, but small-scale changes occurred.
Creating these pieces has taught me how to write poetry that is intended to be performed versus poetry that is meant to be read by a singular person. I have also learned to take criticism and look at it in a positive way, instead of a negative way. It has taught me to embrace criticism because it can advance a piece and it is given to help the artist, not to hinder them. This process has told me that compliment sandwiches are the best way to give feedback. You give a compliment, then the criticism, and then another compliment. It allows someone to hear the good, the changes, and then some more good. This summer work has also taught me to not let fear hold me back from sharing pieces and that my writing is good and it can change lives. Standing up and sharing something intimate and personal, like a poem, allows you to heal from the wounds you're dealing with, and allows you to share your stories with individuals.
Working on this summer work has helped change me as an artist. Because I decided to push myself outside of my comfort zone, I have had people tell me that my words have changed their lives and that they are helping them cope with their own struggles. I have learned that no matter how scary it can be to present something you made, it will always pay off in the end because you forced yourself outside of the area where you are complacent. Stepping outside the box can be more rewarding than anything else.
I am extremely nervous to present my summer work because the poetry must be read aloud to our class. As far as my memory serves, I have not presented work here in Richmond or Glen Allen as of yet. This makes me shy and hesitant when it comes to doing it, but I also look forward to seeing the reactions I receive (my knees are already shaking and my hands are already sweating just thinking about performing). But I am enthusiastic and ecstatic that I have this opportunity, especially because art is my favorite class. I will also be performing in an area that is accepting of different ideas and contrasting art forms. I look forward to being able to perform!
daily_routine_.rtf |
i_want_.rtf |
final_celebration_final_.rtf |
The above poem ("Final Celebration FINAL" is "I'm From")
our_voices_.rtf |