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This weekend I have started to write my first short story ever. Well a short story couldn’t be all that long, just 3000-4000 words, but after almost 1000 words of writing, I realize how long it is… Pheew!! If poetry is inspiration and weighing each word carefully, this is close to actual work.
Why on earth am I telling you this?
A pub needs its restroom
I know we are each and every one of us travelling on different roads where we are learning, developing our abilities as authors and poets, and searching for that perfect poem. Last autumn I took a course in Creative Writing (yes there are English courses in creative writing here in Stockholm). Through that course I am now involved in writing a collaborative book. We are about 20 local authors who are doing this great project together.
This got me thinking…
I have often directed my author friends to old prompts here, to give inspiration to their writing, there are so many great prompts here that work both in prose and poetry. There are a huge amount of inspiration at this site. Not only in the prompts but in all the poetry that is linked to each prompt. Poetry you have written.
Many of the authors in my Stockholm group have came a lot further than me in their writing ability, but what I lack in writing I have learned in collaboration, because here we teach each other through the prompts, we give each other encouragement and feedback, and we exhibit our own poetry. What we have here is in essence a big collaboration.
So this winding road took me here… now you tell me:
How do you think we can collaborate even more for all of us to grow as poets and authors?
What do we need less of, what do we need more?
I have thousands of other questions, but let’s just start talking:
dVerse 
Hi there, hope you have a wonderful Monday everyone… I’m ready for you all.
oh its been interesting….had a teacher out today so I got bumped over half my planning period to teach family life (sex ed) to a bunch of 14 year old freshmen….ha…wouldn’t you know it was body part/pregnancy day too….
Interesting.. for me it would have been terrifying.. 🙂
Hey, Bjorn. 3000-4000 words long as heck…. ha. I wrote a 1500 word story for a contest one time – talk about tiring… Can’t wait for this convo to start rolling out… It’ll be good to see where the poets’ heads are.
Hi Anthony..How did that contest go? sound like a lot of fun…
yes it’s not only that.. we are 20 authors and our stories will all find connection points.. so its truly a collaboration..
I didn’t hear back from them, but it really was a great exercise to expand my craft.
And that is truly incredible; 20 authors… do you find it challenging to maintain a sense of individualism as a writer and stay on the same page with everyone else to keep the connection?
We have not come that far yet.. but have different tasks.. each one have their own story.. so it will be an anthology with an overall story connecting them together..
I’m with you, Anthony: extra words don’t always add value to a story (or poem, for that matter). I’m a great believer in say what you have to say then stop!
Hi Bjorn….if I am understanding the topic correctly, you are talking about writing a short story or a poem with another person (or several people). I know you have been able to write collaborative poems…. I think, for myself, that it would be difficult to collaborate with someone else on a poem. If we look at the diversity of styles of writing, one would have to find someone who wrote in the same style, I think. If people write in different styles, I think the venture would be frustrating for both. Speaking for myself, it would be frustrating for me anyway.
However, if you are talking about collaboration on a book of poems or stories, that is a different matter. Each has his/her own contributions, and they can all be different styles. No problem there. And the variety of styles could be a good thing. Smiles.
I think even more than that.. that when I meet authors who have been writing a while they have not even grasped the way we collaborate here.. every week we do a small collaboration in writing to the same prompt.. giving our individual interpretations to the prompts.. I see it almost like we write several books per week… that was the collaboration I meant..
But as for collaboration in writing a single poem that is a different matter.. yes you have to adopt your style.. a little bit like singing in a choir..
Yes, so true…with all writing to the same prompt we definitely collaborate, each of us in our own way. It is fun to see how each individual interprets and develops the prompt. And…yes…we do write books here indeed. And I really enjoy this kind of collaboration.
And thinking about collaboration on writing one poem, yes..the idea of adapting style, similar to singing in a choir, is a good comparison. Ha, I haven’t sung in a choir since I was an early teen. Smiles!
i used to sing in a choir for some years – and it takes a while to get your ears adjusted… i also played in a band for several years and it’s like heaven when you sense what the others are doing and you just flow along or take the lead and know the others will follow… it takes trust though… it takes humbleness and also courage to take some risks you wouldn’t usually…
I think you are right.. the trust is so essential in all collaboration. What I sense has helped in our poetry collabs is a dead-line. We need to be ready for OLN… instilling a common goal actually build trust.. and I feel the same in the book project, even if we don’t know each other. The same here.. I feel much better commenting when there is mutual trust.
Would you believe the deadline helps me to write…without deadlines, I will just tarry on and on ~ And mutual trust is important, I agree ~
A renga written between three friends was an utter disaster – one of the contributors was in a strange mood, and kept de-railing the sense of the poem. Adherence to the haiku/couplet form should have kept us on track, but without the cooperation of all contributors, failure is inevitable IMHO.
more than anything…having a dedicated poet/friend that reads and crits my work has been great…I will say reading others helps as well…as you steal tricks, see how they turn a metaphor and it sparks ideas…I think too that while great crit does not always happen in a public forum, that if people take the time to actually read and when they comment address specifics that they liked it is much better than empty/blanket platitudes…
Oh yes.. to really put down the things — even if it’s a single word, is what help me in developing as a poet.. and yes reading others, that is great. You always learn something new.. and the more you do the better you become in seeing what is good in your own poetry.
yes… empty and/or one word comments… like why even bother commenting then? that could’ve been kept to yourself…
At least it doesn’t help much 🙂
You are lucky to have a great crit/partner Brian ~ And I agree that the benefits of reading are tenfold — I have learned or “stolen” a few tricks from fellow writers ~
I seem to ‘steal’ from others more when doing art than poetry. Or maybe with poetry I do not notice.
A great conversation opener Bjorn. I have written one book (it was a real struggle to get the word count up enough to have it count as a book. I published it as an e-book and many of my readers tell me that want a sequel. I was thinking about that yesterday and thought maybe I could write it as a haiku from the pont of view of the main character. Here it is 🙂
Fixed internet,
met new people, love and lost
– grew spiritually.
Oh yes I have just started to feel the struggle.. word count.. never thought that would be so hard.
I feel exactly the same way. I can’t understand how people write those enormous blockbusters
Sorry should read –
Fixed internet,
met new people, loved and lost
– grew spiritually
Indeed.. we meet here and grow together.. and all on internet.. Amazing thought.
I must write the book – there are many stories to be told about those meetings 🙂
oh yes – the internet is a really great way to meet people and develop relationships… it’s a lot more common now which is good. The more ways to connect, the better I say…
…and very cool on the short story björn… i never made it beyond the length of a poem so far but who knows…. smiles
We’ll see.. but I have to finish many first draft in this month.. and then it’s editing and editing… 🙂
Writing prose does sound like work…how do people find the time to write whole books?? I’d rather play at poetry 🙂 I enjoy the great prompts (and the restroom with a view) here at the pub and look forward to the new d’verse anthology! I want to learn more and think gentle criticism (tips for improvement) are helpful too…that’s where trust comes in.
Yes – actually when it comes to poetry what helps me most is to understand the feeling a poem evokes.. And learning to communicate that myself, but building that trust is the trick.
I’m playing with the idea for a 3rd novel–what’s important to me in writing longer pieces is to be able to go somewhere where I won’t be disturbed and be able to get in the zone.
As for collaboration, I’ve written a couple of response poems..that is, an answer to another person’s poem. I’m thinking that for a collaborative poem, working in form might be the best way to approach it–that way there would be some structure to hang the words on with, of course, a cohesive theme.
But I agree, responding to prompts is definitely a type of collaboration.
I think collaboration as a dialogue .. For example a renga is a great way of being helped by that form.. Like a backbone or a structure to keep to, and writing a novel – what a challenge that would be.. But yes long days of uninterrupted work would be needed..
I like the idea of response poems…sometimes my writing is because of a poem I have read and liked very much ~
smiles…funny you should say that…claudia and i were just talking about something like that today for the last week of the month…
🙂
All of you inspire me. dVerse has given me a place to challenge myself in my writing and the word “collaboration” does come to mind when I think of the pub…sharing a common goal to express ourselves using a theme or prompt.
What do we need more of? I struggle with Mr. Linky’s deadlines sometimes. I really make an effort to make the rounds and comment on as many as I can. I realize that my comments are short and may seem “empty” at times, but I can assure you they are sincere. I struggle with expressing myself in comments more than I do in my poetry.
Just a thought…..collaboration could be done with two poets with completely different styles, much like a conversation or duet. Might be fun to try out! 🙂
I understand about the time pressure of Mr Linky, and that where OLN comes in ~ If you have any late entries, you can link up during our OLN 🙂
As to making comments, there is no short cut to reading and giving a sincere response ~ This does take time and commenting is an art by itself 🙂
I’d also like to see a bit more time before Mr. Linky closes. It’s especially difficult for me to meet the Tuesday post’s deadline because of the schedule I have that day.
Misunderstood, interesting about two poets of completely different styles collaborating. Perhaps some might be able to do this, but I think I would have a hard time with it. But then again it depends on what is meant by collaboration. If collaboration is ‘critique’ I could critique someone with a different style, I think. But perhaps they might not identify with my critique?? And vice versa. I guess I just don’t know…..
The time I can understand – on the other hand I often write quickly what I feel would be a good response.. Maybe something that is unique to blogging a poem, maybe many of them are in all honesty more sketches than fully developed poems… But I think styles are different.
There is a wealth of materials and information in the pub that its nice to refer people to or just to recall and remember again the guidelines when it comes to writing form poetry ~ I wouldn’t mind revisiting some forms and writing to them again.
Also, I like the idea that we write about the same theme but in different ways and perspective ~ In a way, if we were to put together our work for a theme, we can come out with a “collaborative” work. As for two or more people working together for a “collaborative poem”, this is something that we can do or ask from a fellow poet. I like the idea of a partner or a critique (or a gentle and thoughtful one) but I understand it should be made in the atmosphere of trust and encouragement.
Bjorn, I admire your energy to write so many words for your story~ Good luck with that project ~
Happy Monday to all ~
It does take time to make a thoughtful comment and it’s so important to read the entire poem. Sometimes, toward the end of the poem there’s a twist and if I’ve already formulated my comment before that it can be sadly out of sync.
Yes, it does take time to make a thoughtful comment. It cannot be done without really reading / thinking about a poem a bit. A comment such as ‘Well done” might as well not be said, in my opinion.
I think any comment is worth having.. But finding that twist is often how I “analyze” the poem.. Or in some cases the progression if the poem is more of a narrative. But I want to learn more about how to do it well.
I’ll read the other comments later, but my two pennorth, for what it is worth, is that I would be glad of more feedback, and more honest critique of my work. That interraction was an integral part of the creative writing courses I took for my degree, and contributed enormously to our progress as writers, and I miss it.
I think that if you like more feedback & critique, that you should put it in your post so that people know that you are open to it ~
and give it…
i think that if people receive such, they are more likely to give such…
It is there in my blog!https://widgets.wp.com/notifications/1669893252#
Sorry: that reply went weird on me.
Early on in my blogging, I learned that critique was not welcome on most of the prompt sites, so I stifled it. I do have a blanket request for critique in my blog. Most of what I write is quickly done, raw and in need of editing!
I think for my sake critique is welcome.. but my ability to give has been limited .. I do not have editing skills.. but I can try to communicate my emotions even better when I comment. Some people seem to hesitate to criticize since English is a second language for me… but I would love to receive more criticism..
… my creative side has never really thought that we have been collaborating as we work through different prompts together… for me I’ve become more flexible as a writer because of this community… how to do more of less could be different for everyone… I’ve found a good balance here and other places… trust is a big factor, once a writer has “put it out there” a level of comfort settles in
once I recall actually rewriting a second version of my story after feedback.. I left both up and we had a great discussion around different ways of writing it…
Hai
Dverse has been like a school for me….three or four years before I wouldn’t have had that courage to write or share……I just couldn’t write….but mr linky prompted me first….not the actual prompt but the thought of that expiration time challenged me. But may be I haven’t polished my skills yet….even now mr linky is the force behind my writing……lol….I am so greatful for all the poets here….your comments encouraged me. I got appreciation from here…that’s the fuel. It is so difficult to express yourself in words….sorry for my small comments but I meant each word. I still am a first grade student……..it will be long time when I would be able to comment with authority. Thanks for this site here where one could learn in collabration and find identity for the self…..
Sreeja, I’m not sure that the length of the comment matters as much as the content. As I see it, it’s possible to make a very astute observation in few words IF one has really read the poem.
Sreeja, I agree with what Victoria says. A comment indicating you read the poem doesn’t have to be a long one. A thoughtful comment CAN be very short.
agreed… I don’t leave the longest comments most of the time, but I take time to express what was gathered.
D’verse is like a school for me too ~ Four years ago, I couldn’t write in form nor other topics outside of my comfort zone ~ Your comments and presence are always appreciated ~ Hey, I am always chasing after mr. Linky 🙂
The timing – or the goal is important for me.. I Think it’s what provide a collaborative spirit I think.. To leave a comment – short or long indicating that you’ve read takes some training. But one thing that always add value to me is that actually telling about your emotion – sadness, joy etc..
Best of luck on your short story Bjorn. I love that you are so engaged in your writing. I can’t think of a way to extend the collaborative spirit here. Everyone is quite supportive and every so often someone actually gives some constructive criticism. I never thought of writing to a prompt as collaborative work, but I guess you’re right – we do collaborate on some level. I’m such a loner it’s hard for me to consider collaborating on a poem or a prose piece. To some degree our poems are our babies, hard to share. But I have enjoyed the collaborative poems you’ve shared. So, you’re definitely on to something.
Yeah, I’m a loner when it comes to writing too, Myrna… I actually did my 1st collab with someone on Instagram last week – it was pretty cool…
For me it was the opposite – it was the collaboration that gave me strength and confidence to go solo.. 😉 but even if you are a loner – the comments and getting inspiration will be the same. Nice to hear about the collab Anthony… 😉
Oh thanks a lot
…….and Bjorn thumps up for your project….I too tried to write some stories….even with all my laziness…..it’s really exhausting but in the end….I know not how to express that happiness…..
to write for a single prompt is really a collaborative project….a bunch of different perspectives on a single idea…..like….to have whole world together…
I’ll try my best to be a more studious student here with more participation….this is such a nice place.
Love and best wishes to all out there!!
A small mini project that every one can join.. Contributing your own perspective.. Learning trust – that’s the core of all collaboration .
Congratulations on the short story writing, Bjorn! I have tried my hand at that and even had a couple published, but that was long, long ago. Poetry is my love, though, and what I want to write — so it is what I do write. (I have also tried novels, twice, and was a hopeless failure. I lose patience!)
Last year two of my three books were collaborations with other poets, and this year I have two more collaborations coming out. They are mostly with poets who are my good friends, some of whom I have known a long time in ‘real life’, others I know online, mostly for a long time too. Yes, there does need to be trust, and I think great respect and even love for each other’s work. Also, I think, a similar level of experience and expertise so that the book is not uneven — though it’s good if it has variety in other ways.
They are different kinds of collaborations. Two (one of last year’s and one of this year’s) came about by several of us writing over the same month. One was to prompts, and we created a sequence afterwards according to how they seemed to flow. The other is to the same theme but no actual prompts, and it works best to each have separate sections. Another is a year-long series of poems linked by their endings and beginnings. And there is a little chapbook of somonka. There was a somonka challenge at Poetic Asides — a somonka being two tanka indifferent voices. We could take both voices or collaborate with other poets. I did both. I was so enraptured with this form, I got the guys’ permission to create a book. Interestingly enough a collaboration with Bruce Niedt came third n the challenge — and he was the poet with whom I was least acquainted! We hardly knew each other, yet found a real serendipity together.
I only once collaborated in a single poem. That was with five other poets, many years ago. We were annoyed at a literary magazine editor’s scathing remarks about work being submitted, so we created a satirical piece along the lines she said she wanted, and submitted that. It didn’t get accepted, but I think it gave her pause!
How to collaborate here? Yes, there is all the writing to prompts, that we share. Also, what happened to the plan to create another anthology? I think that’s the only other way we can do it here; there are so many of us. We could also seek each other out to engage in individual collaborations, of course, but that wouldn’t and couldn’t be a group thing.
Thank you for this Rosemary.. I started to go solo from the security of collaboration. and what I find is the way which we work here is to some extent a collaboration, it made me ready for a joint project.. and I think coming in with such an approach to a prompt might help us grow as poets (at least it helps me), and it was that approach I wanted to capture here at dVerse.. Of course a goal could be a publication but the goal can be to grow ourselves as well.. hmm yes there are differences and there commonalities.
Well then, you might have to set it up in some way, e,g. everyone writes one poem and then responds to what the next person on the list has written.
I like the idea…something like your ending line,
is my starting line 🙂
Cool.. yes that would be fun.
To me Poetic expression CAN be the ART of making robotic English language organic with a heArt…
10 to 12k words a day of poetic expression is not uncommon for me..
HA! ha! i guess i have a word disease.
But truly it’s a word comfort…
For the first two years of my 5 year bout with shut-in illness with the worst pain known to mankind in all waking hours.. i could not effectively use my eyes or ears for anything.. without intolerable pain.. OVER already intolerable pain…
Considering there was no drug to help the pain.. and eventually toward the third year.. when i could tolerate a dim-lit screen turned all the way down.. 2 or three inches away with eyes that could no longer tolerate corrective lenses.. the words that started to come were the only minuscule escape from pain.. available…
At first all there was.. was a list of words.. and then three years later from that.. robotic words started to gain organic emotional characteristics also known as poetic expression….
Now everything in life is a prompt for me for poetic expression whether it is steps in dance.. photography in treasuring the moment of now.. or all these words that flow out of these fingers in one day.. freely in a theta trance wave creative state of mind.. that does come both in creating words.. photographs and dance steps wherever i go…
The disability was eventually a gift to find both bliss and peace of mind…
i do what i do come what may freely in free verse.. criticism is always welcome.. but i will still do what i do.. as it is the journey of a perfection in practice and never ever a competition or a goal i am after….
A life of straight A’s.. three college degrees.. and being noted as Superman by my fellow employees both peers and supervised for never making a mistake and doing ALL THE WORK… IS WHAT LED TO CHRONIC ILLNESS.. AND LIFE THREATENING PAIN..
i ain’t going back there again.. NO MATTER WHAT..;)
THIS BOY is staying FREE VERSE… all the way.. no matter what…:)
But with that said.. i am totally satisfied with this opportunity to connect.. share.. and always collaborate.. as everything i read here.. is a prompt for poetic expression for me.. in two words or twelve thousand… in one day…:)
Not working and being financially independent helps of course.. as publication is neither a financial goal.. in print.. or one for pride.. as i am far past those things.. in life now.. THANK GOD.. in only my opinion of course…
Anyway.. thanks for this interesting prompt Bjorn.. i enjoyed it..:)
I love the collaborative spirit.. and yes the reading and enjoying is such an important part of it