Photo by Ron Lach
There are many reasons why storytellers should write poetry or dip their toes in the subject for the literary benefit that it offers.
Brian Clements, a published author, has his Anthology of Short Stories and Poems II to prove that storytelling and poetry can mix. His book about short stories and poems has some fine writing in them. Readers will undoubtedly have a great time reading them.
Good thing that poetry offers advantages that could enhance a storyteller’s ability to… well… tell a story!
A Time When a Poem and Poetry Was in the Spotlight
There was a period when poetry was widely accepted. Poets were not uncommon or hiding in some hipster, counterculture coffee shops. People in the general public enjoyed reading and discussing poetry. Unfortunately, poetry has taken a backseat in terms of cultural importance.
Shakespeare’s time saw the creation of whole plays in verse. Imagine an entire drama being written in verse. Remember that plays were live-action entertainment then, equal to movies and television.
You can imagine how popular poetry once was by imagining phrases from movies similar to Game of Thrones, Titanic, or Star Wars in rhyming verse.
How is Poetry Doing Today?
Nowadays, poetry is confined to a select few; most who read it also compose it. One might wonder why there is less enthusiasm for poetry. Poetry would be appreciated in a one-click, immediate gratification world.
Folks would assume that poetry would be valued in a society where music fosters such a big fandom. And you might consider that poetry would be praised in the larger writing society, where words are valued highly. It’s a wonder why books about short stories and poems are less abundant.
Strangely enough, many authors disregard poetry. Some claim they do not comprehend it. Some people need more patience to accomplish it. People need to find out why the reasons why storytellers should try poetry.
Some people claim that poetry is not profitable. The shortage of appreciation for poetry is pervasive, regardless of why most writers don’t appreciate the medium. And that is one of the reasons why storytellers should write poetry.
The Advantages Poetry Offers to Storytellers
Poetry continues to be popular among writers amidst the competition to capture human attention from artists and entertainers. The benefits of reading and writing poetry are enormous for storytellers in particular.
Check out the ways poetry can enhance, inspire, and inform narrative:
1. Imagery – Most poets try to use words to create images or films. We learn how to select a poem’s vocabulary so that the reader may picture the poem in their mind’s eye, vividly and vibrantly. We say, “Show, don’t tell.” This is a vital talent for storytellers to master since creating visual instances is a critical storytelling component.
2. Language – Poets develop their ability to use language sparingly and precisely to create carefully composed stanzas that communicate ideas clearly and effectively. Writing poetry encourages us to consider language to develop the most effective manner to convey a thought.
Look at the surprising power of reading Brian Clements’ short stories And poems. The author’s mastery of language gives readers a treat as they weave stories with fantastic imagery.
3. Emotion – Many poems aim to make the reader feel something. Most storytellers want to accomplish that. We want people to empathize with our characters and become immersed in their hardships. Poetry teaches us how to use language to evoke strong emotions.
Don’t Be Afraid or Dismissive to Try Poetry
Poetry may seem like an insignificant art form, but it benefits storytellers greatly. The imagery, language, and emotion that poetry can convey are unmatched. Folks should undoubtedly dabble in poetry or learn why storytellers should write poetry.
If you wish to read a book about short stories and poems, then visit Brian Clements’ website by clicking here, and grab a copy of his book!