Three Rants. by AutumnsFlame

Rant topics for this column: How I've grown as a writer, What I like to see in writing, and People who can't handle criticism.

This column that I don't expect anyone to read will be exactly how it sounds. Some of this rant will be good, and some of it kind of a pissed-off style, due to my mixed emotions at this time. Enjoy!


RANT #1: HOW I'VE GROWN AS A WRITER.

Who wants to read Amanda's first poems? heheheh this should be good.

I dreamt I was a killer last night
It all started when I took out my knife
With a smirk on my face and no one in sight
Against my will I had taken a life
Looking down on a familiar face
Put my knife through his heart
And tore up his veins
Once vibrent eyes now quiet and cold
That moment I knew my soul was sold
"It's okay" I thought, "It's only a dream"
But I couldn't help thinking how real it seemed
Then I woke up when I herd someone scream
"There's been a murder!" This wasn't a dream!
From then on not a word was said
Standing there guilty and alive
While at my feet lay the innocent dead
From then on I ran
With nowhere to hide
Just kept running, thinking to myself as I cried
"The world will always remember the night the angel died"

This is actually the third poem I've ever wrote. I read it now and think... HOLY CRAP WAS I PATHETIC OR WHAT BACK THEN???? I was an emo little 12 year old who didn't know how to write! I actually THOUGHT this was good! ahahhahahahhah

Now that I'm done laughing at myself, I feel proud when I look at this poem actually. I'm proud because I know how much better I am now than I was before. I grow as a writer every day and I love it. Compare this to my latest poem, and you'll see what I mean---

Moving Memories: http://allpoetry.com/poem/5542181

Seeing both of these next to each other puts a smile on my face! I can't believe how far I've come... I feel like my writing is my baby, and it's grown up so fast! *tears of joy*

END RANT #1.



RANT #2: WHAT I LIKE TO SEE IN WRITING.

What do I like to see in writing? That's a good question. This is what I type out to people who write poems that I don't like. I look for several things. Grammar, imagery, emotion, effectiveness and how it can be interpreted. I love writing and the English language with a great passion. You can make someone feel so much with just simple words on a screen! And that fact is still wonderful to me no matter how many times I think about it. It's EXCITING!!!

First, I would like to talk about grammar. It's important because it gets across your point if the reader knows where to pause and where to keep going. It's kind of like a guide as to how to read the poem. I love to see good grammar in poems. It means you've treated the English language with respect and with care. A poem is like your child. It deserves to be treated well!

Imagery in poetry can convey some intense emotion. It is absolutely NESSISARY if you want to be a good writer. It is the art of painting a picture like an artist inside the reader's head. It can take you to alternate worlds for just moments at a time.... I could go on and on, but I won't because I wanna get to the next rant.

END RANT #2.



RANT #3: PEOPLE WHO CAN'T ACCEPT CRITICISM.

Recently, I've run into two people on AP who couldn't accept criticism. One was very nice and polite once we talked a bit, and eventually apologized for exploding on me. The other immidiatly put me on the "ignore" list. I warn people all the time in my contests that I am a harsh critic, and if I do not like your poem, I WILL let you know about it. Honesty is the best policy and all I am trying to do is be honest. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, I just want to help people grow into being good writers. I wrote terrible emo poetry once (As seen in RANT #1). People need to understand that criticism doesn't hurt. The only thing it can do is HELP.


END RANT #3.