Comment from STEPHEN A CARTER

Excellent

Are you the same one who wrote about sonnets? If so my hats off to you, whoever you are. As to this piece, a visceral sense of paranoia has taken over my muse, crippled its senses to such an extent that I am now incapable of reading any poetic drivel I might have construed out loud let alone to my patient spouse. However with that rant receding in the distance, I shall try to digest the indigestible. Well said even though I cannot speak at this moment.

Regards:

 Comment Written 16-Sep-2013

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reply by the author on 17-Sep-2013

Hi Stephen. lol, yes, that's me. Writing in meter is one of those things that feels impossible until you're suddenly doing it. Then all your poetry comes belting out in iambic rhythm and it gets really difficult to avoid it. So glad you 'enjoyed' my post :-)

Mike

reply by STEPHEN A CARTER on 17-Sep-2013

Dear Mike: Well deserved. Just posted 15 short METERED poems on Americana and 'Little Gray Cells'.

Cheers: Steve C

Comment from trimple

Exceptional

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=3bYv2AKPZOk

An incident in a classroom recently in the U.S. saw a frustrated pupil demonstrating to his teacher how she lacks enthusiasm, and fails to reach her pupils.

In order to learn he says, we must be engaged and drawn in by those that are sharing their knowledge. (Link above)

You do this brilliantly, with humour and enthusiasm whilst engaging us, the reader, as you write.

A terrific post Mike, really.
The content is a much needed and welcome addition to the site for all who have ever considered poetry.
I have found your post informative, well written, engaging, enormously helpful and most of all, fun!

Thank you

tracey :)

 Comment Written 29-May-2013

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reply by the author on 11-Jun-2013

Thank you so much, Tracey :-). I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you - it's been a chaotic couple of weeks to say the least, but hopefully with a good outcome ahead.

I think engagement is key, and if I can make learning something fun, that's got to be the best way to do it. My wife volunteers in a local primary school as a TA, and the difference between the teachers and how the children react to them is huge.

Mike

Comment from mountainwriter49

Exceptional

Hi Mike,
I found this by way of Rodger, and I'm glad I did. This is very well done, offers a superb primer on writing in iambic meter. Well done and deserving of a six.
Ray

 Comment Written 14-Dec-2012

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reply by the author on 04-Jan-2013

Thanks so much, Ray :-). Apologies for only just getting back to you - I've not been able to get on site for any meaningful amount of time recently. I'm hoping to be back in the game, as it were, now the holiday season is past.

Mike

Comment from justatuna

Excellent

I wanted to give you a sincere thanks. I've been writing for about 3 months and am doing okay. Nancy Wagner suggested I read this work. Never thought I could understand meter so easily. Although I have a lot to learn and am taking a class this month, your work has been a great help. You made something I feared easy to understand. Be good.

 Comment Written 03-Oct-2012

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reply by the author on 03-Oct-2012

Thank you, Tuna :-)

If it helped in any way, I'm a happy guy. I think everyone has triggers for learning - ways to express thongs that just work for their way of thinking. I knew this way of looking at it worked for me, so I'm glad it made sense to you as well :-)

Moke

reply by justatuna on 03-Oct-2012

Yes. Some of us need training wheels.

Comment from James crofoot

Exceptional

Gymnastic events? ahahaha

Very cool piece here, I plan on reading it again. Didn't get to it in time to get the bucks but as soon as I looked at it I knew I had to save it. It really shed some light on poetry and would love to read more on this subject.

Thanks for sharing! peace

 Comment Written 29-Sep-2012

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reply by the author on 01-Oct-2012

Thanks so much, James. I'm glad you found it informative - I was trying to walk that fine line between being patronising and comprehensive.

My next piece will have a big promotion on it, so hopefully you'll get extra member dollars from that :-).

Mike

Comment from Hitcher

Excellent

You are the man I call on when it comes to asking for help with meter mate and I for one think it is great that you have taken the time to write this particular piece mate, I'm going to bookcase it, thank you:)

 Comment Written 16-Sep-2012

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reply by the author on 17-Sep-2012

Cheers, Hitch - I hope it comes in handy, mate. I figured it was about time I collected together the various explanations I've used over the last couple of years. Hope things are good, my friend.

Mike

reply by Hitcher on 20-Sep-2012

Things are great, I have just sold my business[yesterday] and also got my long awaited knee surgery on the same day[Meniscus tear]. so I have to rest up for a couple of weeks...time to write YES!

Comment from Chris Tee

Excellent

Thank you Mike for this absolute proper explanation and excellent lesson. You have done an extremely excellent job here and this is very handy information.

 Comment Written 16-Sep-2012

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reply by the author on 16-Sep-2012

Thanks so much, Chris. I hope it helps a few people :-).

Mike

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

I enjoyed reading your attempt at helping us to understand poetry. I am positive it helped many reviewers, but to be honest, it was like reading Greek to this non-poet. I am begining to think I'm hopeless.

 Comment Written 15-Sep-2012

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2012

Lol, thank you, Barbara :-)

I tried to keep it entertaining as well as informative, but people all see these things in their own ways. It's all about finding the explanation that makes sense to each of us. Thanks for the lovely review.

Mike

Comment from N.K. Wagner

Excellent

Mike, I'm looking for this kind of thing for my e-zine. You've done a great job of explaining, and still kept it personal and unthreatening to the novice. Well done. :) nancy

 Comment Written 14-Sep-2012

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2012

Thank you, Nancy :-)

I think education, especially adult education, needs to be friendly and on the level. Nobody needs to be talked down to, especially when the subject is an esoteric element of a field they're already experienced in. I can see how this would sit well in P&S.

Mike

Comment from Writingfundimension

Excellent

Hi, Mike. I was just thinking the other day that I hadn't seen one of your 'illumination' articles and was missing your unique perspective. So, here you are! This is terrific, and I vote for you to keep writing these essays. I've found them very helpful. Warm regards, Bev

 Comment Written 14-Sep-2012

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reply by the author on 15-Sep-2012

Thank you, Bev :-)

My man worry is that I'll be too patronising, but at the same time I don't want to miss any stages of the process. I'm glad you found this clear. I really enjoy sharing knowledge.

Mike

reply by Writingfundimension on 15-Sep-2012

I think that your internal critic is being a bit hard on you. The sharing of knowledge is always a good thing, and some folks have a real talent for it (you!). Take care, Bev