Words, Wondrous Words

Craft Tip #4: Accruing the Right Words

It’s only day four of National Poetry Month and the doubt is already creeping into the conversations in my head. What are you doing? Why are you publishing a poem each day when none are ready for the world? Can’t you find better words? You need more metaphor and imagery. Are you pushing publish now? Right now? Are you sure? It never takes long to start in the doubt phase of public posting. To make matters worse, I’m finding poems everywhere: in books, on Instagram, here on Substack - and they’re all so good. It makes me doubt my writing that - right now - seems so all over the place.

Of course, I have to remind myself that this is why I chose this particular project; I chose to post every day because I needed accountability. I chose to read The Practicing Poet and use a tip every day because I knew I needed the push to improve. I have looked forward to this section of the book, “Finding the Best Words.” As I read Lauren Camp’s tip, “Accruing the Right Words,” I knew I was right where I needed to be. Not only does she share tips and tricks for finding wondrous words - and phrases, but she also reminds us to revise “ferociously.”

Revision and being attentive to words go hand in hand. Camp collects words and phrases in a Word document that is pages and pages long now. I love this, a place to collect words and phrases like treasures. That’s always the struggle: where to put the collection. I still wrestle with the best way to keep my ideas in a place where I can use them. Ha! How will I ever store words and phrases like treasures in waiting? Somehow I envision small print or digital cards that can be moved, sorted, or stacked.

Today’s prompt suggests attention to words. Camp suggests writers select an unusual word, free-write around the word, and then “write the dragon” (it’s my new favorite phrase for tackling the unruly poem). I’m game. What do I have to lose? It’s day four and the doubt is sure to stay with me throughout this challenge. In searching for something this morning, I ran across this poem I wrote at the end of last month’s challenge. I guess I left a little note for myself. Maybe it will help you too.

My final poem in last year’s National Poetry Month challenge.

The Rabbit Hole

• The Pleasure of Taking the Long Way: On Puzzling the Route of a Poem by Lauren Camp. (I had to drag myself from the rabbit hole of Lauren Camp’s website. I guarantee I will be back. I didn’t want to lose track of this essay on revision. I’m going to need it…after this speed challenge of 30 days of poems.)

• Grant Snider’s Words of Wonder: Grant Snider has been sharing words that have caught his attention on his Substack and Instagram posts. I have found them fascinating. Yep, this is the second time I’ve posted this link. You know I’m headed here later today.

• Do you collect words? How do you store them? Any tips? I’d love for you to add to my rabbit hole on this.

• Is there an app for that? Word Collector Pro? Flash cards?

As always, later today you will find my poem at Merely Day by Day.

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It’s National Poetry Month. In April, I will reflect daily on the craft tip offered in The Practicing Poet: Writing Beyond the Basics, edited by Diane Lockward. You’ll find those reflections here. Of course, I will also write a poem using the craft tip in celebration - and because apparently, I like a good challenge - of Poetry Month. Each day, the new poem will be posted on my blog, Merely Day by Day. Buckle in.