Lending an Ear

The process of writing varies from author to author.  Poetry being so very subjective tends to lend to interesting techniques.  I have stumbled across many poets over the years that have shared their routine
with me.  Some include where they write, while others include how they write.  One of my favorites fall into the how category.

A young man when I met him; would fill his head with images.  Go into a small dark closet and release his ideas into a tape recorder.  He would then go grab a coffee and a cigarette while further diving into his original images. 


Then he would go to a stream within a park and sit on a rock, close his eyes and turn that recorder on once again.  His final step was to wait a few days then sit and relax in his comfortable rocking chair and listen to the two versions. Which ever one sounded good to his ears was the one he typed up and saved.  Sometimes it was neither, but sometimes the different environments created two uniquely different poems.

Which ever way you write, whether you write or record it first, always give it a listen to truly hear what you have written.  You might be surprised by how good it is when read out loud.

By the way, please take this time to share your technique for writing with others.  You never know you might being doing something that could be a great help to others.