At least half, if not more, of all of the poems ever written could probably be considered "sad." Elegiacism, melancholy, ennui, mourning, loss, nostalgia, unrequited love, blocked ambitions, political disillusionment, dishonor, and death are some of the subjects commonly associated with sadness in poetry, but the list is comet-tail long.

Some poets, like Plath, or Poe, or Baudelaire are so well known for grappling with sadness that they are most often conceptualized wearing black, looking crestfallen, and writing by candlelight in a cobwebby room.

The question is: is the pallor that punctuates poetry as obvious and complete as it seems, or is there room for new shades of sadness?

The fragility and melancholic music of Tennyson's "Tears Idle Tears" may be the correct match for our autumnal empire, but our phone-locked minds no longer respond to such delicacies.

The brooding, unrelenting mourning of "The Raven" may have been our cultural heart beat all along, but most of us are inured to such Gothic brooding and would feel quite cozy under Pallas's raven-topped bust.  

We may be living in the "the worst of times" or "the best of times" but it seems to me that our age invites new colors of sadness and mourning.

We've all  colored with the black crayon so much it's just a stub now. 

Maybe it's time to find new colors of sadness by mixing new pigments.

And I'll start talking about how I think we can do that in the next post!

Until then, if you'd like some feedback or polishing for your poems, click one of the buttons below.

AND don't forget to check out my 7 Secrets of Poetry guide, available now. Click the button below.  

Characters can make or break a poem. Just like a novelist or short story writer, the poet needs characters. The poet need not have character personally, as is often the case, but the poem itself demands living personages.

And just as in prose, it's often the minor characters that do all the heavy lifting. You can't have Hamlet without Ophelia. You can't even have Hamlet without Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. And most importantly, you need Horatio. He is the frame for the whole play, right down to Hamlet's demise. 

For those of you who don't know your Shakespeare -- you can't have Frodo without Sam.   

That said, what are some good ways to use minor characters in your poems?

Poe has a great one in "The Raven" and it's not even the bird. It's Lenore. She's as mysterious Mona Lisa's smile.

Plath has an entire cast of wonderful minor characters in "Lady Lazarus" -- ranging from adoring fans to probing psychiatrists. Robert Pinksy's poem, "The Questions," is full of mini-portraits and they give the poem life and blood and fever.

In fact, so many poets, from Sappho to Bukowski, rely on the presence of passing faces and personalities to give their poems depth and life, that portraiture and the principles of dramatic stage-movement  should be learned by every aspiring poet.

They key is to let people move through your poems, as organically as possible. Try not to fixate on your subjective response to them, but capture their essence as it relates to the poem in question. Don't give us too much information, but paint colorful personalities and bodies with a few well-placed brushstrokes. 

Here's something you can do just for fun that will really show you what I mean. Write a poem with no people in it. Focus on the setting. Now write a poem with he same setting, but add at least two people.  

If your second poem is shorter than the first, there's a slight chance you may be staying in too much. It's perfectly fine to write a poem without people in it, but  doing so makes a statement in itself and doing so a lot will make your poems seem abstract whether you want them to or not. 

Using Big Famous people in your poems is like using big shiny words. If you drop a Big Name, there should be a good reason. Drop it and move on -- or just go ahead and write the poem about the famous person. 

Last little hint: the more you use people in your poems, the more dimension you give yourself as an observer. This will make your vertical pronouns pop!

​@BlackstonDan  

If you want to read more tips on how to write good poetry, check out my 7 Secrets of Poetry guide by clicking the button below.
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OR if you'd like some direct feedback, polishing, or editing for your poems, click one of the buttons below or email me at pitchblackpoet@yahoo.com 

One of the best things about being a poet is that every poem gives you a chance to get things right. If you don't like what you did in the last poem, or the last 20 poems, this poem is your chance to get everything in place.  Whatever mistakes you may have made in the past are only pointers to use to get better.

There's just basically something inherently hopeful in writing a poem. Even if the poem itself is a poem of grim and unrelenting doom. The very fact that you're  writing a poem means you still believe in a few basic things such as human communication, artistic expression, and the capacity of language to conform to your emotions and thoughts. 

So when you face a blank screen or blank piece of paper or simply sitting alone with your creative thoughts, consider every moment and  Act of Hope. 

Every poem you write ( up to a point)  helps you write the next poem better. 

But what happens when that's no longer the case? Is it possible to reach your Peak as a poet?  If you do, will you know? 

Can anybody tell you?

You probably will reach a peak as a poet, but you probably won't know when it happens, and neither will anyone else. If you happen to write a very popular poem, or a very popular book of poems you may still write better poems even if  they don't gain as much instant popularity.

So I guess I'm trying to tell you to look at every poem  you write (or try to write) with the belief that you're still getting better. 

Don't let doubt or fear stop you; don't let the past or social media stop you.  the worst thing you can do as a poet is to stop growing.  As long as you're writing your growing so just keep writing!

If you'd like a bit of secret friendly help for your poems contact me through the Poem Polisher button below,  or email me at pitchblackpoet@yahoo.com   

My Seven Secrets of Poetry pdf dropped today and, like anyone who finishes up a project, I thought of something I should have added to it!

Well, on second thought, I guess I'm rather glad that I left it  out! It's an important, if often bitter, aspect of art and poetry. Yes, I'm talking about envy. Jealousy. And competition.

And the reason I'm glad that I left this topic out of the Seven Secrets of Poetry pdf is because, even though it's a super important topic, it's not something that you can easily deal with or edit away, even figuratively speaking. There's no secret for beating it on either side.

Most of us will face some form of envy or jealousy on a regular basis throughout our careers as poets. The envy can be a feeling we have for others or it can be a feeling others have for us. In either case, there some  general points to keep in mind, that seem to hold true regardless of particulars:

• Envy is an animating emotion. People who feel it, seldom do so passively. If someone envies you, one indication might be that they are frequently an influence in your life even if you don't expect them to be.
• Envy isn't actually about wanting to be like someone else; it's about wanting to be more than them. There's a desire involved that doesn't stop at equality.
• Envy combined with love and respect is where true learning and wisdom begin.
• Envy without love and respect usually leads to bitterness and sometimes much worse.
• Envy requires massive investments of time. If you put a clock on your own feelings of intense envy and kept a careful count, you'd find that even envying one person can take up hours of your day. 
• Envy is ultimately based on yourself, not others.  What you're feeling when you envy someone is actually recognition of your own unrealized potential.

Notice that I didn't say much about how to deal with people who envy you. That's because it's a lot easier than dealing with your own feelings of envy.

If people envy you, make them feel like kings and queens in your presence and truly be an inspiration.

But, you know, watch your back.

When you envy others, try to use it as a light to your own potential. Fight to be the best poet you can be. 

Yes, poets seems to trigger a lot of envy, among themselves and among non-poets. it's a truly strange phenomenon. If you have any thoughts about it, drop me a line...

Meanwhile, check out my Seven Secrets of Poetry pdf!!!   Consider helping me out at Patreon -- and follow me at Twitter  ​@BlackstonDan  

In many ways, poetry is about sharing your secrets. Most poets know this, but few are willing to let the fuse burn to its logical explosion: full personal disclosure.

You don't have to use vertical pronouns to set the dynamite; you just have to dare to out that part of you that means most to you because it's secret. It's not the "I" that does it, it's the "you."

Poe claimed to have  had an epiphany about what would make the world's greatest book: a book called My Heart Laid Bare . But it would only be the greatest book ever written provided that the title was absolutely true.

Would you do this? Could you if you so desired?

It's not as easy as you may think. Most of us treasure our secrets. We treasure them more than we want to create great art, win fans, or express our inner-life. We'll give up "safe" secrets, but most of us would never think of parting  with our most valuable private emotions and thoughts.

But as long as you don't put everything on the table, you're not fully realizing your potential as a poet. So, if you want to make progress, but have been stymied about just what direction to take next, try following Poe's advice, and remember, if it doesn't make you tremble, blush, or cry, it's probably not the deep enough.

My forthcoming PDF Seven Secrets of Poetry is coming out on August 1st!!!  You can get a free copy of this excellent guide simply by using one of my Poetry Services. Repeat customers get a free copy of the PDF, plus deep discounts on services.

So, consider getting feedback, or a quick polish (or both) through one of the buttons below.

Inquiries to pitchblackpoet@yahoo.com

You can also pre-order the Seven Secrets of Poetry PDF right now by using the form below.  If you pre-order now, you'll only pay $10.00 -- instead of the $20.00 post-publication list price. Fill out the form below and pay nothing now. I'll send you a request for payment on August 1st.  

Those who support me over at Patreon are also eligible for a free copy of the Seven Secrets of Poetry PDF. I've  posted a lot of poetry tips, ideas, and exclusive access to my own poems over at Patreon. There's also unique pictures and  access to my flash-fiction and occult writings.

​Please help me out by supporting me at Patreon!!! 

​ Thanks so much!! 
​@BlackstonDan

Somebody asked me the other day if I thought there was really any point to trying to get your poems published. This is a good question, particularly nowadays when you can just upload anything you want to social media. 

I think there's a point to trying to publish your poems. In fact, several points. Here's some of them:

• Published poems will be seen by people outside of your social media bubble.
• Published poems are edited. Many poems that are posted up online have grammatical errors, punctuation errors, and other issues that make them look a bit sloppy.  It's essential to get more than one set of eyes on a  poem before you release it to the public.
• Published poems go out to a subscriber base that wants poetry.
• Published poems appear alongside other notable works and poets.
• Published poems pass through an intense process of competition. This process can be very good for a working poet who wants to hone their craft and get better.
• Published poems are eligible for awards like the Pushcart Prize and the Best of the Net awards.
• Published poems are sometimes paid for. That's right, you can make money for writing poetry. 
• Published poems are sometimes still put out in print journals. It's is a great feeling to hold a paper journal in your hands that contains your poetry and bio.

There are other reasons, but this should do for now. My advice is: submit your poems for publication! But be prepared for long response times and and unavoidable rejections. 

The best way to avoid rejection is to send your best, fully polished work to journals you want to publish in with a simple, short cover letter (or email).

If you'd like some feedback on your poems, or want to get an edge in submitting to publications or contests, consider getting feedback, or a quick polish (or both) through one of the buttons below.

Or simply send an inquiry to pitchblackpoet@yahoo.com

I've also posted a lot of poetry tips, ideas, and exclusive access to my own poems over at my Patreon page. There's also unique pictures and  access to my flash-fiction and occult writings. Please help me out by supporting me at Patreon!!! 

​ Thanks so much!!

Your poems need to do more than survive out there in the harsh harsh world. You're not writing them just to get them done. You're making art and aiming to touch people deeply, possibly forever, with your work.

Unfortunately many poets shoot themselves in the foot. They walk way out into the wilderness of publication and social media without taking along so much as a bottled water. And you need much more than that to simply survive, let alone become an influencer, a true artist of words.

Here's three simple things you can do to prepare a survival kit for every poem:

​Get the rest of the tip by clicking the button below!!!!

If you're not getting the kind of response you'd hoped for with your poems, or you want an edge in submitting to publications or contests, consider getting a quick polish through the button below or simply send an inquiry to pitchblackpoet@yahoo.com

I've also posted a lot of poetry tips, ideas, and exclusive access to my own poems over at my Patreon page. There's also unique pictures and  access to my flash-fiction and occult writings.

Think of the farthest place you've ever been...

Now try to express that place in a  single sentence or image. Think of who might be there right now, think of who might be there later. What's the essence of this farthest place?

​Get the rest of the tip by clicking the button below!!!!

If you're not getting the kind of response you'd hoped for with your poems, or you want an edge in submitting to publications or contests, consider getting a quick polish through the button below or simply send an inquiry to pitchblackpoet@yahoo.com

I've also posted a lot of poetry tips, ideas, and exclusive access to my own poems over at my Patreon page. There's also unique pictures and  access to my flash-fiction and occult writings.

Poets nowadays have a new objective: stop the scroll. 

It's not as easy as you might think. If you're using sexy pictures, crazy gifs, or exploding anythings to get attention for your poems, I've got news for you: it's not your poems people are looking at!

Here's what you'll hear if people are truly reading your poems:

•  I can't believe you wrote this!
•  This is incredible!
•  How did you think of this??
• Why aren't you famous?

You'll also get a lot of shares, not just likes. You'll know in your bones when you've really touched people. You'll also know when you haven't.

But here's the real problem: you might be capable of getting people's attention with your poems, but you've yet to master the art of stopping the scroll. This art is slightly different than the art of writing poetry. 

It's based on simple elements, but these elements are really hard to see and smooth out in your own poems because you're too close to them. Just like you often need another person's opinion about your outfit, hair, or overall look, it can really help to get outside insight into your poetry.

If you're not getting the kind of response you'd hoped for with your poems, or you want an edge in submitting to publications or contests, consider getting a quick polish through the button below or simply send an inquiry to pitchblackpoet@yahoo.com

I've also posted a lot of poetry tips, ideas, and exclusive access to my own poems over at my Patreon page. There's also unique pictures and  access to my flash-fiction and occult writings.

Whether you're planning to submit your poems for publication, share them on social media, self-publish them, or enter them in a contest, you need to make sure you've taken care of three basic elements:

1) Grammar. A poem with even a single grammar mistake looks weak. People expect a lot from poems. One of the things they expect is that the poetry has a solid grip on basic grammar and spelling. If your poems even have minor mistakes in punctuation or spelling, the content and meaning  of your poem may be wasted.

2) Attention Grabbing Title. You only have about 6 to 8 seconds to grab the reader's attention and keep it. Everything starts with your poem's title. Most unpublished poems I've read could use a title tweak. 

3) Strong verbs. If you use dull action words in your poem, you'll bore the reader. On the other hand, if you're inventive, they'll keep reading to the last line.

These are three of the most critical elements of your poems, but they're far from the only elements. There are dozens of other ways to polish your poems and make them stand out from the crowd. 

If you'd like some help with making sure your poems are on point before your post, publish, or submit them, use my Poem Polisher service. I can help you with fast, expert service!

I've been averaging a less than 24 hour turnaround time for polishes. Your order includes a full polish for your poem plus a full work order detailing exactly what was done with your poem and evaluating specific areas. You'll also receive a personalized tip with every polish!! 

Send an inquiry to pitchblackpoet@yahoo.com 

OR use one of the buttons below!

​You can also support me over at Patreon and get a lot of poetry tips and personal services....