How To Write Free Verse Autobiography Or Memoir

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By Christopher West


When writing a personal history, many prefer to write Memoirs. While this is the case, there are others like Walt Whitman whom prefer to tell the tale in a Free Verse Autobiography. For example, Walt worked on "Songs of Myself, " then edited and revised the material over time. After which, it was finalized and published in the well known publication "Leaves of Grass."

While there are a number of poets posting haikus and short poems on Facebook, poets like Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton and John Lowell often wrote from a rather dark and dreary perspective. Whereas, the Beat poets such as Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac often wrote in a more mystical style about drugs, life, love, sex, rejection and life on the road.

While Whitman was well known in the 1800s, these other poets were from a more recent generation. At the same time, poetry today rarely reflects the genius of any of these past poets. For, most were writing from life experiences, whether that may have been about living life, or facing death.

Free verse can be a delightful style of poetry. In most cases, those using the style today use a great deal of metaphor. Whereas, others still work with other styles such as rhyme and sonnets. Whatever the case, poets are often advised to share the work at poetry readings and slams around the world. While poetry slams can be fun and entertaining, competition is often fierce.

The extended free verse which Whitman included in most works rocked the established literary foundation. For, poetry originally was focused on rhyme. Then, when poets such as Whitman and others started using free verse, whether in autobiographies or story telling, the industry forever changed. In fact, while rhyme is still present in a number of poetry publications, it is often frowned against at many open-mics and featured readings in this day and age.

One of the best ways to experience different styles of readers and writings is to visit a local reading. Whether attending a book or poetry reading, the experience can often be an insightful one. For, not only will one most likely to get to meet and talk with the poets and writers, there is also a lot that can be learned in doing so.

By listening to other poets, or taking a workshop, there is a great deal writers can learn about various writing styles. In most cases, the current issue of Writer's Market can provide the type of publication which is most likely to accept various styles when it comes to poetry and prose. While some publishers require a cover letter and query, others provide submission forms on an associated website.

Free verse is often thought to be more prose than poetry. While this is the case, it can be a delightful way to reflect life experience rather than writing a memoir. For those whom are creative, including different styles of poetry within the context of the autobiography can often be entertaining, enlightening and leave readers engaged with a desire to more about the writer.




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