I really like Billy Collins sense of humor. His poetry makes me laugh, and I think that says a lot about him. I tend to agree with Jan96106, and Billy Collins. Writing is a combination of personal experience, and observation. Self is at the core of people, and more often than not actions are derived from the ego. It is very tough to avoid. But it can't hurt to try to leave ego out of a thing:)
I very much like Billy Collins' poetry, but I disagree with what he says. I think short stories, plays, and novels are also centered on self; it is just more disguised. All writers can do is present their own experiences; the old cliche is true that in order to be a good writer you must write about yourself, about your world, about what you are familiar with. Joseph Conrad, for example, gave us his experience of Congo; James Joyce gave us his experience of Ireland in fictionalized form.
For me as a poet it does not matter whether I am looking out my window, or looking into someone elses window, or staring at daffodils. What matters is craft. Unfortnately in the world of poetry today the ego of the publishers, who seem to demand topic over craft, has exceeded that of the poet. The cart is now before the horse.
I really like Billy Collins sense of humor. His poetry makes me laugh, and I think that says a lot about him. I tend to agree with Jan96106, and Billy Collins. Writing is a combination of personal experience, and observation. Self is at the core of people, and more often than not actions are derived from the ego. It is very tough to avoid. But it can't hurt to try to leave ego out of a thing:)
I very much like Billy Collins' poetry, but I disagree with what he says. I think short stories, plays, and novels are also centered on self; it is just more disguised. All writers can do is present their own experiences; the old cliche is true that in order to be a good writer you must write about yourself, about your world, about what you are familiar with. Joseph Conrad, for example, gave us his experience of Congo; James Joyce gave us his experience of Ireland in fictionalized form.
For me as a poet it does not matter whether I am looking out my window, or looking into someone elses window, or staring at daffodils. What matters is craft. Unfortnately in the world of poetry today the ego of the publishers, who seem to demand topic over craft, has exceeded that of the poet. The cart is now before the horse.
Modesty < Ambition
If one must be sacrificed let it be Modesty.
I DISAGREE WITH BILLY. WRITING IS ART BUT A TOOL TO EDUCATE AND BRING THE WORLD TO OURSELVES. WRITING IS AN INDIVIDUAL CONQUEST.