Math and Writing

I recently realized that there is beauty in all things we love. I was never great at math because I never understood it and it would take me forever to get the right answer or even decipher the problem. I feel that the major difference between math and writing is that in math, there are solutions- yes, sometimes, the answer is "0" or undetermined, but there is still an answer to infer.

Writing is based upon one's own interpretation, craft, and passion. A person can teach someone how to write but unless you are passionate about what you write and understand its craft, it won't come to you. Poetry as well as fiction or non-fiction cannot be perfected- it can be finished for the time being or to our liking, but we can not ever say "this piece is done and doesn't need any further improvement.

Like math, writing is also a challenge, but the answers in a desirable piece come from how the author perceives it. I love a lot of my poems. I am proud of them and feel that they have promise, but others I know need work. I like the fact that we can all improve our writing until it becomes what we are honestly proud of. We just have to keep on editing! And for those mathematicians out there, the answers are soon to come. You just have to keep at it. A lot of times, when I was in school, I received bad grades in Math and good grades in English classes. This is because it was hard for me to figure out how to solve certain math problems when I wasn't able to understand how the teacher did it. It would become frustrating for me and because I couldn't get the answers, I didn't love it. When it came to writing, I had the imagination to create my stories and poems and I felt I loved coming to a solution I was happy with. This is my passion.

Now I see that just because math isn't my passion, it doesn't mean that it is boring or dull. In fact, just recently I took my last class in college in a computer class and there was math work that I had to do. I was so excited and relieved when I found out that I was able to understand the math work and I actually liked it! This was because I knew what to do and I was able to the see the art in math. It is incredible the design work you have to sometimes do to get to an answer but no matter what, the answer is always there. Maybe Math and Writing can be friends after all.

Follow your Words

I learned just recently when writing my poems that they aren't the same as they used to be. I remmeber when I used to gain inspriation from all the negative in my life and I would write a poem out of it. I even started to give myself the name "Dark Poet" But when I needed to write my poetry manusript for my seminar class, I was open to writing about anything that would come to my mind. I found myself getting inspired by many things such as people around me, weather, or anything else. I didn't have to stick to my usual inspriation pattern. If writing is truly something you like to do, it stays with you and follows you everywhere you go.

The Dark Poet

I’m quenched by the stillness

of ignored puddles against a curb

stepped over by those without time

avoiding unnecessary imperfections

My hunger vanishes from the grayness

I welcome and embrace

The sun burns away my thoughts

Tells me to use him for play

where all the world comes out from hiding

A union of laughter displayed

This picture is not my home

I am the cypress, a center piece

Known on an ordinary day.

The only light desired is imaginary

created in me by Erebus

where imagination is sparked

And words of power infuse together

born from the lightning

in the darkened sky

It's important to go with whatever words come to you because they are words full of truth and different moments in our life give us different inspiration. We aren't exactly the same person our whole life. We learn, grow, heal, hurt, and our writing goes right along with it because our words are who we are. When you try to go back to working on what you previously wrote, it may be difficult because it's not aprt of you at this time. So it is possible to write new things at different times or put aside what you previously wrote to go with something else. Follow it.

Day dream

Picture on the wall.

I'm there, framed inside

where I touch the cold ledge

slightly wet from the facing sea,

swaying in its sparkling dress.

The tingling salt on my face

I feel from each new current.

The sweetness of flowers

doing back strokes in the water,

waving their stems

back at me.

The twirling breeze brings me

back to the days of freedom.

A child's summer delight

to stay out until the setting sun,

welcoming the new day.

The seagulls call.

I hear my name

in their continuous song.

Sounding clearer now,

I turn away and sit

outside the painting again.

What are you trying to say?

Sometimes it is possible to get caught up in our own work that we start losing what we are trying to get out in the first place. Maybe we are afraid of it not sounding good so we try to get it to look better but then we lose the meaning completely. It may be difficult to write without worrying about it not getting done or looking close to perfect but we need to first write out what we want to say as if we are talking with a friend. Just jot some things down first kind of like a pre-draft. Another idea is to start writing a poem or story the way you normally do and if you get stuck then try explaining what you want the reader to know or what you are trying to say. And then, start making it fancy if you like.

The same happens with titles. I find it extremely difficult to write titles in my poems because I'm focusing on what would look good and make the most sense BUT I'm forgetting that I need to remember why I am writing these poems- I am trying to express something meaningful and maybe I need to just get away from the abstract thinking and tell myself what I'm writing about. It helps me to understand what I am reaching for. Titles really are like the extra link of the poem to make it all come together.

It also helps to visualize the story or poem you are writing. In a story, picture yourself in it and ask yourself, what would I do if this actually happened? Then, write what you see and feel. In a poem, live through what you are writing and actually go right along with the feelings an emotions and try to see how you can relate to them. Maybe some images will come up that you can use in your poem- imagery in poems makes it come alive and a reader will be able to connect with what you are writing.

It is good to ask a friend, teacher or family member for their opinion to see what they learned from your work and what they understand from it. If they are confused, maybe it needs clarifying or a stronger focus or image. This may help you think of a title or something else to add into your piece. They can explain your work in a new way in which can give you more ideas.

Write what you see

So Lately, I have been feeling so blocked and every time I try to write something, I'm not into it because nothing comes to me- no thoughts, no inspiration. It is a terrible feeling especially when you need to write something and this time you can't just let the ideas gradually enter your mind. You begin to search for paces to go, looking around for ideas as if they are hiding in corners or on shelves. And then the settling comes. You begin to say, "Well, I'll just write about this then." But when you do that you aren't really interested or fascinated about what you are writing and your body and mind knows this so then they don't feel like helping out either. So now, you stop writing and you're back to figuring out what to do while thinking of all the work you still have along with deadlines, deadlines, deadlines!

It happens to everyone and this is exactly what I have been dealing with the past couple weeks. My best friend reminded me that when you really want something to happen or you're waiting for ideas to come, they usually won't come. This is because we are putting our energy and worry on not getting ideas so how are they supposed to come when we don't think about anything else? It is the pressure and doubt that festers and it is difficult to get back.

So what now? Well, the truth is, I need advice in this department too and sometimes it doesn't hurt to ask others what they think or what they do to escape the dreadful writer's block. Perhaps, other people can offer some suggestions about your own writing.

This is what I did actually. I vented a little bit in my Seminar class last week and I told some of my classmates that I'm stuck and I haven't been writing lately. One girl said that I should try looking at an object and writing about it; just focusing on this object and trying to describe it- how it looks, feels, etc. I thought about it and it is true. This can really help because we aren't focusing on the ideas we don't have- we have one right in front of us. This will present an opportunity to be more creative, exercise our minds to thinking differently without worry and maybe even being a little silly. If you want to use this as one of your poems go ahead, but don't put the pressure that it has to be a certain way. This is a pre-writing, getting out of your block exercise.

This can hold true for really anything we do. Whatever we see or do can be a poem or way for us to get our thoughts centered to see what we would like to write about. Sometimes it is about time and writing many things to see where your thoughts are or what you would like to write about. It's a process after all but once you write something new, it's a wonderful feeling.

A gift

When I was writing a poem several weeks ago, I suddenly had thoughts about writing another poem- it was like a rush of inspiration. I decided to pause what I was working on and go with the new thoughts that came to me. This new poem came to me. I didn't think of it on my own. This is the one I wrote in my previous blog. It may not be how we want it to look right away but we can revise it the way we want it to look. The important thing is to get the ideas down on paper first. I wrote this poem and then a week later I revised and I like the way it looks, however I still want to change a few things to it. Sometimes to get to what we really want, we have to write up to it, meaning we need to get as many ideas out as possible and see what comes to surface.

Many times, I get ideas to write but I might now always write them down right away and then eventually they become forgotten and almost impossible to retrieve again. These thoughts come to us for a reason, because it's passion that dwells inside us-a gift. And sometimes we might not always know what we are going to write and or how our work is going to look but it's important to go with out writer instincts. My seminar professor knew that the new poem I wrote came after the first one because of how it was written. She said that this is a gift.

Let in the thoughts that come and see where they take you because they come for a reason. It is a wonderful gift and it is something we all should embrace. We don't need to be a muse of inspiration for ideas to consistently be born at any given time. If this passion lives inside you- to write- then so does creativity. Don't block these thoughts or ideas because you don't feel like letting them in or you don't think they are good enough or won't amount to anything good. Like my teacher says, it is a gift and we need to listen- no matter what it is or when it comes. Then stand back and see the masterpiece you have written.

Writing comes from the heart

There is a major difference in what many people learn in middle school and high school about writing papers, essays, etc. I remember hearing that a "proper" essay needs to have an introduction, three middle paragraphs and a conclusion rapping up everything we previously talked about. I remember writing papers with a thesis and having to change the order of the thesis so I could reiterate it in my conclusion. This type of writing defiantly could block our natural flow or any type of creativity that may seep through- if it could could even get past the blockade.

The very first time I wrote one of those writing samples that was mandatory to do was in the 6th grade. I didn't learn about structure and what "I should" be doing- I just wrote whatever came to me. And I happened to receive an 11; and the largest number that a student could receive was a 12. My only problem was grammar so my mark wasn't higher. But since then, there was a focus on preparing for these writing samples which always made my marks lower. My worry and doubt would kick in every time I thought about rules and regulations for writing. It wasn't natural and I didn't enjoy writing them.

Even though I came a long way since then, doubt sets in here and there and those teachers with the crazy rules echoes inside my head, but we just have to push it away. When it comes to writing fiction/non-fiction, poetry, and any other different types of genres, it is best to remember to write with feeling, not perfection. Try not to let the words be afraid to come out because then they won't want to come.


The words,
they shiver in fear
The pen, my dagger.
They scatter off
the page.
I Yell, demand them back
my dark voice shrills the distance
hovering over them.
Echos pierce their undeveloped
frame.


While I was talking to my English Seminar professor this week, I realized that I still sometimes think my writing has to look a certain way and be a certain way- when really, I'm trying to write poems that express what I am thinking and feeling. I'm not looking for accuracy here. I am looking for feeling. Sometimes my poems ramble and it seems like I am subconsciously trying to find an ending to bring a poem to a conclusion. But I don't need to do that. When I can't finish a thought then maybe I'm not supposed to keep writing into the poem. And when I look at the poem again and re-read what I had written, sometimes I can tell where the real feeling is and where I'm trying to find a closing.

Real writing comes from the heart.

The Search for Inspiration

You're in your usual writing room- lamp to the left, writing journal or computer in front of you along with everything you can possibly ever need to write- pens, pencils, highlighters, and lots of paper! But are these things really needed to begin writing? You begin to look around the room almost begging for the walls to come alive to give you inspiration or if something somewhere will pop out for you- where you can say. YES- a thought! This is highly unlikely but you can fix this. How? Try changing the atmosphere.

I realize we all go to the usual same spot for writing. Maybe it is a cozy place by a lamp where you have plenty of light or a desk with you over looking an open window. It is our place but what happens when we get stuck in our place or if nothing new is happening outside that window and you captured every thing in a picture already? Move your self from that scene into a different place perhaps outside. Do new things, see new places, but most of all, take a break. Give your mind a break of pressure and let the thoughts come when they want to, in a place where they feel more free. Maybe your special spot scared them into a writing block because they think, "well, here we are in this place so we have to be inspiring." A lot of times, when you go out to different places, you won't need to think about getting ideas because they just come. So just in case, bring some paper or a carry journal with you. Of course this doesn't mean you're going to write down everything at this time. If you happen to get some ideas, write them down in your carry journal and write them up at a later time. But don't go somewhere and expect ideas- just go to escape, take a break and see and observe new things.

I find myself thinking about random things when I'm driving where I'm on the open road- it's a nice feeling when you're getting to your destination yet you have that time- just for you, where you can listen to the radio, talk to yourself, or just think. I often see driving as getting away, going somewhere. I'm in control.



The places where we can go are anywhere- the park, the beach, the mall where we can walk around observing people and things around you and just think. You can also meet up with friends and have fun- let out a few laughs. Try playing games, singing, dancing, and anything that might loosen your body up as well as your mind. They are both connected to each other in so many ways so it is important to look after both of them. When one feels good, the other might just follow. Or just have some alone time. If you want to write away from your normal spot, then give it a try but again, let it come on its own. Painters like to go to the actual place where they paint their pictures so they can grasp the full effect and detail. Writer's are also artists so sometimes the best way to write about something is live it and watch it in front of you. Spend some time with it- and then write what you see and feel!


Ideas are everywhere... they aren't going anywhere. They are out there for us to find and we will find them.

We write by Feeling

I had insight yesterday to write a poem about the title of writing that many of us carry around when instead we write just as we feel or talk. It doesn't have to look a certain way. And of course there are those that say...

"I don't write because I'm not a writer."

When I talked to my friend yesterday, he said that he isn't creative and it is not something he likes to do- that there are other things that he would like to do to take out his tension or stress. That's great if you find something that does that for you- to find your own special passion and interest, But writing goes beyond that. It is not always about doing something because it is what you want to do with your life. Writing can be about finding what you like to do, exploring your self and your interests, and getting out what been trapped inside- maybe you didn't even know it was there. If you give some time for writing, you just might feel better. And writing most certainly can take out the stress and tension inside you if you look at it in a different way.


And many people think writing is about being a writer or being creative and if you can't be that person on paper, then why do it at all? Well, maybe that is the problem. Take out the stigma you attach to the writing process and let out whatever comes to your mind. Shake things up a bit. Write what comes to you without thinking. Scribble, jot stuff down, act crazy. But just release. I feel that writing is a way to tell you what you are feeling when you don't know how your feeling. It is a way for us to get out the unconscious that sometimes we trap up or block. And when you get some time- even if it is just 15 minutes a day, give yourself that moment of release. We owe it to ourselves and our bodies. We need to take care of ourselves and acknowledge what we truly feel. I noticed that my friend might need writing to answer some of the questions he might be thinking. To step outside the orderly, away from trying to be perfect and having things in the right place all the time. It's hard to live a life in order all the time. Some times we just need to do things differently, step back and think. Don't be afraid to be messy. Writing gives us the opportunity to silently scream on to the page. Writing could be important for all of us.

I have to admit, I am still seeing all this myself. I learned so much lately about the process of writing (through my teachers, readings) and different ways to approach it and I found that it makes it more easier for me to do it. And it is important for me to reiterate this to myself and for you.


We write by feeling

Oh I'm not a writer, he says
in a logical sense
the rational type he so firmly
shows
as if the actor can't perform
for it's impossible to live
without words.
But what is a writer but
a title?
when every one is able
It is the doubt that strains
the perfectionists blunder
and keeps us from freeing
the confined soul
to write what you feel, can see
or touch
lifting the unconscious to surface
and on the page either wet with tears
or is shined upon
to claim who you are
arriving home, not obscure

Finding the right word

I know it may be difficult at times to find the right word in your story or poem and I'm sure you want it to sound good, right? Well, don't worry so much right now. If you get stuck over what you really want to say at this time, you might block some of the thoughts you want to get out which could block the inspiration coming to you. We all have a little perfectionism in us from time to time especially when it comes to what we like to do. But the revisions can come later. If you want to brush up on your vocabulary there are several things you can do.

Reading is very fundamental as we heard when we were little, but truthfully, it is important and fun. There are so many wonderful books out there to learn from and grow inspired. And without even realizing it, you pick up on more and more words each time you read. For the words that you don't know, underline them. If you want to look them up right away, go ahead but you don't have to do it at that time because it might disturb you from the story. Then when you're done reading, you might want to go back to the underlined words and look then up in the dictionary or thesaurus and see how many words you already know that have the same exact meaning. Who knows. You may just want to use this new word in your work.


Another thing that you can do is start your own WORD OF THE DAY challenge. For all the words that you may not know in books, magazines or what a professor says that you pretend you understand- just write it down on a post it or small piece of paper and write the definition after it. When you have your collection of words, you may want to put them into a jar or other container and each day, pull one out. That word can be your word of the day to learn.

Another way to improve your vocabulary, is to perhaps find books online, at the library, or bookstore. There might be fun ones in which you learn new words by doing different exercises instead of a list of random words.

There is a lot you can do if you want to add more unique and better sounding words in your work if you want to- but the most important thing is to not force a word. Sometimes it sounds more natural to just let the word come from your heart. It may flow better or be relatable and understandable. But there is also nothing wrong in expanding your vocab- you might just like
finding new words that you can use.

It's writing time!

We all lead such busy lives but it is essential to put aside a specific amount of time for writing... without the excuses. No matter what. It doesn't have to be a huge goal such as two hours but maybe 15 minutes or eventually a half hour. My seminar professor for writing says we should all write at least 15 minutes a day. We don't need to over think what we write or try to make it what we really what to say. Don't worry about it. Just set aside some time and write. If nothing specific comes your way then write what you are feeling at that exact moment. You'll be surprised that once you get going, ideas will begin flowing and it may even be hard to stop.

If something is bothering you and everything around you isn't going your way, use that and make it into a poem or story or just continuos thoughts. But put it down on paper and let give your words a home.

John Keats once said “If poetry comes not as naturally as the leaves to a tree, it had better not come at all.”


If writing is truly your passion and a part of you, it is not going anywhere. It lives inside you. Yes, we all get stuck from time to time. You think that famous writer's never got stuck? I'm sure many artists and poets thought there work wasn't good enough. Look at Vincent Van Gogh and how he felt about his work. Through his life, he suffered from a lot of insecurity and didn't think his work was good enough but we all know his paintings such as "Starry Night and the "Potato Eaters." These are great pieces of work! All this talented writers and artists despite how they felt, all continued to write or produce great work of art. Don't think into what your already know so well. Set aside 15 minutes and see what comes up.

The beauty in Poetry

So I thought maybe you would like to do a little exploration with me about a couple types of poems out there. I was in my creative writing class last night and we went over the differences in poetry. While everyone went around the room to read their sonnets that they like (mostly Shakespeare), I realize that this type of poem:

is an old fashioned way to write a poem but nothing expresses the beauty of language more than a sonnet. The flow and power is such a seduction! You don't even need to really understand what the poem is saying to truly love and appreciate it. My teacher describes it as a consideration in language, a moment or argument; a powerful feeling. The sonnet consists of 14 of Iambic Pentameter of 3 coordinate quatrains and a couplet. An example of Rhyme scheme can be

abab cdcd efef gg

"How do I Love Thee? Let me count the ways..." Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

A Haiku is a Japanese poem of only three lines, all unrhymed of five, seven and five syllables. It is form of enlightenment that focuses on a moment in nature and creating those images.

Over the wintry
forest, winds howl in rage
with no leaves to blow.

-Natsume Soseki

Free Verse poetry is a type I like as well as many modern poets today. It can consist of rhymed or unrhymed lines without a set pattern. It can lead the way for a more contemporary creative style.

Where's the Muses?

Ok so last night I was talking with one of my friends online after sending him a poem I wrote. I told him that I doubt myself a lot and it is really hard to write sometimes. I call it a love/ hate relationship. You know inside when something is right for you... it is a feeling but getting it out of your system is like sometimes tackling a bad cold. It stays inside. My friend told me that he thinks we both need a muse- someone to break away the numbness, loneliness, and over-thinking in our lives. Let's face it, when we are happy, really happy, we are willing to take more chances.



Valentine's day is coming up and yes, it can give way to a load of inspiration for many people, however, what about those that don't have muses or romantic events to look forward to. Well, then it's time to love ourselves and get to know the real us again. Or dig up some of your emotions that are difficult for you to express and start up a journal of "me" thoughts." Remember: A journal or diary is just for yourself so you don't have to worry about writing a certain way. Buy something that suits you- leather bound or one with kittens on it. Whatever you choose, let it express you. You can do whatever you want in tis journal. It is an exploration of your writing. Jot down random thoughts, feelings, or scribble when nothing comes to mind. Even save some pages for ripping up or coloring. When the muses out there are all taken, we can try to remove the negativity in our own lives and be our own muse. Possible? Don't know. Let's give it a shot.

True love is doing

Well, I been sick actually for the whole weekend so I didn't get to do much except lay around and try to rest. Key word- Try. I'm a little concerned about my classes and if I'll be able to handle them and get to my graduation in May! I been doing some journaling lately and have been thinking a great deal about writing. You see, I need to choose a genre to write about for my English Seminar class and I always loved to write poetry but it's so hard for me to write when I'm not inspired. I often get intimidated when a good thought comes to me. I try to hold it in my mind and gather up more thoughts about it before it floats away but many times I give up. But now I'm trying something different. To just write exactly what I feel and once I have a flood of information down on paper, then I can start to put together some type of form.

But if we wait for the writing fairy to sprinkle some ideas into our heads, it is not going to happen. There is a book I been reading for class called "The Right way to Write" by Julia Cameron and it teaches you some good skills to live by when trying to write. In fact, it says that most of us don't want to write until we can write well. But it doesn't matter. Just get something down and see where it goes. Don't be afraid to write bad. We can'

t get a masterpiece right away and sometimes we need to let go of ourselves before we get to the masterpiece. It's not about waiting for the perfect moment to strike or that sprinkle of inspiration. If we love something so much then we shouldn't wait to do it. When your in a relationship with someone, many people say these words a lot- "I'm trying." There is so many excuses out there that don't seem to make sense because yes there is no such thing as perfect so stop trying, but if we really love someone or want to do something in life- we don't need to try, we just need to do it. Like it says in the book, "When we love our writing, we find time for it."