S.H. Gray, author of nothing in particular from a volume of no importance, speaks on their thoughts about reading and writing formal structure in a poet's mind and on their paper screens. This interview has been condensed for clarity and cut for nonsense. In other words – the unplaced, unreserved inkling linkage that does not belong outside the realm of the made or imagined. The interviewer is Gavin H. Stackhouse. “In those days I used to talk to myself as if reciting poetry.” ―Haruki Murakami
So..what’s form got to do with it really?
Form has everything to do with it! From novice to professional, the essence of formal poetry holds the key to unlocking creativity. I’m personally a stickler for proper form and rules but to a degree. I love to write regardless! Even in informal notes. But knowing the bare minimum of formal rules and structures absolutely propels the writer and their writing.
Asking what form and structure do for you as a creative and free thinker sounds.. a bit redundant, does it not?
When you take words for what they are defined by, sure, by means in a cookie-cutter sense of it all. But greatness falls like the crumbs of those cookies, even the crumbs that land in the framing of the cookie cutter. Allow me to elaborate. While free verse allows for boundless expression, structured forms provide a sturdy framework upon which creativity can flourish. Constraints are not limitations but opportunities for innovation. Form allows writers to wield language and skill even subtly. The aspiring poet must master the technical aspects of this craft. Discipline in meter, rhyme, cohesive enjambment, forms. The structure in formal poetry is in place so that you know what rules and structures there are to break in poetry. I feel–no I know–that structure is a means of honing the skills attributed to thinking outside the box or coloring outside of the lines. Forms are meant to be broken.
A question or two sparking from that last line– How do you feel about a contemporary audience’s approach/thoughts on this? How would you go about telling modern writers that answers to better writing go back to forms and practices of prior eras?
Precisely my thoughts, I’m glad you picked up on that. Well to answer the former, a contemporary writer with no prior history in the formal training will be turned away as it may seem to be a daunting task to throw yourself into form directly and headfirst. I can imagine thoughts of where to start and Shakespeare Shakespeare Shakespeare… wait so do I really have to write like this? Well, the answer to that is no. However, doth not believe you can escape sonnets! Sonnets are a great way to get your feet on the doormat of formal poetry. Sounds dirty. And some may say depending on the content of the sonnet– it is dirty. But that is to invite the contemporary writer not to dissuade. A structure does not necessarily regulate content. Especially in the modern sense.
And to begin on the latter, remember this is about making the individual a better writer if they feel that need or drive to become “better.” I am not calling out any writers without formal training. Certain themes and objective thoughts of prior authors are irrelevant to the structure. However, the understanding of those themes and what, to again pick on, sonnets, have been translated to correlate with the reader and his perceptions. Regardless of era. Regardless of the author’s caged perception of their known world. Which leads back to defining what it's got to do with. And to go about defining your sense of breaking that cage and to coincide with the previous remarks on rule-breaking, break the form instead. Break what it stands for. Play with the dirty crumbs that fell onto the floor. But to do that well, you need a taste of the cookie dough.
Here is the stage in which you have been given the so-called “mic” to express any sentiments to prospective readers. On behalf of our thoughts, what do you have to say in conclusion to the audience?
Well, first of all, thank you for allowing me to say my piece in lieu of respecting the time crunch you have for other projects. As for the audience, we are not two clinically crazy men. Just one.
I will now pause to preheat the oven to 350.
-Gavin Stackhouse