Hanging Out With The Haiku
In an attempt to inspire creativity by trying a new activity from time to time, I’ve responded to the haiku challenge for the past 3 weeks.
Writing a piece in 17 syllables of 5-7-5 lines respectively, forces a tight and narrow focus on word choice… economy of words is the name of the game. At the same time, you want to keep it as interesting as possible. I’m sure that anyone is capable of writing a haiku, but if you want a substantial piece, the trick is to avoid the obvious, mundane words that are associated with the given prompt.(Think I’ve a long way to go…) Check out my contribution here, here and here.
So what have I discovered?
1. The keyword is – succinct.
2. Zoom in on the finer details.
3. On one of my haiku pieces, a blogger made the comment: “poetic description of silhouette” – it got me wondering, is there a non-poetic version of the haiku? Prose haiku? Whatever that means…
4. A picture/image-based haiku is more meaningful and definitely more interesting.
5. The seasoned haiku’ers string a few haikus together. Sometimes it links to form a mini-story… very interesting!
I leave you with an amazing interpretation of the prompt “CRAFT” by the talented Becca Givens. I think her haiku (accompanied by a striking and appropriate image), best sums up the creative process involved and what the haiku muse has to achieve in haiku writing.
Crafting images
With seventeen syllables
Muse’s lofty goal
Have a great weekend!
I've always been into poetry, though I haven't found the time for it lately. Your post on haikus makes me want to go back and leaf through those poems I wrote way back when. 🙂
Happy weekend!
Nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
You should do so when you have some time… you might be amazed at what you discover, or is it re-discover? 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Hello Mish, Thanks for the visit and comment, I recieved it and appreciate it very much.
Why you had trouble before I don't know why, perhaps Google was having an off day.
Have a great week-end.
Yvonne.
Thanks Yvonne. You have a good one too!
Succinct to capture the moment, yes. By George, I think you've got it!
*humble bow*
Why, thank you, kind sir! 🙂
I really admire people that can come up with amazing haikus. I love haikus because they can be descriptive and say so much in 17 syllables. I liked you last haiku, pretty cool 😉
I'm sure most people can write a pretty decent haiku if they really put their mind to it… 🙂
Hi Mish! Great job on the haiku. I don't think I could manage that. Not a chance.
…and why not?
Thanks for swinging by, Mina.
Thanks for sharing the tips on writing haikus. 🙂 I've never tried writing one–though working withing the parameters of an exact number of syllables always intrigued me.
It's great exercise for those mental muscles dealing with succinct writing… 🙂
I think you are doing very well. You clearly understand how haiku works and you are doing it well. I have never tried it before and untill you just explianed it, I didn't know what it was. Be proud of yourself.
Thanks for your faith in my haiku abilities… 🙂 I know that it will improve with practise!
Mish, you know I'm not much of a form writer, an occasional haiku but only when I'm feeling the season… I do like how you break this down. And the illustration is FAB! Wish I had a poster for my wall… Peace, Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/bobbis-mom-sunday-whirl/
Yep, you're definitely a free-styler… anyway, for a lady with your amazing talent, the haiku would probably be easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy… 🙂
Nicely done. 🙂 Enjoy your weekend!