I suppose it would be hard think of writing poetry without the existence of some community. Unless we are reclusive writers who show no one our work and shove it away inside a drawer.
The Three of Muses came out of the deck to me today and I have noticed that she is not a recluse. In fact, she seems to be a very social creature.
Unless we are hiding our work, then there must be people who at some point will witness it. I believe the muse interested in our well being as poets than the broader audiences to our work.
The muse is about all things creative. Encouragement, inspiration, commitment, things like these that support us in our work. The muse is telling me that poets need to find their tribe. Find people, peers that share the same fears, same desires, same obstacles to their art. But above all these persons should be about encouragement.
When you are in a rut, you need someone who was maybe there last month but pushed through. You need someone who can reinforce a positive work ethic. Someone who has a vision that is broad enough to encompass others, a tribe of poets.
This tribe or circle of other poet/artists could be of support in many ways. For example:
When you are in a rut, you need someone who was maybe there last month but pushed through. You need someone who can reinforce a positive work ethic. Someone who has a vision that is broad enough to encompass others, a tribe of poets.
This tribe or circle of other poet/artists could be of support in many ways. For example:
- form critique groups
- cooperative writing days or smaller periods of time
- an online network or forum
- conduct classes or workshops to share the craft
- support others by showing up for readings
- even contact with artists in other disciplines - painting, music, photographer...
- share victories both small and large (poem published in a journal or publication of a whole collection)
I'm also feeling that people in your tribe must be positive influences. Such support is a counter balance to the inclination we all have to get down when the going is tough. Publication dry spell, writers block, they happen to everyone. The tribe can become our antidote to restore our artistic work to health.
Think about who you interact with. Think about what you can give to that community. The group has to be about encouragement and support. Taking care of each other because that is what tribe do.
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