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In what instance would you say that your day was not chaotic? At times it becomes quite impossible to cope with work, family, friends, and about a million other things. We can compare it to the unstructured first draft of a poem when we just start writing it. Let’s make some order and rhythm.
In this article, we will compare everyday life and thoughts with a poem and how to bring order in both lines (or verses). Relying on expert advice, we will introduce poetry editing structure to creative expression that can manifest itself in organising the routines that we try to bring into balance.
The Art of Poetry Editing: Turning Muddle into Structure
When we talk about editing poetry, we’re not just talking about correcting grammar and spelling mistakes, but turning a “raw” piece of text into a whole and art.
You don’t only appreciate the beauty of the language, but also the way that it’s carefully organized and structured in such a way that enraptures the readers. For this, the ultimate aim of poetry editing is to ensure every meaning and message intended is clear and the anatomy of the structure enhances the experience from the readers as much as it can; and poetry editing expertise is key for achieving that.
Refining poem structure includes adjusting word choice, breaking lines, and ensuring the flow of reading. Does this all sound familiar when you’re trying to organize your daily routine?
This is, of course, not possible. There is an order that’s required. It’s the same with obligations.
When the poem is edited, unnecessary lines are cut out to get the message across clearly. In everyday life, you usually cannot focus on important things if you are distracted.. In both situations, the goal is to eliminate the chaos by simplifying and doing what you need to do, i.e., get the message across.
3 Practical Editing Techniques to Bring Structure to Poetry (and Life)
1. Cutting Down to Essentials
An overload of information and terms can only confuse you and distance you from the message, so it is important to cut unnecessary words to get simpler and stronger text. You can apply this trick in real life to setting priorities and goals so you can function better and focus on what’s really important to you.
According to research “Time Management Guide” by McKinsey & Company published in 2022, by properly managing time, such as reducing unnecessary tasks, you can increase your work efficiency by 30%.
2. Establishing the Rhythm of Poetry
The rhythmic effect is one of the basic characteristics of poetry and it can be created by stressing the beat (meter), drawing the line where the verse ends, and even placing punctuation marks to ensure a continuous flow of the poem. On the other hand, in life, you achieve this through routines or focused work that reduces stress.
For example, when during work you feel that you are not focused and that your work is no longer efficient, you can take a break that will “reset” you so that you can continue to work productively without interruption.
Both in life and poetry, rhythm helps to maintain energy and prevents burnout.
3. Balancing Form and Freedom
Poems like haiku and sonnets follow a strict form, while the others are a little more free. Regardless – the balance is important, which is achieved by the very editing that was mentioned earlier. Balance is also important in life, but don’t always be haiku, and strictly stick to all schedules. Leave some room for spontaneity and be a freestyle song.
Applying Poetry Editing Expertise to Life’s Routines
It has been scientifically proven that people who engage in creative activities have less stress and a greater sense of accomplishment. Try to organize yourself better so you don’t burn yourself and your brain out because then everything you’ve done falls into the water.
Poetry editing is an art form that needs structure and discipline, attention to minute details, and most importantly being able to step back and look at the poem from afar (see the bigger/whole picture). It may sound absurd but in certain cases, poetry editing becomes a tool that helps one to slow down, pause and internalize their movements or actions and relate with the environment.
It is this activity that can dictate the order of thought and at the same time, make one realize whether the attention and time are occupied by something that is worth its value or is it spent in nonsense activities.
Conclusion
This might come off as odd but editing poetry provides life lessons in one way or the other.
By applying purification and structuring, you can focus on the most important things in life and devote yourself fully to them. If you feel like you’re carrying the burden of all the responsibilities and less important things, you know that you can’t fully enjoy the thing that fulfills you.
Try to look at your life as a poem – you are both a writer and an editor. Use it to your advantage. Give life a rhythm that you like, cut out the lines that burden you, and you can set it to music.
“Rhythm is something you either have or don’t have, but when you have it, you have it all over.” – E.P.
Image Credit: depositphotos.com
