💌Signed With a Heart💌 - The Cove's Poetry Advice Column!

Hope you find the answers you're looking for!

Thank you @Adam Gary

I hope so too.

I have been checking out your love poems on YouTube.

Can't critique it,since I wouldn't know how to.Will say,they are a joy to listen to .

Also,if there are any insights on your end,feel free to share.

Not sure the panicked poet seeks my personal advice but he will get it anyway. Guess he knows me by know..... You did the best you could at that moment in life be proud of that and move on. Keep the books in publication as long as there are interest in reading them. For myself I have learnt from those books and enjoy bits and pieces of every one. We all grow why are we else here for. The books stand for so much more than just the words in them. You need to remember that. You have a lot to be proud of your books being a part of that. You can and should not compare the past to the present and even less the past with the future. As the saying goes there is a reason why the front window is bigger than the review mirror. And thats because you are not heading backwards. Keep doing you as only you can. As for forgetting they ever existed. Hmmmmm do you forget memories that helped you grow??? Your best version is yet to come so is your best book!!

Panicked Poet,

I think as creatives we're sensitive to our own work. In the present, we do our absolute best and we're proud of it. But as we get older and grow and learn, our styles inevitably change. I have notebooks and files on my laptop that I hope never see the light of day again. (Let's not discuss the fanfiction I wrote at 14) But I wouldn't be the writer I am now without those things. Okay, I don't have any books of my own. But I look at some of my favourite authors. Are their debut novels as good as their most recent releases? No. But their earlier novels are still in bookshops. I think there's something to be said about knowing where your from. At the end of the day, it's your decision. But you should still be proud of what you wrote while acknowledging how you've changed as a writer. I'm not sure this is entirely helpful. I'm more or less echoing what Anneli said but I would encourage you to consider putting them back in print. Hope this helps :)

@Adam Gary Will say,if you prefer to re-release,then make an epic classic collection.

Think about any medium(film,games,dvd,books)

What the difference?

They all had a collection of their own.

What makes poetry any different?

Understand that just because you may not be proud of your previous work does not mean everyone sees it in the same light.

Just shows your evolution as a poet.

Yes,were always evolving,thats why memories exist.

To remind ourselves what revolve to us in that time,so when we do evolve,we become who we are suppose to be.

Because were meant to be in present,not past or future.

Keep up awesome work,Adam,looking forward to hearing more poems from you soon.

@Ankita Pati well said Ankita!

Dear Future Laureate, You have made my job quite easy by coming to me with a question that has such a straightforward answer. The opinions of those who judge an author by their claim to fame rather than by the merits of their work hold no relevance in my (self-published) book. In situations like these, I’d say matters of the heart matter more than matters of the head. But if the head still needs convincing, think of this simple cost-benefit analysis - It seems to me like you have nothing to lose by pursuing your heart’s wishes, yet at the same time, have everything to gain. Now I generally only keep to suggestions, but in this case, I will make a special exception and outright demand of you to publish your book ;) xoxo Sophie ❤️

No you haven´t lost your mojo. You deliver when you have to. The more you focus on the things you don´t write the less time you have on your hands to focus on what you wan´t to write. Everything in life goes up and down. Why should your writing be any different. You have plenty of words unspoken in you they come out when they are ready. Until then do what you love and love what you do. Take care.

I can completely relate to this Adam! I was going through the worst writer's block and I was spending hours trying to add on to my current project without any progress for days. It was getting to a point that I was losing a bit of faith in myself as a poet... It wasn't until this morning that I've managed to write something I've been proud of after a lot of failing.

My biggest advice is to read poetry that inspires you (and that you can learn from), jot down any interesting ideas you have throughout your day, to be kind to yourself since some of the best progress that happens is the moments in between writing, and to take breaks from your current WIPs if you're like me with the whole "I've been working on this poem for weeks and it's driving me bonkers!"

We write because we want to make great art and great art can take time. There's nothing to panic over since this happens to all poets eventually.

@Adam Gary Relatable,hard to tell if you really did lose your mojo since no one can really tell if they did.

Life happens,however,you are doing what alot of poets would love to do.

And its what you describe yourself as.

A working Poet.

Enjoy the work you been doing,to help poets be in a cove where they can truly belong in.

How long really comes down to the poet.And what propel the poet to write at any given time.

Let words flow and poem will come out.

Comes down to what they experience,inspire by and prefer to express.

Keep up awesome work,Adam Gary.

Dear Shakespearian Suitor,

Time and effort should seem of no importance when it comes to matters of the heart. Your concern leads me to believe that perhaps, the intensity of your feelings are not as great as you think them to be. If you are to use one of the most passionate art forms to express your feelings towards a special someone, make sure the depth of your connection matches the depth of the medium. It is best to have established a genuine friendship before pursuing a date by way of poetry (or at all, for that matter). As for the fear of rejection, you would think we’d have a cure by now for a problem so ubiquitous. However, it is important to remember that if fear didn’t exist, neither would the concepts of bravery or confidence. So when you’ve found the lucky lady who has managed to touch both your eyes and mind, take out your favorite pen and get to work. At best, you’ll have found love. At worst, you’ll have created a masterpiece.

xoxo

Sophie ❤️

@Sophie @T.B Pardon my interjection, but as someone who has been there and done this a few times without success (despite all boxes being checked prior), I can attest to this answer: if the love you have is truest of true, you WILL have a masterpiece whether rejected or not.

@Emilio Puerta I'm glad my advise resonated with you! And yes, I absolutely agree :)