I write notes to myself: to do lists, reminders of things I want to write, shipping lists, affirmations telling me I really don’t need to eat that piece of cake, but sometimes I forget to write down where the idea came from. Like the title of this post, I want to talk about being a storyteller but I can’t remember where I heard someone mention it. Sorry whoever I am referencing here!
This idea stuck with me because I’ve been looking for a way to answer the question: What kind of writer are you?
There is something almost embarrassing about saying you are a poet. People are like -ooooh- and they move on to other topics. I often reply, “I write many things but mainly poetry.” That seems to work a bit better but I’m starting to wonder if I should just say, “I like to tell stories” because ultimately I feel that is what I want to do no matter what genre I am writing it.
I know that is a bit ironic given how I struggle with writing fiction and even non-fiction. I think I struggle with those forms most because of the expectation of creating intriguing sentences versus the focus on word and line. Also, I like to be brief.
What do you say when people ask you what kind of writer you are?
Hey Jessie, depending on how you feel that day, another option (which you may already wisely have rejected) is to try cutting to specifics — and shamelessly launch into the old “elevator pitch.” A few words on what you’ve just published/are about to publish it. With The Wait of Atom, and Paper House, you seriously have much people will want to know about!
Me? I might say “I’m working on a novel, called The Heavenly Newsletter: An Unauthorized Story of Life, Death and Grammar. It’s about Stanley Rosenblatt, an elderly English teacher who is accidentally killed by a guardian angel (who is high on drugs at the time). On reaching the Pearly Gates and being appointed the Editor of the Heavenly Newsletter, Stanley’s first editorial act is to correct God’s grammar. To be specific, Stanley corrects one of God’s commas. As can be imagined, his afterlife does not go smoothly after that . . .”
And then, people look at me funny, and never talk to me again
Rose – That is an awesome elevator pitch! I would SOOO read that! Let’s see what can I do..
Q: So what do you write?
A: Well I have three collections of poetry: two chapbooks and a full length that are all very different in theme but still like to tell good stories. i’m currently working on a 2nd book of poems about anything from video games to zombies.”
Wonder how that sounds…
Hey Jessie, I love it! Video games to zombies
Can’t wait to see them! And hey, I bet folks would also love to buy something awesome right now — and your books are seriously awesome — so maybe also smile sweetly and mention that The Wait of Atom is about love and chemistry, and that people who like Glass Castles have been lining up for your Paper House . . .
Or something like that.
You are a star.
When people ask me what type of writer I am, I tell them I’m the type who uses words and punctuation.
Unfortunately us poets tend to get a bad rep in the mainstream literary world. Though, you can always be sure that there are other poets and poetry enthusiasts out there who love hearing that someone else is a poet.
It makes us feel not so looked over and forgotten.
With that said, don’t be afraid to tell people you are a poet. When they scoff or ooohhh at you and look away, it is only because they do not know intimate elation of having taken from the formless and created from it tangible beauty.
“If you examine the highest poetry in the light of common sense, you can only say that it is rubbish; and in actual fact you cannot so examine it at all, because there is something in poetry which is not in the words themselves, which is not in the images suggested by the words ‘O windy star blown sideways up the sky!’ True poetry is itself a magic spell which is a key to the ineffable.”–Aleister Crowley
“Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history.”–Plato
Thank you so much for coming by to comment!
I love the two quotes you noted. Poetry definitely has an element of the magic to it in the way we compose it, read it and try to explain how we come to love and work with it.
Tonight I will try to proclaim myself a bit more loudly as a poet!
Look, I say poet, loud and proud. I ain’t Karen.
Please note that the spelling of “Karen” is intentional and references MedicatedLady’s crazy Aunt Karen.
I love how loud and proud you are! I’m taking lessons from you
I say I’m an observer. I don’t generally go into detail, despite my undying love for talking about myself.
Love,
Bunny.
observing is so essential to the act of writing isn’t it
i must cultivate this love of talking about myself!! i am sorely out of practice!
Ain’t ain’t a word and it ain’t in the dictionary Bryan! lol I’ve wanted to say that since I was ten! hahaha As for the writer thing, most people know. My family always knew and it was part of my identity from a very young age, that and the psychic thing, but I won’t go there.
If I do meet someone new, and I find them interesting or unique in some way, I snag a story and tell them I’m a freelance writer. Then I go in for the kill, write an article, take some photos and get rich off the eternal subscriptions they pay me. Oh gawd, to just be given REAL MONEY instead! Ah well, at least they’re glossy. One thing I do find interesting, is that if I meet another writer, they can spot it in me and I in them. No explanations necessary. We circle each other, have a faux pissing contest, then lament the sorry state of publishing. Thank god for other writers! HUGS all around.
Oh lordy you are making me laugh Val!! I think I made $150 last year, wait, that’s before expenses, I think I made negative hundreds of some sort!!!!
Ain’t is a word! Not one I use much anymore but I still love it! Along with ya’ll
Hi Poet Jessie (and you are a good one!)
I tell people that I am a “happy poet ” as most of my stuff makes people happy, me thinks so, anyway
I think happy poet is the perfect way to describe you!
Silly, silly, Jessie.
You not only tell stories but you write some of the best fiction and (even better) non-fiction I have ever seen- in your poetry! Poetry, essay, memoir, article, novel- it’s all the same story, we’re just choosing different ways/shapes to show it to the world in. 
You’ve chosen the harder path- harder simply because people don’t always understand it and yet it’s more freeing for that very same reason.
No matter what I write I am a storyteller. True, I get a thrill from clanking away at the keys and seeing the polished result but in the end I’m just as happy speaking aloud. Writing is in the blood, stories are in the soul.
I tell people I’m a writer when they ask, though sometimes I try to slip ‘novelist’ in there even though my book is waiting, hardly half edited inside my computer. Lately when asked I’ve also been telling people that while I have a great affinity and draw towards modern fantasy I’ve been slowly tripping down the path of non-fiction and poetry (both thanks to you- tripping aside, that’s more thanks to me lol).
you make me so happy Feebs!
Poetry sort of chose me. I have liked it for a very very long time. I just wish I could get more people to realize how fundamental poetry is to the way we see the world. We speak in metaphors and love rhythm so why not some poetry!!!
I still wonder if I will try NaNoWriMo again
“I just wish I could get more people to realize how fundamental poetry is to the way we see the world.” – Well, so long as I’m a people you’ve gotten me to take a much deeper look at poetry and to see that in embracing the more poetic roots of my writing everything can be expanded upon and deepened. Plus purple prose is so much more fun without the constraints of ‘standard’ writing.
If people ask me about my writing I say I write about interesting people I meet. That usually seems to chance their personality. Also, since I got the iTouch, I send emails to myself rather than write notes. Even if I am not on-line, it will go when I get back on.
Have you tried Evernote John? I’ve been using that a lot but I still find the call of putting the pen to paper from time to time
Oh, what a great question, Jessie. I say, I write fiction, and for some reason, many people assume I mean children’s fiction. Weird. Maybe it’s because I have children or I used to teach or I was once accused of being a sadistic Mary Poppins.
But then, I say, adult fiction, and they say oh, aghast, as if I’ve said, I write porn. Or slasher novels.
Can’t win!
Susan – that is strange? Maybe it is because you have children or because you look young? It is funny that people jump to that but yet they can not handle the term adult fiction or books for adults. Makes you wonder if these people read!
I’d love to be able to write YA stuff though. Really would!
Jessie, however you tell people, just keep telling them. I assume everyone knows I write, and hate to “bother” anyone by mentioning it. But yesterday, inspired by your blog, I made myself send around a few shout-outs. And today? Today, it turns out that a friend I’ve known for fifteen years had no idea I write poetry.
His email read, “Please keep sending this stuff along. I love to read it!”
So, like Bryon said: “Poet, loud and proud.”
I am still amazed when I have family members who don’t know I do it. I’ve sort of been vocal about it for a while now guys!
Wow, I love the comments! I just say I am a poet, my cousin recently said she always thought I would grow up to be a writer. Maybe that is to general for me, since I feel I am a better poet.
BTW It is Moi- You said I brought up a good point about storytelling in the poem you did about the toaster blisters, and sisters, hey that rhymed! LOL
Which brings up something, maybe odd, maybe funny, maybe so truthful…do you find yourselves rhyming with out knowing it? I do, and I feel like I sound like a Hallmark card, but that is okay too…actually I have a cartoon friend, illustrator who works for them…and I do live in the real world!
i think i used to do a lot of intentional rhyming, especially when i was working on poems but now i seem to like alliteration and assonance a lot more even in my natural speech
well if i did get the idea from you THANKS!
very well said, thanks
thanks!
being s troy teller is cool,
Happy Wednesday!
Thanks Jingle
I’ll try to stop by. I can’t really do much with the awards but you are so sweet to offer them!
http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/2010/03/10/i-want-my-old-friends-back-awards/
two awards for you.
Feeb-I’m so glad I helped you along to look more at poetry. i think so many people are turned off by poetry because of the way it is taught in school and well, frankly, some of it is boring to read. but the good old purple prose gotta love it!!!