Well, I am a few days late for National Poetry Month but here it is, my thoughts on poetry.
What and When is National Poetry Month?
National Poetry Month is in April. It is a marvelous opportunity to celebrate the expressiveness, delight, and pure charm of poetry. It is a special occasion that reminds us of the integral role of poets and poetry in our cultures. Poetry helps us appreciate the world around us and empathize with one another.
Poetry is found in books, greeting cards and even music! Lyrics are one of the most expressive ways to share poetry. I have found myself writing new lyrics to songs many times throughout my life for fun (or because I felt the words (or message) could be made better.) I’ve written personalized poetry for custom greeting cards and special occasions for decades. Yet, I especially love utilizing rhyme in my children’s stories. Stories in verse are one of the most memorable ways to connect a children’s book to a child’s heart. Some rhyming stories stick with you into adulthood and far beyond.
Below is a video interview I did for a teacher’s class:
Why do I like writing poetry? An author interview of Kathleen J. Shields
Poetry, to me, is a very memorable form of storytelling. Like music, when your favorite song comes on, it’s not only the beat and the rhythm that gets you moving, it’s also the lyrics. Most people are able to memorize those lyrics long before they’re able to memorize a friend’s phone number. In fact, those lyrics will come right back to you decades later, even when you can’t remember what you ate for lunch or where you set your car keys.
Poetry is the same way. The very first children’s book I ever read was “The Night Before Christmas”. Not only is that story burned into my brain, it’s also my go-to rhythm for writing poetry. All of my Hamilton Troll children’s books utilize that same rhythm. I personally feel that the length of the stanzas, the pentameter, give plenty of space to tell the story with description and ease. There are a lot of types of poetry that have shorter stanzas or different rhythms, but the Christmas poem is MY go-to because that is the first poem that I fell in love with as a child.
Later in life, you may find yourself writing poetry (or lyrics) for an array of reasons, most of which are connected to emotion. So often, when I am sad, depressed, or in love, I find myself thinking in rhyme. I know that quite a few authors are inspired by emotional situations, and that inspiration flows out of that person like music flows out of a radio. This is why, in my opinion, it is important to do rhyming children’s books. My goal as an author is to get children as excited about reading and writing poetry as I am. I hope you consider checking out my poetry book, “A Rhyme for Everything“, “The First Unibear“, or any of my “Hamilton Troll” children’s books.
Thank you for listening and God Bless! www.KathleensBooks.com www.HamiltonTrollBooks.com
Poetry, to me, is a very memorable form of storytelling. Like music, when your favorite song comes on, it’s not only the beat and the rhythm that gets you moving, it’s also the lyrics. Poetry is the same way. Quite a few authors are inspired by emotional situations, and that inspiration flows out of that person like music flows out of a radio. This is why, in my opinion, it is important to do rhyming children’s books. My goal as an author is to get children as excited about reading and writing poetry as I am. I hope you consider checking out my poetry book, “A Rhyme for Everything” or “The First Unibear” or any of my Hamilton Troll children’s books.
#poetry, #author, #childrensbooks, #awardwinning