The literary world is currently celebrating the centenary of William Stafford. This remarkable man wrote a poem every day for more than four decades, including the day he died. Even if a proportion of his prodigious output was duds, his discipline meant that over his life he published more than 22,000 poems in 65 volumes of poetry and prose.
I'd be happy if I could keep up that regime for even a year. That would be 365 poems instead of my usual handful. As it is, I struggle to create a tweet a day that's worth inflicting on the world. Sadly, even with 365 poems to choose from, I'd probably still never have a suitably themed competition entry. However, the more you write, the easier it gets. The words you want are less likely to elude you, and even if you can't come up with the idea you're searching for, when you brainstorm around a subject you're more likely to recognise other viable pathways.
William Stafford said: "Write day in and day out no matter what happens."
Here's to him, he's example to us all.
In : Inspiration
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tips routine poetry