A few days ago I wrote a review of the Poetry class I recently finished, and may have complained mentioned how it was my least favourite thus far on my journey to literary greatness. However, as my next class begins on character building, I am starting to feel quite grateful I slogged through the pain of poetry because all that focus on using imagery to convey emotion, setting, and character, is about to pay off BIG TIME…I hope.

When I say “studying poetry” by the way, I don’t mean the rhythm and metre part of it, though that skill is definitely worth exploring in its own right (which I might do another time). No, I’m referring to the use of concrete vs. abstract imagery. Don’t laugh, but it was a tough concept for me to get though my wee brain, and I was frustrated the first few assignments. It becomes easier though, if you can pay close attention your descriptive choices as you’re writing and revising. Just ask yourself Continue reading →