Techniques — Ellis Campbell, In Conclusion ...
Ellis Campbell’s Writing Techniques — Finally...
I am devoting this final column to satiric verse. That is holding up
for ridicule politicians, royalty or whatever might be current news. In
satiric verse the poet usually exaggerates things he believes
unimportant and understates more important things. Politicians are the
most popular target for satiric verse — for obvious reasons. If you
wish to make money via a newspaper column or radio station this is the
most likely verse to meet that market. Conversely it is also the least
valuable as real art.
“A week is a long time in politics” is a popular and very true saying.
This applies to most “news”. What seems most important this week will be
erased by some new development overseas, a new scandal in high places
or a multiple murder somewhere next week. For satiric verse to have
value the poet needs an ever ready market — you must write the poem
and use it the same day. Or it will be too late. I suppose I should
give an example from my own verse, as I have always done.
“He was more than just ambitious and
officials grew suspicious;
and thought — his actions overwrought with guile.
But an illness soon beset him and his lawyer said,
Forget him he won’t live long enough to see the trial.”
This stanza was in the middle of the poem. Here is the final stanza.
“The whole thing was misleading — it was time
to start proceeding —
our justice-system’s honour be upheld.
But the thought of jurisdiction caused an instant re-affliction
of something only freedom ever quelled.”
Perhaps you can guess who? I have enjoyed doing this regular column for ABPA.
How much help it may have been to fellow poets I have no way of
knowing. Quite a few have taken the trouble to tell me they have
enjoyed my techniques and I thank them for that. I believe Bush Poetry
is alive and well, and will go from strength to strength for some years to
come. It had been a very important part of my life and I like to think
I have contributed in some way to its continued popularity. I hope I
can continue attending poetry festivals for some time yet and look
forward to renewing acquaintance with so many wonderful friends who
share this grand interest.
Ellis Campbell
Ellis Campbell’s Writing Techniques — But...
Perhaps I might add, “Try to always write on a subject you know and
understand. I have seen some wonderful poems written by city dwellers
on shearing sheds or droving trips that were spoilt by one glaring
blunder. I hasten to add that the city blokes write just as well as the
bushies, but they must write on topics they understand. Some poets do,
of course, research their subject very diligently and gain an amazing
amount of knowledge. However, there is usually something like the way a
good horse grinds the bit between his teeth. the smell of a shearing
shed after sheep have been locked up all night, or the eerie echo of a
fox s bark as he scouts the scrub at night that escapes them. These
things can only be fully understood by those who have accepted them as
part of every day life—no amount of research reaches quite
that far. A look at Bruce Simpson’s poems will show you the importance of
authenticity. I am wary of writing a poem about the sea or a trip to
China, for example, as I do not fully understand such things. Of course
it is not unusual to see a judge who does not understand these things,
either—thus it is possible to see a poem with ignorance of
subject win
a prize.”
I believe the writing of Bush Verse is now of a higher standard than at
any other time during the twenty-five years I have been competing in
competitions. Many good writers are emerging, apart from the old
stayers still plugging away. There are a increasing number of poets
making their presence felt in Bush Verse competitions throughout
Australia.
Ellis Campbell
Articles
- David Campbell —
From a Judge’s Desk - Glenny Palmer —
An Exercise in Writing Humour
“Unstrained Melody” writing tools - Ellis Campbell —
1. Rhyme and Reason
2. Rhyme
3. Metre
4. Pattern
5. Words
6. Poetic Terminology
7. Inverted Phrases
8. Don’t Make Your Poems Too Personal
9. Terminology
10. Importance of First Stanza
11. Metaphors and Similes
Finally...
But... - Noel Stallard —
Performance Tips