E - Everyone

what to write?

by Lib
viii. what to write?

what to write?
what to write?

a fairytale, perhaps?
a knight in shining armor
going to save his princess?

nah,
too classic.

what about a short story?
it won't suck up too much time.
but what if i make it too short, though?

nah,
too risky.

maybe a biography.
i'll learn something new, for sure.
and i'll be considered smart.

nah,
too much research.

what to write?
what to write?

Comments & reviews · 17
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alliyah
Comment

a yws icon + classic

u are an icon tysm <3

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LadyBug
Review
LadyBug wrote a review · Sat Sep 24, 2022 4:55 am

Hey Lib! Jade here to give you a short review on your work! I really liked this poem; not only was it relatable, but it played into lots of different tropes and works we can write. I think instead of a biography, you could've said something more relevant to most writers here, like a script, novel, or poem. There are plenty of reasons why people would not want to write them! This was a good poem! Keep writing!

why would you not want to write a biography

User avatar
Hijinks
Review
Hijinks wrote a review · Tue Sep 29, 2020 1:26 am

Hi there Lib! I'm here for a short #RevMo review totally not 'cause I need to review something about writing...

I know you've already gotten a bunch of awesome reviews on this poem, so I'll try my best not to be too repetitive!

I really like the informal tone you've got going - it doesn't sound pretentious or over-the-top wordy, like some poetry (not that wordy is necessarily a bad thing!), which I think suits the subject quite well -> in that it feels less like "refined writing" and more like playful musings. 'Cause if the poem was some frilly, full-to-the-brim with metaphors sort of poem, then it'd almost feel like the writer was lying about not being sure what to write about. If that even makes sense? Anyway, I agree with some of your other reviewers that language like "nah" + repetition + no capitalization + questions = a light, fun poem!

One thing I would suggest is getting rid of some of the repetition. I do like how you're using it here to emphasize the subject, but I just feel like it gets slightly too repetitive. For example, instead of having "what to write?" doubled at the start and end of the poem, maybe just have it once? I get why you have it twice, but I don't feel it's achieving the effect you're going for - it isn't adding any new meaning or emphasis, for me personally at least.

Something fun you could consider if you want to play around, would be replacing the doubling of the "what to write" with a line like
writing, written, wrote, writes, writ, wrat, rats!
I feel like something like that would play around with the concept nicely, add to the fun cute vibe of the poem, and ending with "rats" would also convey the writer's frustration. But, totally optional, and if you don't think that fits where you want the poem to go that's definitely okay!

There are a few places where you're word choice is just lacking some oomph. You can definitely keep it simple, and still have more oomphiness. For example:

and i'll be considered smart.

"Smart" seems like a bit of a cop-out to me. Don't be afraid to exaggerate and be unbelievable in a poem like this! Even something along the lines of "and the world will know i'm a genius" would be fun and sassy!

Lastly, I like the stylistic choices you've made in this poem. The capitalization, obviously - makes it feel like it's something the poet is thinking, almost - after all, who capitalizes their thoughts?? Along similar lines, I like how it's italicized; it adds to the musing effect.

Overall, this is such a fun, cute poem! I like how familiar and unassuming it is, and I enjoyed a lot of the stylistic choices you made. My main suggestions: consider cutting out some repetition, play around a bit, and add some oomph to some of the descriptions!

I hope this is useful, and if you've got any questions feel free to ask (:

Keep writing! <3

whatcha

Ah this was definitely helpful - I agree with the cutting down the repetition. Thanks so much for the review! =D

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Riverlight
Review

Hey there, Liberty! It's Vilnius here with a review.

You have most certainly hit the nail on the head just right, because I am remembering a ton of instances where I'e wanted to write something but just didn't know what the heck to write! I mean, sure, it happens, but-- just let me write something, ya know?

I really liked this poem, as it basically summed up that feeling of despair when you just can't think of anything to write/anything worth writing. I especially am fond of the little second-guessings (is that how one would word it?) that explain why you shouldn't write something.Hit that nail on the head, too!

Have a nice [*insert time of day here*]!!!

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Jess.S Review
Jess.S wrote a review · Fri Jun 05, 2020 5:06 am

I can definitely relate to this! I feel like I never know what to write about and then sadly, end up not writing anything at all. Anyway, I liked the lack of capital letters/grammar in general. The informal word choice also added a lot of your voice. It made the poem sound like it was somebody's thoughts. Overall, a really great poem! Great job!

Thank you!! :]

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keystrings
Review

Hello! Thank you for requesting a review, and I hope this helps. You've gotten a whole lot of feedback on this already, so this might be a bit short, so I don't absolutely repeat what others have said.

Sometimes, light-hearted or more relatable poems are nice to read and to write. I think this one does a nice job at presenting insight into someone's thoughts, with providing simple, yet descriptive images in the reader's mind. The repetition of "what to write" and "nah" add more to the cheerful-ish tone, and I think the back-and-forth format of the questions and the comments are a nice touch to really bring to life someone wondering about what to write, and shed a little light on how extensive these thoughts can turn.

I myself enjoy writing without proper capitalization, and I like the use here because it reads akin to someone's thoughts, flowing in and out, sometimes without proper structure/format. I would actually recommend to limit a few of these questions -- maybe not the "what to write" repeats, but the "a fairytale?" or "short story?" so that the poem is a little more precise, and we're not meant to question (pardon the pun) every single thought the speaker has. Plus, then there can be more contrast between the repeated sections and the actual thought processes.

Getting more of a specific example for all of these themes/ideas would be a nice thing to read as well, such as building on what a "fairytale" can mean, or what events/details can make it not as "classic" or "traditional" of a genre, and that goes for all three types included here. Perhaps, make it your own kind of story, or what kind of fairytale you would enjoy, then go into that for a short story, or a biography -- what theme would you want in a shorter tale, or who would you want to write a biography about? (Maybe those questions can fuel a future edit!)

I definitely liked this poem, and I thought it was quite cute and relatable. ^^ Nicely done!

Thanks for the review! It's very helpful! :)

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JellyRose
Review

Hello hello! I am here to review your poem "What to Write?"

The first time I read this, I thought about my own mind, and how I never know what to write, and with whatever ideas I come up with, I shoot them down. So this does have an element of humor to it, that I do enjoy quite a lot.

I'm especially loving that second to last verse, "Nah, too much research." Every time I want to write a historical piece or something that I barely know anything about, that is that thought that pops into my head.

I love the flow of this, it put a smile on my face, and I know you wrote a poem, but I hope you do find something to write. ;)

(Okay that was a bad attempt at a joke I'm sorry omg).

(It was a pretty good attempt and made me laugh as well, so :P)

Thanks for the review and I'm so glad you enjoyed this! :)

haaaaa I'm glad my bad attempt at a joke made you laugh!!

Yup no problem! Have a wonderful day!

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diphylleia
Review

Soo mee !
Hi, I am diphylleia. I wish you are fine.
"What to write ?" Is really a big question and confusing by everyone who tried to write. Maybe from our childhood when our teachers were asking us to write something.
Sometimes, I think that there is nothing new to write, everything is already written.
I liked your short poem. I just want to say that even if it was too classic, too risky, or there is too much research waiting for you, just do it and write. I'll be always here waiting for your next writings, we will always do.
Take care <3

Thanks for the review!

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nanda
Review
nanda wrote a review · Tue Jun 02, 2020 12:27 pm

Great work @Liberty!
I am Mahira and I am here to review this poem. How unusal your theme is and how beautifully written.
A great poem, I must say, it is. The way it projects the dilemma of a writer's mind of not being able to decide "what to write" is superb. Also you have described the numerous thoughts that come to a writer's mind while thinking about his/her next work in a good manner.
One thing I particularly liked about it that you have written a free verse poem. I have always had a special liking for such poems.
So well done, keep it up and Best of luck for future!

Best wishes
Mahira

is it bad that free verse is the best type of poetry I can do? :P

Thanks for the review and I'm so happy you enjoyed this!

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Tenyo
Review
Tenyo wrote a review · Tue Jun 02, 2020 12:22 pm

Hey Liberty!

The structure of this makes me happy. The variation of the sentence lengths and the wavy in-and-out visual of it on the screen is so good!

I like the language use too. Phrases like 'nah' and 'for sure,' as well as the pondering and questions, make me feel like I'm just sitting and listening to a series of gentle, ruminating thoughts, and it's quite nice.

If I'm honest, I can't really see a way to enhance it that would improve it. Not everything has to be a powerful storm of emotions that jumps off the page. This has a wonderful, lulling simplicity to it and I really like that.

Thank you for posting =] I look forward to reading more of your poetry!

Thanks! I'm so happy you like my poetry! ;w;

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Ishan212
Review

Hello @Liberty, your poetry "What to write?" truely explains the problems a writer or a poet experiences.
Be it writing a short story, or penning down a fantasy,or rhyming a short poetry or trying to get a research paper published, writing can give one a lot of trouble, but guess what it is fun! Hence, one writes and develops the hobby of writing and reading

Keep Writing!!
Ishan

Thank you for the review! Glad you enjoyed it! <3

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sulagna
Review
sulagna wrote a review · Tue Jun 02, 2020 8:03 am

Heyy @Liberty,
Loved your poem !
I am also in that same confusion,"WHAT TO WRITE?"
While I was reading I thought how did you get the same thoughts as I get when I cant decide what to write.
How do You get such ideas of writing? please do tell..
Okay back to your poem I would like to say that though You wrote awesome but at at some point of time I just thought that there was something missing . Ummm... well You have to find it out whats that . Well other than that i did not find anything wrong. You could have also elaborated your poem as it is looking too short. Well... thats it !

Keep writing!!
From Sulagna

Thanks for the review and I'm glad you enjoyed it!! :)

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Elfboy
Comment

Haha, I have nothing constructive to add, so I won't make this a review, but I really loved this poem!
I wish it weren't so relatable though... Keep up the good work!

But shouldn't it be labeled as horror?

I'm glad you enjoyed this! :p

I was considering it for a second but I thought nahhh people can handle it.....

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kattee
Review
kattee wrote a review · Tue Jun 02, 2020 3:03 am

Hello Libs!

Big thanks for approaching me through Katteelog!

First and foremost, it's great that you've chosen a topic that many writers can see themselves in. However, the biggest risk of writing these kinds of topics are the questions, "What makes your poem any different?" "Why would I spend my time deciphering your poem?" "Is there a new moral?" "Will it open my mind to a refreshingly ethical perspective?"

But then again, it's fine if there's none. Perhaps, it mirrors everyone's thoughts -- our internal monologues. In my opinion, these thoughts mustn't simply be written down. They must be translated into poetry. When I read your poem, it felt like (please tell me if it's too harsh I'm really really sorry) I'm just reading my own thoughts when I'm in that dilemma. I didn't feel like you've translated it because these would be the things I'd normally think to myself.

My suggestion would be to exaggerate, romanticize, describe, denounce, satirize, or the like. What I like about poetry is that you have to analyze it (if not word per word) per line. It would be nice if you hide things behind an imagery, idiom, or your play of words. You should add layers to your stanzas -- create an entire story, scene, or situation behind those few amounts of words. Don't be direct. Don't rely too much on adjectives. To illustrate (I'll base it in your second and third stanza),



a fairytale, perhaps?
a damsel who saves
A knight clad in rusted armor?

Nah. My dad, who shove my mom
Inside the four walls of our house
And scolded her to focus on one customer,
Exclaimed that heroines are drugs
To this free environment.



I'm not quite satisfied with this, but I tried to write a satire (which I haven't done for a while so please bear with me too). Although it doesn't go with the message of your poem, I hopefully incorporated your style. In my example, I focused more on the second stanza. I sarcastically introduced a misogynist dad who thinks his wife's only job (from the word customer) is to become a housewife. You can also see a subtle hint of what both the mom and this "I" thought about it from the word "house" instead of "home." There's also the exploitation of the word heroine with its two meanings. Lastly, there's the placement of irony among the word "heroine" (in the context of the first stanza), an imposing dad, and a free environment.

Remember: this is my advice for short poems, there's a difference (very very slight) when it comes to longer ones.

That's all I can say. I hope this review helps! It's still up to you if you'll accept my suggestions, this is just my take on your work. Keep writing!

SENDING LOVE, Kattee



Come by Katteelog if you want more sweet reviews <3.

P.S. I don't mean to offend you by elaborating on my example because I believe you can do that yourself. I just thought that my explanation wouldn't suffice without it. And I really tried%u2026

Thanks!! This is the type of review I was hoping for and I totally get what you mean by everything. Thanks again for the review! :)

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Plume
Review
Plume wrote a review · Mon Jun 01, 2020 8:14 pm

This is honestly so relatable. I hate whenever I get the urge to write but I have no idea what to write, and don't feel like working on any other drafts. I like how it was structured almost like a children's books, or something of the sort, with the repeated phrase of "nah" followed by a reason. If you wanted to make it longer, you could dive into other forms of writing. I also loved the sense of irony that was present, as you were talking about what to write while writing a piece :). Your grammar looks fine. I really enjoyed this poem! It was very whimsical and enjoyable.

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed this! ;w;

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Haraya
Review
Haraya wrote a review · Mon Jun 01, 2020 3:19 pm

Hi there! Here to drop a review.

I relate to this a lot. I've tried writing poems too when I feel an itch to write but just don't have the willpower to commit myself to it. The poem does sound like the thought process of a writer facing a writer's block.

I like how you broke the stanzas at every "nah." It emphasized the opposition of the succeeding line from the previous, like the speaker was carefilly considering the idea until it's disregarded at the last second.

Just a nitpick of mine, I hope you sustained the concrete imagery in the second stanza even in the succeeding similar stanzas. I think it would have evoked a more powerful sense of parallelism and cohesive structure throughout the poem.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed this short poem of yours. Best of luck to you in your future works!

Aw, thanks for the review! It's very helpful! <3

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Haraya
Comment

Hi there! Here to drop a review.

I relate to this a lot. I've tried writing poems too when I feel an itch to write but just don't have the willpower to commit myself to it. The poem does sound like the thought process of a writer encountering facing a writer's block.

I like how you broke the stanzas at every "nah." It emphasized the opposition of the succeeding line from the previous, like the speaker was carefilly considering the idea until it's disregarded at the last second.

Just a nitpick of mine, I hope you sustained the concrete imagery in the second stanza even in the succeeding similar stanzas. I think it would have evoked a more powerful sense of parallelism and cohesive structure throughout the poem.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed this short poem of yours. Best of luck to you in your future works!

Oops. I forgot to press the button to make this a review.



Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
— Albert Einstein