I tell my workshop students to use Diane Lockward's guidelines and their manuscripts will be in great shape wherever they chose to submit. I agree with 95% of what Diane says here. And where I differ, is personal. In my own work, birds will be present in many poems because I live at the beach. Herons and brown pelicans are a big deal here.
I love a good 'notes' section. I'm sure the use of notes can be abused and you've seen your fair share, but, done properly, I'd choose notes at the end of the book over an epigraph any day.
Footnotes are good too. I just read the notes in the back after I've finished the book and reread those specific poems in the new context. It's kind of fun.
I have a question about epigraphs. The title of one of my poems is a line from a Wallace Steven's poem (and I am also using the title as my first line.) I use the epigraph "after Wallace Steven's" but my critique group suggested I state it at the end of the poem. I disagreed but understand that they felt the epigraph chopped things up. Anyone want to weigh in on this?
I think it's really a personal choice. Poetry readers are used to the attribution appearing under the title (often indented and in italics). For me, putting it at the end draws more attention.
I tell my workshop students to use Diane Lockward's guidelines and their manuscripts will be in great shape wherever they chose to submit. I agree with 95% of what Diane says here. And where I differ, is personal. In my own work, birds will be present in many poems because I live at the beach. Herons and brown pelicans are a big deal here.
This is solid advice! I particularly appreciate your observations on over-used trends in poetry right now (herons, etc.).
Thanks! Glad you’ve found it helpful.
I love a good 'notes' section. I'm sure the use of notes can be abused and you've seen your fair share, but, done properly, I'd choose notes at the end of the book over an epigraph any day.
That's totally fair!
I wouldn't mind more use of footnotes. Flipping to the back is something I'm not usually inclined to do.
Footnotes are good too. I just read the notes in the back after I've finished the book and reread those specific poems in the new context. It's kind of fun.
I like that. A good strategy.
An incredible resource for writers!
I have a question about epigraphs. The title of one of my poems is a line from a Wallace Steven's poem (and I am also using the title as my first line.) I use the epigraph "after Wallace Steven's" but my critique group suggested I state it at the end of the poem. I disagreed but understand that they felt the epigraph chopped things up. Anyone want to weigh in on this?
I think it's really a personal choice. Poetry readers are used to the attribution appearing under the title (often indented and in italics). For me, putting it at the end draws more attention.
Thank you!