Snobbish Poet

Yep, that's been me...the snobbish poet. I didn't use to be though. My snobbery developed over time. The more I pursued freelance writing, the more they (the industry of literature) beat the fun out of me. I was like everyone else, I wrote relevant rhyme, but it did, indeed, rhyme. Literature snobs are more about style and form than rhyming. So to sell, I had to adjust to what they wanted.

I researched and learned how to write poetry and there were only two styles I cared for. Only one I use which is Free Verse. Some sources say this form emerged to mirror the French vers libre. Kudos to the French! They always know how to liberate us creatively. And that they did when they invented this style. Using Free Verse, I can safely say whatever I want, however I want, rhyming or not.

The fact is, though, if you want to sell, obviously you have to learn to write verse without rhyming.

Pick up a greeting card and you'll see some companies still welcome a rhyme but it better be exquisitely written for the bigger name companies. Not sure about the smaller ones. I can only speak from my own experience. The only thing I know is I'm not finished yet. I have millions and zillions of verses to write and I don't care if they sell or not. It just feels good to let it flow...