Quotes / On writers and poets (Analysis)

Sometimes I feel like I’m lying when I write about things that are loosely based on real life events. Writing is a lie, it’s a complex and manipulative lie, and it’s damn entertaining. Good work!

A bit strong but cute.

Laughing, well that is one way to look at it.. Another would be

An Artist paints a picture
But a poet with his pen
Gives a true impression
Of the story there with

As he delves benieth the surface
For stories yet untold
His pen creates an image
From deep within his soul

Have fun and keep lying if that is what you do.

I find this just a bit bitter and cynical and though you say tongue-in-cheek I don’t really this it’s true, for much that is written, though fictionalized to some degree, comes from true experience, hard won experience at that and deep understanding of the human condition, not an elaborate lie. And as for poets, if it were just a manipulation of emotions, I would suggest Hollywood at its best for doing that. But poetry is far more than emotionally manipulation, for that is poetry in its lowest form. I take my craft rather seriously and find this rather insulting actually. If this is really how you view poets and writers, then perhaps you are selling yourself out and should find another hobby.

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December 31, 2008

by Fhilidh

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38	M	Mission Viejo, CA	September 11

Well it obviously effected you which was what it was meant to do. What I mean is that when you boil it down nobody is really altruistic. We all write to be heard even if it is just bouncing words off of our own psyche for our own emotional manipulation or to lie to ourselves for that matter. Don’t insult yourself just accept the fact that you are the one and only writer that suffers for her “craft.” Martyrdom suits you well. What an emotional high the must be for you.

December 31, 2008

by Willow_Wren

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Who said I was a martyr? Don’t put words in my mouth. I found your quote demeaning and not as funny as others here that seem to think you are hilarious. Then again the bench mark isn’t very high on Urbis, it accepts everyone and anyone who thinks they can write, even you.

January 01, 2009

by Fhilidh

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38	M	Mission Viejo, CA	September 11

And you as well. Happy New Year!

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WOW! You wanna take that knife out of my back now?  lol    

When I first read your poem, I had to reread it and then read it again. I thought, “what is this person thinking?”

“Writers are liars and poets are whores.” and “a well-written embellishment is but an elaborate lie and a well-crafted poem, but a manipulation of emotions for payment in accolades.” This says a mouthful!!!

I appreciate your ability to manipulate words. Hmmmm   Does this make you a….”whore”?  hahaha  

Thanks for the sophristry writing. Take care and God bless you

It’s a little wordy. I had to read it a few times to follow. There is some truth to the notion, though.
Maybe use a word other than “embellishment”. It really only means “lie”, or “exaggeration”. You used the word “poem” for what poets do, maybe use “writing” or “stories” in place of embellishment.

Ouch.
Aren’t there poems of true love though,
I wouldn’t really call it a manipulation,
rather a transfer of emotion from the heart, through the fingertips onto paper.
Point well taken though.

wow – I don’t agree with you BUT I can’t help but say that your choice of words, your style (that shines even in this really short piece) are magnificent.

Yeah, this is true, but it also sounds far too familiar. Writers as liars and poets as whores just somehow isn’t really a new idea. Your wording of “manipulation of emotion for payments in accolades” was nice, though.

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April 29, 2008

by Fhilidh

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Ouch! Wow, that is pessimism of biblical proportions just as  King Solomon is reputed to have said “What has been will be again, what has done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” Ecclesiastes 1:9. Why should anyone bother?

July 09, 2008

by jbaker

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That’s the postmodern conundrum, isn’t it?
My criticism isn’t of the idea, although it is a popular idea. There are several different ways to voice it, though, and different analogies to use. I’m saying that your analogy has been used before, or at least that its dangerously close to something that has been written before (I have to look it up, but I believe that it has at least been said by John Irving in The World According to Garp). So, I’m not saying “don’t bother.” I’m just pointing out that your analogy has already been snatched up by several other writers. Sorry!

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Your use of language is definitely to be admired, but I’m not so sure I agree completely. I think there are exceptions; some people write simply to express themselves.