Do I have the potential to be a writer?

Question

I LOVE to write, but am I good at it? I have very strong emotions at times, and let them out through poetry. People I know tell me my poetry is wonderful, but I have doubts, are they just being nice because they love me? Here's a few poems I have written, please be honest but not rude.

Insignificance

The sun shines,
The world goes on.
Who cares about my little life?

Insignifigant, that's what I am.
My friends love me,
But who really cares?

Then who cared about Abe Lincoln?
I suppose everyone is insignificant...
But all those little people weave to form the world.

Is the Earth a quilt?
Some patches are bigger then others,
But God doesn't care.

Live life,
Challenge yourself.
Be yourself.

That's what they all say.
But in truth, why can't you live?
Living and being are different.

I want to become myself,
Not live just another life.
Do something with my insignifigence.
******************************...
Too Late

Life goes by so quickly,
We must live it.
Before we discover it has passed through our fingertips,
Then it will be too late to live and to love and to learn.

Remember

Life goes by so unbelievably fast,
I am not sure what to savor and what to let fly by.
We all change so much,
I feel as if I don’t know those I love with all my heart.

Life speeds far too fast,
I blink and it is moving already.
Time is unforgiving,
All of us are separated by it’s passing.

We all turn over yearbooks,
And remember as if it were yesterday.
And laugh and cry at the haunting memories,
That we hold on to get through life.

We say, “remember when…”,
And crack up while wishing we were there again.
We think back and wonder how it all fell away so quickly,
How we didn’t see the unknown future looming ahead.

We remember how life was and never will be again,
Because life, by nature, is too quick for it’s own good.
We read those messages as if from another time,
As though the sacred writings weren’t written for us.

So we remember and cherish,
But wish it were still here.
More then a memory,
Or a signature in a yearbook.

We try so hard to cling to the past,
When really all we have is the present and the future.
As we remember, we remark at the unfairness,
Of life, of time, not enough of it.

The memories haunt us,
We want so badly for it to stay as it is, as it was.
But that can’t happen,
So we remember, with sorrow, joy, and each other.

Answer 1

Sure you have potential. Anything's possible. Your poems are ok, but nothing screams "Emily Dickinson" at me. If you really want to be a writer, read a lot and then read some more. Study writing. And just so you know, people who know/love you will always love your writing. It doesn't really help you get better. Take a class of poetry writing, where people don't know you if you really want the honest feedback of other writers. And keep writing. Good luck!

Answer 2

Coming from an English major with a specialization in Romantic poetry..

I do think you have potential; I also think the second poem is much better than the first. Here's why: In the first poem, you talk about your feelings, which is fine, but it's written in a way that focuses on you and makes it harder for the reader to get involved--even if they feel the same way. (Although I do really like the line "But all those little people weave to form the world", really good imagery.)


In the second poem, you're still expressing your feelings, but now it's in a way that other people can grasp onto and relate to. It's not a picture of your experiences exclusively; instead, there is imagery and wording that makes it much, much more accessible. I love the last verse--you've really captured that haunting, terrifying feeling of the full knowledge of change.

Keep writing. I'll say that now after I gave you what you DIDN'T ask for in a full breakdown and analysis of your writing... :)

Answer 3

Some of that grabbed me as very decent. I feel that you need to branch out slightly on subject matter. It was somewhat redundant in spots... Mainly, the idea that life goes by too fast, and the insignificance of one life.

However, It conveys to me that you have seen some hardship. I also sense a real vulnerability in you. All in all, you just need to work some kinks out such as structure, subject matter, a little spelling, and I think you could be a pretty decent poet.

The literary world is difficult to break into, however, if all you want is to have your voice heard, you are on the right track.

Answer 4

I occasionally write book reviews for a magazine, but I'm no professional, so I'll just tell my opinion. You definately have potential, but it is obvious that you must fulfill it. Your themes are many common, since they represent the thoughts, questions and inner struggles of the ordinary person. That doesn't mean they are not challenging. I especially like "Remember" since I can see a mastery of words and images. However, I suggest even more training, because practise makes perfect. Still, this is just my opinion.

Answer 5

i say if you have at least 50 other poems you could put out a small poem book and sell it at farmers markets and county fairs and other places you can get booths and maybe even in a store

Answer 6

Yes you do and I'm interested send your work to my friends publishing house. They've been around for two yrs and publish poetry, fiction and non fiction.

Answer 7

Heck YA!! That was awsome!! also you can be what ever the heck you want!...I would buy one of your books...Good on ya.
Remember: the poorest of them all is not the one without money, rather the one without a dream...but you have a dream, and i believe you can do it!!

Answer 8

You must mature to improve your writing. Also it helps to have some life experiences.

Answer 9

your answer is in your poetry.dont waste time thinking what other will think about your poety,just believe in your self and keep writing.yes poetry is nice

Answer 10

Do not wait. Start. Don't doubt. Don't show until finish....Fire.

Don't care what other say .... burn