What is the hardest thing to write about?
Somebody posed me a question the other day and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since:
”what is the hardest thing to write about?
Of course when I say "thing" I mean element 'of the human condition' - love, hate, death, living, happiness, laughing, sex etc.
But then the thought progressed - well, what makes it hard to write about? Is it because the subject is difficult, or is it because it unearths something within us?
So I thought I would open up a bit of a poetry discussion:
What do you find hard to write about, and does avoiding particular subjects altogether stunt our personal evolution in art?
… discuss.
I think personally I’ve always found happiness the most difficult thing to write about. I know that sounds quite dark and depressing (and I don’t intend it to) but it’s almost because it triggers within me this kind of pressure of maintaining that emotion. Not entirely sure why that is, but here we are.
I do however like to explore the emotion from time to time in writing just because pushing something within myself that I don’t normally do is a catalyst to exploring myself and my poetry.
I do however like to explore the emotion from time to time in writing just because pushing something within myself that I don’t normally do is a catalyst to exploring myself and my poetry.
Anonymous
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I like writing about anything and everything. Almost. I don't look for clever words or spout wise-ness. I just enjoy writing and spill it out there. If people read it and understand or like it, I am super happy, if not, it doesn't matter. I do write 'sunshine out of my ass' too, at times. But I have difficulty writing politics. I don't think it stunt creativity to skip subjects one doesn't have a clue about. Cosmic evolution etc...I have no clue about that and wont write about such subjects.
Personally, for me writing stories, emotions, thoughts, opinions...on my own level of intelligence or knowledge is a hobby, something I love to do.
Personally, for me writing stories, emotions, thoughts, opinions...on my own level of intelligence or knowledge is a hobby, something I love to do.
Anonymous said:<< post removed >>
Hey. Welcome.
I think I’m in agreement that humour is a difficult thing to write. I think it’s because it has the most potential to be taken in a way that was never intended by the writer. However I think it’s a really valid point regarding if avoiding that effects art. I was thinking back to Ricky Gervais (not that I’m a massive fan of the chap, but it illustrates the point) and how he says that other people say “oh you can’t say that” and he simply goes “… yeah… I can”.
I guess that’s his art and who am I to question that.
In regards to happiness, yeah I’m in agreement that I’m sure no poet is sat there thinking life is a garden 24/7. However I’m loving that you brought up journals. I think there’s this misconception that art is somehow only art if it’s put out in the public domain, which isn’t the case.
Art is still art whether you show 1000 people, or nobody at all.
Hey. Welcome.
I think I’m in agreement that humour is a difficult thing to write. I think it’s because it has the most potential to be taken in a way that was never intended by the writer. However I think it’s a really valid point regarding if avoiding that effects art. I was thinking back to Ricky Gervais (not that I’m a massive fan of the chap, but it illustrates the point) and how he says that other people say “oh you can’t say that” and he simply goes “… yeah… I can”.
I guess that’s his art and who am I to question that.
In regards to happiness, yeah I’m in agreement that I’m sure no poet is sat there thinking life is a garden 24/7. However I’m loving that you brought up journals. I think there’s this misconception that art is somehow only art if it’s put out in the public domain, which isn’t the case.
Art is still art whether you show 1000 people, or nobody at all.
Grace said:I like writing about anything and everything. Almost. I don't look for clever words or spout wise-ness. I just enjoy writing and spill it out there. If people read it and understand or like it, I am super happy, if not, it doesn't matter. I do write 'sunshine out of my ass' too, at times. But I have difficulty writing politics. I don't think it stunt creativity to skip subjects one doesn't have a clue about. Cosmic evolution etc...I have no clue about that and wont write about such subjects.
Personally, for me writing stories, emotions, thoughts, opinions...on my own level of intelligence or knowledge is a hobby, something I love to do.
I love the quote there “I don’t look for clever words or spout wise-ness” - I think that might be my quote of the day right there
I understand that you have trouble writing about politics, and I agree with you that it’s just basic humanity to not partake in subjects you don’t understand or find interesting - I’m guilty of that too. However I think it’s important to differentiate between subjects and emotions. And I guess the question I posed at the beginning was more about emotions and elements of the human condition that we find hard to write about over subjects.
I love that you’re indulging in your hobby. I think what’s important is that poetry is getting written in the first place. That’s half the battle right there. 🙂
Personally, for me writing stories, emotions, thoughts, opinions...on my own level of intelligence or knowledge is a hobby, something I love to do.
I love the quote there “I don’t look for clever words or spout wise-ness” - I think that might be my quote of the day right there
I understand that you have trouble writing about politics, and I agree with you that it’s just basic humanity to not partake in subjects you don’t understand or find interesting - I’m guilty of that too. However I think it’s important to differentiate between subjects and emotions. And I guess the question I posed at the beginning was more about emotions and elements of the human condition that we find hard to write about over subjects.
I love that you’re indulging in your hobby. I think what’s important is that poetry is getting written in the first place. That’s half the battle right there. 🙂
Northern_Soul said:
I love the quote there “I don’t look for clever words or spout wise-ness” - I think that might be my quote of the day right there
I understand that you have trouble writing about politics, and I agree with you that it’s just basic humanity to not partake in subjects you don’t understand or find interesting - I’m guilty of that too. However I think it’s important to differentiate between subjects and emotions. And I guess the question I posed at the beginning was more about emotions and elements of the human condition that we find hard to write about over subjects.
I love that you’re indulging in your hobby. I think what’s important is that poetry is getting written in the first place. That’s half the battle right there. 🙂
In politics there are emotions too, methinks. Dislike, adoration etc. But the subject matter has to be elaborated to be able to share the emotions. The way I understood that.
Anyway, there you go.
I love the quote there “I don’t look for clever words or spout wise-ness” - I think that might be my quote of the day right there
I understand that you have trouble writing about politics, and I agree with you that it’s just basic humanity to not partake in subjects you don’t understand or find interesting - I’m guilty of that too. However I think it’s important to differentiate between subjects and emotions. And I guess the question I posed at the beginning was more about emotions and elements of the human condition that we find hard to write about over subjects.
I love that you’re indulging in your hobby. I think what’s important is that poetry is getting written in the first place. That’s half the battle right there. 🙂
In politics there are emotions too, methinks. Dislike, adoration etc. But the subject matter has to be elaborated to be able to share the emotions. The way I understood that.
Anyway, there you go.
I don’t know if this comes into play or not, but I sometimes avoid topics because they are triggering for me. I’m not a huge fan of that word, but that’s what it is. I know if I sit down and try to write a poem about my political beliefs, I will then (probably) have a downward spiral of anxiety and depression. The same goes for non-consensual sexual violence and suicide.
I avoid them to keep my mental health from spiraling.
I avoid them to keep my mental health from spiraling.
I think for me the 2 hardest topics to write are humor and erotica, with happiness following right behind.
Humor is so subjective, isn't it? And often it's almost as visual as oral. I can relay a funny experience in person & almost be guaranteed at least a giggle. But so much is lost in translation to the page, I think. And people have vastly different styles of humor...or none at all. I'll toss in a pun or tongue in cheek every now & then, but I generally don't even try to write humorous poetry anymore.
Erotica is a whole different realm for me. I struggle with conveying it as I experience or fantasize it. Never been into in your face erotica so my struggle is expressing it in a clear & relatable way without using expected terminology. Too often erotica can feel one note to me otherwise, and I've never had the attention span for one note poetry.
Happiness is such a fleeting emotion, isn't it? I often think the feeling is so brief that it's difficult to sustain. So rarely is it an emotion that rolls through my any length...at least not in a way that allows me to capture it without getting derailed. Once in a while I can grab it, but usually it's hijacked by another emotion by the end. 😂
Humor is so subjective, isn't it? And often it's almost as visual as oral. I can relay a funny experience in person & almost be guaranteed at least a giggle. But so much is lost in translation to the page, I think. And people have vastly different styles of humor...or none at all. I'll toss in a pun or tongue in cheek every now & then, but I generally don't even try to write humorous poetry anymore.
Erotica is a whole different realm for me. I struggle with conveying it as I experience or fantasize it. Never been into in your face erotica so my struggle is expressing it in a clear & relatable way without using expected terminology. Too often erotica can feel one note to me otherwise, and I've never had the attention span for one note poetry.
Happiness is such a fleeting emotion, isn't it? I often think the feeling is so brief that it's difficult to sustain. So rarely is it an emotion that rolls through my any length...at least not in a way that allows me to capture it without getting derailed. Once in a while I can grab it, but usually it's hijacked by another emotion by the end. 😂
DaisyGrace said:I don’t know if this comes into play or not, but I sometimes avoid topics because they are triggering for me. I’m not a huge fan of that word, but that’s what it is. I know if I sit down and try to write a poem about my political beliefs, I will then (probably) have a downward spiral of anxiety and depression. The same goes for non-consensual sexual violence and suicide.
I avoid them to keep my mental health from spiraling.
You’re absoloutly right. I’m a big fan of doing things that are good for our mental health these days.
I think the word “triggered” has been tarnished somewhat by modern “snowflake” culture, but really what it is, is us putting healthy boundaries between ourselves and what is potentially damaging for us. And that takes strength.
However, when I think about some of the more painful experiences in my life (we’ll take DV as an example of one) I think it’s a subject I could so easily avoid because it’s too difficult, but I don’t think the catharsis that one gains from processing those emotions through writing can ever be understated. And that’s where art creeps in I think. Wanting to make something worthwhile out of the pain.
Appreciate your thoughts. Thank you ☺️
I avoid them to keep my mental health from spiraling.
You’re absoloutly right. I’m a big fan of doing things that are good for our mental health these days.
I think the word “triggered” has been tarnished somewhat by modern “snowflake” culture, but really what it is, is us putting healthy boundaries between ourselves and what is potentially damaging for us. And that takes strength.
However, when I think about some of the more painful experiences in my life (we’ll take DV as an example of one) I think it’s a subject I could so easily avoid because it’s too difficult, but I don’t think the catharsis that one gains from processing those emotions through writing can ever be understated. And that’s where art creeps in I think. Wanting to make something worthwhile out of the pain.
Appreciate your thoughts. Thank you ☺️
WillowsWhimsies said:I think for me the 2 hardest topics to write are humor and erotica, with happiness following right behind.
Humor is so subjective, isn't it? And often it's almost as visual as oral. I can relay a funny experience in person & almost be guaranteed at least a giggle. But so much is lost in translation to the page, I think. And people have vastly different styles of humor...or none at all. I'll toss in a pun or tongue in cheek every now & then, but I generally don't even try to write humorous poetry anymore.
Erotica is a whole different realm for me. I struggle with conveying it as I experience or fantasize it. Never been into in your face erotica so my struggle is expressing it in a clear & relatable way without using expected terminology. Too often erotica can feel one note to me otherwise, and I've never had the attention span for one note poetry.
Happiness is such a fleeting emotion, isn't it? I often think the feeling is so brief that it's difficult to sustain. So rarely is it an emotion that rolls through my any length...at least not in a way that allows me to capture it without getting derailed. Once in a while I can grab it, but usually it's hijacked by another emotion by the end. 😂
Yeah, I get the erotica thing, which is also subjective. I mean it could quite be that 98.7% of the erotica here makes me want to renounce my eyes and long for a more consistent loyalty to lesbianism, but here we fkn are.
I like exploring the emotion within myself, but I’m aware that other people do find erotica uncomfortable. Erotica is definitely one of those art forms that some people do exceptionally well, however.
Totally echo your thoughts on humour. Who’d have thought that the majority of answers so far actually struggle more with the happier things - ie/ humour and happiness. I think that’s really interesting as a social observation. It wasn’t really the answer I was expecting, but I’m here for it.
Appreciate your thoughts on this. ☺️
Humor is so subjective, isn't it? And often it's almost as visual as oral. I can relay a funny experience in person & almost be guaranteed at least a giggle. But so much is lost in translation to the page, I think. And people have vastly different styles of humor...or none at all. I'll toss in a pun or tongue in cheek every now & then, but I generally don't even try to write humorous poetry anymore.
Erotica is a whole different realm for me. I struggle with conveying it as I experience or fantasize it. Never been into in your face erotica so my struggle is expressing it in a clear & relatable way without using expected terminology. Too often erotica can feel one note to me otherwise, and I've never had the attention span for one note poetry.
Happiness is such a fleeting emotion, isn't it? I often think the feeling is so brief that it's difficult to sustain. So rarely is it an emotion that rolls through my any length...at least not in a way that allows me to capture it without getting derailed. Once in a while I can grab it, but usually it's hijacked by another emotion by the end. 😂
Yeah, I get the erotica thing, which is also subjective. I mean it could quite be that 98.7% of the erotica here makes me want to renounce my eyes and long for a more consistent loyalty to lesbianism, but here we fkn are.
I like exploring the emotion within myself, but I’m aware that other people do find erotica uncomfortable. Erotica is definitely one of those art forms that some people do exceptionally well, however.
Totally echo your thoughts on humour. Who’d have thought that the majority of answers so far actually struggle more with the happier things - ie/ humour and happiness. I think that’s really interesting as a social observation. It wasn’t really the answer I was expecting, but I’m here for it.
Appreciate your thoughts on this. ☺️
Northern_Soul said:
You’re absoloutly right. I’m a big fan of doing things that are good for our mental health these days.
I think the word “triggered” has been tarnished somewhat by modern “snowflake” culture, but really what it is, is us putting healthy boundaries between ourselves and what is potentially damaging for us. And that takes strength.
However, when I think about some of the more painful experiences in my life (we’ll take DV as an example of one) I think it’s a subject I could so easily avoid because it’s too difficult, but I don’t think the catharsis that one gains from processing those emotions through writing can ever be understated. And that’s where art creeps in I think. Wanting to make something worthwhile out of the pain.
Appreciate your thoughts. Thank you ☺️
I think this is also a case were 'writing from the scar and not the wound' comes into play for me. Right now, in the present climate, I know that I can't write about politics and my feelings about any of it. I recognize this about myself. Do I find it hard to write about politics. No. I can write about it until I'm blue in the face. It would be sloppy and full of hurt and not great writing. But I could write about it. Then add on top of that my downward spiral. ha! Can I write it well in the here and now? No. No, I can not.
It's the same with DV, suicide, church trauma, etc. I could write about it and deal with the fall out, but at the moment, it's still too close to me. Even decades out. I used to try, but now I just know my mind and body. I can talk about it. I can write essays about it. But poetry? I can't do it well. Especially without spiraling. I can't really explain it. Sorry if I'm being confusing.
I take your point about healing through writing, and I have done some of that. It's not anything that I will share with the general public, but it's there. But it's not poetry.
Also, totally agree about humor. I've tried it a few times and it feels foreign to me. ha!
You’re absoloutly right. I’m a big fan of doing things that are good for our mental health these days.
I think the word “triggered” has been tarnished somewhat by modern “snowflake” culture, but really what it is, is us putting healthy boundaries between ourselves and what is potentially damaging for us. And that takes strength.
However, when I think about some of the more painful experiences in my life (we’ll take DV as an example of one) I think it’s a subject I could so easily avoid because it’s too difficult, but I don’t think the catharsis that one gains from processing those emotions through writing can ever be understated. And that’s where art creeps in I think. Wanting to make something worthwhile out of the pain.
Appreciate your thoughts. Thank you ☺️
I think this is also a case were 'writing from the scar and not the wound' comes into play for me. Right now, in the present climate, I know that I can't write about politics and my feelings about any of it. I recognize this about myself. Do I find it hard to write about politics. No. I can write about it until I'm blue in the face. It would be sloppy and full of hurt and not great writing. But I could write about it. Then add on top of that my downward spiral. ha! Can I write it well in the here and now? No. No, I can not.
It's the same with DV, suicide, church trauma, etc. I could write about it and deal with the fall out, but at the moment, it's still too close to me. Even decades out. I used to try, but now I just know my mind and body. I can talk about it. I can write essays about it. But poetry? I can't do it well. Especially without spiraling. I can't really explain it. Sorry if I'm being confusing.
I take your point about healing through writing, and I have done some of that. It's not anything that I will share with the general public, but it's there. But it's not poetry.
Also, totally agree about humor. I've tried it a few times and it feels foreign to me. ha!
DaisyGrace said:
I think this is also a case were 'writing from the scar and not the wound' comes into play for me. Right now, in the present climate, I know that I can't write about politics and my feelings about any of it. I recognize this about myself. Do I find it hard to write about politics. No. I can write about it until I'm blue in the face. It would be sloppy and full of hurt and not great writing. But I could write about it. Then add on top of that my downward spiral. ha! Can I write it well in the here and now? No. No, I can not.
It's the same with DV, suicide, church trauma, etc. I could write about it and deal with the fall out, but at the moment, it's still too close to me. Even decades out. I used to try, but now I just know my mind and body. I can talk about it. I can write essays about it. But poetry? I can't do it well. Especially without spiraling. I can't really explain it. Sorry if I'm being confusing.
I take your point about healing through writing, and I have done some of that. It's not anything that I will share with the general public, but it's there. But it's not poetry.
Also, totally agree about humor. I've tried it a few times and it feels foreign to me. ha!
Ah, you’re not being confusing. It’s good to hear about your processes here. Thank you.
When you say it’s not poetry though … I suppose it all depends on your definition of poetry.
I remember back in the podcast days, Hemi did a little interview for us. There’s a part in one of those interviews that says something like (and excuse my foggy brain in getting the details exactly correct) how he had seen a boy he knew write “why doesn’t my father love me” in the back of the wardrobe and how if that wasn’t a poem he didn’t know what was. And for whatever reason, that part of the interview has always stuck with me. Because it brings me back to this understanding that poetry is so much more than the definition and expectation we’ve slapped on it - it’s in the living too.
I do however totally get that some things on a personal level are too difficult to write about, and I guess that brings me back to what I was originally saying about is it hard because it unearths something within us.
Politics is a hard one for me, personally, so I do get it. In all honesty, I don’t watch the news for much the same reason. All it does is make me angry, and I don’t want to be angry. I want to believe there is some good in the world in those little shreds of everyday magic. The only way I have ever managed to write politics is with humour or parody, because sometimes I think I need to throw laughs at it in order to process it in my brain.
Us humans are just strange little creatures
I think this is also a case were 'writing from the scar and not the wound' comes into play for me. Right now, in the present climate, I know that I can't write about politics and my feelings about any of it. I recognize this about myself. Do I find it hard to write about politics. No. I can write about it until I'm blue in the face. It would be sloppy and full of hurt and not great writing. But I could write about it. Then add on top of that my downward spiral. ha! Can I write it well in the here and now? No. No, I can not.
It's the same with DV, suicide, church trauma, etc. I could write about it and deal with the fall out, but at the moment, it's still too close to me. Even decades out. I used to try, but now I just know my mind and body. I can talk about it. I can write essays about it. But poetry? I can't do it well. Especially without spiraling. I can't really explain it. Sorry if I'm being confusing.
I take your point about healing through writing, and I have done some of that. It's not anything that I will share with the general public, but it's there. But it's not poetry.
Also, totally agree about humor. I've tried it a few times and it feels foreign to me. ha!
Ah, you’re not being confusing. It’s good to hear about your processes here. Thank you.
When you say it’s not poetry though … I suppose it all depends on your definition of poetry.
I remember back in the podcast days, Hemi did a little interview for us. There’s a part in one of those interviews that says something like (and excuse my foggy brain in getting the details exactly correct) how he had seen a boy he knew write “why doesn’t my father love me” in the back of the wardrobe and how if that wasn’t a poem he didn’t know what was. And for whatever reason, that part of the interview has always stuck with me. Because it brings me back to this understanding that poetry is so much more than the definition and expectation we’ve slapped on it - it’s in the living too.
I do however totally get that some things on a personal level are too difficult to write about, and I guess that brings me back to what I was originally saying about is it hard because it unearths something within us.
Politics is a hard one for me, personally, so I do get it. In all honesty, I don’t watch the news for much the same reason. All it does is make me angry, and I don’t want to be angry. I want to believe there is some good in the world in those little shreds of everyday magic. The only way I have ever managed to write politics is with humour or parody, because sometimes I think I need to throw laughs at it in order to process it in my brain.
Us humans are just strange little creatures
Northern_Soul said:
Ah, you’re not being confusing. It’s good to hear about your processes here. Thank you.
When you say it’s not poetry though … I suppose it all depends on your definition of poetry.
I remember back in the podcast days, Hemi did a little interview for us. There’s a part in one of those interviews that says something like (and excuse my foggy brain in getting the details exactly correct) how he had seen a boy he knew write “why doesn’t my father love me” in the back of the wardrobe and how if that wasn’t a poem he didn’t know what was. And for whatever reason, that part of the interview has always stuck with me. Because it brings me back to this understanding that poetry is so much more than the definition and expectation we’ve slapped on it - it’s in the living too.
I do however totally get that some things on a personal level are too difficult to write about, and I guess that brings me back to what I was originally saying about is it hard because it unearths something within us.
Politics is a hard one for me, personally, so I do get it. In all honesty, I don’t watch the news for much the same reason. All it does is make me angry, and I don’t want to be angry. I want to believe there is some good in the world in those little shreds of everyday magic. The only way I have ever managed to write politics is with humour or parody, because sometimes I think I need to throw laughs at it in order to process it in my brain.
Us humans are just strange little creatures
I won't get into what I think is poetry and what I don't think is poetry in this space since that's not what we're talking about. so i'll amend my statement.
it's not poetry for me. for me it is valid writing. healing writing. messy, gloriously human writing. but, for me, in its current state, it is not poetry.
This is an interesting conversation. In one of my classes last semester, I had to write a statement about my Writing Aesthetic. What mine boiled down to was Truth and Beauty. I want to tell the truth in everything I write, but I also want to honor, and uphold, the beauty and magic in every day life. I want to show the darkness, yes, but I want people to see the beauty in the process.
After I posted my first response, I started thinking about what I tend to shy away from in writing. I have written several political poems lately. I have written lots about my church trauma, sexual assault, etc. But the way I frame them is in the aftermath and healing. I don't let them take the spotlight. If that makes sense. (look at me, off topic again!)
Ah, you’re not being confusing. It’s good to hear about your processes here. Thank you.
When you say it’s not poetry though … I suppose it all depends on your definition of poetry.
I remember back in the podcast days, Hemi did a little interview for us. There’s a part in one of those interviews that says something like (and excuse my foggy brain in getting the details exactly correct) how he had seen a boy he knew write “why doesn’t my father love me” in the back of the wardrobe and how if that wasn’t a poem he didn’t know what was. And for whatever reason, that part of the interview has always stuck with me. Because it brings me back to this understanding that poetry is so much more than the definition and expectation we’ve slapped on it - it’s in the living too.
I do however totally get that some things on a personal level are too difficult to write about, and I guess that brings me back to what I was originally saying about is it hard because it unearths something within us.
Politics is a hard one for me, personally, so I do get it. In all honesty, I don’t watch the news for much the same reason. All it does is make me angry, and I don’t want to be angry. I want to believe there is some good in the world in those little shreds of everyday magic. The only way I have ever managed to write politics is with humour or parody, because sometimes I think I need to throw laughs at it in order to process it in my brain.
Us humans are just strange little creatures
I won't get into what I think is poetry and what I don't think is poetry in this space since that's not what we're talking about.
so i'll amend my statement. it's not poetry for me. for me it is valid writing. healing writing. messy, gloriously human writing. but, for me, in its current state, it is not poetry.
This is an interesting conversation. In one of my classes last semester, I had to write a statement about my Writing Aesthetic. What mine boiled down to was Truth and Beauty. I want to tell the truth in everything I write, but I also want to honor, and uphold, the beauty and magic in every day life. I want to show the darkness, yes, but I want people to see the beauty in the process.
After I posted my first response, I started thinking about what I tend to shy away from in writing. I have written several political poems lately. I have written lots about my church trauma, sexual assault, etc. But the way I frame them is in the aftermath and healing. I don't let them take the spotlight. If that makes sense. (look at me, off topic again!)
