At the Open Mic

This is a repost from my Writer’s Blog.

I wrote my poem “At the open mic” for new poets and new writers, especially any participating in an open microphone event for the first time. I was inspired as I listened to poets and writers reading their poems and telling their stories at open mics at Village Books, Chuckanut Sandstone Writers Theater, and poetrynight over the past two to three years.

Read “At the open mic” here.

As writers, we can read our material at open mics and receive audience feedback and learn about our material. For example, some of the things we learn about a particular piece include whether it’s finished or not.

If a piece happens to fall flat, it may be that we haven’t used the best possible beginning. If audience members laugh when we are not expecting laughter as a response, we learn that there is some humor present in the piece. We can develop this to increase the depth of the piece.

Finally, participation in open mics–as readers and audience members–is an excellent networking opportunity and helps build communities.

There’s no open microphone venue in your community? Start one!

Press on with your writing! Blessings, Andy