Illinois Poet's Forum - Past Forums

Susan Hahn

Poet's Forum

To New Writers of Poetry of Any Age:

If the criticism you receive stays with you longer than two hours, think about it. If it's still with you after twenty-four hours, pay serious attention to it. If you forget it after you hear it, there's no need to recall it. And keep writing, always keep writing if it feels right no matter whether the outside world is reinforcing you or not at the moment. If, when you're writing, you feel this is exactly where you have to be and no other place will do, chances are this is a terrifically important part of who you are and should never, ever be pushed aside or denied.