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Poet, Poetaster or Prose Writer: Poetry Is More Difficult To Write Than Prose

Which form of writing is more difficult to write, poetry or prose? For most people, writing poetry is more difficult than writing prose. The exception to that may be someone who is gifted as a poet. But then, there is the good poet and the not so good poet (poetaster). There is also the good prose writer and the not so good prose writer.

Let's face it! At times, for many people, writing in any form can be difficult. The degree of difficulty in writing, can determine whether or not the poetry that is written is good poetry, or not. The same is true with respect to prose. There is prose that is good prose and that which is not good prose.

For someone who is well educated, or a gifted writer, it may be possible to write in either form, without a great deal of difficulty. But on the other hand, for someone who always has difficulty in writing anything, it may be hard to write or to write well, in either form.

Which is the more difficult of the two forms of writing?

One might first ask what is the difference between the two different forms of writing? What determines the degree of difficulty? How does one respond to the question, or can it only be responded to on a personal or individual plane?

Perhaps by first defining the nature of poetry and prose, it will be possible to discern which is actually the more difficult of the two forms.

*Poetry: By definition what is poetry or what are some of the characteristics of poetry?

1. Reveals a metrical kind of writing
2. Takes on some kind of a verse format
2. Has a concentrated and imaginative focus
3. May reveal experiential or even playful awareness
4. Uses descriptive or creative language
5. Evokes a specific emotional response
6. Uses sound and rhythm to enhance the meaning
7. Often holds some degree of beauty with respect to expression
8. Idealized at times

Prose: By definition what it prose or what are some of the characteristics of prose?

1. Employs different kinds of language
2. Appears to use the language that is spoken or written daily
3. Represents a more common literary medium of expression
4. Offers far greater room for expansion and development
5. Reveals increased irregularity of format
6. Allows a greater variety of rhythm and pattern
7. Has fewer restrictions
8. Allows increased freedom

In conclusion, I will suggest that for the majority of people, it would appear that it is easier to write in prose, simply because it is what they are accustomed to speaking, or writing, on a day to day basis. Ask them to write poetry and at best, it may become poetry that is written on a poetaster level of writing. That is not always the case. Sometimes those who do write well in prose, can write extremely well in poetry, particularly if has an almost prosaic format!

The writing of poetry, or good poetry, is the more difficult of the two forms of writing.

But again, there is always the personal preference element that must be taken into consideration. There is also insight and inspiration that are an important part of what one writes, whether using the form or poetry or prose. This enters into both forms of writing, at least in part. It is much less difficult to write if one has insight or inspiration.

Even then, poetry is more difficult to write, particularly good poetry.

Learn more about this author, W. Diane Van Zwol.
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