i was just winder for a school thing where did poe get his ideas? i want to be a writer just like him and i wrote a few things but not that good. any body have any thing that could help me write better too. how did he put his ideas in his work? please help me.

-- Anonymous, April 12, 2004

Answers

Poe is once to have been quoted saying that "The death of a beautiful woman is unquestionably the most poetic thing in the entire world."

Undoubtedly in several of his works you have noticed a theme with a woman who is dying, is dead, is murdered, etc. Each of them was beautiful. I would say that Poe got his inspiration from the opposite sex. More directly, beautiful women. AND EVEN MORE DIRECTLY, women he was infatuated (intimate even) with. Poe made several works (although hard to argue) that relate to the women he was connected to.

Now where Poe got the inspiration to write about the gothic ideas he did have - I'm not sure. It could very well be that Poe simply challenged a new method of writing (focusing on the psychological self - the chaos of oneself). But I think Poe was simply taking the high road, darkness (as humaniyt knows it) is so appealing. He took the thoughts that plague the human mind (i.e.: death), and put it to paper. While its not an original thought - it is what made Poe so great because he took it to a level beyond simple life, it was life between heaven, hell AND reality.

So I guess in retrospect with your question, I'd say that Poe got his inspiration from women BUT also from gothic darkness of the human mind.

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2004

Write about what you know and what is important to you in a way that honestly expresses your best atyistic skills. Poe's education qwas a factor as was the writings(Romantic) in the trends of the day. he rdrew upon travels and experience and most especially his own inner experience("Alone"), a particular Muse. He also suffered rejections- even of his best work, winning a "prize" for a lesser poem "Coliseum". A genius and consummate craftsman and critic who vocation was for the literary life and engagement in those circles. It is not enough to have sincerity, profound personal vision and a need to write. One must be dedicated to the craft or those personal gifts remain invisible and unformed.

Never think you or your works are not any good. NO ONE has a right to deny anyone a quest for that special art of expression. No one is perfect, especially not snobs or self appointed judges. You must enjoy and be thrilled by what you create. If not, seek out those skills that will help your p[articular art find expression. Aim high but honestly and let the Muse dictate, not judgments of others, rules of the day, false criteria of temporary art.

Unless you plan on making a living off selling your work- hoo hah.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2004

he pulled them out of his ass but you know he never held his farts in because if he did the the fart would shout up his spine and hit his brain and he would have a shitty idea.

-- Anonymous, April 15, 2004

I would like to know if Poe got his idea of the Raven from the ravens at the London Tower.

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2004