Happy New Year!

Hold on to your hats, Haiku-ers! There’s a new look and format on the way for our beloved Sensational Haiku Wednesday meme! (Later this month)

I’ve been discussing my thoughts with a trusted friend and fellow haiku writer recently, and we agree that structure is important for haiku. Oh sure, there are many different ways to write haiku, some ancient, some modern, some free-form. The whole idea for this meme though, was to write haiku in its most recognizable form and structure, and that means using a 5/7/5 syllabic measure.

Haiku? Senryu?
Nature, tradition, or fun?
Count five, seven, five!

The set structure may annoy some who prefer to write it in a more free-form manner, but it’s important to me that we keep this meme true to the original form and vision. I’m the kind of gal who needs structure along with freedom. An oxymoron? Maybe, but it’s important to me, and because this form of haiku appeals to me, it’s the reason I started this meme back in 2009.

Creatively, we all want to be stretched. By providing a prompt each week – you know I don’t always stick to the “easy” ones – and facing the challenge of writing in a specific structure, we are often stretched further than is comfortable! Doesn’t it make it that much more satisfying when we can come up with something in the face of that challenge? You bet it does.

The changes won’t affect most of you, except that I’ll be laying things out a little differently, and making the participation rules more clear.

For example:

• Linking: When you post your link, link to the blog post with your haiku on it, and not to the main page of your blog. This will keep the time line clean! These links stick around forever, so if we want to find your haiku post months or years down the road, we can. All this time I’ve been “fixing” your links (you didn’t know that, did you!) to point to the correct place, but that just causes me extra work. So, I ask that you please post the correct link from now on.
• Structure: If at least one of your haiku is not in the structure of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively, I’ll remove your link from the list. Yikes, that sounds heavy-handed, doesn’t it? You get why that would happen though, so it’s all good.
• Reciprocate: If you participate and post your link on my website, you must have a link back here on your post. It’s only fair. It can be one of the graphics I’m putting together now (yay, choice!), or even just a text link; I’m easy. Most of you already do that, but occasionally I’ll come across someone who doesn’t. I’ll be removing those links too.

Change is healthy! We have such a fabulous group going here, and I hope that all of you will continue on with us and not be chased away. I value each and every one of you, and look forward to your participation and camaraderie each week.

May 2012 mark the beginning of a Tide of Love, Happiness and Bright futures for all of us. May those who need someone special find true love. May those facing scary debt find the strength and methods to turn it around this year. To those who need caring, may you find a good heart. And to those who crave haiku, may you find your way here to join our wonderful community!

P.S. I’m behind on updating the “Hooked on Haiku” list – can you take a moment to see if you’re there? If you have been playing consistently within the last few months (at least 3x, in a row) you should be, so let me know if you’re not, and I’ll get you added!

Happy Haiku-ing!