University of Houston professor, poet and essayist, Mark Doty, motivated students to discover their energy in writing on NE Campus March 6-7.

"Poetry is not a mainstream art, but has an incredible amount of resources to offer readers," he said.

"People turn to poetry when they are struck with grief, in love or simply see a lasting image. It's almost an instinct," he said.

Doty went beyond the lecture, reading published poetry.

For many students, this was a chance to attend their first poetry reading.

He opened with No, a poem about his experiences with children while working at a small university.

Doty explained how his poetry begins with an image. He said that the writer might not realize what the image is or why it is appearing. Doty's advice was to embrace it and be patient.

A poet must be his or her own personal archeologist, Doty said, digging deep inside themselves to discover what the artist wants to write about.

"The energy in writing is to discover what you don't know," he said.

Doty then answered an audience member's question referring to rejection and critics.

Doty explained that a writer puts his or her heart and soul on paper.

When someone criticizes it, the results can be devastating to the writer. Therefore, according to Doty, the writer must develop "tough skin."

Doty gave an example of a British critic who started a mini-war as a result of his criticism.

A reviewer criticized Doty's comparison of children to the scent of unopened candles.

The critic felt this comparison was unrealistic, for no one knows what unopened candles smell like.

Readers began to write in voicing their opinions on the matter, and a mini-war between the critic and readers began.

Doty said critics could impact one's writing for the better during the revision process if the criticism is not demeaning.

"Someone has just poured their heart and soul onto a piece of paper, yet they take the chance of their most intimate subjects being rejected or criticized," he said.

"Think critically about it and be objective, then learn to be grateful to people who help improve your work," he said.

The poet explained how he has written a piece and left it for years before revising it.

"Inspiration is wonderful, but your will to make something better is important," he said.

"These things combined lead to good writing," he said.

When asked about whether his book is based on his life, Doty said it represents different versions of himself.

Doty said that he never knows where his poetry is coming from; rather, an inner voice asks to become a poem.

A vital link to successful poetry is writers' asking themselves why an image is important to them, Doty said.

As he concluded his lecture, Doty reminded audience members of the impact poetry could make on others.

"When you read someone's poem aloud, you become the fabric of someone's life, you realize what it is to be in someone else's skin," he said. "Find your voice; find your identity."