10 Tips on How To Write a Poem

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Hi, budding poet! You’re feeling inspired lately but don’t know how to write a poem?

      Well, don’t get discouraged by the blank pages staring back at you or by what you consider to be the meaningless rants filling the pages of your notebook. You can level up your poetry writing skills no matter where you are. Now, we’ll see helpful tips that can help you to write poetry that enthralls and inspires.

Best 10 Tips on How to Write a Poem

1. Read Poetry Books

Reading poetry books by reputable and popular poets offers several benefits, especially if you are an aspiring poet learning how to write a poem. Studying their work will supercharge your writing skills. You’ll become familiar with different poetic styles and poetic forms. 

Plus, you develop your unique style when you become familiar with the different techniques of great poets. Moreover, it can help improve your vocabulary,  explore different poetic devices, and ultimately, become instrumental in discovering your poetic identity.

2. Enroll in a Creative Writing Course:

You might ask why I should enroll in a poetry course or a Creative Writing course when my figurative toolbox is full and I have all the ideas for writing a poem. Well, here’s why!

A Creative Writing Course can still level up your skills, trust me!

Imagine having lots of cool poetic ideas, but not knowing how to shape them into something amazing. That’s where the poetry course comes in handy. It teaches you the building blocks of poetry – the important poetic devices like meter, rhyme, and those fancy figures of speech.

But it’s not just about the rules. Creative writing classes also help you explore different types of poems. You can experiment with different poetic styles like free verse, tankas, haikus, rhyming poems, and more, finding your perfect poetic style and identity.
Creative writing books and courses can provide the fundamental tools for building a strong foundation.  You can refer to the “Creating The Creative Writers | Creative Writing Book” by Examopedia for best practices in creative writing.

Check Henry Harvin’s Other Courses

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3. Set Achievable Goals:

Yes, that’s right! Set your goals right now. Though you are just beginning in your journey as a poet, setting your goals is essential for poetic growth.

Do you feel you need a stronger vocabulary? Set a goal to learn five new words a week. Want to master similes and metaphors? Challenge yourself to use one in every poem.

Join a poetry course or read Creative Writing Books to give yourself an edge. They can help you with ideas on how to write poems for beginners. 

Do you want to master similes and metaphors? Challenge yourself to use one in every poem. Every goal you reach is a small victory that will boost your confidence and feed your motivation.

So, setting goals is about growing as a poet, not just checking off boxes.

4. Refine, Revise and Edit:

When you write a poem, revising and editing are important steps! Your final edits are important in polishing your rough draft into something shiny and noticeable. 

After writing your poem, ask yourself these essential questions – “Does this make sense? Is it cool?”

That’s where revising comes in. You pause to check the whole picture – is the theme relevant? Is it evocative enough for the reader? Are the feelings you’re trying to share coming through?

Then there’s editing. Dive into the details. Check every word, punctuation mark, and grammar rule. It’s boring, but it matters!

5. Be inspired by nature, art and music

Of course, reading books on poetry and taking creative writing courses is important. Still, as a poet, you need all the inspiration you can get! You can always turn to the eternal source of inspiration provided by art, music, and nature which a poetry course can’t give. 

Art is like a secret code. It tells stories without words which can get your imagination fired up. Looking at a painting or sculpture with a critical eye can help you to write your own stories!

Listen to music. Music is like magic for your soul. You can spot a hidden feeling within yourself or visualize a creative story when you listen to soulful music with closed eyes.

And nature? The flowers, the breeze, the mountains, or your backyard – can give you fresh ideas, only if you know where to look!

 Spend some time outside, look at nature with fresh eyes, and you’ll come back with your head full of ideas.

Art, nature, and music can help you see the world in new ways and find your poetic fingerprint. 

6. Stay True to Yourself:

Though external inspiration is crucial in your poetic journey, being real and true to yourself is super important when you’re writing poems. 

When you write about stuff that actually matters to you, your words hit others differently. People can feel that raw emotion. 

Write about what you feel strongly about anything or about your own emotions. Don’t borrow the emotions of the poet you have come across in a book of poems. Your unique vocabulary and way of narration is what makes your poetry special.

7.  Develop a Personal Style:

Finding your thumbprint as a poet is important. Think of poetry as a playground. You can try all the see-saw and slides to figure out what you like best.

That’s where different forms, structures, and strategies come in. 

Try out different poetic forms like free verse, haikus, or ballet. It’s like trying on various outfits; you might surprise yourself with what looks best on you! The same goes for poetic devices.

Metaphors, similes, alliteration – you have to try using all these poetic devices to see what works for you. 

Experimenting helps you find your style and poetic signature. So, don’t be afraid to experiment with different poetic techniques.

The more you experiment, the more impactful your poetry will be.

8. Seek Feedback:

When you are a beginner learning how to write a poem, sharing your work can feel scary, but it’s necessary.

Getting feedback from friends and family or even a writing group is important. They can point out the flaws like redundant vocabulary or boring parts within your poem.

Feedback helps you to revise and refine the thought flow or the language you have used. Maybe your friends love your metaphors but think your rhymes are weak. Or they can tell you about the parts they are confused about.

Either way, you can use this information to revise and make your poetic writing better!

9. Networking with other poets:

When you begin learning how to write a poem, you might often feel frustrated thinking you’re the only one breaking your head about metaphors and rhyme schemes. That’s why connecting with fellow poets is important. Social media is a great place to start for a budding poet like you!

You can find online writing communities, join poetry groups, and chat with other poets around the globe. You can have a massive writing club right at your fingertips.

But don’t forget about real-life connections. Attending poetry slams or workshops can also help you build connections with like-minded creative writers.

10.  Embrace Rejection:

Don’t lose heart, if your poems get too many comments for improvement. Getting rejection stings, no doubt about it. 

Every “no” you get is a chance to learn and grow. Use feedback as a tool to improve but focus on your own satisfaction with your work. Remember, your writing journey is personal, so enjoy the process!

So, don’t ever doubt your abilities as a poet, and keep writing and sharing.

Conclusion:

Okay, we have gone through several tips to write a poem. So, to become a successful poet, you need to be original. Don’t copy someone else’s poem. Next up, play around with different kinds of poems. There are rhyming poems, sonnets, haikus, free verse – tons of options! And remember to get creative with your words. Use metaphors, similes, and all that poetic device stuff to make your poems pop. Also, use better words!

Lastly, don’t give up right away if your poems aren’t perfect. Just keep writing and you’ll get there!

FAQs

Q1. How do I use poetic techniques effectively?

The use of poetic devices like – metaphor, simile, and personification is important to add color and evoke the intended emotions of your readers. Use them sparingly.

Q2. How can I develop a unique poetic style?

Be yourself, be bold! Play around with different styles to discover your poetic voice. Gradually you will develop your unique style when you write regularly. You can read books on how to write poems for beginners for fresh ideas.

Q3. How can I improve the overall style of my writing? 

Firstly,  focus on word choice and sentence structure. Secondly, read your work aloud to catch any awkward parts. Finally, rewriting and polishing is key to creating something truly great.

Q4. How can I start making connections with other poets? 

To begin with, share your work, get feedback, and find inspiration from other poets. Subsequently, you can Join online communities or attend poetry events in your locality. 

Q5. Does external criticism of my poetry mean that I am a bad poet?

Remember, the writing process is deeply personal.  So, ultimately your satisfaction matters the most. However, you can use feedback to grow but don’t let it define you as a poet.

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