How To Write A Good Poem
Poetry is about conciseness and resonances. A poem can suggest ideas and thoughts by putting two words together or by using imagery. Poems can be direct and simple, but many people have this notion to avoid doing so.
Many poets use flowery words and descriptors over conciseness. A concise idea spelled out with a flowery words and good rhythm is the ideal set-up for any type of poem.
Many people view the conciseness and correctness of an individual word more important than any literary device. Content is more important and impressive than your ability to use a thesaurus.
I Just Wrote A Poem... and It's Really Bad
It's okay to write a bad poem.
One line in a one hundred line poem you have distaste for could inspire an entire new master piece. Write constantly. Write everyday. How can you expect to get better without practice?
One line in a one hundred line poem you have distaste for could inspire an entire new master piece. Write constantly. Write everyday. How can you expect to get better without practice?
Inspiration Strikes When It's Inconvenient
Carry a tool to take notes with at all times, whether it's a notebook, Ipod, or phone. Inspiration has a tendency to come at inconvenient times. And no, you won't remember the great idea that just struck you later on. Write everything down.
I have lost hundreds of ideas to a lack of means to remember. Carry a pen and paper, or anything you can use to record your ideas.
I have lost hundreds of ideas to a lack of means to remember. Carry a pen and paper, or anything you can use to record your ideas.
Criticism Is Great
Listen to constructive criticism.
Go to open mics, post to forums, share with friends, make a blog, do whatever you need to get that needed feedback.
You could trash an amazing poem, thinking its terrible, only to find out someone interprets it a different way then you and sheds new light.
As writers, we are our hardest and cruelest critics. It's important to get the input of others, especially writers more experienced than us.
Go to open mics, post to forums, share with friends, make a blog, do whatever you need to get that needed feedback.
You could trash an amazing poem, thinking its terrible, only to find out someone interprets it a different way then you and sheds new light.
As writers, we are our hardest and cruelest critics. It's important to get the input of others, especially writers more experienced than us.
Imagery and Clichés
Provide good imagery for your reader. Images are more easily remembered than words. Paint mental masterpieces for your viewers.
Be creative with this! Avoid the typical lines such as, "beating violently like an untamed heart". It's important to think on your own feet and write with your own style. Having a style unique to you will keep people more interested than something they have read before again and again.
Remember, though, imagery is a tool. This tool can be used to further a poem, or hinder it. A poem with overpowering imagery and drown out the message or content.
Be creative with this! Avoid the typical lines such as, "beating violently like an untamed heart". It's important to think on your own feet and write with your own style. Having a style unique to you will keep people more interested than something they have read before again and again.
Remember, though, imagery is a tool. This tool can be used to further a poem, or hinder it. A poem with overpowering imagery and drown out the message or content.
Something To Think About
Think about this.
Who are your favorite poets? What poems do you remember best? What lines from that poem stuck out? Why did THOSE lines stick versus other lines? Was it good imagery? Was it good content or rhyme?
Figure out why these lines, poems, and poets stuck with you.
Who are your favorite poets? What poems do you remember best? What lines from that poem stuck out? Why did THOSE lines stick versus other lines? Was it good imagery? Was it good content or rhyme?
Figure out why these lines, poems, and poets stuck with you.
The Tendency To Beat Literary Devices To Death
Do not abuse literary devices. When using a literary device, do not use it over and over and over and over again and again. This will drive readers away and it gets old. Try to learn about new ones you can incorporate. Here's a list of literary devices you can try employing in your writing.
Above all, writing a good poem takes PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE and time. It takes experience, both writing and life experience. Your style will change for better or worse over time as you, as a person, change and evolve.
You will experience writers block that you will need to fight through, and critics who will attack you.
But you will also experience sporadic bursts of inspiration and critics who build you up and make you feel wonderful. Practice, practice, and practice some more! Don't make excuses to not write!
Use writing as an excuse to ditch out of things like laundry and grocery shopping. Just write and write some more!
You will experience writers block that you will need to fight through, and critics who will attack you.
But you will also experience sporadic bursts of inspiration and critics who build you up and make you feel wonderful. Practice, practice, and practice some more! Don't make excuses to not write!
Use writing as an excuse to ditch out of things like laundry and grocery shopping. Just write and write some more!
I Have A Poem I'm Proud Of... Now What?
You have a poem you've been working on. You're proud of it. You want to share it. How do you go about sharing work with readers, and other poets and writers?
There are thousands of publishing journals hungry for your submissions (ones besides Nostrovia! Poetry). You can use Duotrope, Nostrovia! Poetry's recommended small press photo album, or Newpages to find potential publishers. Those are only a handful of the resources available though. There are hundreds of sites similar those that can provide publishing resources.
When you have learned how to write good poems and decide to share them with others, consider publishing a poetry book with www.lulu.com.
Though vanity presses, like Lulu, are not always the best option. Lulu can provide a good platform for publication if you are willing to dedicate time and energy into self-promotion.
Though vanity presses, like Lulu, are not always the best option. Lulu can provide a good platform for publication if you are willing to dedicate time and energy into self-promotion.
by Jeremiah Walton
