Poetry is a writing technique that I’ve loved for a long time. It allows you to express yourself, tell your story, and use your creativity to make every poem that you write your own. Today, I had a Creative Writing Club meeting, and I noticed that a lot of my fellow members said that poetry was a little more difficult than them.

I understood them completely. As writers, we all have those things that we are naturally good at and the other things that we WANT to learn but just don’t know where to START. That’s where I come in. Take a look at these tips that can help anyone who wants some extra poetry practice.

1.) Read the work of other poets. Poetry is a form of art. And just like visual art such as paintings, sculptures, and sketches, it is important as an artist to be inspired by the work of your peers. This in no way means that you should copy another poet. However, you can gain a lot of knowledge regarding rhythm, how to tell a story and really convey your emotions in your work by looking at the work of poets who came before you.

2.) When you have an idea, jot it down in a poetry journal. Every work of art starts with an idea. It doesn’t need to be specific. You may just sit down and say, “I want to write.” Then, maybe the idea will continue to become clearer as you write. Other times, they just pop into our minds randomly: while eating dinner, watching TV, or any other daily activity. Whenever this happens, write the idea down in your personal journal, whether for just poetry or writing in general. That way, when you feel motivated, you can use that idea and put it into words.

3.) Be okay with being imperfect. So maybe you tried to write a poem, and it isn’t what you thought it would be. I applaud you for being you. When your work is imperfect, that means that it has your personal touch. It is authentic, raw, and a representation of the fact that you made the choice to try something new. That is nothing to be ashamed of.

4.) Don’t focus on complexity. I think a lot of times where we go wrong, as writers and human beings, is we make the simplest things a lot more complex than they really are or have to be. Every line doesn’t need to be 20 words to make an impact. In fact, it’s sometimes the short and sweet poems that really pack a punch. So focus on the quality, not the quantity or how big the words are.

5.) Always reread, review, and revise your work. Don’t just write a poem and then continue with your day. After you finish writing the draft, reread it. Find ways to improve it. And again, they don’t have to be super complex. Does the poem have any spelling errors? Are there any boring words that you could make more vivid or descriptive? Is this poem a reflection of you trying to make a replica of someone else’s writing or a reflection of the gift that has already been given to you by the Lord? Really think about that, for a second.

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It can be hard to make poems original, and if you don’t want to share them with anyone, that’s okay. You use it as a learning experience, and a stepping stone to getting better. Just keep in mind that it can make the process easier, and a lot more fun, when you just let the words flow from your heart, onto the paper.

I hope you all enjoyed! If you’re new, please like this post and follow my blog for more.

I’ll see you next time! ✨