It can take a lifetime to create something worthwhile, especially without guidance. There is no law governing who the poet can be, perhaps the mechanic down the street moonlights as a poet or maybe the clerk at the grocery store is really an aspiring poet. The point is that with the proper guidance, anyone can be a successful poet.
Success for the poet, often, is not measured in dollars and cents but in the ability to craft finely tuned poems that speak to people. Here are a few tips and tricks beyond the initial instructions on how to write a poem.
Poets Do Not Choose When and Where Inspiration Will Strike, Inspiration Chooses
It may be frustrating, but sitting down with a pen and paper or in front of a computer does not mean that vibrant verse will automatically pour onto the blank page. That is not how inspiration works. So, be prepared by always carrying a notebook and paper or laptop.
This way if inspiration strikes while stuck in a traffic jam or during a night out on the town the potential poem doesn't get forgotten. Inspiration likes to strike during inconvenient times and when the writer is always prepared, the ideas always get recorded.
Keep Everything : The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Not every poem will be a winner, but that doesn't mean it needs to go into the recycle bin. Be sure to keep copies of everything. What seems terrible now may not seem terrible tomorrow. Bad ideas may also wind up priming the pump and helping the poet churn out something truly amazing.
Avoid Cliches by Breathing New Life Into Old Ideas
It's best to tackle a subject that hasn't already been explored, but since poetry has been around a very long time, this may be difficult. So, instead try looking at a tried and true concept in a new and exciting way.
No one wants to read tired metaphors about love and longing. Be inventive and put a personal spin on the same universal concepts writer's have been droning on about since the beginning. Anything can be brought back to life; even topics that have been beaten to death still have a little life left in them.
Rhyming is Only Acceptable if Not Forced and Then Only in Moderation
Contrary to popular belief, poetry does NOT need to rhyme. In fact, rhyming should only be used by those skilled in the craft. If the prospect of writing a rhyming poem is appealing, be sure to research possible rhyming words and use them accordingly. Above all, do not force the rhyme. If it doesn't work, think of a new way to say it and try again.
Do Not Overdo Descriptive Language
When it comes to colorful metaphors and vivid descriptions, there IS a such thing as too much. While readers want to experience the poem right along with the poet, they do not crave flowery language. Too many descriptors can kill the poem and ruin the imagery.Find a happy medium and stick with it.
Be Persistent
Becoming a good poet does not happen over night. Some people never see their dreams come to fruition because they give up on the dream way too early. Be sure to stick with it. If the poems aren't coming out, giving up will not solve the problem.
Instead, resume the research, experiment and try again until the poetry looks and feels professional. Inside every person, there is a creative poet dying to get out and tapping into the potential is only the first step towards becoming a full-blown poet.
More Articles On Writing Poetry
 |
