Poetry Writing Tips
June 10, 2009 by John Hewitt
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Listen to criticism and try to learn from it, but don’t live or die by it. When I was in college, I would always take my best reviewed poem from the previous class and submit it to the professor for the next class. Invariably, the next professor hated the poem, and could provide good reasons why it failed.
When you write a good poem, one you really like, immediately write another. Maybe that one poem was your peak for the night, bit maybe you’re on a roll. There’s only one way to find out.
The bigger your theme, the more important the details are. A poem with Love, Destiny, Hate or other huge themes in the title already has two strikes against it (and I like love poems).
Say what you want to say. Let your readers decide what your poem means.
Feel free to write a bad poem.
That one perfect line in a thirty-line poem may be what makes it all worthwhile. It may also be what is ruining the rest of your poem. Keep an eye on it.
Don’t explain everything.
Untitled poems are like unnamed children.
People will remember an image long after they’ve forgotten why it was there.
Develop your voice. Get comfortable with how you write.
There are many excuses not to write. Try using writing as an excuse not to do other things.
The more you read, the more you learn. Read poetry often.
The more you write, the more you develop. Write poetry often.
Poems that focus on form are rarely my favorites, but most of my favorite poets learned how to write in forms before they discarded them. Writing in forms is a challenge. It makes you think.
Don’t be afraid to write from a different point of view. Write a poem that says exactly the opposite of what you believe. If you can, do it without irony.
When you cannot write, lie on the floor a while, go for a walk, or at least twirl around in a circle. Do something that changes your perspective.
Write in different places. Keep a notebook. Write in a park or on a street-corner or in an alley. You don’t have to write about the place, but it will influence you whether you do or not.
Listen to talk radio while you write. Listen to the people who call. Great characters and voices emerge that way.
If you don’t like a poem or poet you read, figure out exactly why. It may reflect something you don’t like about your own poetry.
When nothing is coming, start writing very fast. Write down any and every word, phrase or sentence that comes to mind. Do that for about a minute before you go back to working on your poem. I call this trick flushing. Feel free to use anything you came up with, but the purpose of flushing is to clear your head.
<Make a list of poems you can remember specific lines from. Go back and read those poems. Figure out why they stuck with you.
Keep a dream journal. Dreams are your mind at it’s most creative so pay attention to them. Don’t feel you have to write a poem about your dreams unless one truly inspires you. The main goal is to see what thoughts the dreams lead you to.
Analyze other writer’s poems. Figure out what works, what doesn’t work, and why. Think about how you would work with the same material and concepts.
Use humor, irony, and melodrama, but don’t abuse them.
Write the worst poem you can possibly write. Use clichés, use pretentious words, and beat your reader over the head with your point. Felt good, didn’t it? Now get back to work. The point is, don’t be afraid to write a bad poem. Every great poet has written a bad poem. Most great poets have written hundreds, even thousands of bad poems. The great poets kept writing though, and so should you. If it takes a hundred bad poems to produce a poem you like, finish those hundred poems.
Limericks can be fun too.
Every line of a poem should be important to the poem, and interesting to read. A poem with only 3 great lines should be 3 lines long.
Poems should progress. There should be a reason why the first stanza comes before the second, the second before the third, and so on.
Follow your fear. Don’t back away from subjects that make you uncomfortable, and don’t try to keep your personal demons off the page. Even if you never publish the poems they produce, you have to push yourself and write as honestly as possible.
Find a way to publish your poems. Sooner or later you have to send your babies out into the world to find their way. Emily Dickinson was a fluke. Most people who don’t publish while they’re alive will never be seen or heard of — no matter how great their poems.
Buy poetry books, especially books by current writers. Give back to the poetry community by reading (and paying for) the works of others.
Go to poetry readings. Check your local arts publications for upcoming events. Almost any sizable town has readings every week or every other week. This is a great opportunity to meet poets and people who care about poetry.
When you go to readings, donate money and buy books if you can.
Host a poetry event or organize a reading.
If you want to swap poetry and criticism with your peers, form your own group. Many local arts publications let you list your group for free.
Publish your own poetry journal or web site. Even a few sheets of paper stapled together gets the word out.
Whatever else you do, keep writing.
Related links
- What are Metaphor, Simile and Analogy? (1.000)
- A Quick Guide to Acrostic Poetry (1.000)
- Four Things Poets Can Learn From George Carlin (1.000)
- 30 Poems in 30 Days (1.000)
- 30 Poems in 30 Days: Why you should write poetry (1.000)
Contact John Hewitt
Writing Content and Web Consulting
Email: hewitt@poewar.comPhone: (520) 261-6104
LinkedIn: poewar
Twitter: @poewar
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Very likely these are the best and most useful tips for writing poetry–or any other creative writing–I’ve ever seen.
I wrote poetry in high school and read more of it than most and even memorize my favorite poems. But I doubt I’ll attempt it again: I can memorize poems but not forms, meters, how enjambment works, ect.
Instead, I write serial novellas on my blog and for a different blog stories less than 500 words, which I thought would be good discipline. If I could make those shorts have a poetic fluidity and phrases that stuck in the mind–those would be my poems. But I rarely if ever achieve that.
Thanks for these suggestions, though. They’re certain to help me and I’ll no doubt be back, referring to them.
Jan Geranimo (using a different first name) sent me via FriendFeed.
Kathleen Mahers last blog post..A Good Man Found
I’m not a poet, but there are gems of wisdom for all kinds of writing in these tips.
LIllie Ammanns last blog post..Happy 3rd Birthday to A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye
I’m glad you found them useful Kathleen
Some ideas are universal, thanks Lillie
I’m not very good at poetry, but I try from time to time. These tips are very helpful for a struggling, but bad, poet.
Stephen Coursens last blog post..Behold the NaNo Project From 2008
Nice tips. They might inspire me to get back into writing poems. Thanks!
.-= Cena´s last blog ..Wrestling Moves Toshiaki Kawada vs. The World =-.
Thank you. these tips have provided me with the inspiring thoughts I need.
Thanks for open this site.
I really use your tips for better poem writing.
these tips really help thanks alot
Thank you for the tips…They will help me the next time I write a poem…Thanks!
.-= Ashu Bolar´s last blog ..I Can Beat Rosesh Sarabhai!!!!! =-.
Thank you for the tips…they will help the next time I write a poem…Thanks!!!!!
I love to write poetry from time to time… no… bad poetry to be exact. Nevertheless, I never stop writing poems. It is a form of relaxation for me. I just let the words flow out of my brain.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Writing Emails – The Do’s and Don’ts =-.
Many years back, I wrote poetry, or shall I say I expressed myself with the use of words. Those words often became poems, some I thought were good and others, not so good. I once had a poem published in a book of unknown authors sometime in the late 70’s. It’s been years like I said earlier, and I have of late been writing again. Your suggestions sound very useful, and I will definitely give them a try. Thank you, and I will be back.
Now who said you can’t get anything for free these days? Thank you so very much for the great information! I feel much better about my writing now! Thanks again, Brenda
there is some very insightful and helpful advice here, for certain.
While I agree with ALL the advice, and it is clear it comes with the purest of intentions (to encourage and help writeres to write, right?, lol), I try not to use the general terms “good” and “bad” (or “greatest” or “worst”) though; if it is true that the “bad” ones are necessary, then what makes them so “bad”…? I understand and agree, whole-heartedly, with tha concept just not the terminology…I’d rather hear what (specifically) makes them “bad,” in your opinion (and you have included a small list and I commend you for sharing those details). And, surely for every “bad” poem ever written, there is someone who will relate and perhaps even be to inspired to do something “good” as a result, upon reading !! …and certainly, I know hundreds of people who have absolutely zero appreciation for those poems which so many of us seem to know are the “greatest” !! …therefore, it is simply unavoidable (often to the dismay of the critic) that beauty of art ultimately resides in the eye of tha beholder….in addtion, I would like to hear your offerings on what the purpose of a poem “should” be, in your opinion. I am of tha opinion that, due to sheer mumbers – the growth of the world’s population and the growing number of varying intelligences, attributes, cultures, religions, and environments…a word such as “poetry” can not be defined (as in a dictionary), unless one agrees that each and every “poet” must first learn, memorize, and abide by that very definition. While there are many poets who have preached the duties of the Poet, at least as many (even “greats”) have argued on tha contrary.
Poetry is alive, as is all art. And while many of us who strive to create art that is respectful of our particular fields’ trail-blazers – we cannot keep art – or the living world – from changing…for tha “good” or tha “bad”…
-mtp
thanks for your tips (and the rest of the stuff on this site). I was stuck on my poetry assignment, and this really got me thinking. I haven’t been writing poetry for long, but I liked it, and I’ll keep trying (and fill the world with bad poems). ;D
Awesome advice. It’s always encouraging to remember that even the best poets probbably had/have 2 poems for every 1 that was good. I’m writing “”Every great poet has written a bad poem. Most great poets have written hundreds, even thousands of bad poems. The great poets kept writing though, and so should you. If it takes a hundred bad poems to produce a poem you like, finish those hundred poems. “” on my poetry journal so I don’t forget it.
Thanks for writing. -Lee
Great Tips J.C! I´m a poet from Caracas, Venezuela. I always carry little notebooks in all my bags, and I write things down that make an impression on me, colors, phrases, names of streets. Observing things is the raw material for poetry. Thank you!
I want to thank you for the Tips. They are very useful. I write poems,i find it a talent.The ways to improve this has been tough over the years. But,your tips here made me realise though the environment might not be encouraging,never give up, yet scribe your heart &feeling.
Thank you.
I’m sorry this has nothing to do with the article so if it is deleted I will not be offended. I just wrote my first poem. No one ever taught me how to write a poem and I don’t know if I did it right. Could you please read it and tell me if it really is a poem? If not, how do I turn it into one? Is it any good? Thanks for your help.
Here it is:
Alone
I hear a noise,
I stop and cringe,
A shadow passes by.
I cry for help,
But no one hears,
And so I am alone.
Once I was not alone,
Once I was loved,
What did I do wrong?
I sat on their laps,
They stroked my fur,
I thought it would never end.
Then came the kittens,
Inside me they grow,
I just want to keep them safe.
But then came the box,
So dark and small,
The drive, the fall, all alone.
The shadow comes close,
It darkens, it falls,
I am just to weak to care.
Cold and tired,
Confused and alone,
I let the shadow take me.
Back at home,
Warm and safe,
My family sits around a tree.
Together they open gifts,
They laugh they sing,
They think not once of me.
Their lonely cat,
The one who loved them,
The one they abandoned
By the side of a road
I love writting, and it get my emotions out…however, I’m not sure how to put it all together so its not sloppy…if that makes sense email me if you have any advice id appreciate it
katie_bop7@yahoo.com heres one of my poems 
and warning im a teeenager 
I’d just really like some advice on what to do.he pain it hurts like a 1,000 stabbing needles to my heart,
but tonite I want to be lost in this darkness wrapped up in your heart
your love is like a bullet straight from the gun I never want it to hit me
beause when you leave me I bleed a ton
please dont leave me stay here all night tell me
its okay hold me tight tell me you love me, tell me you’ll stay tell me you’ll be there that you wont walk away
give me your heart give me your soul give me your mind.. & if you do .ill never know
make our love a story make our love a book just make it a happy ending the best you’ve ever took
All I want is for you to be happy I dont care if I cry, i just want to prove to all of them your not just some guy, and all the people around me hate to see me this way because there worried when I fall I’ll slowly drift away
they know that you hurt me they know that you try,
deep inside of me i do believe your different from other guys I just want this to work
thats all ive ever tried My problem is I cant let go, I don’t know when to say goodbye
my problem is I care to much I dont know what to do, so everyday I sit here wishing there was something i could do
something that would make you care like you use to we use to be so close , you treated me like I was it, like I mattered the most
You said you’ve told me everything that there is to know but why are you trying to keep it from me hiding like a ghost, I can hear it in your voice its something you can’t hide
your a horrible liar , even you know it deep inside you can’t act like everyone else I don’t know why you even try, your far different from any of those guys
you want to be a gangsta you like the way it looks and all my insecurties are wrote down in this poem like its part of me a, book
you like weed, you like the way it makes you feel all u see in that is the feeling that right now makes me ill
I don’t want to see you get hurt I don’t want you to die, all I want is you that one guy…the one who never use to lie?
And here come the tears the ones that come each time I listen to your voice and realize that its all a lie , that your not it, you never will be the same guy
So maybe I should stop caring maybe its not worth the time ive spent with tears in my eyes…maybe this is all i needed to make me realize your just another one of those always will be guys.
Nice advice I agree. I am 26 and started writing at around age 9, i have loads of poems and no matter how hard i try to write other works of art, poetry prevails. Now only if I can figure out how to make a living off of writing.. something I feel I should have had some success in by now. When you’re a creative writer and you don’t wish to be a teacher what do you major in? I know you don’t have to go to school, but i also know that it can only help. Journalism? English? Still trying to figure it out. Still in college and would love to own my own magazine one day, write a column in a well known one, as well as get my poetry out there. **What I am most interested in is how to get into writing for greeting cards** My kind of writing, or the majority of it (honest , open, blunt emotional writing) is perfect for cards and so often I find the most horrible cards when searchin for the perfect one..if anyone knows about how to get involved or where to start , please let me know,
thanks. D
MUY that poem written from the perspective of the abandoned cat is a nicely written poem. The progression is great, if that’s your first poem im surprised. well done
Detherealbeing, thanks for responding. Yes, that was my first poem. I’m only 13 and I really had no idea if I wrote the poem correctly. I know poems don’t have to rhyme but I don’t know how to make them flow. If anyone can give me a basic idea of how to write one I’d love to know how so I can continue to write poems. Thanks for your help.
These are some precious advices for a newbie like me. I wrote this poem last week and was looking for someone to check it out. So, feel free to comment on it. Both positive and negative comments are wellcomed.
Your Memory
By: Usman k
Your memory makes me feel sad when they all brag,
And for that, i feel like gagged, standing on a crag,
I miss you more than everything i have ever possessed,
And then i don’t give a damn how cynics protest.
It fills my eyes with tears,
And bestows me with nothing but fears,
It urges me that i owe you something,
And that something is more important than everything.
It reminds of the moments that we have spent together,
And then i wished it could last forever.
Every couple reminds me of your memories,
And my mind gets filled with sad melodies.
It makes me realize that i have lost you,
I might have lost you but haven’t forgot you.
It makes me to accept that i am a looser,
I might be a looser but not a boozer.
Every smile reminds me of your amiability,
And its disappearance transforms me into a casualty.
I find myself pitying on my own self,
Then i hear a fella saying not to degrade yourself.
I don’t now that will we ever meet again,
Talk again, laugh again and love each other again.
The fainting chances reduce my breaths,
And that finally encloses me to my death.
Usman
it really was a project that brought this on but i think this helps me a lot.
Real national leader
I can’t think about myself ever,
Just only wished better for my nation,
I have no interest in worldly pleasure or joy,
National work rely me and impress me that’s why,
I don’t mine who, what, and how I ?
But I’m sure that what my nation is?
I have never pray god for develop me,
My pray is always for develop my country,
Any type of work for self make me lazy,
Work for country, I’m always ready sure,
Anybody tell me extremely bad I accept it,
Always in oppose for just bad for my country,
Money, bliss, delight be never attraction of mine,
Serve for country only attraction of mine,
I have no proud for my self or my image ever,
But certainly I’m proud for my bright nation,
I can’t reveal my identity as a man,
Yet I’m complete as ‘a real national leader’…
Thank you…
hiteshchavda1989@yahoo.com
Listen me please….
Ever you stop me at the mid of my talk,
And never you try to hear me at once,
Talk is not bore for you sure,
And also it’s not in my or your fever,
It’s never be opposed you or me,
Nor it is destroy for your thoughts,
Neither it is mysterious nor suspense air,
Would you please hear this is not abhor,
Painter can not express it by drawing,
Nor it can be someone artist’s good art,
No one singer can sing it’s chord,
Writer can never one title for it,
It can not be someone poet’s imagine,
Nor it is contain with past or future,
Also it is not like small or whole history,
Legend or novel is never just like this is sure,
So now would you please try to listen me ,
I’m sure that talk is between me and you,
The word is “ I’m for you and you are for me”….
Thank you …….
HITESH CHAVDA
Listen me please………………….
I have many more words only for you,
Also it is sure that these are not bore you,
If you have no fear try to me share,
Would you please dare like rare for affair,
Not here but there where is aware,
Care of mine and of course yours I dare,
If somebody ask you where you are ?
Reply them with cool that just your near,
May your friend tell you not for dare,
Explain them then say that I’m too sure,
May any kind of question arise there,
Don’t be afraid about , I will be take care,
I know that your problem is mother ,
Whatever I may be I love you not her,
So please try to listen me “ I love you ”,
I’m sorry to say but “ if you don’t mine…..!
THANK YOU……..
By HITESH CHAVDA
Thank you very much. Now perhaps I can go on with my writing. I almost gave up for a while but now I’ve got a lot of good tips.
.-= Carl Jonsson´s last blog ..Östersund =-.
im a player thats may style,
i rise like the sun,
power full like a king,
hood like 2 pac,
getto like ice t.
MUY you just write and over time you develop your own flow. to me there is no definition of poetry , i tend to ryhme its just always been that way. but i love words and like to challenge myself to try not to rhyme because rhyming is my second language. just write and write and dont stop any time u have a thought an idea dont over think it as if someone is ever going to read it, just write it as it comes as if no one will ever see it, honest writing is the best. your poem is great. You are so young imagine what you will be like if you progress when your in your twenties…i tend to hqve written mostly about love, life the norms i am a blunt honest open writer and advangard (dark different ) i can say that i have written mostly for my own need to vent and a pen and paper and my mind being my best therapist.
[...] PoeWar: Poewar.com offers a list of poetry writing tips you might have missed in college classes. [...]
it’s a great article. writing a poem or poetry is not an easy job. but your tips make it easier. thanks
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Wow; thanks; these really helped me think clearly; i’m only 16 and starting to write depressing and love poetry and I really like writing and this inspired me to write about my dreams and demons. About anything that happens to me as a disguise in another character. I guess you could say I have a split persona when I write; but at least I get the words out like I want them out
You are right, I apologize about the guidelines…but for me it’s another stone I have found on my way home. As you see, it is more and more difficult to say: I’ll be home for Christmas.
Welcome to the…. .
Hello, very welcome here at the A.A.C.,
The college of knowledge and literacy,
ANAND ARTS COLLEGE is green and clean,
Opposite the grid in the city of milk,
Founded by Vakil Saheb in a year of 1954,
Which still working with some new more,
This was awarded as best college of the state,
Accredited by NACC with 2.81 scale at “b” grade,
This college has fulfilled desires of many,
And also has decided future and destiny,
Students who at here should be very dear,
Always each and every stay without any fear,
Professors are the best with greatest works,
Also have notable service of the clerks,
Here a great thing each must be like,
Yaw, it’s our great and fine library site,
A governing hand of this large ship is,
Dr. Beena madam, hope you keep it .
– HITESH CHAVDA
Nicely written.
I’m just starting a workshop forum for poetry and will place a link on it linking back to this page. Some great advice for aspiring poets.
I started writing poems wen i was around 17 after my parents separated and up to last year i ve written 69 poems and after listening and reading other poem i decided to look 4 basic tips and the one’s above have really motivated me alot and nw am back. Thanks
I started writing since from my junior college. I am a poet who is dedicated torwards improving creative writing.I have written 65 poems so far to my present senior college,and i also teach.Stay cool.
Well,are you happy?
That this all happened to me?
To have a reality check
Making my life more complex
If you only knew
Where it has landed you
There has to be an ending
I’m sick of pretending
To be someone else
I need some serious help
Or,I will drown
Because of these lies in my mouth
Now,I’m stuck
I guess it’s just my luck
I will never know
If I’m now on my own
I can’t help but think
While I begin to sink
What I would’ve been
If I hadn’t of let you in
You destroyed my life
The life that was mine
I will never
Ever,ever,ever
Forget what you have done
And so the war goes on……
i’m a teenage poet who usually downsizes their poetry
the poetry i found on here was great
i guess i just wanted to put one of mine on here as well
so,whoever made this website,thank you.
I really love to write poems and short stories! I am 13 years old and I wish I progress in writing with the help of these tips!
Thanks a lot for such inspiring and motivating guidelines.
THE SUN & THE MOON
Out the steam, outer the system
Got the clue, outer the glue
Just be sure you won’t get sued
Inside not a heat beat
They are fond to each other
No tuning back brother
Am out take my light
Shine in the dark, make it bright
My dawning is here just ride
Morning, noon, evening makes a tide
Till am out just come on any side
Your time to shine let me hide
Tell me when am wrong
Lead me on the right side
Give me when am lack
Lean on me, I hold your back
I was born without a silver spoon
And I must make a lagoon
Every bye I wish to see you soon
In this world of boom, boom, boom
Notice the speck of sawdust in your eye
And not the plank in my eye
How can you forget all bout eve?
Seduced by serpent to touch the apple
Brother takes me on your right hand
Make my weaknesses as my strength
Don speaks behind or reveals our crypto
I didn’t experience any foe, so don’t be
My heart is full of love & bless on you
Like brother sun and brother moon kajiÄbeid©
guys,am waitin for your criticsm
NOT FAIR
I say to you
Truth is an offence
But not a sin
He who laugh last
He is a foolish dog
Bark at flaying birds
True colors comes from rainbow
But this truth comes from my heart
Is it true that we are the twain?
That shall never meet again
This idiom it makes no odds
Think is an idiom of olds
And no fool likes an old fool
Trying fire out of frying pan
Yeah, you can’t turn a worm
A leopard that can’t change
The apple didn’t fall far from the tree
What planet is for this sub human?
Who will fail to figurate this?
Con girl I did play on her hands
And it was not fair
kajiÄbeid©
I stand up
I did tell what I felt
Yes, you’re the offensive
Trying to quench your thirsty
Stop digging the tar mark
Crying, giggles just shut up
Listen and read from you
Was bad enough than suicide
Try up some other day
crucifying, justifying
Take a look before you leap
Not all chances are golden
Don’t dance without a sound
Don’t laugh without a joke
Just walk with a walker
Smoke with a smoker
But the truth will remain untruth
It was not fair
kajiÄbeid©
Alright, yes, I gat you
Ok, why that for you
Stand all the time front of you
Telling you that I missed you
Then please forgiving me for hurting you
I was free before now depending on you
I did decent to see smile on you
I must touch the Rosette Stone for you
To untie my self from you
I saw a phosgene behind you
The POW must escape you
Watching Pot
Just once Princess Sada
Will never happen again
Inside is just pain
I was willing to bear the burden
I did spoke in campaign
Special was a hot chain
Around our neck but we are the twain
Every cloud with a silver lining
From sadness to my happiness
Out of your happiness to my sad
See we did not realize
To look before we leap
I believe in the word crop
My water still runs deep
I tried but I can’t stop
Will be like stopping heat beat
Necessity the mother of invention
Did u believe in my faith and patient
Did I leaky my trust and secret
Go down I will lift you up
Came with sad leave happy
Still u will throw them harsh words
May be I didn’t understand
To me special was everything
Education, life and love
Passing obstacle, tracing heaters
Am I the tiger your afraid of
If I was baldhead switch off
I can’t hold on avoiding me
Don look just shoot me
Pull the trigger erase me
Close that chapter concerning me
But first Princess Sada
Help me understand these words
Two heads are better than one
One good term deserve another
Nothing ventured nothing gained
I gave up to watch the pot
That never boils
The worm has turned
Living dog is better than dead lion
kajiÄbeid©
thanx guys you really encouraged me.. i guess i should start practising my poems