Poetry Writing Tips

Writing poetry may seem impossible to the uninitiated, though the task is not as challenging as one would like to believe. A poem is a beautiful expression of something that you passionately feel about. Poetry is probably the most creative and inventive form of writing, where you have to use your imaginative skills. Since writing a poem is very much an art, it’s natural for many to feel that they are not gifted. However, as any art can be perfected, so is true for poetry. Explore the article to find some valuable tips and suggestions on writing poetry, listed just for you.

 

 

The subject of your poem must be based on something that you have found inspiring and motivates you to write. You poem may be based on a person, a specific object or an issue that evokes strong emotions in you and encourage you to write. There are many people who choose to write poems on a strong issue, which churns their heart and give vent to their thoughts in the garb of a poem. However, your subject can be just about anything you like.

An inhibited mind can never produce a good poem. You will have to shed your inhibitions and pour your heart out on paper to write a poem which is truly expressive. Rather than thinking too much and framing rhythmic lines, just let your instinct take over. Remember that a free flow of thoughts is more important for a beginner, rather than rhythm or rhyme. T.S Eliot has rightly said that genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood and free flowing thought is indispensable for doing the same.

 

Imagery assumes immense significance in poetry. You have to create vivid images in your mind on the subject you have chosen for the poem and describe the images in words. Symbolism and metaphors can be used liberally, in case you are describing the beauty of your subject. Use a lot of descriptive words and organize your thoughts to give them a poetic structure.

For an amateur, it may be increasingly difficult to induce rhythm in the poem and as such, adopting a free verse style can greatly help you in your poetry endeavors. Many poets make conscious attempts to make their poem rhythmic, but it can certainly restrict an instinctive flow of thoughts, since you are more fixated on rhythm than the feel of the poem. In a free verse, well meaning words are spun together, which allows you more creative liberty.

 

Editing your poem becomes important to browse the mistakes and make any required changes to make the poem better. However, the golden rule is to restrict yourself to just editing. Don’t re-write the entire poem, unless you really think it is not making any sense at all. Re-writing can take the soul away from your poem, as you may not be that emotionally charged while writing it the second time.