silentpoet
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2001
- Messages
- 207
Ok everyone, I keep noticing that when I bring up writing poetry to a lot of people, I usually get the same reactions: "I can't write poetry!"
Well, guess what, YOU CAN! Anyone can write poetry, and anyone who wants a few tips can learn how. I ask all poets to help me out with making this little 'help guide' so that maybe we can get more poets into this forum. Also, hopefully this can be added to the FAQ if we get enough info on here.
Here are a few tips I learned before I wrote poetry:
1. Anyone can do it, not just a person who has the gift, or a masters in writing, or a 'talented' person.
2. Poetry is not defined as set laws. Meaning, a poems structure depends entire on who is writing it. It can rhyme, be in verse, have big words, be a bunch of ramblings, be silly, be short, and be of no point what-so-ever.
3. Do not write a poem hoping for everyone to love it or hate it. Write because it is in you, not because you want praise. And that goes for the latter, dont be afraid to write because you fear it isnt good enough to be read! The best poems I read have been from people who wrote for their first few times.
4. Poetry is in anything and everything! Anything beautiful has poetry in it, and anything ugly has poetry in it too. It doesnt have to be nice, or loving, or happy! Dont be afraid to be dark, or strong, or passionate!
5. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!! Good poets didnt hit fame by writing their first poems and selling them! It took lots of practice, lots of time, and lots of mistakes to make a good poet.
6. Has a purpose for writing. You cant tell a story by not having a story. Have something in mind when you write. A popular subject is a loved one, so maybe start off there then move onto something a little more difficult; like nature or pain.
7. A poet is not measured by what he writes, but how he writes it. Use words like you would use a knife. Learn to mould, then shape. Sooner or later you will be a master of words and a master of getting what you want to say out on paper.
8. Dont be afraid. Here's a little secret, we were all once beginners here! Believe in yourself, and know that what you write, no matter how small or bad you think it is, is pure you. It is YOUR words, YOUR creation, and YOUR thoughts, so ALWAYS be proud after completing a poem. Give yourself a pat on the back
9. Never hold back. Never stop yourself because it might not be the popular thing, or it might offend someone. Some poetry offends, while others move. Just be true to yourself.
10. "If you want to be a good writer, you have to read." That is a quote from an unknown author, but what he/she said was true. You want to get ideas or help? Read other peoples poems. Also, if you have a question about why someone wrote what he/she did, just ask them! Hardly anyone writes just for the sake of writing. Poetry is a great release of stress, so a lot of poems have a story behind them!
That is all I can think of for now, but I would really appreciate it if others decided to join in and help out. Hopefull we'll get some people in here that are beginners, and with practice, we can watch them grow into a powerful user of words.
Well, guess what, YOU CAN! Anyone can write poetry, and anyone who wants a few tips can learn how. I ask all poets to help me out with making this little 'help guide' so that maybe we can get more poets into this forum. Also, hopefully this can be added to the FAQ if we get enough info on here.
Here are a few tips I learned before I wrote poetry:
1. Anyone can do it, not just a person who has the gift, or a masters in writing, or a 'talented' person.
2. Poetry is not defined as set laws. Meaning, a poems structure depends entire on who is writing it. It can rhyme, be in verse, have big words, be a bunch of ramblings, be silly, be short, and be of no point what-so-ever.
3. Do not write a poem hoping for everyone to love it or hate it. Write because it is in you, not because you want praise. And that goes for the latter, dont be afraid to write because you fear it isnt good enough to be read! The best poems I read have been from people who wrote for their first few times.
4. Poetry is in anything and everything! Anything beautiful has poetry in it, and anything ugly has poetry in it too. It doesnt have to be nice, or loving, or happy! Dont be afraid to be dark, or strong, or passionate!
5. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!! Good poets didnt hit fame by writing their first poems and selling them! It took lots of practice, lots of time, and lots of mistakes to make a good poet.
6. Has a purpose for writing. You cant tell a story by not having a story. Have something in mind when you write. A popular subject is a loved one, so maybe start off there then move onto something a little more difficult; like nature or pain.
7. A poet is not measured by what he writes, but how he writes it. Use words like you would use a knife. Learn to mould, then shape. Sooner or later you will be a master of words and a master of getting what you want to say out on paper.
8. Dont be afraid. Here's a little secret, we were all once beginners here! Believe in yourself, and know that what you write, no matter how small or bad you think it is, is pure you. It is YOUR words, YOUR creation, and YOUR thoughts, so ALWAYS be proud after completing a poem. Give yourself a pat on the back
9. Never hold back. Never stop yourself because it might not be the popular thing, or it might offend someone. Some poetry offends, while others move. Just be true to yourself.
10. "If you want to be a good writer, you have to read." That is a quote from an unknown author, but what he/she said was true. You want to get ideas or help? Read other peoples poems. Also, if you have a question about why someone wrote what he/she did, just ask them! Hardly anyone writes just for the sake of writing. Poetry is a great release of stress, so a lot of poems have a story behind them!
That is all I can think of for now, but I would really appreciate it if others decided to join in and help out. Hopefull we'll get some people in here that are beginners, and with practice, we can watch them grow into a powerful user of words.
