I can’t claim to be a poet in every sense of the word, because the word itself is subject to interpretation and comes with a load of responsibility– to the word, to literature, to the self, to the subjects, and to the reader or listener. I also can’t claim to be an expert in writing poetry—well, because I’m not.
I simply can’t assert that a poem can be written in a particular way or following a specific procedure because composing a poem is not the same as writing an essay which necessitates a basic structural plan and forces coherence. A poem, on the other hand, promises a kind of freedom.
The how is irrelevant if the end satisfies the poet’s artistic hunger. Therefore, whatever advice I offer in this article is either something I learned from experience as an ‘aspiring poet’ or a second-hand recommendation from others.
Read Poetry
In order to write, one must first read. This is true when learning the pillars of a first language or a foreign language. And it is true when it comes to writing poetry.
Diversify your poetry reading list to include canonical works. Make sure to include poetry from around the world to expose your mind to different forms, themes, and styles.
Don’t forget to immerse yourself in the works of poets who write in your native language, as this can positively influence the development of your identity as a poet.
Write Poetry
You might write 100 bad lines before you write one good line or you might get it right the first time around. But it matters that you make the time to write. Don’t be afraid to write a bad poem as most poems start that way before they’re crafted into good ones.
Ideas. Words. Events. Incidents. People. Conversations. Anything that might become the stepping stone to writing a poem should be jotted down. I know I’ve lost countless would’ve-been poems because I didn’t write them at the right moment. Keeping a journal or notebook on hand is advisable. You can easily use the notepad on your phone too!
Remember your Options
You can choose to wait for the poem to find its way to you. Be patient. Sometimes the best poems take the longest time to create. Waiting for inspiration is not necessarily a point of weakness.
Go Search
This point requires action! Go search for prompts to practice writing. You are free to select the prompts that you like but challenging yourself with the ones you feel are not your style will surely push you to follow other creative paths than the one you’re on. Look for exercises that can strengthen your poetic muscles.
Set Goals
You can set subject-matter goals. Make a list of all the things you’d like to write about. Whether it’s a person, a relationship, a theme, an event, or a belief, setting goals can be a very motivating strategy.
Experiment’
You can try to write in different forms. Don’t limit yourself to one form. Or do! It’s a choice, really, but experimenting can accelerate the creative process. Maybe you’ll find your calling in other forms.
Allow the Poem to Take Form
Don’t hurry the poem. Let it be ready to be written. To be finalized. The poem is a journey not just a destination. A poem is like a rosebud, it takes time to bloom.
Avoid clichés
This one is so difficult to follow. I’ve fallen into this trap more times than I can count (notice the rose simile above). It helps, though, to ask yourself: Is there something familiar about this metaphor? This line? This image? If the answer is Yes, try to find another vessel for your idea.
Choose the road not taken
Don’t just go with the flow. Don’t just write to impress. Don’t just write what you think others want to read. Don’t write what you think other poets will label as worthy of reading. This in no way means you should not seek criticism and advice, or allow yourself to be influenced. It just means that you should listen to your inner creative before all else. You can also choose to ignore me and what I just said.
Read! Revise! Edit!
The first draft of a poem is usually an idea of what a poem is capable of becoming. It is, then, a blurry vision of its future self. In order to transform this possibility into actual existence, a poet must edit and revise.
The primary step toward improving a poem is reading it out loud. When you hear yourself reciting it, all the flaws are magnified. You get a sense of where the lines flow and where they are just an arrangement of words.
Revise your work by writing and rewriting the same lines to get where you want to be. Edit so the poem is free of stylistic and grammatical errors (unless they’re intentional).
You may choose to hear a fellow writer’s point of view. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes can lead to substantial adjustments.
Persevere!
There will be many days when you feel like you can’t write a single line. There will be many empty pages. There will be sleepless nights and empty coffee cups. There will be frustration gathering on the tips of your fingers. But it’s important that you don’t give up!
There is no right or wrong way to write a poem. There is no definite procedure that guarantees the composition of a ‘good poem’ (also a categorization that is subject to debate). Some poems are written as a result of what we call inspiration or a moment of artistic revelation. Other poems are products of deliberate planning or outlining. So, there is only what works for you as a writer. Remember that it is your artistic duty to explore the how’s that push your creativity.
Hanan's Bookshelf 