Exploring the craft of poetry can be a liberating experience for creative individuals from all walks of life. The art of poetry provides a myriad of opportunities for writers to experiment with various forms and conventions.
Here are some of the best tips to consider if you are ready to create profoundly evocative and impactful masterpieces.
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Just as aspiring fiction authors must read works from brilliant authors such as Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, and Agatha Christie, you must also read before writing. Sylvia Plath, E.E. Cummings, and Jane Hirshfield are just a few of the poets who can help you become a better poet.
While you may not be able to meet your favorite poets, reading their work is as close as you can get to learning from them. Make sure to explore the works of the greatest poets of all time, as well as contemporary poets who are garnering significant attention.
The more you read, the more you will learn about poetry, its elements, and the best practices. While it is not right to copy the work or style of those you admire there are no limits to how much you can learn from them.
Try Out Different Forms
Many aspiring poets are surprised to know how vast the world of poetry really can be. After all, writing brilliant poetry is not all about rhyming words and being able to calculate meters accurately. Many different forms of poetry are available for you to try out.
Even if you already know the type of poet you want to be and the form you want to write in, trying out different forms can never go bad. If you do not know where to begin your experimentation, here are some poetic forms to try out.
- Haiku
- Free verse
- Sonnet
- Acrostic
- Villanelle
- Limerick
- Ode
- Elegy
- Ballad
You must have come across many of these forms every now and then without even realizing it. Experimenting with these forms will help you learn more about them and see several options for choosing a path.
Play with Rhyme
If you think that you cannot play around with rhyme, you are certainly mistaken and misled. Of course, every aspiring poet remembers their favorite books from childhood and simple and fun rhyme schemes.
“Dinosaur Roar!” by Paul and Henrietta Stickland and “The Great Big Book of Poems” by Mary Ann Hoberman are just some of the many books that are unforgettable for children even when they are grown and independent.
While a simple rhyme scheme is great, only knowing it is not enough for someone trying to become a poet. There is a lot more to poetry that you can realize while experimenting as a poet and trying free verse poetry.
Learn More About Meter
Meter refers to the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a poem, varying from line to line. It is a tool that ensures that your words are not the only factor that leads to a poem looking more creative and engaging a vast audience but also rhythmically interesting.
Using different rhymes in your poems, you can find your unique style as a poet and diversify your work. For example, John Milton used iambic pentameter in his epic poem “Paradise Lost,” and you can also try different meters to broaden your horizons. Here are different meters every aspiring poet must know about.
- Iambic
- Trochaic
- Anapestic
- Dactylic
- Spondee
- Pyrrhic
Prepare for Inspiration
As an aspiring poet, one of the most important things you must understand is that inspiration can hit you at any time. Whether you are brushing your teeth before bed or taking your dog for a run, anytime is a good time to find the motivation and inspiration you need to succeed as an aspiring poet.
Instead of missing out on inspiration, every aspiring poet must always carry a journal. A journal allows you to catalog images and thoughts as they occur to you throughout your day. Even if you are unable to focus in the moment, you can always revisit the journal to brainstorm.
Try Out Poetic Devices
Poetic devices are another great aspect of writing poetry to get aspiring poets excited. There are several literary devices that help poets boost the potential of their work in a unique way. Understanding what these devices are and how they can help you become a brilliant poet is very important.
From alliteration to personification, there are endless possibilities for someone with a creative mind. Here are some of the best literary devices you must study and incorporate in your work.
- Metaphor
- Simile
- Imagery
- Alliteration
- Assonance
- Personification
- Hyperbole
- Symbolism
- Onomatopoeia
- Irony
These devices can help to add layers of meaning to your work and engage the readers in multiple ways at once.
Use Simple Words
One of the biggest misconceptions among aspiring poets is that using complex words will establish their authority. While it may sound probable, using complex words in your work will have the opposite effect on your audience.
Avid fans of poetry want something more than complex words and flowery language. They want to be blown away by brilliant concepts in the simplest language. Of course, you can understand that creativity cannot be found in any thesaurus. It comes from within.
If you are struggling with choosing the right words as a beginner poet, you can hire a poem editor to help you get on the right path and discover your full potential.
Make Some Friends
If you are struggling with staying motivated on the path to becoming a poet, you are not alone. Several people start their poetic journey but fail to make it to the end. The biggest reason for their failure may be a lack of motivation and accountability.
If you also feel lost and unmotivated at times, it is always a good idea to make some friends by joining the relevant communities. Joining poetry groups can help connect you with publishing industry contacts and literary agents.