Let your imagination flow with scenarios that a beginner poet might ask.
First and foremost,just start.
Don't worry too much about structure,just write what you want to write and words will come out.
For performance poetry,go off the deep end.Go CRAZY.Go fast.Go slow. Just channel your crazy side and show the world that your crazy is your new genius.
What about you,COVERS?
@Matthew Hutchins
SIDE NOTE: I think its amazing you've been writing for 7 years.
CONGRATULATIONS,MATTHEW!!!!!!!
I’ve been writing poetry for about 7 years now, and have been asked for tips from a few friends and acquaintances on how to start, how to improve, etc.
I think when someone is just starting out, it’s best to focus on encouraging them to keep at it. As a writer, you do have to build a thick skin and that takes time, so I like to encourage them as much as possible and imbue any feedback with encouragement.
Here are my best pieces of advice for beginners. I think it’s important advice because it applies to poets of all experience levels, not just beginners.
1. Write as much and often as possible. Even if you don’t feel like it, come to the table on a regular basis and try to write. Daily if you can, but choosing certain days works too. Just try to be consistent. Thats 80% of the work right there. You don’t have to love what you’re writing right in the moment. It can suck. You just need to write.
2. Be playful. When you’re just starting out, and honestly even if you’re experienced, you need to give yourself permission to play. Get the inner critic out of the room. Tell them to go take a walk and only let them come hang with you when you’ve invited them. When you’re in writing mode, the inner critic is your biggest enemy. That guy is for editing, and editing comes after. Youve got to get the words on the page before you have anything to revise and refine.
3. Be open to feedback. Now that you’ve written a poem (or a few), be open to considering other peoples suggestions. If you’re a beginner, take those suggestions. If someone suggests a rewrite, rewrite the poem. Then hold it up to the old one and compare them. Do you like one or the other better? Do they both need to merge into one?
it can be really tough to accept feedback as an artist, but it’s crucial if you want to grow. When someone gives you well-meaning feedback, assume it’s because they think your poem is worth working on.
Repeat steps 1-3 for a couple years, then compare your first poems to your current ones and be astonished at your progress. :)
I would say carry a little notebook and pencil around with you and note every thought, idea, sentence, person or thing that inspires you during the day.
And learn traditional forms. You don't have to use them, but if you don't know the rules you don't know how to break them
Be curious. About a lot of things. Have the desire to explore and ponder everything. Find a way to express it in a way that is distinctive and will make your readers empathise with you or the speaker.
Similar to you, @Bendy Nguyen I would tell the person to just go for it. A blank page is scary but you can't edit a blank page.
Also, it may seem weird but I'm a big believer that writing is kind of like learning to dance. Some people may be naturally gifted but the more you do it, the better you get. You learn your own voice, you learn what techniques work for you and you learn what 'routines' work for you.
Also, and I cannot stress this enough, read. Yes, reading poetry helps. But read anything. Read fiction, news articles, blogs, recipes. Poems come in all shapes and sizes and the more you read, the more language you absorb and also different forms. Some poems are written as tweets, others as receipts. They're not always rhyming couplets.
Just go for it.
Honestly, depends on what they wanted to know. I mean a general rule of thumb from me would be to read poetry. Can't very well be writing something if you don't even know what poetry could look and sound like. Otherwise, it would be like asking an accountant to perform brain surgery. Got to have the know-how first.
On the flip side to that...
I would also tell them to write with some kind of intention or purpose, whether that means writing in a journalistic manner, venting, creating for someone else (like a love letter or something), etc. A person's intentions for writing poetry hold just as much meaning, if not more, than the writing itself.
Emotion personally for me is the key to poetry, I metaphorically pull emotions out of me into my writing. Don’t be hesitant You’ve nothing to loose! Usually writing what first comes into your head is the best kind of writing because it’s fresh and true