How to Become a Poet Writer

What is a poet? Obviously, a poet is someone who writes poetry but someone who carefully chooses words to create pictures in peoples' minds by selecting words for meaning,beauty and sound. Poetry first began with storytelling, and tribal storytellers used rhymes to remember history. Early tribes told their history long before anyone figured out how to write it down. Even medieval kings and knights listened to poetry and songs at the royal court.

Things You'll Need

• Pen
• Pencils
• Journals
• Notebooks
• Library card

Instructions

1. Search for poetry books at your public library, school library or garage and yard sales. Consistently read poetry. Reading poetry is the best way to learn how to write it. Check out Internet poetry sites as well. Remember, poetry goes through 'styles' much as fashions and fads do. If you're a 'stand-up' poet, your work is still changing and becoming an actual art form.

2. Go to the nearest big bookstore and pick up poetry magazines. Spend time reading and comparing poems and poets. If you can, subscribe to a poetry magazine or two so you can know about the latest contests and trends and also make you aware of the many poetry programs which are available in workshops and at colleges and universities. Also, attend poetry slams or public readings every chance you get, whether you have a piece ready to be read in front of an audience or not. Meet your fellow poets and learn what your audience expects and wants.

3. Write poetry frequently. Don't wait for 'the muse' to inspire you. Write at least weekly; keep a poetry journal and write down thoughts and inspirations for later use in a poem if you don't have time to write it now. Take a public speaking class, and discover the many ways a poem can be read aloud.

4. Write a poem for that special someone when you need a gift for him or her. Write your own greeting cards, using free clip art or photo images so you don't have to worry about illustration. Carry a notebook with you at all times, and always keep one beside your bed. Quickly record those thoughts and bits of poems that just 'pop into your head.

5. Try writing different lyrics to a favorite song. Enter poetry contests but only those which are considered reputable by the poetry magazines to which you've subscribed.

Tips & Warnings

• Join a writers' group if there's one which meets close to where you live or work.

• Poems are welcome at many Internet sites. Find some online magazines and newsletters which fit your style of writing. Be sure to read the 'Writer's Guidelines' so you don't submit a poem that doesn't match the editor's needs.

• Don't fall victim to a print on demand publisher which is only after your money, and won't edit or guide your work, nor help you market it after publication. The market for poetry in the US is relatively small, and any publisher which promises you big sales figures on your first book of poetry hasn't done its business projections correctly.

Resources

• Winning Writers