Explicitly Focus on Sensory Elements
Writing poetry involves using sensory elements, granting the poem structure and rhythm. Focus on those elements to help your poem stand out. Here are some tips you can use to get inspired:
- Spend time observing nature and the environment around you. Take notes and jot down things that stand out to you, such as the sound of birds, the color of the sky, and the texture of a tree.
- Let yourself get lost in music. Listen to different genres and styles to stimulate your imagination. Music can spark poetry ideas that can help you write a poem or phrase.
- Dive into your own emotions and channel your thoughts. Find a typing or writing space that makes you feel comfortable and then put your fingertips to the keys for some honest and authentic writing about what you’re feeling.
- Curate a collection of quotes, words, and sayings from different sources. The collection could include phrases from motivational speeches, books, and TV shows. Re-read and re-word them to inspire your poem.
- For a more abstract approach, spend time brainstorming. Jot down different ideas and allow your thoughts to flow without any rules.
When writing poetry, it is important to stay focused and declutter your writing environment to remove any potential distractions. Get rid of anything that could cause you to be easily distracted and focus solely on the task of writing. Without distractions, the writing process can be a lot more fluid and enjoyable.
Additionally, take the necessary amount of down time before you begin your writing session. This can be anything from a few minutes of preparation or a few days of free-style writing. The goal is to fill your head and your heart with everything necessary to write with inspiration.
Explore Different Genres and Calibers
No two poets are alike, and this applies to their styles of writing, too. Every writer has a different method of writing that makes them unique. To start writing, try different genres and play with different styles.
One method for getting started is by writing a sonnet. Sonnets are poems of fourteen lines written in a specific meter and rhyme scheme. They’re traditionally written on a specific subject and with a certain arc and structure.
Haiku is another type of poem that focuses on the beauty of nature. A haiku is a three line poem, with the first and last line having five syllables, and the middle line having a total of seven.
Free verse is a type of poem that does not follow a specific structure or format. The great thing about free verse is that it lets the poet express themself without having to worry about the rhyming and structure of the poem.
Read and Study the Work of Other Poets
To be successful as a poet, it’s important to read and study the works of other poets. This can help you understand different techniques and styles of writing, and can help you identify the topics that you want to write about.
Reading books or poetry collections that feature other poets is a great way to begin your journey. Take your time to read and analyze how the poem has been written, look for clues that can help you understand the meaning of the poem, and reflect on how it makes you feel.
Studying the works of other poets can also provide you with inspiration for your own poems. Try to identify the techniques used by the poet and how the language has been constructed. This can help you create engaging and inspiring poems of your own.
Take Note of Your Daily Experiences and Emotions
The life that we experience is full of emotions, moments and stories. As poets, we can draw from these experiences to create our work.
Take note of the small details in your day-to-day life. Record a few lines about the people you interact with, the places you visit, and the things that you see. This can become the basis for a new poem.
It is also important to take note of your emotions. Write down your feelings following events throughout your day. Like diary entries, these feelings can be used to create endearing and reflective poems.
Inspire Yourself with Writing Prompts
Writing prompts are a great way to get inspired to write poetry. A writing prompt is a short sentence or phrase that can be used as the starting point for a poem.
For example, you could use a writing prompt such as “the sky is always a beautiful blue” to inspire your poem. This writing prompt can be expanded upon to create a beautiful poem about the sky.
Writing prompts can also be used to create more abstract poems. For example, you could use the same writing prompt but focus more on the feelings that the phrase creates, such as joy, hope, or wonder.
Collaborate with Other Poets
Working with other poets is a great way to get inspired to write poetry. You can seek out other poets through online communities, writing workshops, and literary events.
Working with other poets provides an environment to share ideas, learn new techniques and discuss topics that you may not have had the chance to explore. You can also get meaningful feedback on your work and develop your writing style.
Break Out of Your Comfort Zone
Breaking out of your comfort zone is one of the best ways to get inspired to write poetry. Start writing poems about topics that are out of your comfort zone, and explore the feelings that these different topics bring.
Another way to break out of your comfort zone is to take a break from the ordinary. This can be anything from travelling to a new destination, visiting a local museum, or speaking to strangers.
These experiences will challenge you and give you the chance to look at the world from a new perspective. Once you have a clearer understanding of the world, it will be easier to write poems about different topics and situations.
Create an Outlet to Express Yourself
The key to getting inspired to write poetry is to find an outlet for your emotions and ideas. Create a space to express your thoughts and feelings, such as a blog, or a journal. This outlet can help you to organize and shape your ideas and can help you to structure your work.
Writing poetry can be a great way to express yourself and to capture your emotions and thoughts. To get inspired to write poetry, take the time to observe the world around you, explore different genres and calibers of writing, read and study the work of other poets, take note of your daily experiences and emotions, use writing prompts, collaborate with other poets and break out of your comfort zone.
