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HOW CAN I BECOME A BETTER POET? - The best way to become a better poet is to read, read, read! Read poetry of all kinds plus fiction, non-fiction, creative non-fiction and essays. Next, study the work of poets you enjoy or admire. Notice how great poetry makes use imagery (details), metaphor & simile (comparison) and music (rhythm, repeated sounds). Try different poetic forms. Write in personas other than your own. Explore the sounds of words. Rearrange your lines for new effects. Join a poetry or writing group -- talking about and listening to poetry can give you new insights and information. Mostly just keep writing. Poetry is a spiritual endeavor, but it is also hard work. Like so many things, to be great requires practice!
HOW DO I GET PUBLISHED? - Being published is the dream of most poets and writers. In seeking publication, it is importatnt to remember that writing for yourself and writing for readers can often be two very different things. When we write for ourselves, the most important thing is to get our thoughts and feelings down on the page. In seeking publication, the most important thing is that the writing is pleasing to other people, especially editors who are trying to sell their publications to a wide audience. Before you seek publication, be sure you are ready to put craft, revision, editing, form and universal appeal before your own need to be heard. If you have done that, you can begin to send individual poems to literary journals, university journals, magazines, newsletters and contests. The publication of an entire poetry collection usually requires previous publication credits, careful editing and patience. The best way to begin is to send a query to small presses. Some poets decide to forego all of that and publish a book or booklet themselves; that is certainly an option. Of course, with self-publishing, the work usually done by the editor, publisher, book designer and marketing department will your responsibility. Even so, it is nice to have a printed copy of your poems to give to friends and family!
WHAT ARE SOME GOOD WRITING EXERCISES? - There are many fine instructional books on creative writing. You can find writing exercises on line. You can use your favorite poems as prompts or try to copy the form of other poems. You can also enjoy the exercises on our Lessons page on this website.
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