HOW to WRITE POETRY.

1. Write for yourself, not others

2. Find your own truths

3. First drafts are just that (you should see mine!)

4. Work out your own best processes (morning pages/candles/notebook/tablet/glass of wine/cup of tea/ meditation/ fresh air/ log fire/long walk…). Whatever works for you

5. Have some tricks up your sleeve – read other poets for inspiration/use a random word
generator/model your poem on somebody else’s work/take some lines from other poets
and weave them into your own work/refer to Wikipedia/listen to Ted Talks/attend
workshops

6. Trust your subconscious to deliver

7. Don’t judge yourself harshly – be gentle with your artist’s child

8. Remember, nobody else in the world writes like you do

9. Seek out supportive, like-minded communities

10. Not every poem you write will be a masterpiece – and that doesn’t matter

11. Enjoy the process12. Share when you feel ready

Repeat

Liz McPherson

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