Writing Poetry - For Beginners
I get asked at least once a week how I got into poetry and do I have tips on writing poetry. So here are your questions answered.
How did I get into poetry
After suffering from post natal depression and PTSD I started writing my thoughts down. This helped with my recovery process. I would write about how I was feeling but also wrote positive poems to help me through. I have written several children’s stories in the past, none of which have been published, but I’ve always dreamed of being an author. I have only ever been able to write in rhyme, and publishers often prefer prose.
What inspires me
Anything and everything. My best poems often come from a place of pain and anxiety. My son has various complex disorders and I spend majority of my time fighting for him as well as trying to bring him up the best I can. This causes a lot of stress and anxiety which I then use in my poetry. Sometimes I will watch a film, or talk to friends, and their stories inspire me. Most of the time I will be doing something random like having a shower and a poem will just come to me. I will stop what I’m doing and write it down.
Where would I like to go with my poetry
I still want to be a children’s author, the next Dr Seuss or Julia Donaldson. I believe I have what it takes it’s just persuading publishers that I do. I would just love to have my books in Waterstones, that is a dream. I want to create quite a few more packs of cards, I have 19 different topics that I have planned, and probably enough poetry to fill them all. A big dream of mine would be to stand on stage and do motivational speaking, although I’ll be shaking with nerves the entire time.
Tips for those that would like to get into poetry:
- My number one tip is to write. Write whatever comes to mind, write wherever you are, write about anything and everything. Just write.
- My next tip is to read. I love simple or nonsense poetry. Dr Seuss fascinates me and I would love to be recognised like he is. I tend to read a lot of children’s poetry as I have children. But you should find books on poetry that you enjoy reading and read them a lot. Use Instagram and look on #poetry or #rhyme to get some ideas of what others write.
- My third tip is to ignore other people’s opinions. Writing is an art form, there is no wrong or right way, just look at Shakespeare. A lot of people will tell you there is, but there really isn’t. If others enjoy your work then you are a poet, if you enjoy your work, then you are a poet. No one else’s opinion matters, unless you are trying to sell to that person. I make a ridiculous number of spelling mistakes, and I am often picked up on it, there are probably errors on this blog post, but I am only human, I make mistakes, those mistakes are part of my writing process.
