How to Start Writing Poetry as a Total Beginner
If you’re searching for an outlet to express your creativity, writing poetry is an accessible way to escape and effectively process your emotions. Unsure where to begin? Here’s how to start writing poetry as a total beginner.
Spend time simply freewriting
Grab a notebook, open your Notes app, or create a new Word document—whichever medium works for you—and write whatever comes to mind. Don’t worry about form!Editing and structure will come later.
Freewriting can help to unlock the basis of a poem and reveal emotions and experiences that you need to process. As you freewrite, remain nonjudgemental, since this practice serves as an opportunity to simply let your creativity flow and a chance to let go of perfection.
Observe what inspires you
An important piece of writing poetry is observation. Becoming a keen observer of your inner and outer experiences helps you tell complete, nuanced stories.
You’ll also begin to notice what inspires you, which provides direction for your poems and helps you cultivate your identity as a poet. You might feel inspired to write about your mental health journey, your relationships, or nature, for example.
Read a few poetry books
Read, read, read! Reading poetry expands your understanding and knowledge of voice, genres, and literary devices. Purchase a few poetry books that you feel drawn to. If you’re on a budget, buy your collections from an online or brick-and-mortar thrift store. You could even rent collections from your local library or borrow a book from your friend.
As you read, take notes on what elements stand out to you. Maybe you feel drawn to metaphor, rhyme, or a collection’s visual aesthetic—these notes can provide inspiration for your own poems.
Experiment with different forms
Don’t be afraid to write in different poetic forms. Whether you write an acrostic poem, a poem with a specific rhyme scheme, or a free verse poem, experimenting with form will promote your creativity and help you hone your skills.
Enroll in a beginner’s workshop
If you’re looking for a more structured approach to learning how to write poetry, enroll in a beginner’s workshop.
Working on assignments or projects will help you build your skillset and gain confidence as a poet. Depending on the workshop, you might even be able to converse with your instructor and classmates, which can help answer your questions while building your own poetry community.
Browse through Read Poetry’s writing prompts and tips
Read Poetry regularly publishes writing prompts and tips (like this one!). Look no further for inspiration and education at no cost—from seasonal prompts to literary device posts to deep dive genre articles, our resources are right at your fingertips.
We hope you feel excited and motivated to start writing poetry. Learning any craft is a process—remember to take your time and have fun! If you’d like to take this practice a step further by sharing your poetry with others, check out our guide on starting a poetry Instagram account.
