Setting Reading and Writing Intentions for 2023

2023 is in full swing, which means it’s time to set reading and writing intentions for the new year. Creating resolutions or goals can often feel overwhelming or unattainable, so be sure to choose your intentions in a way that’s balanced, achievable, and rewarding. 

Read and write more

First and foremost, set an intention to read and write more poetry this year. Maybe you’re a voracious reader who always has a collection on hand, or maybe you simply enjoy reading one book each month. Regardless, reading a variety of books can help you improve your craft as a writer. 

Create your TBR list of collections you want to read this year, both classic works you’ve always wanted to read as well as modern works you’ve had your eye on. Why not go a step further by starting a poetry book club with a few friends? You never know how your perspective might change by discussing collections with others. 

To establish your writing intentions, design a writing schedule that works for you and your lifestyle. Whether you free write every morning and night or whenever inspiration strikes, writing more often helps you hone your skills. Ask yourself how you want to improve your craft this year, considering word choice, tone, narrative, and style. If you start a poetry club, create a set of writing prompts as a group and share the resulting poems at your meetings. This can provide a great opportunity to give and receive feedback in a safe space.

As an added challenge, write a poem at the end of each month to reflect and creatively process your experiences during that month. By December, you’ll have your own 2023 mini collection, helping you see the ways in which you’ve grown throughout the year. 

Create a poetry Instagram account

Have you always wanted to share your poetry with others, but nerves have held you back? Tackle that hurdle this year by starting a poetry Instagram account. This may motivate you to write more, and it can help you develop your voice while building a community and an audience.

Although sharing your work online can feel intimidating at first, doing so can also be rewarding. Maybe you’ll make valuable connections with others, or another account might re-post your work. Consider reaching out to poets you follow to ask for advice or to propose a collaboration—everyone starts somewhere!

Don’t forget to define and set your own boundaries, though. Do you want to share your full name or post under a pseudonym? How often do you want to post? Are you simply sharing images of your poems, or do you want to try recording reels? What personal, daily life content do you feel comfortable sharing? 

Curate your feed by following poets who inspire you, not ones who make you feel insecure about your work. For a good place to start, follow @readpoetry__ on Instagram.

Take a poetry course 

Whether you write as a hobby or dream about publishing your work, taking a poetry course is an effective way to broaden your poetry knowledge. Consider both in-person and online classes. Research your local community college or university to see if they offer a poetry course, which can help you develop your writing skills while meeting like-minded folks. If a remote class works better with your schedule, reference these options. 

As an added bonus, you can list courses like these on your LinkedIn page to stand out when applying for work opportunities. 

Hopefully, this list inspires you to invest in your craft this year. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned poet, set intentions that work for you! Remember to focus on your own work instead of comparing yourself to others, and, ultimately, find joy in the process.