The Ultimate Guide for Poets: From Writing to Performing & Everything in Between
Hey poets! Whether you're just getting started on your poetic journey or you’re already killing it on the stage, we’ve got some fire tips for you. We’re here to help you level up your poetry game with some insights, advice, & resources. Let's get to it!
Writing Tips: Find Your Voice & Shape Your Words
Find Your Voice: Every poet has a unique voice. It’s what makes your poetry yours. Experiment with different styles & forms until you find what feels true to you. Don’t stress the rules at first—just let your words flow & get out of your own way.
Daily Writing Practice: Like any skill, writing gets better with practice. Make it a habit to write daily, even if it’s just a few lines for 15 minutes. Consistency is key to honing your craft & developing discipline. & a friendly reminder: everything you write, doesn’t need to be said out loud or shared on a stage, sometimes, it’s just to get the mess out before the magic happens.
Use Imagery: Paint vivid pictures with your words. Engage the senses to draw your reader into your world. Describe the smell of rain, the taste of morning coffee, the feel of the wind against your skin, that sharp pain when heartbroken, or the joy felt when you first laid eyes on your child. Make them feel lost in it.
Embrace Metaphors & Similes: These tools can add depth & layers to your poetry. Compare abstract concepts to tangible objects to create strong connections. For example, "Her smile was a sunrise, lighting up the darkest corners of my mind." & it doesn’t have to be that corny, actually, don’t let it be that corny. You’re more creative than that.
Read Widely: Read poetry from various authors & genres. This helps you understand different techniques & styles & broadens your perspective. But, you should also be reading other forms of books as well. It will absolutely transform the way you write in the best way.
Performance Tips: Bring Your Words to Life
Practice Out Loud: Recite your poems aloud regularly. This helps you improve your delivery & identify any awkward phrases. It’s one thing to read your words on paper, & another to hear them spoken. Pro tip: do this in front of a full length mirror, trust us.
Use Body Language: Your body is a powerful tool in performance. Use gestures & movements to emphasize your words & engage your audience. Your body is another way to communicate your poem & pull people in deeper.
Eye Contact: Maintain eye contact with your audience. This creates a connection & makes your performance more impactful. This can be done while reading also. Poets, even if you’re not memorizing your pieces, practice reading them while looking up also. Makes a big difference.
Pacing & Pauses: Vary your pace & use pauses strategically. This adds drama & helps highlight important lines.
Microphone Technique: Learn how to use a microphone effectively. Practice holding it at the right distance & adjusting your volume. It can make a huge difference in how your poem is received.
Editing Tips: Polish Your Masterpiece
First Draft Freedom: Your first draft is just that—a draft. Allow it to be messy & imperfect. Focus on getting your ideas down without self-editing.
Revise Ruthlessly: Be willing to cut unnecessary words or lines. Every word should serve a purpose. Sometimes, we’re saying the same thing too many times in different ways, edit that out.
Seek Feedback: Share your work with trusted friends or fellow poets to get constructive feedback. Sometimes others can see things you might have missed.
Read Aloud for Flow: Reading your poem aloud can help identify awkward phrasing or areas that need improvement. This should be done while writing, too.
Take Breaks: Step away from your poem for a while before revisiting it. Fresh eyes can offer new perspectives.
Research Tips: Add Depth to Your Words
Understand Your Subject: If your poem tackles a specific topic, research it thoroughly to add authenticity & depth.
Explore Different Sources: Use books, articles, interviews, & documentaries to gather information & inspiration.
Keep Poetry in Your Pocket: Write down interesting facts, quotes, & ideas in your phone that you can refer back to when writing.
Memorization Tips: Make Your Words Second Nature
Chunking Method: Break your poem into smaller sections & memorize each chunk separately.
Repetition: Recite your poem multiple times throughout the day to reinforce memory.
Record & Listen: Record yourself reciting the poem & listen to it repeatedly. This helps with retention & delivery.
Visualization: Create mental images associated with different parts of the poem to aid memorization.
Write It Down: Writing your poem out by hand can help reinforce memory. There’s something about the physical act of writing that helps lock it into your brain.
Memorize While You Write: While you’re writing your poem, before getting to too far into the next few lines, stop & reread the poem as if you’re performing it. This does two things: it helps you memorize the poem, so by the time you’re done, you only have the end & it also allows the flow & storyline line to stay consistent throughout the piece.
Additional Resources: Tools to Help You Grow
Workshops & Classes: Attend poetry workshops & classes to learn from experienced poets & improve your skills. (We have something on the way for you.)
Poetry Anthologies: Read anthologies to discover a variety of voices & styles. It's like a buffet of poetic inspiration.
Online Communities: Join online poetry communities & forums to share your work, get feedback, & connect with other poets. You’re already all over social media, use it as a learning tool.
Perform, Often: Participate in poetry slams & open mics to challenge yourself, grow your muscles, & gain exposure. You also get LIVE feedback & can adjust your poem, if necessary for the next time.
Books on Poetry: Read books on poetry writing & performance to deepen your understanding of the craft.
We hope these tips & resources help you on your poetry journey. Remember, poetry is not just about the words you write but the emotions you convey & the connections you create. Keep writing, keep performing, & keep growing. You've got this!
