Tips+for+Success

Here are some tips for becoming a better poet (and writer in general!)

-Read EVERYTHING. You never know when you will be inspired or where you will find new words to add to your repertoire. Subscribe to a newspaper or magazine if you don't already, especially one that interests you. Writing on a subject that you are passionate about makes writing easier and more enjoyable.

-Beef up your vocabulary! Having a plethora of words at your disposal makes finding the right word simple. This is especially important with poetry because of the emphasis on rhythm and cadence, as well as the fact that most poems are short, so every word counts. Get a "word of the day" calendar, do crossword puzzles, play word games (scrabble, boggle, etc.), download a vocabulary app on your phone or ipod...the possibilities are endless! As always, books are your best friend. I'm a fan of //Confessions of a High School Word Nerd//. This book has hilarious essays from students with SAT vocab underlined and definitions in the footnotes. There is also a glossary in the back of all the words used.

-Connect poetry to something else in your life (if you're not as much of a fan). Here are some links for poetry mixed with other mediums: Music Art Various Emotions and Occasions Film, Radio, TV

-Get (and use) a thesaurus, dictionary, and rhyming dictionary

-Find a favorite poet and post some of his or her poems on your mirror, in your locker, on your dog... Having exposure to poetry will help you to enjoy it, especially if you find a poet that you can relate to or really love to read.

-Find your favorite songs, print out the lyrics, and see how they read as poetry (I suggest pop/alternative artists like Jason Mraz and Train, classics like the Beatles, and show tunes)