Poetry is something you have to teach yourself. Just write something with a flow and use your language. There is no wrong way to write it. Just post the poem and we'll do our best to help you improve.
The literary definition of poetry for a plus: a literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm; poems collectively or as a genre of literature.
Just experiment and do what you feel is right. We'll help you improve from there. Quick tip, read poetry. The more you read it, the more you have an understanding of it. Look through the site and read poems, and look at the reviews that are given to those poems. It will increase your general knowledge and be your stepping stone for poetry.
Good luck and PM me if you have anymore questions ^^
Kamas
"Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles." ~ Charles Chaplin
Thank you so much for the advice and thanks for not reading my question and going like most people do. Thanks I appreciate the answer, well I'm off to read poetry! Have a great day, Mackenize -soon to be author , hopefully.
whether they start good or bad, Every good writer starts somewhere
When I'm bored at night and I don't feel right and alone I don't go on moan I look out outside The stars shine with the moonlight I feel free Just being me Wanna run with the stars Though it may seem far I ain't looking back I feel free When I'm with stars and the moonlight
I don't even think THAT even IS a poem. * Epic fail *
whether they start good or bad, Every good writer starts somewhere
You know the "Show, don't Tell" rule? Apply it to poetry. Use figurative language (metaphor [saying one object is another object. An example: Her eyes are the stars] smilie [saying one object is like another object. Example: Her eyes are like the stars] and probably a few other forms I can't think of), tell us how it feels to do an act in more than just a line or two. Also, try to throw in some conflict. Conflict is some sort of tension in the poem that makes you want to find out what happens next.
Also, maybe reconsider the rhyme? Not all poetry has to rhyme, and it's very very hard to write good rhyming poetry.
A writer is a world trapped in a person— Victor Hugo
Ink is blood. Paper is bandages. The wounded press books to their heart to know they're not alone.
I'll give you a few tips and then you're going to have to post it so you can get more feedback
Firstly: Rhyme I consider it a stereotype that poetry has to rhyme It really doesn't. I like to write free verse poetry, which is basically getting words to flow together without rhyme.
Now you may think rhyming is easier, it really isn't. It limits you so much! For example, there are only so many things that rhyme with log. Dog, bog, fog etc.
So you can either do something like:
The mossy green log sharp angled face of a dog.
Or you can go on about the log in a different way.
The key is flow Remember this word, it's very important in poetry. When you write something and read it aloud, you want it to roll off your tongue without stumbles or hesitations. Make it as natural as possible to say.
You could rhyme if you want, it's just a matter of expanding your vocabulary. Just experiment with what you are comfortable with.
After that it's just a matter of wording and ideas. But that I leave up to you.
Secondly, have some confidence! Chin up and don't degrade your poem before I even have a chance to read it. Let the reader judge whether it is an 'epic fail' or not.
I hope that helps a little bit. Anymore questions, feel free to PM me.
Kamas
P.S. Post this, don't worry about the criticism that you get, we're here to help you improve!
Last edited by Kamas on Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles." ~ Charles Chaplin
Keep at it and you can become a fantastic poet! I started off rhyming just like you and I'd like to say I'm a half decent poet now. If it isn't too much to say about myself xD
I'll help you if you need it ^^
Keep writing,
Kamas
"Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles." ~ Charles Chaplin
Me with out you is like Black with no White Night with out a following day April with out May Hot with out cold You and me are opposites With out opposites, nothing would be different as everything would be the same Fire and Ice Up and down Smile and frown They go together with differences Fitting like a puzzle piece You and me
whether they start good or bad, Every good writer starts somewhere
Why don't you post your poem in the literary forums? That way, it'll be easier for people to critique.
Ubi caritas est vera, Deus ibi est.
"The mark of your ignorance is the depth of your belief in injustice and tragedy. What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls the butterfly." ~ Richard Bach
Do as Snoink said and post it in the forum, we don't bite.
I think I'll give a few more tips before I go my way. There are techniques that you can use to improve your poetry, and they're simple and highly appreciated when done well.
I think the most used techniques are metaphors and similes.
Metaphors - This is when you apply/ relate something that is otherwise unrelated to the object of interest.
For example (William Shakespeare):
All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances;
Shakespeare relates humans to a stage, though stages and humans have no similar aspects, he takes both and finds a way to relate them.
Similes - Relating two things with like or as. It's more precise then the metaphor but it lessen the effect of thinking metaphors create.
Example:
She walks as elegantly as a cat. He is as stubborn like a donkey.
Alliteration - Repeating the same sound or letter two times or more. It creates a nice effect the rolls off the tongue if you use it moderately and subtly.
Rhyming - It is in fact a technique, not a poetry style. You can use it at the end which is most common, or within a line.
Hyperbole - Basically an exaggeration, which can work to your advantage. The fun, highly stereotypical hyperbole (which is also a simile) would be:
Her eyes shone like a thousand burning suns.
Teehee.
Use these to your advantage, but don't throw them all into one poem or they will just smother one another. Hope you give these a try.
Kamas
"Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles." ~ Charles Chaplin
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