How to Write Poetry

I'm not going to lie to you all. You are not going to like what I have to say about the subjects of inspiration and the writing process. Most of the advice I've seen people give on writing websites have been the same sort of things; think about what you care about, write every day, read other people's writing. While all of those things are very true and can help some people with their process, I have a whole different set of advice for you guys.

Firstly, stop thinking about how much your writing sucks. Reading and writing provide different experiences, so when you read what you write it's not going to be the same as it would be for someone else. You already know the meaning of the words, you already know what the ending is going to be, and you already know that you don't like it all that much. If you are anything like me, you are certainly overthinking how many times you used the word "seems" or if you made a sentence too long. The answer to that is you probably did but it doesn't matter. The saying "you are your own worst critic" couldn't be more right.

To get past this problem I suggest this: Treat it like you are doing your midterm essay for your least favorite class at 11:57 at night. Just don't care at all. I mean AT ALL. Not to say that you shouldn't care about putting the work together or feeling comfortable with it; you just need to push it out without second guessing yourself. Treat it like an essay for your midterm that needs to be turned in before midnight and it's already 11:57 but you have been stuck with it for the last two weeks. Slap your citations in and send it off so you can face the music. (Not that I know the feeling that is, I am always on time with things.)

Secondly, write when you feel inspired. When I say this, I mean that you should not hesitate for even a second. Find some way of getting your ideas down; a napkin, your arm, your badly graded quiz from last week. It doesn't matter what you do, just get that idea out. Don't even think about it when you are writing. The less you mess with it the more your emotions and true thoughts can come out; unless you are not quite able to express yourself properly, then you can fix it later. It's kind of like really urgent diarrhea; if you really have to go then it won't matter where you are.

Finally and most importantly, be honest with yourself. While censoring some things and watering down your feelings may help you get onto that featured page, it won't be quite the same as finally getting something off your chest. Putting your thoughts and feelings on the paper is the main reason so many people write. I know when I make a good poem, that I leave my heart and mind on that paper. It is a signature, a way for someone to know who you are. It can be scary. It can hurt your confidence when you get rejected, but you have to do it. It isn't going to be a good work of art unless you do.

Now here is a poem that I wrote in like five minutes on my process. Enjoy and go out there and write!

I don't really think

I just slam on my keys

I catch thoughts before they sink

I don't really think

I push myself to the brink

So many ideas, it's a breeze

I don't really think

I just slam on my keys.