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After you write a poem, the next step is to let it sit a while before you go back to revise. For some poets, this seems like too much work to bother, so maybe it’s not worth it to you to change a single thing. If you write for emotional release or self-expression, just stop there and leave the poem as is.
If, however, you want your poems to be read and appreciated by people besides your closest friends or loved ones, chances are, you need to revise. As you begin that revision process, look for and include most of these elements:
• Fresh perspective or unusual treatment of your theme or topic
• Credibility and an honest voice
• Accuracy in fact, sensory detail, observation, research
• Compelling subject to engage your readers
• Genuine exploration of topic so readers want to read and re-read the poem
• Word choices with interesting connotations, denotations, and sounds
• Rhyme or sound echoes to emphasize a thought, sound, or image
• Distinctive language or idea presented by an interesting speaker or persona
• Tone in keeping with your subject, for instance, lively lines in a humor piece
• Humor rather than cleverness, irony over mere wit
• Appropriate form for traditional verse and effective line-breaks for free verse
• Musicality that becomes obvious as you read the poem aloud, for example, as you hear individual syllables receiving variation in the rhythmic stress
• Conflict, counterpoint or juxtaposition to provide push-pull tension between knowing and not knowing or to balance order and disorder – something to keep the poem from becoming a closed box that locks tightly at the end
If you’re happy with the results of your revision, great! Market your poetry! Send a revised poem or batch of 3 to 5 poems with your SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope with adequate return postage) to one editor at a time.
If you’re unsure what these suggestions mean, get the poetry home study course and/or book Poetry: Taking Its Course.
If you want to keep up with discussions about poetry and see suggestions for other poets to try as they revise, Follow (free) The Poetry Editor Blog.
If you understand terminology and are familiar with traditional and free verse forms of poetry but don’t know how to go about revising, get a critique.
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