Poetry

The Poetry Editor
    

To Be A Poet:

Read poems.

Write.

Read aloud.

Revise.

Read aloud.

Edit.

Read aloud.

Study markets.

Support poetry.

Read poems.

Write.

Keep going.

Keep reading.

Keep writing.

Keep looking for editors of poetry journals, e-zines and books who like your work.

Since 1983, The Poetry Editor has helped poets and writers to become their own best editors.

As you write a poem, give no thought to publication or what other people might think! Just let your poems flow onto the page or into a computer file without censoring yourself.

Write down whatever comes to mind. After a poem has had its say, let it sit a while before you go back later to see if you need to revise.

Poetry writing and revising get easier with practice, but to ease the process even more, read and analyze the poems you like in anthologies, poetry books, poetry journals, and e-zines to help you improve your own poems. Also:

• Study classics and also contemporary works of Nobel and Pulitzer prize-winning poets.
   
• Become familiar with poetry publishers whose books or journals you especially like.
   
• Consider what draws you to a particular poem, chapbook, or book of poems.
   
• As objectively as you can, look at your poems to see if your work has any of the poetic traits or qualities you admire in poems written by other poets.
   
• Research or double-check every fact to be as accurate as possible.
   
• Read aloud each poem you write and each revision.
   
• Read your work as if someone else had written it.
   
• Listen for anything that seems “off” in the sound, sense, or rhythm.
   
• Identify each problem clearly. Don’t be afraid! Be honest with yourself. Be specific.
   
• Look for a variety of solutions. Find your freshest options.
   
• Revise to make every word, phrase, and line as effective as you can.
   
• If you’re unsure how to improve your poems, get a professional critique.
   
• If you have finished a poetry book or chapbook but suspect mistakes in grammar, spelling, or punctuation, get a final edit. Do this before you self-publish.
   
• For more ideas about writing, revising, and marketing your poems and manuscripts see the archived articles on The Poetry Editor blog. Also, follow the current discussions by subscribing at no charge. In the Comments section, give your encouraging feedback, suggest a topic for future discussion, or ask a general question about poetry. If you have a question about a specific manuscript or want a professional opinion of your poetry and poetic writings, order a critique.

©2009-2012, Mary Harwell Sayler
All Rights Reserved.
Do not use without her permission.