Poetry demands originality. It is, however, unfair to expect brand-new poets to produce fresh, original work—even the most seasoned poets struggle with this task. Poets often find that they must first imitate what has come before them—by reading the work of others and by imitating the work that inspires them—until their own unique voice begins to come through. And by honing the craft through dedicated practice, a poet develops his or her own style.

Finding the creativity needed to create new subject matter and imagery in poetry is easier said than done, but we’ve come up with a few tips on fostering originality. These can be applied to most other genres as well.

Read widely. By reading and absorbing the words of others, your repertoire of skills widens, building on the skills you’ve already developed. Read collections of contemporary poetry, attend readings, and subscribe to poetry journals to broaden your horizons.

Imitate. We’re not talking plagiarism here. Imitating the works you admire helps to develop your own style, and as confidence grows, so does individuality.

Avoid cliché. Images and themes that have been overused lose their power and beauty. Period.

Make each word count. Poetry is a spare form of writing, requiring each word to pack a punch. Choose your words carefully, and aim for clear and concise language. Use action verbs and concrete nouns, which require fewer modifiers and are more dynamic. Avoid the passive and the abstract. And when searching for that perfect word, keep in mind that it need not be exotic or scholarly or unpronounceable to be meaningful.

Make each line count. Each line should be an integral part of the poem and help the poem progress. A four-line poem with four powerful, original lines is better than a two-page poem with four powerful, original lines.

Imagery. Let the poem’s images appeal to the readers’ senses—sound, sight, taste, smell, touch—through metaphors, similes, or descriptive words. Avoid tired similes (free as a bird, quiet as a mouse) and overused metaphors (my love is a rose). It can be difficult for even an experienced writer to create fresh metaphors and similes, but this is what makes a poem interesting.

Don’t overexplain. If the poem is effective, your use of language is sufficient to get the message across to the reader. You don’t have to explain everything.

Take risks. Poems that tackle difficult or uncomfortable subjects make an impact on the reader. Or try using humor, satire, or irony, which can also make even dull subject matter come to life.

Write naturally. It’s not only unnecessary for a poem to rhyme, but it can sound forced or strained if not done properly. And unless you are attempting to write in a Victorian style, avoid the use of "thee," "o’er," or "’tis." While the poetry of a hundred years ago may be appealing, most poets are writing for a modern audience.

Grammar and punctuation rules need not apply. Poetry is free of the usual constraints of writing rules. Line structure provides natural breaks without commas or periods, and the author has free reign over other matters of style. If it works for the poem, the grammar police will turn the other cheek.

Form. There are many different forms of poetry that can be employed, but it is not necessary to write in couplet form, for example, in order to be taken seriously.

Enjoy yourself. Letting go and writing for the sheer pleasure of it often produces the most original and creative pieces. Embrace the joy of writing and see what happens.

We've all felt it. The blank look that creeps across our face as we stare at the computer screen. The utter lack of inspiration. The lack of fire. Sometimes we can't bring forth even a scrap of creative genius, and sometimes a once-inspiring idea suddenly goes stale. It's something that happens to every writer, and everyone has his/her own way of dealing with the problem. We've put together a few ideas we hope will help get the word party started.

Coming up with fresh ideas:

Change of scenery. Yes, we know. You hear this all the time, but if it works, it's worth a try. Jump on a bike, hop a train, pull on the sneakers, and go someplace different. It may be a new coffeehouse down the street, an unexplored neighborhood, even a tropical vacation, but the change of scenery may be just what you need to get a fresh perspective.

Eavesdrop. Blatantly and unabashedly eavesdrop on interesting conversations. Take notes. If nothing develops (and you don't get caught), at least you will have honed your dialogue skills.

Carry a notebook. Sometimes our best ideas strike out of the blue, so be prepared and carry a notebook to capture them. Take notes on things you observe, capture interesting characters you encounter on the subway, or record great one-liners you overhear. Sometimes even one word can evoke an entire scene as you review your notes later.

Read. It can be an author whose style you admire or Gerbils Monthly magazine. Read something that inspires you, or check out something you've never considered reading before. If you've always been too embarrassed to buy a cheesy tabloid, do so now with the confidence of a good excuse: we'll call it research. See what ideas are generated by the outrageous headlines, and get out of your own head for a while.

Take a class. Most writers spend an ungodly amount of time in front of a computer screen. Try taking a class that has nothing to do with writing, such as tai chi or cooking. You may meet some interesting people and develop new ideas from the setting. And you'll be more relaxed as you create the perfect souffle.

Free write. Sometimes the act of writing itself can get things started. Get a blank piece of paper and just start filling it up with whatever comes to mind. Be silly, shocking, or close your eyes and try to connect with the other side. Whatever it takes.

Give yourself a deadline. Generate a false sense of panic and tell yourself you have two hours to (fill in the blank). Sometimes working under pressure creates the best product, even if you know you won't be fired if you miss the deadline.

Revitalizing old ideas:

Take a break. If you've been like a puppy and have worried an idea half to death, take a break and work on something else. If the idea is worth salvaging, it will eventually come back to life. If it doesn't work after several breaks, it might be time to start over with something new.

A new angle. Research your idea from an entirely new perspective. Writing a short story about a farmer's disastrous harvest season? Try approaching it from a new angle, such as a farmer's daughter's joyful wedding in the middle of a disastrous harvest season. Want to write about dogs? Imagine your subject from different perspectives, such as dogs from a vet's point of view versus a child's point of view. Brainstorm all possible angles surrounding your idea, and see what develops. If you're unable to revive your passion for the once-hot idea, it may be time to scrap it, either temporarily or permanently. Our world provides a rich feast of ideas for the creative mind, and when the right concept comes along, you'll know it. And write it.

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April is National Poetry Month, and we challenge you to write a poem about whatever you want, in whatever form you want, even if you're not a poet. Write about how you're feeling right now—what makes you feel sexy, what makes you angry, what motivates you, what makes you cry. Don't be afraid to confront these feelings. Some of the best poetry comes from this buried intensity.

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Author’s Submission Service Since 1994

The trouble with clichés is that they're so spot-on. They can describe exactly what you're trying to say in a way that everyone can understand. So, for instance, if his hands are softer than a baby's bottom, most people can relate—there aren't many things softer in this world. When you're talking to your friend about your teenager, the phrase "every parent's worst nightmare" may pop out of your mouth effortlessly. It's a phrase that sums up exactly how you are feeling.

People speak quickly and pepper their everyday speech with clichéd phrases that were, at one time, original and fresh but have been used for so long that their shiny surfaces have become dull. This is perfectly acceptable. But there are no excuses to let clichés dull your writing. In speech, we would feel awkward taking the time to come up with an original metaphor for how we are feeling. But no such excuse exists for the writer, who presumably has the time to mull over word choices and should not rely on the old "tried and true" phrases that are, in actuality, old and tired.

Clichés are analogies that have been overused. They are easy to identify—ask anyone to fill in the blanks below, and you'll find no hesitation in their answers:

He was cool as a _________.

She was as pretty as a ___________.

The soldier was gone but not __________.

But sometimes a clichéd phrase is so ingrained in our everyday speech that it's hard to spot. "Hushed courtroom," "laid to rest," and "emotional roller coaster" are all clichés that slip easily into our conversations and sometimes into our writing, so when editing your creative writing, keep an eye out for them. Better yet, ask someone else to review your work.

A manuscript peppered with clichés proclaims, "I am the product of a lazy thinker! I am uninspired and unoriginal!" At least that's how an editor is going to perceive it, and that's not what you want. Add some flavor to your prose and come up with some original turns of phrase. Do you have a dark basement in your haunted house? As tempting as it is to use black as night, sin, coal, pitch, or tar, come up with something else to convey the depths of the basement's darkness—something you don't hear or read every day—and impress your editor. Your readers will appreciate the excitement of a fresher phrase as well.

In creative writing the rule is: there are no hard and fast rules. And this also applies to the use of clichés. The general consensus is to avoid using them at all, but they can be effectively used in characterization. If, for example, you have a character who is shallow and unimaginative, let him speak in clichés. This will help the reader identify your character as someone with an uninspired personality. Often characters employ clichés in their speech because, well, clichés are handy and realistic speech is full of them. Your hillbilly may be full of homespun metaphors, and this can work if they're confined to his dialogue.

Most clichés come in the form of metaphors (hotter than blazes, slippery as an eel), but they can also be forms of greeting ("how's it going") or clichéd ideas, such as Santa's twinkling eyes or stomachs tied up in knots. And they can also be plotlines. In horror movies we all know that the couple who slips off to be alone will be the first to be murdered. And in the action flick, the bad guys fire off round after round, missing everyone, but the hero cop fires one shot and instantly kills the leader of the gang. In romance films or books, if the leading lady has an instant and strong dislike for the handsome stranger, they will inevitably end up in a passionate relationship.

If elements of your plot are vaguely familiar, or your beta reader easily predicts what will happen next, you may have a cliché on your hands. Watch for the tired and predictable, and make changes to keep things interesting. And go over your writing with a fine-tooth comb to uncover any clichés that have crept in. They're sneaky, little buggers.

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Author’s Submission Service Since 1994

A good poet is able to find the natural rhythms of everyday life and express them eloquently in words. But where do the ideas come from? There are thousands of poems out there about tired subjects like love and war; as a poet, your job is to find either a new and original take on these overused subjects or bring an original idea to life. Sometimes, however, the poetry muse takes a hike...and doesn’t return.

Here are just a few of the many ways to either discover or reclaim your wayward muse:

Look around you. Anything, anything at all can be the subject of a poem if dealt with in an original and creative matter.

Keep a notebook with you at all times and keep an eye on the people and places around you. The grocery store, the park, the bus—all can inspire new and creative ideas for poems. You might not necessarily write about what you see, but ideas may come to you in different settings.

Keep a notebook beside the bed for ideas that stem from dreams. Or write a poem about a dream you wish you’d had.

Keep a file of ideas—clippings, sketches, quotes—anything that may inspire a poem later on.

Writing prompts can often generate original thought. Try a "what if" scenario: What if children ruled the world? What if you woke up three feet taller?

Write about something "ugly" and make it beautiful through imagery.

Write a poem that consists solely of dialogue. Or create a poem from a list (i.e. the ten best pieces of advice I ever received).

Write a poem about someone from a distant place and time as if you were that person.

Write about an inanimate object—or from the object’s point of view. "Ode to a Paperclip" may not get you published, but it may spark creativity and original ideas.

Write from someone else’s point of view. Instead of yet another poem about Christmas, try writing about Christmas from the point of view of the homeless woman on the corner. Avoid using the word "Christmas" and rely on imagery instead.

Write about something you did NOT experience but wish you had (i.e. Woodstock) or an era in which you’d like to have lived.

Try writing passionately about something you passionately do NOT believe in—and make it convincing. Write about the joy of being a skinflint or how lovely it is to kill baby seals. Try this with or without the use of irony.

Go back to your childhood and write an apology in the form of a poem. Write a poem to someone you wish you had known or confront someone who did you wrong.

Scan newspaper or magazine headlines—write a poem about the woman who gave birth to six alien babies or the man who built a shrine to cockroaches. Take risks and experiment with the bizarre.

Take your personal demons and put them down on paper. If the subject is painful yet rings true, it will strike a chord with your readers. Don’t be afraid to tackle uncomfortable subjects.

Take on the cliches directly: try writing a good love poem without once using the word "love." Take it a step further and eliminate the words "joy," "desire," and "heart."

Read contemporary poets’ work. Read all you can. Identify what makes a poem call to you and analyze what makes you dislike other poems. Gain inspiration from others’ work.

Remember: all subject matter is worthy. A good poet need not have traveled the world or lived a life of tragedy. Look in your own metaphorical backyard for material.

Above all, keep writing, keep submitting, and write some more. The poems that result may not be worthy, but keep it up. It’s better to write a bad poem than to not write one at all. Eventually, even when your muse has flown the coop, the right poem will emerge.

http://www.writersrelief.com/
Author’s Submission Service Since 1994