Poetry Basics

This is my advice to all you poets just getting started.

For all the new members and people just starting to put the pencil to the page, here it is...

When I'm trying to write a new poem, the first thing I do is write down every single thought or idea floating around in my head. Why? It's because it will help me to decide a topic to write about (this will be the base of your poem), and it will clear my head so I can focus on what I'm writing.
Next, ask yourself simple questions, and reply to them with simple answers. What do I think about this? How do I feel about this topic? I have found that in good poetry, it is best when the author has answered these questions as honestly and as straight-forward as they can. If I wanted to read a lie about why cake is absolutely horrid then I'd make it up myself. The key is to be honest because only you can make genuine, original poetry written by yourself, and only you can create pieces containing your true thoughts, ideas, and opinions. And when speaking about a specific experience or event that happened to you, then you're the only one that knows exactly what occured and exactly how it made you feel. Anyone can write lies, so they're not in the least bit valuable. As I like to say "A Van Gogh wouldn't be a Van Gogh if someone else painted it."

All you can do at this point is let the poetry flow from you. In the end I'm sure you'll come up with a great piece. But remember, some of the best works had to be polished a bit before greatness, so revise and edit. And keep on writing!