1) aren't really concerned with learning proper meter, but just want their poems to flow a little smoother.
2) those who are curious about learning proper meter, but are hesitant about jumping right in.
I am still in the learning process where meter is concerned, so I would have no business giving anyone advice in that arena. What I do have is the method that I used up to this point. I believe that this method is somewhat effective as, when I received thorough critique on my poems, I received comments that claimed my meter was nearly correct...and I didn't even know what meter was!!
Here's what I always did:
I. I would count my syllables.
Perhaps every line in a stanza would have ten syllables; Or lines one and three would have ten syllables and lines two and four would have eight. Either way, I maintained the balance throughout all of my stanzas.
II. I read my poems out loud.
By doing this, I could hear and see where the poem stumbled. If I found a line that stumbled, I would flip a couple of words around or even replace them with other words until it could be spoken smoothly. I also listened to my voice as I read it. Did my voice rise and fall in a steady manner? Were there words that could be arranged to make those rises and falls more steady?
That doesn't sound too hard, does it? It really isn't, and it's actually an introduction to meter. Just take your time reading and really paying attention to your work. You will hear what is right and what needs a little adjusting. Generally, if you:
1) stumble and have to re-read a part,
2) struggle, altering stress or pronounciation, in order to have it reading like your other lines,
3) notice that a line seems to read longer than the other lines
...then this is probably an area that you need to touch up.
III. Use punctuation.
Pauses in the poem affect both it's flow and meaning. As the writer, you know where these pauses should be. When you read it, be it in your mind or out loud, you read it with them..and the poem sounds right to you, but....
As the reader, one does not know where to pause without visual directions to do so, such as commas. Therefore, without the use of punctuation, your poem may not read as well to your readers as it does to you. So, if you want your poem to be read as you wrote it, you have to use punctuation.
Now, before I close, there is one small, unrelated topic I would like to broach. Rhyme. I am a huge fan of rhyme when it is used properly, but this is not always the case.
My suggestions in this area are:
1) Try to avoid generic rhyme (i.e. using the most expected and easiest rhymes). Challenge yourself...or use a rhyming dictionary. You can find a rhyming dictionary at most poetry sites. You can even look it up on any search engine.
2) Do not force your rhyme. You could write a beautiful poem, but completely discredit it with forced rhyme. It is better to change the word you are trying to rhyme with, than to use forced rhyme to accomodate it; and really, not all poems should rhyme. If you are struggling excessively to make your poem rhyme, perhaps you should consider using the free-style method for that poem.
Basically, don't settle for something you're unhappy with just because you think it's the best you can do. You can always do better. No matter how much altering you have to do...it's worth it. You will appreciate it and your readers will, too. If you are serious about your poetry, you owe it to yourself, your readers, and to your craft to produce the best work you are capable of. There is always room for learning...and learning is a good thing.
I thank you all for your time and interest. I hope you enjoyed this column and that you walk away from it with something. I tried to keep it simply worded and simple to understand but, if there are any questions, I'm only an IM away.
Once you feel comfortable with the steps above, I do strongly suggest taking the next step..studying and learning proper meter. It will help you greatly!
Naena*As I stated above, this is not a guide to proper meter...this is an intro for beginners to my personal method. With that clear, I am hoping to be spared any negative comments...but we'll see. Either way, this is my advice, as simple as that. Feel free to take what you will and leave what you won't.*This is purely opinion and personal method. I am not forcing this technique on anyone. If you disagree with the guidance above, feel free to ignore it, but please leave any negative comments at the door.
Adding your comment:
I think this post would be very useful for a lot of people on AP, glad you wrote it 
~*Misty*~ 
