Read poetry, especially the good stuff.
The masters are a good place to start: Shakespeare, Keats, Dickinson, Frost, Blake, etc. Figure out what kind/style you like, and read a lot of it. Seriously, the best way to learn how to write is to read. – Writing Cooperative
Try different forms.
Don’t get stuck in a rut of always writing the same form. Challenge yourself to stretch and grow.” – Writing Cooperative
Keep a notebook with you at all times so you can write whenever (and wherever) inspiration strikes.
Embrace metaphors, but stay away from clichés.
Eliminate all unnecessary words, phrases, and lines.
Make every word count. – Writing Forward
It doesn’t have to rhyme.
You already know this if you read poetry. Free verse can be very powerful, but I would recommend learning some forms to get a strong foundation in the “rules” before you start breaking them. – The Writing Cooperative
Keep writing.
The more you write, the better your poems will be. As in everything, practice makes you better. And don’t get discouraged if your earlier attempts are not as good as you hope; keep writing — you will get better. – The Writing Cooperative
Use Concrete Words Instead of Abstract Words.
Concrete words describe things that people experience with their senses. A poet’s concrete words help the reader get a “picture” of what the poem is talking about. When the reader has a “picture” of what the poem is talking about, he/she can better understand what the poet is talking about. Abstract words refer to concepts or feelings… When used in poetry, these words might simply fly over the reader’s head, without triggering any sensory response… If the poet uses such a word, the reader may take a different meaning from it than the poet intended. – Jerz’s Literacy Blog
Have a goal.
Have a goal with writing a poem—what do you want your audience to feel? Are you just writing for fun or for yourself? Poetry is often a very personal form of writing, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think about your audience at the same time. – Self- Publishing School
Opt for minimalism.
Err on the side of minimalism. Once you have a draft, cut it back to the bare, raw necessaries. Every word should be heavy with emotion and meaning, and every word should be absolutely essential. If your poem seems long-winded to you, imagine what that would be like for your reader. Be ready to edit your poem to get it down to its best form. – Self- Publishing School
Experiment with meter.
Meter describes the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables from line to line in a poem. Experimenting with different types of meter in your poetry can add layers to your work and help make your poetry rhythmically interesting. Try writing poems in iambic pentameter—as Shakespeare did—or throw in a rhyming couplet or two to break up passages of blank verse. – Masterclass
Remember, there are no rules.
There are no set rules in poetry. Give yourself the freedom to explore your craft and play with meaning and form. Don’t hold yourself back or worry about the final product. Some of your best work will come when you feel unconstrained and free to play. – Masterclass
Start a writing group.
Starting a writing group with other poets can help you commit to the hard work of writing and establish a consistent writing practice. A poetry writing class or group can help keep you accountable and help you break through writer’s block. Writing groups are a great resource for meeting other poets who can help connect you with publishing industry contacts and literary agents. – Masterclass
