Tips for writing Poetry

Tips for Writing Poetry
Writing poetry has always been about emotion; thrilling, bitterness and even humorous. Although it sounds simple enough, it isn't always. Poetry can be as complicated or as frivolous possible, it's all up to the author.
Poetry is food for thought and all food has its ingredients.
Writing poetry techniques
Show all senses. A genuine poem offers its readers a variety of senses to endure while reading.
· Smell. Give the readers a mental smell of the scene. Create a situation where the reader can distinguish between a 'good' or 'bad' scent.
· Touch. Is it rough, smooth, pleasurable? Give the reader a way to 'touch' the scenery.
· Sight. What does it look like? Describe the scenery, describe the situation. Use words which will describe it easily without going too far into detail.
· Hearing. Does it screech? Does it yelp? Or is it smoothing and sensual? Again, let the situation give a sense of what the surroundings sound like.
· Taste. Is it salty or bitter? It doesn't always have to be food that has a taste. It could be a situation which leaves a 'bad taste in your mouth' or even a good taste.
Have a point. Why are you writing? What is it about? Although not always directly, show your readers the path to the meaning of the poem. Say what you want to say, but still let your readers decide on what the true meaning is.
Have rhythm. To be considered a poem, a writing must have rhythm. Let the meters flow smoothly off the tongue. This doesn't mean the poem has to have the same number of syllables every line or even every other. It means to allow the reader not to get tongue twisted while going line to line. Give it flow.
Don't rhyme unless it fits. Not all poems rhyme, in fact the majority do not. Many amateur writers tend to force rhymes where it doesn't need to be. Only use it when it fits the overall poem and helps bring the emotion to the reader.
Give the poem characteristics. A poem doesn't always have to fit inside a genre. Make it your own style. Use as much voice as possible. Show that there is a person behind the poem.

Help with Writing Poetry
To help with writing, I have composed a list of helpful tips and tricks to aid with writer's block and to improve your writing.
· Try a different point of view. Write a poem which is the exact opposite of what you believe in, while not using irony.
· Write in different places. Try bringing a notebook with you when you go to the park, or sitting on the train to work. Just use the influence of your surrounding to help your inspiration.
· When you are reading a poem that you dislike, find out why. This could help better your own writing by improving on those aspects.
· If you are having writer's block, try "flushing". This is when you write anything that comes into your mind as fast as you can for a minute, any word, phrase or sentence. After the time is up, go back through your work and see if anything pops out that you want to write about, if not, that's up to you. The point of flushing is to get rid of the garbage which is holding your mind back.
· Create a dream journal. Often, dreams lead to thoughts which never would have been uncovered during consciousness. Write what the dream was about, then at a later date, come back to the dream and read what happened, it might just be this is the inspiration you need for your next best writing.
· If you write a bad poem, don't give up. Even great poets have written hundreds, if not thousands, badly. Just keep writing.
· Learn from your criticism. Don't necessarily live by it, but learn from it. Everyone has a different perspective on a poem, one person may like it and the next hate it.
· If you create a poem you really like, write another. Maybe your creative juices are flowing, or maybe you were at your peak. There's only one way to find out.
· Don't hold back your fears. If something has happened or you're afraid of happening, write about it.
· If you ever wish to have your poem published, submit them now. Because sooner or later it must be done. Most people who don't get published during their life never will be, it's not unheard of, but the Emily Dickinson's of the world are rare and far between.
· Go to poetry readings (or host your own). This is a great chance to enhance your knowledge of current poetry and learn what others enjoy. It's also a great place to meet fellow poets.
· To help with criticism, try joining a poetry group or creating your own. To help get started, list your group in a local arts publication, many are free to do so.
· Publish a poetry journal. Not only will it get the word out about your writing, but it will help you improve by encouraging you to write.