Chapter 1: The Proper Viewpoint
Throughout this book, you will find regular mention of encouragement and support regarding your poetic efforts. This will occur before, during, and after you have reached milestones in your writing. It is extremely necessary. High self-esteem is a worthy goal to have, and it can be hard to try new things without it.
Writing poetry can help you build confidence and self-esteem
Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is a major problem for teens. It has been this way for many, many years all over the world. When you are always worried about what other people are saying and doing, it is very hard to be an independent thinker. You are afraid to go solo with a new line of thinking. Sometimes the simplest situations get blown way out of proportion. You could very well be an outcast on social media and in the halls at school.
When you are writing poetry, be yourself. Be original in your thoughts. Do not just follow along with the crowd or just do something just because it is the easy way. Try to be innovative when you write. Your friends will still like you. Those that do not approve of your writing probably just do not get it…and that is okay, too.
Free Advice #1
It is understandable that people fear change. The thing about poetry is that you write about what you feel. You write about what is on your mind, how you are feeling that day, you talk about a recent experience, or express an idea.
Of course, there are those who are uncomfortable discussing their feelings. There are no hard rules, and there are no real limits. However, there are an infinite number of different types of poetry.
The person who wrote “Roses Are Red” must have lived many years ago. The poem has been used so often that it is a cliché and passé. To be taken seriously as a poet, you should not mimic poems such as that one. You have other options…lots of them. Express yourself with originality.
Free Advice #2
Poetry is an art form of self-expression in the same way that you style your hair, dress yourself, wear or do not wear your makeup, pick your shoes, or choose your friends. It could be applied to the poetry you write or how you write. Some people write very short poems. Others write long, epic poems that are basically stories.
Start out writing short poems. You will feel better about yourself because you were able to put pen-to-paper as the expression goes. Meaning you actually got something done that day. Writing short poems will also boost your self-confidence because you accomplished the goal you set for yourself. Just keep writing!
The best way to start something is to just take the risk and dive in and try it. Some things you do for yourself are for your own self-satisfaction. You just write. You do not worry about what it looks like. Making writing a habit will make you comfortable enough to experiment, change your approach, or do something else that involves your poetry like reading a new author.
Basic Rules
Just start.
Write.
Do not worry about what someone else is writing or has
written.
Write.
Do not be concerned about what others may think of the
writing.
Write.
Do not worry.
Write more than one draft.
Check the spelling, grammar, and punctuation on the final
draft.
Just start.
Write.
Recap
You are about to develop a skill and an art you did not already possess. You are very close to becoming more than you thought you could. Your confidence, ego, and pride are going to get serious growth spurts and major boosts. You are ready.
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Paper
A journal or diary is a great place to put your thoughts. They are usually small, although they vary in size. Also, they may have a lock and key. The reason for that is to ensure privacy. True privacy comes only when no one else knows you have a journal. Privacy inspires truth. Once you start writing regularly or writing poems, a journal probably will not be big enough for you. That or you will need many of them. Later, you will learn just what you can do with everything you’ve written.
I was fortunate to have my father give me my very first diary. In truth, I received two of them! In addition, he informed our family that they were not to read them—including my mother. Until then, writing was something I only did for school assignments. Those gifts gave me a place to express myself freely.
Blank books make terrific tools for this. Bookstores or arts and crafts stores are the best places to buy them. They are available in many sizes, usually with colorful covers of all types, whether in solids or prints. The bigger a store is, the wider the selection of blank books is, particularly at bookstores, which offer the best choices. Purchase one that makes you feel good about yourself or reflects your taste.
You may find that you prefer pages that have ruled lines or you may prefer a notebook. Whatever your preference, whatever works best for you is what you should utilize. When I started writing more than diaries could hold, I moved on to notebooks. They had more paper for the price.
If none of the previous options appeals to you, there is always the three-ring binder and loose-leaf paper method. It will allow you to use as much paper as the binder will hold, since they range from tiny to six or seven inches wide. The paper size is always the same, and some binders have pockets inside the front and/or back flaps.
Also, a clipboard with a writing pad or sheets of paper will work, as will a stack of papers stapled together. Clipboards also provide a firm writing surface that can be used when a desk is unavailable. The point is to get started. You can always upgrade to better materials later.
Writing Instruments
The type of writing instrument you select is completely up to you. As with the definition of writing poetry, your choice of writing instrument gives you total freedom. It depends on if you are a complete perfectionist, whether you like fine tip or bold. If you are one of those people who like to write in a different color every day or strictly stick with black. Some folks only use a pencil and has an eraser. They erase until things are 100% to their liking.
If you are prone to making mistakes, also invest in correction fluid. Otherwise, the journal will be messy, look bad, and affect your budding creativity by distracting or depressing you. However, this does not matter either if you can read your own writing and are pleased with your results. A journal is a place to be yourself without apology or explanation, and you are responsible for your own amusement and motivation.
Whatever writing instrument you choose, if you do not like it, you will not use it.It is your job to do what it takes to motivate your own creativity. So, by all means, pick something you really like or can tolerate until you upgrade.
You Left Your Journal Or Notebook At Home
When the creative mood sets in, your journal may be at home. The nearest available piece of paper will do. If it is really important for you to get the thought down, you can use anything that serves the purpose. It is all about recording the thought or idea before you lose it or forget it.
In a restaurant, that could be a napkin. At work, it could be any of the unneeded scrap paper although you should avoid using confidential papers of any kind. Sticky notes, the back side of a flyer, a receipt, a business card, or a paper menu are all viable pieces of paper when in a pinch.
Carrying a small, pocket-sized notepad can help in times like this. They also fit inside of most purses. You can buy them practically anywhere that sells paper.
You Have No Pen Or Pencil
Now this is more challenging: you do not have a pen or pencil. By far, this is harder to overcome when a creative mood strikes, but it can be conquered.
If it is imperative that you get your ideas written down, you will need to purchase or borrow something to write with as soon as possible.
You can breathe easily with the satisfaction of knowing you survived being unprepared.
Recap
Have paper and pen (or equivalents) on hand always. You never know when you will have an idea you want to record on paper. This can be avoided by flexibility in emergencies. Also—not previously mentioned—you can record your idea on a tape recorder or even on your cell phone.
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