Continued from page 1
More Tips For Fast Poetry
The technique above works because when your mind focuses on a word with
intent to use it in a line, it is stimulated into action. It wants to find pattern - or create it. To make this work even better, try following:
1. Start with words that are evocative and metaphorically rich. You'll be more inspired and probably write a richer poem with "howled," "torn open," and "festering," than with "said," "broken," and "rotten."
2. Use this or any other technique as a starting point only. If you have a great line already in mind, don't force one of words from your list into it. If a poem starts to write itself, and becomes ten six-line verses, forget about technique. Treat it as a tool to be used when you need it.
3. Don't sit there waiting for inspiration. Write anything NOW. Start with any topic, or even random words. The surest way to get inspired in your poetry is to start writing a poem.
Steve Gillman has been playing with poetry for thirty years. He and his wife Ana created the game "Deal-A-Poem," which can be accessed for free at: http://www.dealapoem.com
