Here are six that have helped me:
1. Read a lot of poetry and not just for enjoyment. Read critically. Ask yourself why an image or a line break worked. Familiarize yourself with what's been done and train yourself to recognize why you like something.
2. Try not to get locked into abstractions (pain, fear, love even, etc). Using those words is like a vague sort of shorthand. You think you're conveying something, but you're actually not being clear enough. Try to use an image or a picture to display what you're trying to convey emotionally. Finding the right image matters.
3. Do everything on purpose. It's okay to get in a writing mood and free write but when you settle on the poem make your words count. Consider everything. It's okay to find a better phrase or way to do it later, but don't get lazy with your choices--be deliberate.
4. It's been said that writing is rewriting. Always look back at your older work. You'll find that something you loved years ago now irritates you (don't get down on yourself--it means you've gotten better). When possible write a new draft.
5. Don't feel that you have to write on command. You'll have active periods and dry periods. If you find yourself being frustrated with a piece put it down for awhile. It doesn't mean you can't write or you've lost it. Rest, listen to some music, take a walk.
6. Don't get addicted to praise. It's okay to feel proud of something good you've written. Give yourself a few minutes to be happy with it and then look at the piece critically: Is it the best you can do write now? Always push yourself to get better--praise is more dangerous than harsh criticism. Praise will dull you to your work (if it's deserved great, but you will always eventually see something you could make stronger).
I could talk about making nouns and verbs your friends and running from adjectives or adverbs. Or I could say read your work out loud and you will hear where it flows and where it slips...but I think this is enough for now.
1. Read a lot of poetry and not just for enjoyment. Read critically. Ask yourself why an image or a line break worked. Familiarize yourself with what's been done and train yourself to recognize why you like something.
2. Try not to get locked into abstractions (pain, fear, love even, etc). Using those words is like a vague sort of shorthand. You think you're conveying something, but you're actually not being clear enough. Try to use an image or a picture to display what you're trying to convey emotionally. Finding the right image matters.
3. Do everything on purpose. It's okay to get in a writing mood and free write but when you settle on the poem make your words count. Consider everything. It's okay to find a better phrase or way to do it later, but don't get lazy with your choices--be deliberate.
4. It's been said that writing is rewriting. Always look back at your older work. You'll find that something you loved years ago now irritates you (don't get down on yourself--it means you've gotten better). When possible write a new draft.
5. Don't feel that you have to write on command. You'll have active periods and dry periods. If you find yourself being frustrated with a piece put it down for awhile. It doesn't mean you can't write or you've lost it. Rest, listen to some music, take a walk.
6. Don't get addicted to praise. It's okay to feel proud of something good you've written. Give yourself a few minutes to be happy with it and then look at the piece critically: Is it the best you can do write now? Always push yourself to get better--praise is more dangerous than harsh criticism. Praise will dull you to your work (if it's deserved great, but you will always eventually see something you could make stronger).
I could talk about making nouns and verbs your friends and running from adjectives or adverbs. Or I could say read your work out loud and you will hear where it flows and where it slips...but I think this is enough for now.
The secret of poetry is cruelty.--Jon Anderson