who wants to improve

[billy]

as a poet, what's the best way to do so?

i'll give my answer once there's a few other answers in ?

[Leanne]

No takers so far Billy? Well, I'd venture to say that the very first way to improve is to interact with other poets

[abu nuwas]

As I now seem to be on the decline, my views may not carry much weight. My sense, however, is that I have been at my best when most immersed, so that, on occasion, I would even wake up with metred poem, ready to go. Less dramatically, having this or that metre in the air, while walking, or any regular activity of that sort, seems to produce something, by making use of whatever simple stimuli may be about, and throwing the words into some form, not necessarily the metre I began with. It tends to be the case that when one comes, others do, quite different, and there is then the problem of getting home without forgetting, as it must be So-and-So's Law, that if you ever dream up something good, you won't have anything to write with, and if you then dream up something else, the chances of remembering both or either in their original form are zero. I have scribbled on newspapers, cheque-books, and till receipts before now-- usually illegibly....

I think reading must be good, but I worry a little that I shall later plagiarise unwittingly -- in fact, if I ever write a phrase which I really like, I suspect that that is the source.

I do not care much for forms, though I daresay my day will come, but I do like metre. That leads me to try odd metres, to find out what is, and is not,do-able, speaking as I do.

As a rider, it is my feeling that only a narrow slice of poetry can be of that dense sort, where words are jammed to-gether to create some kind of image. On the page, it is fine, as you can go over and over to get the meaning. Otherwise, when spoken, no matter how clearly enunciated, the chances are that the only people who hear and understand, are liars. And Leanne, of course...

[billy]

i often come up with a line while bathing. i never remember to write it down when i get out though. again themes, i often think of one only to let it pass before writing it down. i hate carrying things around so i don't have a pen and pad on me ever. i'm vacuous enough to think myself a good poet but i have improved over the years. (not much i know but i have ) i found that immersion was pretty much the key as well. mainly in the reading and replying to and about poems. i listen to feedback and if i think it makes sense i'll use it., though i won't if it doesn't work for me. only lately have i begun reading the published work of others and i'm sorry i never did it sooner.

Leanne said interact with other poets and i agree, to a certain point, many of us so called poets think and write like we know everything; the truth is, many of us know very little. so yes, definitely mix with other poets, it's a must but do so with a touch of caution. jmo

[Leanne]

I think it's important to point out that, when immersing or interacting, you MUST keep your own voice. Imitate styles by all means, attempt forms and subjects new to you, but always keep a thread of yourself. That way you'll really be improving your own writing rather than just learning to be a good mimic.

[billy]

i couldn't agree more. i went through a phase of using everything everyone said and ended up with a much worse and completely different poem than the one i originally wrote.

bend like the reed, don't break like the breaky think