A Wattpad Poetry Guide

Read.

So you want to be a poet? Step one- read.

I've stopped critiquing poetry on Wattpad some time ago. Some people don't want to here what I have to say about their 100+ part poetry book. I get it, I'm not much for going back and editing myself. There is nothing wrong with that, it's better to just keep moving forward. Besides all the insight I can provide with my 3 year practice of poetry really boils down to what I have learned works for me. And the single most beneficial thing I've learned to improve is to read. You are reading this, so that is a start. Read real poetry guides, I picked one up at Barnes and Noble, and I am glad I did. I am much better at scantioning poems because of it. Yes, picking up on the subtle stresses in poetry is important, and the best way to have that skill become second nature is by reading.

Read everything. Read good poetry, bad poetry, slam poetry, and everything in between. Read poetry guides (especially this one, and all my poetry while you're at it! ^^) Read reviews and biographies on your favorite poets. Download the poetry foundation app and take the wheel for a spin. I like the website "Shmoop" it is a great resource for anything a student might need to know, of course I mainly use it for the poetry section. There you can find an extensive list of famous poems which have been broken down to explain the various elements put into them. Plus the writers over at Shmoop have a great sense of humor that keeps even the most mundane poetry captivating to a young person.

On top of that be active in the poetry community, whether you are on Wattpad or you find a reading/open mic in your area. Those have proven to be the most inspiring for me. Watch videos of your favorite poets. Listen to audio recordings of poems, the poetry app is good for that. Ask yourself questions about the poetry you read and try to map out its blue prints. All of these things will help you gain perspective and appreciation for this art form. You have to crawl before you can walk, and you have to read before you can write. Don't you agree?