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How to Become a Successful Poet. Think of poems as intricate little machines built from words. To make them move and sing, you’ll need patience, practice, and a willingness to tinker. By immersing yourself in contemporary poetry and committing to write with consistency, energy, and passion, you can master the craft and thrive as a poet. See Step 1 for more guidance.
Part1 Getting Started
1. Study Poetry from Every Era
If you don’t know Keats from Kerouac, your foundation as a poet will be incomplete. Explore different movements in poetry—from the Romantic era to the Beats—while also diving into the work of contemporary poets who are still shaping the literary world today.[1] Reading widely across time periods will give you the tools to understand the evolving language of poetry.
- 📚 Start with anthologies like the Norton Anthology of Poetry for historical works and the Best American Poetry series for recent highlights.
- 🌐 For a vast database of both classic and contemporary poems, visit the Poetry Foundation.
Subheading: Build a Foundation of Knowledge
2. Write Constantly
Successful poets don’t sit around waiting for inspiration—they treat writing as a discipline. Whether you’re at your desk, on a computer, or journaling by hand, poetry should become part of your daily or weekly rhythm.[2]
- Many poets thrive by writing early in the morning, while others embrace late-night bursts of creativity.
- What matters most is developing a consistent writing routine that works for you.
Subheading: Turn Writing into a Habit
3. Keep a Poetry Image Journal
Carry a notebook everywhere so you can capture fleeting ideas, images, or fragments of lines. Great poems are often built like sculptures—pieced together from smaller fragments of inspiration. Keep an ear tuned for striking phrases or unusual language you encounter in everyday life.[3]
- Many poets also keep a portfolio or working journal to organize drafts, making it easier to revisit and refine poems later.
Subheading: Collect the Fragments of Poetry
4. Kill Your Darlings
A strong poet revises ruthlessly. Just because a poem rhymes or looks neat on the page doesn’t mean it’s finished. Good poetry communicates beyond the self, and that requires effort, patience, and multiple drafts.[4]
- Let your poems “rest” for weeks or months before revisiting them with fresh eyes.
- Continue to read master poets and learn from their craft.
- A great resource is Kim Addonizio’s Ordinary Genius, which offers practical tips and exercises for daily practice.
Subheading: Revise with Patience and Precision
5. Share Your Work and Accept Criticism Gracefully
Not everyone will love your poetry—and that’s okay. The important thing is to share your work with poets who are skilled enough to offer constructive feedback, and to accept that feedback with humility.[5][6]
- Don’t dwell on negativity, but do learn from those who know more than you.
- Constantly writing, revising, and listening will sharpen your craft and help you grow.
Subheading: Learn Through Community and Feedback
Part2 Learning the Trade
1. Study Poetry from Every Era
If you don’t know Keats from Kerouac, your foundation as a poet will be incomplete. Explore different movements in poetry—from the Romantic era to the Beats—while also diving into the work of contemporary poets who are still shaping the literary world today.[1] Reading widely across time periods will give you the tools to understand the evolving language of poetry.
- 📚 Start with anthologies like the Norton Anthology of Poetry for historical works and the Best American Poetry series for recent highlights.
- 🌐 For a vast database of both classic and contemporary poems, visit the Poetry Foundation.
Subheading: Build a Foundation of Knowledge
2. Write Constantly
Successful poets don’t sit around waiting for inspiration—they treat writing as a discipline. Whether you’re at your desk, on a computer, or journaling by hand, poetry should become part of your daily or weekly rhythm.[2]
- Many poets thrive by writing early in the morning, while others embrace late-night bursts of creativity.
- What matters most is developing a consistent writing routine that works for you.
Subheading: Turn Writing into a Habit
3. Keep a Poetry Image Journal
Carry a notebook everywhere so you can capture fleeting ideas, images, or fragments of lines. Great poems are often built like sculptures—pieced together from smaller fragments of inspiration. Keep an ear tuned for striking phrases or unusual language you encounter in everyday life.[3]
- Many poets also keep a portfolio or working journal to organize drafts, making it easier to revisit and refine poems later.
Subheading: Collect the Fragments of Poetry
4. Kill Your Darlings
A strong poet revises ruthlessly. Just because a poem rhymes or looks neat on the page doesn’t mean it’s finished. Good poetry communicates beyond the self, and that requires effort, patience, and multiple drafts.[4]
- Let your poems “rest” for weeks or months before revisiting them with fresh eyes.
- Continue to read master poets and learn from their craft.
- A great resource is Kim Addonizio’s Ordinary Genius, which offers practical tips and exercises for daily practice.
Subheading: Revise with Patience and Precision
5. Share Your Work and Accept Criticism Gracefully
Not everyone will love your poetry—and that’s okay. The important thing is to share your work with poets who are skilled enough to offer constructive feedback, and to accept that feedback with humility.[5][6]
- Don’t dwell on negativity, but do learn from those who know more than you.
- Constantly writing, revising, and listening will sharpen your craft and help you grow.